The young pilot from Lanzarote, Raúl Hernández, and the co-driver from Gran Canaria, Rogelio Peñate, suffered a "spectacular" accident on Thursday morning during a training session in the Azores. Both escaped unharmed, but the damage to the vehicle forced them to abandon their participation in the Azores Airlines Rally.
"There had to be a first time... After six races, we've experienced the bitter side of rallying, with our first retirement. The important thing is that both Rogelio and I are in perfect condition. Thank you all for your support!" Raúl Hernández posted on his Facebook.
"It was very spectacular, but nothing more. We got out of the vehicle on our own," said Rogelio Peñate, the co-driver from Gran Canaria, to La Voz. He explained that it was "not possible" to repair the damage to the vehicle in time for the afternoon, which was when the rally started, and that they therefore had to abandon their participation in it.
