Most liked posts in thread: WRC: Hirvonen disqualified

ScottinBend · Apr 1, 2012

oopsy......

Steve · Apr 3, 2012

CitroÃ«n decides not to pursue appeal (Citroen-WRC.com)

3 April 2012

Following the exclusion of the no.2 CitroÃ«n DS3 WRC from the Rally de Portugal, CitroÃ«n Racing had initially stated its intention to appeal against the decision of the Stewards. Further analysis of the matter did not uncover any new technical elements. After consulting with various experts, CitroÃ«n Racing has therefore decided against pursuing the appeal with the FIAâ€™s International Court of Appeal (ICA).

After having been notified of the decision to exclude the no.2 DS3 WRC from the Rally de Portugal, the CitroÃ«n Total World Rally Team had, within the one-hour deadline stipulated by the regulations, stated its intention to appeal against the decision at the FIAâ€™s International Court of Appeal. The team then had a further 48 hours to either confirm its intention to appeal or decide against doing so.

As further analysis of the matter and discussions with experts did not uncover any new technical elements that might have been used to alter the harsh penalty handed out by the Stewards, CitroÃ«n decided not to pursue what would have been a long and costly procedure.

Yves Matton, CitroÃ«n Racing Team Principal: â€œWe had stated our intention to appeal in order to give us time to analyse the matter in more detail. As regards the clutch, our supplier has sent us a letter of apology acknowledging the existence of a batch of parts which were different from those on the homologation documentation. This letter confirms that it was never our intention to cheat. At the same time, this situation forces us to look again at our procedures, since these parts were not picked up during our own checks. On the second point identified by the scrutineers, the sole supplier of turbocompressors approved by the FIA for all manufacturers, has confirmed to us the plastic expansion of the wheel turbine. Additional analysis will undoubtedly confirm that this was due to wear on the part. We accept this harsh penalty but are determined to learn the lessons and ensure that we will be even better in future. We still lead both World Championships, but the gaps have been reduced. We now go into the upcoming rallies more determined than ever to get back to winning ways.â€

Mikko Hirvonen: â€œObviously, I am very disappointed but I am not annoyed. These things happen. You have to accept them when they do, learn the necessary lessons and go again. CitroÃ«n has done a lot for me in the last few months so I stand united with the team at this difficult time. We win together, and we lose together! This incident just makes me even more determined. I canâ€™t wait to start the next rally and go racing again.â
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Crashton · Apr 3, 2012

Fighting the FIA is not a smart thing for the team to do. They could have lost all points for the season to date & who knows what else they'd have been hit with. I don't buy the mfgr of the clutch being at fault. That is a lame excuse. Those guys know those cars every nut & bolt. They knew what they did was wrong. The illegal turbo is interesting & I'd like to know more about that. :ihih:

Steve · Apr 3, 2012

Crashton said: ↑

Fighting the FIA is not a smart thing ...
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You're not alone in that thought.

Some you win, some you lose (MaxRally.com)

3rd April 2012
By Giles Wade

Sensibly, Citroen has decided not to pursue the appeal against Mikko Hirvonenâ€™s exclusion from Rally Portugal. To date, no single appeal against exclusion on the World Rally Championship has succeeded â€“ although Peugeot did manage to get the results of the Sanremo Rally annulled back in 1986.

No winner, however, has yet been reinstated after the stewards have decided otherwise. With the two technical infringements on Mikko Hirvonenâ€™s car both evident and quantifiable, the fact that there was no competitive advantage nor intention to cheat is irrelevant.

From the outset it was clear that Citroen was never going to make an appeal stick: their intention, entirely legitimately, was simply to buy time.

As team principal Yves Matton said: â€œRegarding the clutch, our supplier has sent us a letter of apology acknowledging the existence of a batch of parts which were different from those on the homologation documentation. This letter confirms that it was never our intention to cheat. On the second point identified by the scrutineers, the sole supplier of turbo compressors approved by the FIA for all manufacturers, has confirmed to us the plastic expansion of the wheel turbine. Additional analysis will undoubtedly confirm that this was due to wear on the part.â€

Indeed, but when it comes to the rules, the reasons why they were broken is of no consequence. The only pertinent fact is that they were. Some you win, some you lose.
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