Dakar team furious after disqualification: 'Will be worked out'

Eryk Goczal, the classification leader in the Challenger category of the Dakar Rally, has been disqualified for using an illegal clutch. His uncle, Michal Goczal, has also been expelled from the competition. In a statement, the EnergyLandia Rally Team reacted furiously, claiming to have been eliminated from the competition by another team.

Dakar team furious after disqualification

Eryk Goczal was leading by a large margin in the first week of the Challenger category and victory was within reach, but the organisers decided otherwise. A statement announced that both Eryk and his uncle Michal Goczal were disqualified for using an illegal clutch.

EnergyLandia released a statement in response to the decision: "We would like to point out that in fact on January 13th, 2024 after verifying the clutches in cars of Eryk (leader of the general classification who is the winner of 5 special episodes Dakar 2024) and Michał - the organizer decided to disqualify both teams. However, we emphasize that we do not agree with this decision and believe it is wrong."

"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 (it should be recalled that after stage 6, Eryk gained an advantage over the other (second) team of over 1 hour, which is above average for this rally)."

The team stresses its "complete disagreement" with the organisation's decision, which incidentally denies that any consultation took place with teams. The drivers will, therefore, appeal, but this will not have any effect on the outcome of the rally. In fact, the organisation has 30 days to recognise the appeal, which, according to the team, "deprives the drivers of the possibility of achieving a high position or win in this edition of the rally, even if the appeal is accepted".