“Anything can happen and we are aware of it”: one year after the tragedy, the Cardabelles rally returns to the roads of South Aveyron

L’accident ayant coûté la vie à André Vigroux a eu lieu au niveau du lieu-dit Le Poux, à Sainte-Eulalie-de-Cernon. MC

The stewards are on the front lines during the rallies. One year after the accidental death of one of them during the Terre des Cardabelles and while the 2024 edition is being held in South Aveyron this weekend, focus on these enthusiasts who are holding on.

The stewards are on the front lines during the rallies. One year after the accidental death of one of them during the Terre des Cardabelles and while the 2024 edition is being held in South Aveyron this weekend, focus on these enthusiasts who are holding on.

On Saturday, October 7, 2023, a tragic accident brought mourning to the Cardabelles dirt rally. An accident in which André Vigroux, a 74-year-old road marshal licensed by ASA Rouergue, was killed. An accident that will have left its mark.

For rally organizers like Didier Alléguède of the Terre des Causses, even if this type of accident is fortunately rare and no one is immune to it, it does not impact the presence of marshals at the following events.

“We have not encountered any problem in gathering the number of commissaires necessary for the safety of our event, he says. This type of accident is fortunately quite rare, zero risk does not exist, and the road commissaires are responsible people who avoid taking risks and are there for the safety of both competitors and spectators.”

Same speech from Jean-Claude Bessaou, boss of ASA Rouergue : “Despite the tragedies that occur, there are always people because these people are passionate ; It's a bit like with drivers, when one of them dies accidentally in a race, there are always just as many on the next event. "

"Anything can happen and we are aware of it"

As for whether specific measures are taken to prevent this from happening again, the answer is clear. “Of course everything is done to ensure everyone's safety, the stewards are well briefed before the race and follow the instructions of the race management ", specifies Jean-Claude Bessaou, still in agreement with Didier Alléguède, adding on the subject of the tragedy a year ago in Sainte-Eulalie: "It is the circumstances of the race that made that. If a vehicle had not left before, the steward who had gone to make sure that everything was okay would not have been there and nothing would have happened. "

"Race circumstances" that are also confirmed by volunteer stewards, such as Hubert Sales, head of stewards at ASA Rouergue. “We take risks when there are road exits to assist the crew and secure the area; but anything can happen and we are aware of that. An accident like André's, which I knew well, makes you want to stop at the time. But then, we set off again as if nothing had happened, even if we don't forget. It's a passion and in motorsport, we know that there are risks even if everything is done to minimize them."

These words are confirmed by André Raynal, better known as Charly and who has over 25 years of experience as a steward in over 200 races. "It does something, but there's nothing we can do about it. And if at the time we say to ourselves, "but why continue ?"  passion quickly takes over again."

Before shedding more light : “We could have had the same thing on the Rouergue this summer. I was on duty on the Villecomtal special when Fotia's car went out. My colleague went to check with the flag if everything was okay. The co-driver turned around to get the logbook. That's when Da Cunha's car arrived, he just had time to shout and jump on it to lie down in the bushes and avoid the worst. At the time, it cooled me down and I thought of Vigroux who I knew well”, specifies the one who, following this incident, asked the race management to put a zebra and a bale of straw to slow down a little. A request that was satisfied and put in place on the following passage, which proves once again the usefulness of the stewards.

Furthermore, if after a call to the stewards made by the Cardabelles organization, a rumor of a boycott by some (not understanding why the race was not stopped after the tragedy last year) emerged; it is apparently unfounded. “I have never heard of it and some of our stewards will be there this year “, Sales says.

Ceremony at the scene of the accident on Friday

Identical remarks made by Raynal and confirmed by Fanny Vidal, in charge of the stewards of the Cardabelles rally.

“Like every year, we have made an appeal to the stewards to reach the number necessary to ensure the race in good conditions. But this is normal because the conditions on earth are much more trying for the stewards (they often get up around 3am to be present during the reconnaissances and finish late, often after 8pm, Editor's note).”

A manager who further specifies that the race had not been stopped in 2023 because the family of André Vigroux, including his wife Anne-Marie who was at his side during the accident, had not wanted it. But those who wanted it were able to stop their collaboration.

Finally, so as not to forget, a ceremony with wreath-laying at the very scene of the accident will take place this Friday afternoon. “I wanted this to be done in memory of André”, concludes the one who, like everyone else, has not forgotten. But, as they say, “The show must go on.”

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