Rally Bulgaria Drivers Halt Participation over Deadly Accident

Rally Bulgaria was cancelled over the deadly accident with the Swiss team in which navigator, Flavio Gugelmini, died. Photo by rallybulgaria.com

The organizers of the 40th edition of rally Bulgaria made the decision to definitely cancel the Sunday race.

The decision was made over the tragic incident with the Swiss Peugeot 207 S2000 team in which the navigator, Flavio Gugelmini, died and the driver, Brian Lavio, was taken to the hospital in the city of Velingrad.

Lavio is conscious and has chest, stomach, and right knee injuries. He will be taken later to the emergency medical center "Pirogov" in Sofia for further medical tests and monitoring.

The observer of the leg had reacted immediately after noticing that one of the cars did not pass by him and had called the rally's control center.

Three cars were on the road at that time while the FIV (First Intervention Vehicle) left immediately behind them and the control center stopped all other teams.

The leg where the incident happened was closed, but after long debates and several changes of mind, the organizers decided to continue the race on another road with just the 10 teams that were able to finish the tragic leg.

The drivers, however, refused to continue with the race and drove on the road without competing. Later Sunday they will all gather to honor the dead of their colleague. The organizers decided to finally stop the race.

 

 

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