Safety, an essential issue at the RallyRACC

(22/10/2013)

RallyRACC & Safety

The RallyRACC is considered as a very safe race, not only for participants but also for the public. Year after year, RACC includes further improvements to get the safety issue out of discussion. A huge step forward was the introduction of the tracking system, with which the 0 and 00 cars, as well as the rally cars are fitted, to have permanent control during the stages. They include alarms that react whenever a vehicle stops or leaves the established GPS coordinates, and a voice system to provide for communication between driver/co-driver and race control.

The RallyRACC is one of the busiest WRC events as regards air traffic, forcing the organisation to establish a rigorous plan to control all the aircrafts which are integrated in the aerial structure of the race, with reserved air space and exclusive aviation radio frequency.  Moreover, RACC has a helicopter called "the eye in the sky" to have the rally well controlled, even from the sky.

From Race Control the operations of a large chain of collaborators is coordinated, including police forces, officials on the stages and in parc fermé, staff in charge of the safety cars, medical and ambulance staff, fire brigade, tow-trucks, radio points and even journalists that follow the race from the roadside. Nothing is left to chance, thanks to a large group of around 4,000 people. The voluntary help provided by motor-racing clubs becomes a true attraction. They are in charge of safety in the stages and in the spectator areas, of the general control at the service park and the regroupings, of the safety radio on the stages, the intermediate timing and the refuelling, always coordinated by Race Control.

As regards spectators, there is continuous information in as many ways as possible, recommending, and if not complied with, forcing to:

• follow the indications of the rally officials and the staff of the organisation.
• avoid standing in areas which have not been duly prepared. The wrong location of spectators implies risks and might entail the cancellation of a stage.
• once the spectator area has been chosen, not to move from there during the rally day.
• park the cars correctly, leaving the emergency exits free.