Australian off-road racing star Toby Price has decided to temporarily withdraw from desert racing following allegations of sabotage during the recent San Felipe 250 event. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Price described the past few days as among the most challenging of his career after both he and co-driver Brent Bauman were disqualified, accused of deliberately obstructing the race track.
The controversy erupted when a video surfaced, seemingly showing Price in a compromising situation on the course. He has vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that the video does not demonstrate any wrongdoings on his part. Price stated, “The witness statement does not provide evidence of me making any rock placement,” and highlighted that his conversations at the scene were misconstrued. While acknowledging the ruling of the Competition Review Board (CRB), he expressed concern about the lack of substantial evidence leading to their disqualification.
In light of these circumstances, Price has decided to take a step back from racing to reconsider his future involvement with his team, stating, “I don’t take this decision lightly given the significant damage.” He conveyed his respect for SCORE International and emphasised the importance of safety in motorsport, indicating that this experience was not how he anticipated the San Felipe 250 would unfold.
Bauman has since resigned from his position as navigator, taking responsibility for the situation. Price thanked Team Australia’s leader, Paul Weel, for his unwavering support throughout his career, clarifying that Weel had no involvement in the incident. He concluded his statement by acknowledging the need for decisive action in difficult times, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
As he reassesses his career path, Price’s future in the sport remains uncertain, but he hopes to emerge from this challenging chapter with renewed clarity.