In a shocking turn of events just before the start of this year’s grueling Dakar Rally, FIA officials have imposed an unusual ‘punishment’ on the renowned competitor Tom Coronel. As he and his brother Tim geared up for their tenth participation in the legendary rally set to kick off in Saudi Arabia on January 3, unexpected drama unfolded during the final preparations.
Having completed their shakedown session without major issues, the Coronel brothers were confident. They had resolved a minor GPS tablet glitch with a quick fix involving an extra antenna, and made last-minute adjustments to the car’s suspension and seat support. Everything seemed to be in order, and the vehicle passed its mandatory inspection with flying colors.
However, just when they thought they were ready to tackle the intense rally, FIA officials intervened. “It all went well, except they had never seen something at the FIA before,” Coronel recounted to RacingNews365. The cause for the commotion? A spray-painted HANS device that Coronel has used for a decade, adorned in vibrant cheese colors to pay homage to his sponsor—a cheese company. “And they confiscated it,” he stated, revealing the absurdity of the situation.
The FIA’s response was equally perplexing: “Maybe you’ll get it back,” they told him. A baffled Coronel watched as a swarm of officials became engrossed in the peculiar sight of a spray-painted safety device, a testament to the uniqueness of his racing gear. “But I’m fine with it. I’ve been riding the Dakar Rally with it for 10 years. It’s just like a helmet that’s spray-painted carbon. It’s all the same. Let’s wait and see what they have in store for me next,” he added with a grin.
Despite this bizarre hiccup, the rally veteran’s spirit remains unbroken. “The shakedown is done, and it went perfectly,” he stated, though he did note a flat tire during the process. “But we’re ready. Parc fermé is done, the car is ready. I say, ‘Bring it on! Let it begin!'” With his trademark enthusiasm, Coronel is all set to face the daunting challenges of the Dakar Rally, undeterred by the unexpected twist thrown his way. Rally fans eagerly await what promises to be another thrilling chapter in Coronel’s racing saga.
