SS7 cancelled on safety grounds

Huge numbers of spectators force organisers to scrap SS7, rest of Saturday’s schedule delayed by 27 minutes

The last of Saturday morning’s loop of stages - the 24km Lyubnitsa SS7 - has been cancelled on safety grounds because of large numbers of spectators trying to gain late access to the end of the stage.

Organisers took the decision on the recommendation of the FIA safety delegate who monitored the situation from a helicopter.

The stage was delayed by almost an hour while attempts were made to move the spectators. After the cancellation was confirmed, crews drove the stage as a non-competitive road section and made their way back to Dolna Banya for the midday service.

Much of the time lost will be made up in the pre-service regroup but the rest of this afternoon’s itinerary will run 27 minutes late.

Overall standings after SS7: