Former champion Marcus Gronholm has criticised fans for throwing snow onto the Col du Turini section of the final morning stage of this weekend's 2005 season-opening Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo after he crashed as a result. 2003 champion Petter Solberg also crashed out at the same corner on the same snow, but blamed himself for his retirement.

Gronholm was able to continue in fourth, but Solberg was forced out of the event. The practice has become almost a tradition on one of the highest points of the event, but this year has had more effect as the rally has been run on predominantly dry roads. Although gravel crews are allowed to go through the stages and take notes of new hazards, the additional snow thrown onto braking areas after this process can often catch them out.

A wheel was ripped off both drivers' cars. Gronholm was able to stagger back to service and get his car repaired by the Peugeot mechanics to resume the rally. Solberg's damage was more severe, however, leaving the Norwegian and his Subaru team pointless after an unlucky event.

"Once again it was that Col," said Gronholm. "Everybody knows the spectators throw snow on the road. I know they do that. But when I came and saw the snow it was already too late. Just before I went off I saw another wheel - not mine but Petter's. He'd already been off there. When my wheel came off I was sure it was over, but we drove 19km and the road section and got here. It's a big shame because second was looking good."

Solberg shared Gronholm's frustration, but blamed himself for the accident more than the fans. "It seems like this sort of luck is with me every time in Monte Carlo," he said. "I'm extremely disappointed. No mistakes all rally, we're catching up places, everything's perfect and then this. What's so frustrating is that I was so close to a good result and wasn't pushing the limit. You never try anything at that point. It's always slippery. I just made a mistake, braked too late and got caught out. It's as simple as that."