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The Cyprus rally will not go through north Nicosia this year, with Turkish Cypriots crying foul over the decision and Greek Cypriots citing technical issues.
The Super rally is hosted in Larnaca this year, a departure from previous years when the event was based in the capital of Nicosia.
This means that both Start and Finish ceremonies will take place in the southern town with the Mediterranean Sea as the backdrop.
But Turkish Cypriots are crying foul over officials who ruled that the leg of the race in Nicosia would not go through the northern part of the city, unlike previous years.
The president of the Cyprus Automobile Association, Antonis Michaelides, says the special Nicosia route will not go north this year because of a technical violation that took place last weekend.
Officials say the special Nicosia route will not go through the north this year because of a technical violation
Michaelides said that part of the rally route in north Nicosia was used last weekend during the North Cyprus Rally event between June 1-3.
But according to regulations, Michaelides said, the same or similar route could not be used by those who participate in both events because they would have an advantage over other divers.
A Reconnaissance article in the Cyprus Rally Supplementary Regulations (ERC) for 2018, says that “if any crew and/or competitor is found, between both dates, on any part of any special stage to be used in the rally, he or she will be reported to the Stewards who may apply penalties at their discretion.”
The Cyprus Turkish Touring and Automobile Association disagreed with the decision, saying that the International Automobile Federation (FIA) made an error in their assessment of the route used June 1-3.
Michaelides, who represents Cyprus in the International Automobile Federation (FIA), said the development was a sad turn of events for both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, as well as the United Nations and the thousands of fans across the divide who have been enjoying the rally in the capital.
According to daily Politis, the Foreign Ministry and the United Nations were involved in consultations before finally resulting to the exclusion of the north Nicosia route, adding that Michaelides was hopeful that next year the rally would once again drive through both sides of the divided city.
