Salvador de Alba disqualified in GTM for unauthorized modification

The organizers of the Roshfrans Super Cup confirmed the disqualification of Salvador de Alba from the event held in Aguascalientes on June 28-29, officially resulting in a 100-point deduction that cost him the championship lead. The updated standings show Emiliano Richards as the new leader with 462 points, while De Alba dropped to fourth place with 400 points. The penalty stemmed from an unauthorized engine modification on car number 1 in the GTM category, detected during post-race technical inspections.

The official statement, published only on social media on August 13, states that the alteration was made by the hired engine specialist working for the team. Although the modification provided no proven competitive advantage, the organization applied the disqualification according to category regulations. The post doesn't specify which engine component was modified, nor whether the technical inspection was routine or resulted from competitor protests. The involved engine specialist isn't identified, nor is it mentioned whether they work for other teams in the series.

Photo By Carlos Castillo

Responsibility falls on driver per FMAD statutes

"We know and want to clarify that neither the team, nor the driver, nor especially the sponsors participate in engine preparation; however, any circumstances that arise become the driver's responsibility as established in the statutes," explained the organization in its statement. The penalty is based on the Sporting Code of the Mexican Federation of Motorsports, which designates the driver as ultimately responsible for all matters related to their vehicle. The modification was performed by the engine specialist during motor preparation and tuning work.

Updated standings confirm drop to fourth place

The official points table has finally been updated, confirming the full impact of the disqualification. De Alba lost 100 points corresponding to both races at the Aguascalientes event, dropping from 500 to 400 points. The result placed Emiliano Richards as the new championship leader with 462 points, followed by Paul Jourdain (403 points) and Gerardo Nieto (401 points). De Alba was relegated to fourth place, now 62 points behind the new leader.

Perfect season interrupted by sanction

De Alba arrived in Aguascalientes with a flawless record of six consecutive wins in GTM Pro 1. He had won both races in Mérida, Monterrey and Querétaro, leaving the Querétaro event with a 32-point lead over Emiliano Richards.

His subsequent performances in Monterrey and Querétaro maintained his undefeated streak, leaving the Querétaro event with a 32-point lead over Emiliano Richards. In Aguascalientes he added two more victories to his tally, reaching eight consecutive wins, but now those last two wins are in question due to the technical sanction.

Full disqualification confirms worst-case scenario

The official update confirmed that the disqualification covered both races at the Aguascalientes event, materializing the worst possible scenario for De Alba. The 100-point loss cost him the championship lead and dropped him to fourth place in the overall standings. The impact exceeded the most pessimistic expectations, leaving De Alba 62 points behind Richards and turning a comfortable advantage into a considerable deficit with three events remaining in the season.

Photo By Carlos Castillo

Three events remaining until September

The championship has three remaining events that will determine the 2025 champion. Mexico City hosts the sixth round on August 15-16, followed by Chihuahua on September 6-7, concluding in Puebla on September 27-28.

The organization mentioned its commitment to work with teams and engine specialists to improve processes and regulations, maintaining strict technical inspections to ensure fair competition among all participants.

Official GTM Pro 1 Standings