Eryk and Michal Goczal have been disqualified from the Dakar Rally following technical checks from the FIA.
The governing body cited a violation of the technical code, as he ran with a ‘prohibited’ carbon clutch. Goczal was leading his SSV category. Both him and his brother were disqualified.
“We emphasize that we do not agree with this decision and believe it is wrong,” an Energylandia Rally Team representative said.
“According to information reaching us, which we cannot confirm, the verification could have been carried out at the request of one of the other teams taking part in the rally with the aim of eliminating key competitors from the rally,” press release said.
“We completely disagree with the organizers’ decision. We would like to emphasize at this point that Eryk and Michal have declared their willingness to appeal in the case, although due to the regulations applicable to the Dakar Rally, the appeal may be recognized within 30 days, which actually deprives Eryk and Michal of the opportunity to achieve a high position (or winnigs) in this edition of the rally – even if the appeal is accepted.
“As a side note, it should be noted that the day before, the organizers took away the accreditation of Agata Goczal -Eryk’s mothre and Marek’s wife- and deprived her of the opportunity to stay in the participants’ campsite.
“We leave the above information for personal analysis by the recipients of this media message,” it concluded.
The team also highlighted on its press release the lack of specification regarding material restrictions in the design of the clutch.
The disqualification has prompted heated discussions on social media.