Our say

Potholes play part in deciding destiny of World Rally crown

3rd August 2009

Proof if proof were needed that it matters not one jot whether you are the average Joe driving along the road outside your modest home, or a global sporting superstar. Potholes care nothing for class or status... they’ll strike at anyone!

As five-times World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb found to his cost this weekend. Citroen Racing’s French ace was engaged in battle with Mikko Hirvonen during the weekend’s Rally Finland, when in Special Stage 15, he walloped a pothole, which punctured his right front tyre and ruined his chances of winning.

A full report of the incident can be seen here: http://bit.ly/qTAAz

Loeb had to settle for second place behind his main championship rival, Hirvonen, and fell further behind in the points as a result.

While ordinary motorists without the backing of a manufacturer-backed rally team suffer damage to themselves and their vehicles every day, could potholes ultimately be (partly) responsible for the demise of a much higher-profile victim?

Watch this space....