The sixth round of the 2000 edition of the Argentine Turismo Carretera series was held on the Autódromo Ing. Juan R. Báscolo, the 4.750-kilometer paved oval with chicanes in Rafaela, province of Santa Fe, Argentina, on Sunday, 30 April 2000. The event was marred by the death of a professional photographer who was filming the event at the side of the track.
In a race organized under chaotic conditions - with some spectators crossing the track and others seated on the safety barriers - the engine of the Ford Falcon 221SP #63 driven by Diego Ponte blew on the first lap, some oil falling over the tyres. The vehicle went out of control and spun off the track on the approach to the third chicane. While crossing the grassy run-off area, the car struck with its left rear fender the photographer Roberto Abarza, who was thrown high up in the air before hitting the ground. He suffered a broken left parietal bone, multiple fractures and internal hemorrhages. Despite the immediate intervention by emergency doctors, his condition was so severe that he passed away shortly after admission to the Hospital Policlinico in Rafaela.
Roberto Abarza, 44, was following the race for the Argentine magazine Cronometrando. He was hit by Ponte's car at an estimated speed of 200 km/h, while standing in a prohibited area some 10 meters closed to the track.
The driver Diego Ponte, who had already crashed during the first of the three heats of the event, escaped unscathed. Marcos Di Palma in a Chevrolet Coupé Super 250 was the winner of the race, from Guillermo Ortelli in another Chevrolet, and Alejandro Occhionero, third in a Ford Falcon 221SP.
R.I.P
