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Scumballers [UPDATED]
Hit and run leaves one man dead, his wife critical and two Gumball 3000 drivers arrested.
0-60 is no stranger to Gumball, having ran the European road rally in 2005. But the one thing we always said about this event is “it’s amazing that no one gets killed.” Well, sadly that day has come and in the worst way. Allegedly, Gumball participants Nick Morley and Matthew McConville crashed their Porsche 911 Turbo into a VW Golf in Macedonia, then fled the scene by foot, but were caught trying to cross the Albanian border. This deplorable hit-and-run took a 67-year-old man’s life and left his wife in critical condition. It doesn’t need to be said, that this is a stain that will not be easily removed.
With all of the problems that have faced Gumball this year from being banned in Germany and Turkey to this horrible atrocity, could this be the rally’s farewell run?
UPDATE-1: Maximillion Cooper makes a statement on accident here.
UPDATE-2: Nick Morley will be detained for 30 days by the local authorities for an investigation of the accident. He currently faces charges of reckless driving and leaving an injured person in need of medical assistance.
UPDATE-3: GUMBALL IS CANCELED, yup read here
Wow..I can't believe they tried to get away with it.
I just read the developing cover-up news. This is beyond fucked-up... nobody's ever considered these races to be filled with responsibility, but damn! And not even to man-up and hang around while people cling to their lives? Hope they throw the book at em.
Without question, I am appalled by the actions of these two drivers. And it's a real shame, because this will be a blight on not just Gumball, but all rallies. Expect this to be used as "exhibit A" as to why no country will allow for future road rallies no matter how "legal" they are. While this would have still been a tragedy if the drivers did not flee, them doing so has made this into a display of the inhumane. Not a good look for us enthusiasts.
this is sad. for the driver of that mk2 golf, his wife, and their families. also, for the motorsports world. it takes on or two jerks to ruin something good. are there more links to more coverage of this somewhere.
This is bad=/ I guess this is why the gumball site is down... My heart and prayers go out to Vladimir & Margit Chepunyoski. RIP
Team Polizei has withdrawn from the rally and that they will be making a statement at 10.00GMT. "In view of events of the past day, Alex Roy and Michael Ross of Team Polizei have withdrawn from the 2007 Gumball Rally. They are driving to Bratislava to thank the fans that have traveled from so far. They will make a further statement at 10.00GMT". but still no word from Max...
At the risk of sounding selfish, this is really going to ruin it for the rest of us who enjoy 'rallying'. A UK paper, The Sun, reported that Morley, the driver, "-wrote in an internet diary how he almost hit a crowd, topped 190mph, outwitted German cops and used false number plates". He definitely doesn't not represent all of us.