Newsroom
A Porsche taking part in an allegedly unauthorised rally collided with a pickup truck in Laneia, in the Limassol district, on Tuesday, leaving one person injured and prompting a sharp response from the Cyprus Motorsport Federation.
The injured person was taken to hospital for medical examinations as a precaution, while the collision caused material damage, according to reports published on Tuesday afternoon.
In a statement dated October 13, the Cyprus Motorsport Federation accused the Cyprus Automobile Association (CAA) of organising the event, known as the “Rally With No Name”, without the necessary approvals from state authorities and without the required insurance coverage.
The federation called on the Government and the competent authorities to investigate both the collision and the circumstances under which the event was held, including the CAA's responsibility.
The dispute centres not only on the accident but also on how the event was classified and whether it was authorised to take place in the form advertised.
According to the federation, information provided by the Police to the relevant authorities described the activity as a touring excursion. The CAA, however, promoted it as an international rally featuring special stages.
The federation demanded an explanation for the discrepancy, arguing that changing an event's name or description does not alter its actual nature or exempt its organisers from legal and insurance requirements.
It also rejected the suggestion that the CAA's international status could justify bypassing procedures applicable in the Republic of Cyprus.
The federation said it had repeatedly warned about the risks associated with such events, claiming the CAA had continued organising activities under different names and descriptions despite decisions by the relevant sports and judicial authorities.
Tuesday's collision, it argued, demonstrated the potential consequences for both competitors and members of the public who are not involved in the event.
The federation called for a full investigation and measures to prevent similar incidents, stressing that public safety must take precedence over disputes over sporting authority.
The circumstances of the crash and the questions surrounding the event's authorisation remain subject to investigation.
