The FIA has launched an investigation, together with Acropolis Rally Greece, into how a rock hit WRC2 contender Alejandro Cachón’s windshield on SS7.
The Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 set the fastest WRC2 time on Thiva, the final stage of Friday, but arrived at the end of the stage with a cracked windshield.
TV replays showed that a rock had hit the windshield on co-driver Borja Rozada’s side of the car, smashing half of it.
“I hope not but it seems like someone threw something, because it was in the middle of a straight,” Cachón said at the end of the stage. “So I don’t know, it was a scare. Borja had all the parts [of glass], but yeah OK.”
DirtFish contacted Cachón for further comment where he declared an incident like this “cannot happen again”.
Cachón told DirtFish: “We had a major scare. It could have turned out to be much more serious. We know it is extremely difficult to prevent such exceptional situations, but we must do everything possible to ensure they do not happen again. This cannot be allowed to happen again.”
Cachón's windshield was smashed by a rock on Friday's final stage
DirtFish also contacted Acropolis Rally Greece, and an event statement confirmed the matter was being investigated “with the utmost seriousness”.
The statement read: “As soon as the information was brought to our attention, we initiated the appropriate procedures in coordination with Rally Control and the relevant authorities. We are working closely with the FIA and the police in order to establish, with absolute certainty, the facts and circumstances of what happened.
“The safety of competitors, officials, volunteers and spectators is our absolute priority. For that reason, we believe it is important not to draw conclusions before the relevant process is complete.
“Once the facts have been fully established, we will be in a position to comment further.”
An FIA spokesperson added: “During Special Stage 7 (Thiva) of the EKO Acropolis Rally, Car No. 24 sustained a shattered windscreen after being hit by a rock along the stage route.
“The FIA and the event organizer are currently investigating the cause of the incident.”
