Hohe Auszeichnung für WP-Leitung

Der WP-Leiter, Manfred Bläsius, der WP Grafschaft Veldenz wurde mit dem „Spirit of Rallye“ , der von Ford und dem Scheich von Abu Dahbi verliehen wird, ausgezeichnet. Diese Ehrung wird bei jedem WM-Lauf für überaus hervorragende Leistung verliehen. Manfred Bläsius konnte diese Auszeichnung im Service-Park in Trier, für sein schnelles Handeln und der daraus schnellen Versorgung und Bergung des verletzten Fahrers Giggi Galli entgegennehmen. Galli verlor, auf einer schnellen Bergaufpassage in WP 5 von Burgen nach Gornhausen die Gewalt über seinen Ford Focus WRC und knallte in das Unterholz und kam letztendlich an einem Baum zum Stillstand. Dabei wurde er in seinem Fahrersitz eingeklemmt und musste aus dem Ford herausgeschnitten werden. Galli erlitt einen Bruch des linken Oberschenkels und fällt voraussichtlich für den Rest der Saison aus. Sein Beifahrer konnte unverletzt aus dem Ford Focus entsteigen. Im Interview gab Bläsius an, dass diese Auszeichnung nicht nur sein Verdienst ist, sondern auch der Verdienst der restlichen WP-Leitung und das Zusammenspiel zwischen den einzelnen Personen, die zur schnellen Rettung des verletzten Fahrers beitrugen.

ABU DHABI ‘SPIRIT OF THE RALLY’ AWARDED TO GALLI CRASH SAFETY OFFICIALS

Stage Safety Commander Manfred Bläsius picks up award

Trier, Germany. 17^th August, 2008: The ‘Abu Dhabi Spirit of the Rally’ award was yesterday presented to Manfred Bläsius, the Stage Safety Commander who masterminded the emergency services’ sterling response following Stobart driver Gigi Galli’s crunching 150kph Grafschaft Veldenz stage (5) crash in day one of Rally Germany.

With Galli and co-driver Giovanni Bernacchini trapped in their overturned car, Bläsius’ rapid response saw him implement emergency lanes to maintain safety regulations and call-in rescue and emergency teams to first cut the Italians from their car and then helicopter them to hospital, all while keeping Stobart chiefs up-to-date with the pairs’ conditions.

The ‘Abu Dhabi Spirit of the Rally’ award recognises parties demonstrating the same values that the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, stands for; respect, innovation, integrity and teamwork. It also acknowledges a positive contribution to the WRC by any of the myriad of parties involved in the sport.

“This award makes me very proud of the job we have done. However, it is not just for me – without my team I couldn’t have made the speedy decisions that ensured Gigi and the other drivers’ safety,” said Bläsius.

“For Abu Dhabi to recognise that behind every rally there are hundreds of people hard at work ensuring that the event runs smoothly is fantastic. I would like to dedicate this award to my team and we’re all hoping Gigi can return as soon as possible,” he added.

With Rally Germany’s large contingent of officials, marshalls and emergency services personnel all unpaid volunteers, Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority – the United Arabic Emirates body behind the capital’s WRC partnership – praised the rally enthusiasts who serve the sport so selflessly.

“The Abu Dhabi ‘Spirit of the Rally’ was designed to reward the various people and parties in the WRC who, away from the glare of the media, make the sport what it is - the world’s most dramatic form of motor-sport.

“Part of this drama comes from the element of danger which awaits the drivers behind every crest and corner. It is the stewards, marshalls and officials who ensure the safety of the drivers and never has this been more apparent than the manner in which Mr Bläsius and his team reacted to Galli’s unfortunate crash. I wish Gigi all the best in his recovery and commend the safety crew for their quick-thinking and prompt action,” added Ahmed Hussein.

Praise for Bläsius and the other Grafschaft Veldenz stage officials also arrived from FIA Media Delegate Jean Duby who dubbed their work “outstanding,” and Malcolm Wilson, Team Principal, Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team who said: “The stage organisers did a wonderful job of managing the situation and getting Gigi and Giovanni to hospital very quickly indeed.

“Gigi had been safely brought to hospital and operated on before we had even left service that evening, all because of the expertise and efficiency of the emergency services.

“The stage commander kept our team involved throughout the whole procedure. It’s only right the efforts put in by marshalls and emergency services personnel on all WRC events should be recognised by the teams and the whole WRC family.”

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