Final Assessment by Aman Barfull, Clerk of the Course of the 53 RallyRACC CATALUNYA-COSTA DAURADA
15/10/2017
"We have one of the best rallies of the World Championship and we want to continue like this"
At the lead of the organising team of the RallyRACC and the Sports Area of the Club, Aman Barfull makes his final assessment of the organisation.The 53 RallyRACC held its 27th edition as a round of the World Rally Championship in 2017, the 13th consecutive time at the Costa Daurada, with nerve centre in Salou and PortAventura.
"Most of us, who have experienced the 53 RallyRACC agree on the fact that it has been one of the most fought for editions of recent years, with several changes on the top of the standings and different stage winners, which has confirmed our event as an unpredictable rally as regarding the sport, in addition to showing that the current vehicles offer an unusual equality which benefits the sport.All of this is the best calling card of our speciality, the WRC.
The yearly assessments I use to do of our race have sometimes similarities. The strength and efficiency of the experienced team at the RACC and the hard, well-coordinated work of professionals and volunteers, allow us to always experience an extraordinary RallyRACC in all aspects. In 2017 everything was kept at a very high level and, from my point of view, we have to congratulate ourselves for our efficient, well-experienced organisation, capable of dealing with the most unexpected problems. This year, the official makes have backed our organisation in their final assessments, and they have mentioned us when describing how an event of the World rally Championship should be like. This excellent summary is also backed by the FIA and by the rest of the participating teams, which have described the 53 RallyRACC unanimously as an example to follow.
In this edition we have placed more emphasis than ever before on safety. We all agree on the fact that we have had more spectators than the year before, and that this large attendance could have caused safety problems if we would have not had a regulation mechanism which was largely disseminated before the race. Fortunately, safety has increased exponentially at the same pace as the number of followers, and the FIA has recognised the significant effort that was made.
We cannot forget that we have lots of work ahead. We actually start our rally every year with same huge challenge of coordinating the will of the organisation in terms of safety and the will of spectators to enjoy and watch the show up close. But bit by bit, this total-safety culture is taking root and we are convinced that we will achieve our target, i.e. to have the stage roads completely free 30 minutes before the start, thus avoiding any risk.
This year we had to delay the start of three special stages, in order to reposition spectators with our Info teams and the double-0 car. The message of highest safety is intensively disseminated on the previous days, but it has to take root among spectators when it is time for them to plan their movements and to position themselves in the spectator areas. The future of the RallyRACC depends on their attitude. Our three 0-cars and the Information and Safety teams have been, this year more than ever, the essential pieces in order to show a perfect safety attitude. We have all witnessed an excellent race. The work in this sense will continue next season, we are on the right path, but we should not lower our guard.
I want to reiterate my gratefulness to all of those who made it possible for the 53 RallyRACC to reach top level, especially to the large number of volunteers that have given us their time and efforts. We have one of the best rallies of the World Championship and we want to continue like this. Big thank you to all of you who helped us to make it like this!".
Aman Barfull
Clerk of the Course 53 RallyRACC