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WRC Esports: Rally Italia Sardinia cancelled due to cutting controversy

WRC Esports has announced that the results of Rally Italia Sardinia have been declared null and void, after a corner-cutting controversy.

WRC Esports: Rally Italia Sardinia cancelled due to cutting controversy

The results of the ninth round of WRC Esports 2022 have been controversially declared null and void by the organisers, it was announced today (1st of June 2022).

The beginning of the season saw Japanese rookie Kazuho Iwata (Kazunokota) win two out of the first four events, shading 2020 WRC eSports Grand Final winner Sami-Joe Abi Nakhle.

However, since Round 5’s Rally Belgium, Sami-Joe has risen to the challenge, the Lebanese winning five rallies in a row, racking up a championship lead of 38 points.

Rally Italia Sardegna was scheduled to run between the 27th and 30th of May, and although most competitors had completed their timed runs, it became apparent that a number were taking advantage of significant cutting opportunities on the Monti Di Ala and Lerno Reverse tests (especially Lerno Reverse, as it transpired).

WRC Esports 2022, Rally Italia Sardinia cancelled due to cutting controversy

The shortcut controversy has led the WRC Esports organisers – in consultation with WRC Promoter – to cancel the results of Round 9 and continue the championship at Round 10, Safari Rally Kenya.

With several cutting opportunities present on Rally Kenya, WRC Esports has promised to disqualify any drivers found guilty of taking shortcuts, denying them team and driver points.

What do you make of the WRC Esports Rally Italia Sardegna cancellation? Let us know in the comments below.