Roland Bruynseraede

Infobox Person
name = Roland Bruynseraede


image_size =
caption =
birth_date = birth date and age|1939|10|05
birth_place = Ardennes, Belgium
nationality = Belgian
title = DTM Race Director
predecessor =

Roland Bruynseraede (October 5, 1939 – ) is a motorsport official currently occupying the role of race director for the DTM series. He has previously worked as the FIA circuit inspector and Formula One safety delegate. From 1988 to 1995 he was the Formula One race director.

Although born in Belgium, Bruynseraede grew up in Germany and as a result is fluent in French, Flemish, German and English. [cite web |title= Gentlemen start your engines.... |url=http://www3.dtm.com/newsausgabe.php?id=617 |date=2000-10-24 |work=DTM.com |language=German] He initially became involved in motorsport during his spare time while he was working for Ford Motor Company. In 1971, he succeeded Pierre Stasse as clerk of the course at the Zolder circuit in Belgium. [cite web |url=http://www.circuit-zolder.be/en/history/explained/index.html |title=History explained |work=Circuit-Zolder.be] His involvement in the organisation of international motorsport events began in 1982. He took up the position of Formula One starter and circuit inspector before the 1987 season following the retirement of Derek Ongaro. A reorganisation of roles within Formula One resulted in him becoming race director and FIA safety delegate. [cite web |url=http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/cref-brurol.html |title=Roland Bruynseraede |work=GrandPrix.com |publisher=Inside F1, Inc.]

During his time in the role as circuit inspector, he was charged with the death of Ayrton Senna by Italian prosecutors, which occurred during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. All charges against him were dropped, after it was established by the investigation that Senna was not killed by his car's impact with a wall at the circuit which Bruynseraede had declared as safe, but because a piece of the car's suspension pierced his helmet causing fatal head injuries. [cite web |url=http://www.ayrton-senna.com/s-files/newsfle9.html |title=Senna not guilty:Four out of six cleared |date=1997-11-07 |work= 1997 Oct 30 - Nov 28 : NewSfile #9 |publisher=The S Files]

He left his Formula One roles in December 1995, and was appointed race director and safety delegate for the new International Touring Car Championship. The ITCC was cancelled after one season, but was later reborn as the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters.

References