Ford motor fined $20,000 for violating FIA rules
By Robert Soelistyo
MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Victorious Ford Motor Company was fined US$20,000 for breaking FIA rules during the World Rally Championship which concluded here on Sunday.
The judges of the rally organizing committee have confirmed that members of the Ford crew worked on the trunk of Carlos Sainz's car in a place meant for tire changes only, according to a decision number one signed by chairman of the stewards, Bernard Consten.
The incident took place between Special Stage 20 and 21 near Lake Toba in Parapat.
According to Article 4.4 of the Regulations of FIA World Rally Championship, the significance of such an infringement does not necessitate the disqualification of a competitor, but suggests penalties be given to the team.
The stewards decided unanimously to fine Ford Motor Company, entrant No. 4 (Sainz and navigator Luis Moya).
The decision was made late Sunday. VIP Rally Team, entrant car No. 48 was also fined $500. The team stopped their car at a tire shop near Tebing Tinggi to put air in their spare tire.
Ford's fine, however, did not hamper the team's first World Rally Championship victory celebration.
"I'm really happy. This has been an incredible rally -- I've never known so many leaders to drop out," Sainz said.
"The first two days were very difficult but the minute I saw Colin McRae parked by the side of the road, I knew we had a chance to win," Sainz added.
Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono, who has been here since Saturday to watch the three-day race, yesterday presented the Soeharto Cup to the winning team in a ceremony at Novotel Hotel.
North Sumatra Governor Raja Inal Siregar was also present at the ceremony.
Other finishers
Piero Liatti, in a 555 Subaru Impreza, displayed the best driving of his career but had to be content with second place. Despite setting the fastest time on every stage on Sunday's final leg, he failed to make up the time he lost in a spin on leg two of the race.
"Today was one of the best days of my rallying career," said the Italian. "I had many stage wins and I feel completely at one with my car. Ironically, I've come second to Carlos once before, in New Zealand in 1992."
The important Group N category was won by Michael Lieu of Hong Kong in a Subaru Impreza, who finished sixth overall and became the first Chinese ever to win Group N in a World Championship Rally. He led the category from the end of the first day on Friday, when the event made its first stop at the scenic Lake Toba.
Victory in the two-liter "Formula Two" class went to the Australian crew of Wayne Bell and Iain Stewart, after a trouble- free run in a Hyundai Lantra. Their teammate, Greg Carr, retired with suspension failure on Saturday.
Dolly Indra Nasution, who led the Indonesian charge until the end of leg two, hit a rock and rolled his Ford Escort RS Cosworth in the early start of leg three on Sunday. Both Dolly and navigator Farryd Sungkar escaped unhurt when their car caught fire. Lieu, next on the stage, was stopped and his fire extinguisher was used to douse the blaze, costing him 25 seconds on the stage.
FIA has decided to give this North Sumatra provincial region the honor of hosting next year's rally which, as this year, will be one of the Asia-Pacific series.