Rally driver disqualified over ‘inappropriate comments’ towards scrutineer

More specifically, the Slovak driver, who claimed the Slovakian Rally2 title last year, allegedly made those comments during a standard safety equipment inspection after the stop control of special stage six of the Royal Rally of Scandinavia. The official FIA statement states that the Slovak “made inappropriate comments towards the scrutineer who was performing her duties, asking her whether she wanted to see his genitals, and then he proceeded to grab his genitals area in front of the scrutineers”.

Questioned by the stewards, Kolkack admitted making the remarks, claiming they were “due to the adrenaline following the stage” and adding that he “did not know the woman was an official of the event.”

The document further stated that Kolkack had justified his reaction by pointing to the way the scrutineer was inspecting his safety clothing, while underlining that the remark was explicitly offensive in nature and aimed at an official performing her duties during the event: "He also stated that his reaction was due to the way the scrutineer was trying to check his safety clothing. The comment made by the driver was explicitly offensive in nature and directed towards an official while she was carrying out her duties on behalf of the event.

The stewards also stressed the seriousness of the fact that the behaviour had been directed specifically at a female scrutineer while she was carrying out her role, describing the conduct as not only disrespectful towards the individual involved, but particularly serious given the remarks were aimed at a female official performing her duties during the event.

In a lengthy social media post, the driver addressed the incident and shared his version of events, explaining that drivers are often fully focused on the stage and do not expect an inspection to take place immediately after getting out of the car, while also insisting he respected the rules despite wanting to offer his own perspective on the situation.

Kolkack went on to describe the comment made towards the female official as a joke that, in his view, had been misunderstood and blown out of proportion, claiming the scrutineer herself had laughed at the remark at the time. He also criticised the way the incident had been portrayed publicly, arguing that certain statements included in the official report did not reflect what he had actually said and made the situation appear far more serious than he believed it to be.

Despite this, the Slovak driver once again apologised for what he admitted had been an inappropriate joke and said he was sorry if the official had felt offended in any way. He also stated that, following the inspection, he complied with all the required checks before continuing with the rally.