FIA fine WRC drivers for performing donuts!
Discussion
Whatever next?
Crash.net said:
he FIA, the governing body of the World Rally Championship has apparently fined Rally Argentina winner, Sebastien Loeb and three of his colleagues for performing a donut for the crowd prior to driving over the finish ramp at the Cordoba stadium on Sunday.
However, as the organisers of the event had asked them to do it to help entertain the 40,000 people, who had just watched the two super-specials that closed the event, it does seem a bit harsh.
Loeb, Gigi Galli, Manfred Stohl and Daniel Sordo were each fined 10,000 Euros for what was viewed as 'hazardous actions'.
"That is absolutely ridiculous," said Stohl. "During the super stage, going 120, you fly by the audience so close you could shave them with your side mirror. And then they come up with such a thing!"
The OMV Peugeot driver, who finished fourth though, was unwilling to say anymore in case the FIA opted to take further action.
Galli meanwhile who was on the podium for the first time admitted that he didn't know what they can and can't do. "I would like to say, only a small advice. When I was on the podium, nobody told me what I had to do," he continued. "I couldn't know what I was doing, one person said if you want, you can do donuts. I do that and, for me, it was a pleasure..."
Just not a 'pleasure' shared by the FIA...
Stupid.
Nobody was in danger, the spectators were far away (I caught a little of the action on tv last night).
I remember a donut performed on a rally stage a few years ago (maybe Marcus Gronholm?) when he had a huge lead. Was he fined? No.
We love the entertainment.
If I don't see some fun driving when I watch the WRC later this year I will be very annoyed.
Nobody was in danger, the spectators were far away (I caught a little of the action on tv last night).
I remember a donut performed on a rally stage a few years ago (maybe Marcus Gronholm?) when he had a huge lead. Was he fined? No.
We love the entertainment.
If I don't see some fun driving when I watch the WRC later this year I will be very annoyed.
FourWheelDrift said:
Nicol@ said:
I remember a donut performed on a rally stage a few years ago (maybe Marcus Gronholm?) when he had a huge lead. Was he fined? No.
Gilles Panizzi in a Peugeot on a hairpin corner towards the end of the last stage of the 2002 Tour de Corse.
![]()
Everyone loved it.
Well remembered.

CraigAlsop said:
'Tweren't so long ago that every Rally was ended thus. I can still picture McRae doughnutting his Scoob, with a saltire hanging out the window.
But that was rallying. Today, as Sebastien Loeb pointed out in a TV interview a while back, they are races.
Different sport, different rules.
FourWheelDrift said:
Nicol@ said:
I remember a donut performed on a rally stage a few years ago (maybe Marcus Gronholm?) when he had a huge lead. Was he fined? No.
Gilles Panizzi in a Peugeot on a hairpin corner towards the end of the last stage of the 2002 Tour de Corse.
![]()
Everyone loved it.
It's a bit like rubbing the other contestants' faces in it. "I'm so ahead of you that I can do thissssss!"
Wonder if I'm the only one to handbrake turn over the finish line in racing games...
shadowninja said:
FourWheelDrift said:
Nicol@ said:
I remember a donut performed on a rally stage a few years ago (maybe Marcus Gronholm?) when he had a huge lead. Was he fined? No.
Gilles Panizzi in a Peugeot on a hairpin corner towards the end of the last stage of the 2002 Tour de Corse.
![]()
Everyone loved it.
![]()
It's a bit like rubbing the other contestants' faces in it. "I'm so ahead of you that I can do thissssss!"
Wonder if I'm the only one to handbrake turn over the finish line in racing games...
Well sort of. I occasionally do a 180 spin and go over the line in reverse.
Just to add, its a completely stupid ruling by the FIA
>> Edited by killer2005 on Wednesday 3rd May 14:07
[quote=killer2005
Wonder if I'm the only one to handbrake turn over the finish line in racing games...[/quote]
Well sort of. I occasionally do a 180 spin and go over the line in reverse.
Just to add, its a completely stupid ruling by the FIA
My missus went over the line in a grasstrack race years ago on her roof. Did she get fined. Of course not and she was awarded 2nd place points. She got a good kicking from me though when I got her home for damaging the car.
Wonder if I'm the only one to handbrake turn over the finish line in racing games...[/quote]
Well sort of. I occasionally do a 180 spin and go over the line in reverse.
Just to add, its a completely stupid ruling by the FIA
My missus went over the line in a grasstrack race years ago on her roof. Did she get fined. Of course not and she was awarded 2nd place points. She got a good kicking from me though when I got her home for damaging the car.
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