Disqualification Dakar leader causes hefty riot: 'Other teams wanted us out of the rally'

Eryk Goczal has dominated the opening week of the Dakar Rally inthe T3 Challenger category. A final victory looked certain, untilthe rally organisers suddenly came out with a statement on the restday. Eryk and his uncle Michal Goczal had been disqualified forusing an illegal clutch. With the decision unable to be overturned,the EnergyLandia Rally Team reacted furiously in a statement. "Wewant to emphasize that we absolutely disagree with the decision andwe believe it is a wrong decision," said the team. "According toour information, although we cannot confirm it, another team askedthe race committee to check if we were complying with the rules.Their goal was to eliminate us from the race. It should beemphasized that Eryk won by more than an hour during stage six."According to the team, the issue involves carbon parts, illegal orotherwise, in the clutch. "From the organization's assessment, itappears that it is about the use of carbon parts in the clutch.First of all, to contradict rumors, we have studied the rulesextensively and on our side nothing has gone wrong technically."Second, we have received confirmation from the technical racemanagement that the use of carbon clutch is allowed. In fact, ithas no impact on the performance of the vehicle." EnergyLandiaplans to appeal, although the results will no longer be adjusted,the team is distraught: "The case will be heard in 30 days, whichmeans Eryk and Michal can no longer get a good result. Even if weare vindicated it will yield nothing."https://www.instagram.com/p/C2DgHbLoftq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken Een bericht gedeeld door ErykGocza (@eryk_goczal)