Hyundai's Polish pair to miss rally

The Polish pair are lucky to be alive after a truck toppled on to their recce car on a twisty Spanish road. Only the vehicle's roll cage stopped them being crushed. Both Kuchar and Szczepaniak suffered severe bruising and Kuchar had two stitches inserted into a cut under his chin.

But the Hyundai Castrol World Rally Team doctor, Paul Trafford advised them that shock and soft tissue damage meant they should not start the event in spite of their determination to compete. This would have been Kuchar's second start for the team.

"I know we are both very lucky to have walked away from this accident," said a dejected Kuchar. "But Maciej and I were really sure we could have put in a good performance."

Team mate Armin Schwarz was just 50 metres in front of Kuchar when the accident happened. He said: "I saw the truck on two wheels and I knew it was coming over. All I could do was accelerate. I saw in my mirrors, the truck skim the roof of a 4x4 behind me and then fall over. I knew that was where Tomasz' car was. It was very frightening."

Manfred Hiemer, Schwarz's co-driver, said: "We blocked the road and ran back. The impact had pushed Tomasz' car back 20 metres. The front of the car was gone. Only the roll cage saved them."

David Whitehead, Hyundai Castrol World Rally team principal said: "It goes without saying how we feel for Tomasz but at least they are alive. They had shown tremendous potential in testing after their misfortune to go out in Corsica and I am confident that they will soon show everyone just what they are capable of in the Hyundai Accent WRC3."

Kuchar retired on the opening stage of the Tour de Corse when the throttle of his Accent WRC jammed open.