A RALLY driver has been killed and his co-driver critically injured after their Porsche plunged into a ravine on a closed mountain road in Mallorca’s Tramuntana range.
The white 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS left the road at kilometre 10 of the MA-10, near Mortitx, on Friday afternoon. It was racing on the Pollensa to Lluc stage of the 550 Challenge Mallorca.
The road winds through some of the steepest terrain on the island, with sheer drops beside long stretches of it.
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The driver died at the scene. His 39-year-old co-driver was pulled from the wreckage with spinal injuries and taken to hospital in a critical condition.
Fire crews from Inca and Alcudia raced to the scene, and a rescue helicopter was also scrambled. By the time it arrived, both occupants had already been taken away.
It is not yet known what caused the car to leave the road.
The organisers cancelled the rest of the rally within hours of the crash. The event was based at Port Adriano and covered more than 550km of the island’s roads, including 14 stages closed to traffic. It had been due to finish today.
In a statement, they called it a “painful but firm and irrevocable decision”, adding that “no result, ranking or sporting objective” could come before what truly mattered.
“Today, motorsport sets competition aside to make way for respect and shared grief,” they said. “We stand by the family and friends now more than ever.”
The driver was named as Klaus Rader, 63, who founded the international restaurant chain L’Osteria.
He lived in Munich and leaves behind his wife Viktoria and their children.
“Klaus was an extraordinary personality, an inspiring entrepreneur, companion and great person who shaped many people at L’Osteria and beyond,” the company said.
“We cannot believe that he is no longer with us.”
His co-driver, 39-year-old German professional racer Christina Ettel, remains in hospital with spinal injuries. Her condition was last described as critical.
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