Articles

New rules for safety vehicles and spectators moving on the track

15. 8. 2023 - Jakub Hofbauer

For many years, it was a common practice on rally that before the start, a line of organisational and safety vehicles were passing through the rally stages, closed off by a trio of forerunners marked 000, 00 and 0. These last three cars generally entered each stage about 15 to 20 minutes before the first competing crew, at which time there was already a strict ban on spectators and media personnel on the track.

This rule is still in force, but from this year on, by decision of the FIA Safety Delegate and in compliance with the FIA Safety Guidelines, managing the World Championship, the entry times of individual cars into the special stages have been changed. The first forerunner 000 will enter the SS as early as 30 minutes before the first competition car. From this point on, any movement of spectators, photographers and cameramen on the track is no longer possible! The FIA Safety Delegate will be the next to pass through the special stage, with a time of -25 minutes. The next two forerunners 00 and 0 will follow at 17 and 10 minutes before the start. After the last competition car, it is also necessary to wait for the passage of the forerunner before it is safe to move around the special stage track again.

We would therefore ask all spectators and media personnel to arrive at the stages well in advance and to make sure they have a safe place to watch. Compared to previous years, the gaps between the last safety vehicles will be slightly larger, which may tempt some rally-goers to move around the course at the last minute, but we urge everyone to avoid doing so! Since last year, live footage of the competing cars has been available and is closely monitored by security staff, controllers and rally organisers in addition to fans. They can react to any critical spots not only based on reports from the forerunners and the organisers on the track, but also in real time from online footage during the SS. We therefore ask everyone to behave responsibly and safely by the track, which is a key factor for the successful event of this year's Barum Czech Rally Zlín.