Written by our own Erika Detota

French woman and rally driver, Lucie Vauthier was buried earlier this week after a fatal accident at Rally of the Wines Macon (Rallye des Vins Macon) that occurred Saturday, June 16th. The event was a French Championship tarmac round sanctioned by FFSA, located among the villages around Macon,France. With navigator Cecilia Pages, the team put in some great stage times in their Citroen C2 Max, moving up in the R2 rankings. The accident was on the 4th special stage of the second and final day of racing and saw the team first crash on a bridge, leaving the road and sending them into a tree.

Co-driver, Cecile Pages was briefly treated and released with no injuries. Unfortunately Lucie, only 28, was not so lucky and suffered multiple fractures and severe head trauma. She was immediately transported to University Hospital in Dijon where she passed away the following Thursday from her injuries. Alain Vauthier,  Lucie’s father, a recognized French Rally Champion said “Rest assured that she [Lucie] fought hard during those six long days. She has shown us her courage and strength of character that we know. Lucia realized her dream of participating in the French Championship, and brilliantly at that.”

The rally community was inspirational in response to the accident, showing tremendous support for the young driver and her family through this hard time. Her father Alain again said “the [facebook page] gave us a lot of strength and hope, and reading your posts gave an extraordinary
energy to Lucie.”

The supporters are now calling Lucie “Our princess of Rally” (Princesse du Rallye) and planned a moment of silence this past Monday for her final transit. At the following race this weekend ‘Rally of Chinon’ (Rallye des Vins de Chinon et du Veron) many teams have put a black tie on their car or sticker of honor in memory of their lost friend and fellow competitor.

“tu va nous manquer princesse du rally…” (We will miss you princess of rally)

To join Lucie’s memory Facebook page go to: Mobilisons-nous !bats-toi