Crew disqualified from Rally of Scandinavia for inappropriate behaviour
The Chooligan Racing Team crew of Róbert Kolčák and Július Lapdavský have been disqualified from the BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia following an incident involving inappropriate conduct toward an official.
The decision was handed down by the event Stewards following a report from the Clerk of the Course regarding an incident after the stop control of Special Stage 6.
According to the official Stewards’ report, during a standard safety equipment inspection, the driver of car number 18, Róbert Kolčák, made inappropriate comments to a female scrutineer who was performing her duties, asking if she wanted to see his genitals. Kolčák then proceeded to grab his genital area in front of the official and a second female scrutineer who was inspecting the co-driver’s equipment.
The actions were found to be a breach of Article 12.2.1.f and Article 12.2.1.l of the 2026 FIA International Sporting Code.
A formal hearing was conducted on Saturday evening, May 23rd, attended by team manager Petr Linnart alongside both crew members. During the hearing, Kolčák confirmed the comments and the behaviour. He stated that his reaction was due to adrenaline following the stage and that he did not know the woman was an event official. He also claimed his reaction was due to the manner in which his safety clothing was being checked.
The Stewards rejected the explanations, noting that the incident occurred during a normal procedure and that the officials were clearly identifiable by black tabards.
In their final decision, the Stewards emphasized that all event officials are entitled to carry out their functions in an environment free from abuse, intimidation, harassment, or degrading behaviour, and that the heat of the moment cannot be accepted as a mitigating factor.
The Stewards noted that the conduct was considered particularly serious as it was directed specifically toward a female official performing her duties, resulting in the immediate disqualification of the competitor from the event.
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