SS9: Stage cancelled following accident
Saturday afternoon’s opening stage at XION Rally Argentina was cancelled following an accident early in the stage involving Hyundai’s Hayden Paddon and John Kennard.
Stage info: SS9
Capilla del Monte / San Marcos 2, 23.10km
Last used in 2009, this is mainly uphill and technical. It blends twisty sections with plenty of corners with a scattering of faster roads. The surface is smooth but a covering of loose gravel on top makes it slippery. The final downhill section to the finish offers spectacular views over the San Marcos Sierra region.
Neither crew member was injured but the incident involved spectators who were immediately assisted by emergency services from the rally.
The stage was stopped after five cars had started and following its cancellation all remaining competitors were re-routed to the start of SS10, San Marcos / Characato II, which is due to start at 16.37 as scheduled.
A statement from rally organisers said:
“Due to sanitary ambulances of the race being affected to this accident, the organisation established the immediate in interruption of SS9.
“The organisation will continue updating on any new details concerning the accident.”