Network Q Rally of Great Britain 21st-24th November 1998

Spectator Safety in Forests

The report from the FIA Safety Delegate on last year's rally highlighted the lack of clearly marked out areas for spectators on all the special stages. Spectator areas have for many years been clearly marked in the Sunday stages but it is now necessary to undertake this action in the forests as well.

To achieve this a Spectator Safety Book is to be prepared this year which will show detailed layouts of all the junctions on stages where largnumbers are expected to gather. These plans will show in detail the layout of prohibited areas, the use of signs, tape and plastic mesh fencing (to be in yellow this year to make it stand out better). In addition such matters as the positioning of the radio car will be specified. This will require additional work in the set up of stages but will be of considerable benefit in ensuring that the majority of spectators are located in safe viewing areas.

The preparation of the detailed plans for all locations on the stages which will be major spectator areas is well under way. These plans have been produced by the Regional Organisers and Stage Commanders working in close co-operation with local Forest Enterprise staff to decide what work needs to be done to open out these areas to give better viewing.

The plans will be published in a seperate safety manual which will include the plan for all the special stages on the event and will be in addition to the existing Safety Manual.