Apparently the Gumball has been cancelled due to fatal crash

Post by **Ben** » Fri May 04, 2007 10:26 am

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.htm ... page_id=34

Organisers of the Gumball 3000 Rally closed the race down following a fatal traffic accident involving two British drivers.

The pair reportedly left a man dead and his wife fighting for her life in an alleged hit-and-run accident during a controversial high-speed rally.

Nick Morley and Matthew McConville's ultrahigh performance Porsche 911 was said to have veered on to the wrong side of the road and struck Vladimir and Margarita Chepulyoski's VW Golf.

The Britons were said to have leapt into another car taking part in the Macedonian leg of the Gumball 3000 rally and headed for the border.

Rally organisers announced that the event had been called off in Bratislava a day early following the accident.

Maximillion Cooper, the founder of the rally, said in a statement: "As a sign of respect we have decided that this year's Gumball 3000 Rally will not travel any further and will end in Bratislava.

"As the organisers of the rally we feel that it should be stopped as a mark of respect to Vladimir Cepulyoski who died today after an accident involving one of the participating drivers.

"We are very saddened by what has happened and feel that it would be wrong to continue. On behalf of Gumball 3000, we once again extend our deepest sympathies to his family and we are doing everything we can for them.

"This is the first time anything like this has happened in nine years of travelling through over 40 countries with thousands of drivers and it is with deep regret that I make this announcement."

The pair were stopped by guards as they tried to cross into Albania, police said.

The crash happened as five of the high-performance Gumball cars travelled in convoy near the town of Struga.

The twin turbo-charged Porsche was going at high speed, according to police.

Mr Chepulyoski, 67, died of a heart attack on his way to hospital, while his wife was in a critical condition in intensive care in hospital.

Morley, who was driving the Porsche at the time of the crash, was remanded in custody for 30 days.

He faces charges which may lead to a one-year jail term, while Mr McConville was released.

Rally organisers insisted their car was not speeding and the pair left the scene for 20 minutes because they were in shock.

Founder Maximillion Cooper said: 'Both drivers are extremely traumatised.'

This year's Gumball 3000 sees 120 supercars travelling 4,800km (3,000 miles) through 16 countries over eight days.

But the celebrity rally has sparked safety fears in the past with some countries warning the drivers they would not be welcome.

duncan · Post by **duncan** » Fri May 04, 2007 10:35 am

Cant say I am suprised by the accident tbh.

The organisers did the right thing in cancelling it.

Post by **Ben** » Fri May 04, 2007 10:47 am

Think it's a poor show that the drivers did a runner ... ok maybe they weren't thinking straight - but - still shouldn't have run.

lsop · Post by **lsop** » Fri May 04, 2007 11:23 am

Cowards the lot of them.. Not only do the drivers flee the scene and leave the people but the organisers try and cover up and say they weren't speeding and left as they were in shock.. What about the poor lady who is now critically ill in hospital.. Disgraceful really...

TonyB · Post by **TonyB** » Fri May 04, 2007 12:41 pm

Disgraceful it is indeed. I can not believe they left the scene and did stay to aid the injured :no:

If they are proved to have been speeding, which they will workout, they deserve longer than 1 year in prison just for running imo.

Makes me sick....

lsop · Post by **lsop** » Fri May 04, 2007 1:33 pm

Have just been reading the Gumball forums and someone posted this video about Team Polizie not having a clean slate..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77Etgx6r1ms

goodap · Post by **goodap** » Fri May 04, 2007 2:15 pm

cant say im surprised about this, the concept is awesome but your still on public roads driving at insane speeds!!! Even on a race trace we know its not safe.

Not a good day!

Post by **Stuart** » Fri May 04, 2007 2:23 pm

I fail to see the Police and authorities allowing this sort of organised event from now on. It's all well and good for the organisers to plead ignorance and to state that no-one was speeding but the DVD's and other promotional media suggest. This, as others have said, was a ticking bomb and this years trip was when the bomb went off.

I truly pity the poor innocent individuals hurt in the accident and the actions of the British guys involved were inexcusable. Shock is one thing but you're not telling me that they didn't know what they were doing.

We all know that road/street racing happens but justifying it on the basis of 'it's the Cannonball' is nonsense. To celebrate a street race and to create an aura where the participants feel they are 'stars' and therefore removed from their responsibilities towards their fellow road users is scandalous.

This should have been an event for briskly travelling between destinations with lovely cars, weather and people. I hope that all of our enjoyment in our cars has not been jeopardised by the actions of the minority.

goodap · Post by **goodap** » Fri May 04, 2007 2:32 pm

You have a way with words stuart.

Exactly how I would put it down on a forum if I could!

Bubble · Post by **Bubble** » Fri May 04, 2007 2:36 pm

Disgracefull to leave the scene of the accident like that. This was bound to happen one day with a rally of this type and it is bound to affect the image of performance cars and their drivers.

Condolences the the family involved