Next Race causes immediate race end and unrecoverable spectator/countdown loop

After finishing a race and selecting Next Race, the 1-minute countdown runs, but when the new race starts it can immediately auto-end. This can repeat indefinitely, repeatedly placing the player into the spectator/countdown cycle. The player may be unable to exit Spectator Mode with T, and eventually Esc also fails, forcing an Alt+F4 to close the game.

1. Complete a race.
2. Select "Next Race".
3. Wait for the 1-minute countdown to finish.
4. When the next race starts, observe that the race immediately ends automatically and returns to spectator/countdown.
5. Repeat through additional restarts and attempt to exit Spectator Mode using T.
6. Attempt to exit the state using Esc; observe it may also stop working, requiring Alt+F4.

After selecting Next Race, the countdown completes and the next race starts normally without immediately ending. If the player is placed into Spectator Mode, they can always exit it using the intended controls (e.g., T or Esc).

Version Live: 
cl111-lifecycle-fullcook-20261002-r1

Title:
Race automatically ends after restart and can become an unrecoverable spectator loop

Category: Gameplay / Multiplayer
Severity: Critical

Description

After selecting Next Race, the one-minute countdown starts, but when the countdown finishes and the race restarts, the race can immediately end automatically.

This repeats in a loop and can leave the player unable to recover without closing the game.

Steps to reproduce
Complete a race.
Select Next Race.
Wait through the one-minute countdown.
When the new race starts, observe that the race immediately ends automatically.
The process repeats when the next race starts.
Attempt to exit Spectator Mode with T.
Attempt to exit through Esc.
Actual result
The race automatically ends immediately after restarting.
The player is repeatedly returned to the spectator/countdown cycle.
T does not exit Spectator Mode.
Eventually Esc also fails to recover the player from the state.
The player is effectively trapped and must use Alt+F4 to close the game.
Expected result

The next race should start normally after the countdown.

The player should remain in control and the race should not automatically terminate immediately after starting.

If the player enters Spectator Mode, they should always be able to leave it normally.