Publicat in: March 1, 2009, Vizualizari: 53
The British federation's National Court has severely punished the Mitsubishi UK team following problems experienced on last year's national championship Trackrod Rally. On that occasion questions arose about the use of a non-homologated steering rack in the Mitsubishi UK's Lancer Evo IX driven by Guy Wilks, who won the rally. At an earlier hearing, the National Court declared that the steering rack could be modified if this permitted more convenient driving. The team explained that the use of an adapter to which the steering wheel was attached was unsafe if fixed to the homologated steering column. A fully homologated column was then used on the car on the final rounds of the championship held on the world championship Wales Rally GB. The National Court was asked to consider the implications of compromising "competitive advantage above that of safety" and declared that this was "clearly unacceptable". The Court found Mitsubishi UK at fault on two counts. They should have declared the problem as soon as this was discovered, not waited till questions over the legality of the car were raised. And they should have told other competitors about the problem. Mitsubishi UK said they only told the parent company in Japan, who dismissed their report. Mitsubishi UK were fined and made liable for costs, the total of which amounted to UKL60,000, but no suspension or exclusions were ordered as a result of the findings. Mitsubishi UK have already withdrawn from active participation in the British championship although continue to support a challenge for drivers of their cars.
3mmm
photo: The steering column at Wales Rally GB
The British federation's National Court has severely punished the Mitsubishi UK team following problems experienced on last year's national championship Trackrod Rally. On that occasion questions arose about the use of a non-homologated steering rack in the Mitsubishi UK's Lancer Evo IX driven by Guy Wilks, who won the rally. At an earlier hearing, the National Court declared that the steering rack could be modified if this permitted more convenient driving. The team explained that the use of an adapter to which the steering wheel was attached was unsafe if fixed to the homologated steering column. A fully homologated column was then used on the car on the final rounds of the championship held on the world championship Wales Rally GB. The National Court was asked to consider the implications of compromising "competitive advantage above that of safety" and declared that this was "clearly unacceptable". The Court found Mitsubishi UK at fault on two counts. They should have declared the problem as soon as this was discovered, not waited till questions over the legality of the car were raised. And they should have told other competitors about the problem. Mitsubishi UK said they only told the parent company in Japan, who dismissed their report. Mitsubishi UK were fined and made liable for costs, the total of which amounted to UKL60,000, but no suspension or exclusions were ordered as a result of the findings. Mitsubishi UK have already withdrawn from active participation in the British championship although continue to support a challenge for drivers of their cars.
3mmm
photo: The steering column at Wales Rally GB
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