Prokop vindicated – WRC removes penalty

Martin Prokop, victim of a five minute pre-event penalty imposed by Stewards before Rally d’Italia (world championship round 6) because of an alleged incidence of a broken component seal, has had his penalty removed 14 days after the event.  

Final results for the rally have been amended.  Prokop now finishes ninth, not eleventh, and Kopecky and Kruuda move down one place each.   

A new Stewards decision issued on Sunday, June 26 stated: “a new element has been brought” to the issue in that the seals in question were not destroyed and that “the seals on the rear differential of car no. 21 effectively are unbroken”.  

This decision brings a sense of justice, but does not overcome the feeling of intense demoralisation suffered by the crew through the event.  

It is notable that Prokop now finishes the event only 5.5 second behind eighth placed Suninen.
 
- Martin Holmes

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