FIA drops fines for donuts [updated].

The FIA, the governing body of the World Rally Championship has revised its decision to fine Rally Argentina winner, Sebastien Loeb and three of his colleagues for performing donuts for the crowd at the finish at the Cordoba stadium on Sunday.

Loeb, Gigi Galli, Manfred Stohl and Daniel Sordo were each fined 10,000 Euros for what was viewed as 'hazardous actions', however this decision has now been reversed. The change of heart is no doubt due to the fact marshals of the event had asked them to do it to help entertain the 40,000 people, who had just watched the two super-specials that concluded the action.

In a further development though, the FIA has confirmed that all four have been given a suspended one-rally ban - and should they repeat the 'donut' manoeuvre again in 2006, then they will face being excluded from the following event. Donuts are forbidden by the FIA on safety grounds.

The full statement from the stewards read:

"At the conclusion of the rally the following crews who drove over the finish ramp performed donuts before leaving the stadium:

- Daniel Sordo / Marc Marti - car #11
- Manfred Stohl / Ilka Minor - car #7
- Gigi Galli / Giovanni Bernacchini - car #25
- Sebastien Loeb / Daniel Elena - car #1

"Donuts are prohibited under article 20.3 of the 2006 FIA General Prescriptions.

"When leading drivers perform acts that blatantly violate the regulations an extremely bad and an unacceptable example is set.

"The stewards summoned the crews and wherever applicable the representatives of the entrants.

"The hearing was held with all those concerned present. The stewards were informed that donuts were performed at the instance of some of the marshals present. The stewards requested the drivers to try and identify the marshals concerned.

"The crews went back to the stadium and returned without any conclusive identification because the number of marshals present was considerably less - and the finish ramp was no longer in use.

"Under the circumstances the stewards, after deliberation, accept the statement made by the crews at face value but at the same time conclude that the offence committed is serious in nature and prohibited.

"[As such we] pass a sentence of exclusion on the crews which excludes them from participating in their next WRC rally. This sentence of exclusion is suspended for the reminder of the season and will be applied immediately in the event of a similar infringement during the course of the year."