Spectating Guidelines
Please follow the Spectator Marshals’ directions at each spectator point. While spectating is free, we do have control over these areas. Our marshals are specially trained to recognize potentially hazardous areas and will keep people out for their safety.
Please follow the marshals’ directions when parking your car at these points. We must keep clear access on one side of these narrow roads for emergency vehicles. All cars should park on the same side of the road and be heading in the proper direction to leave the area. If you follow the next rule, you shouldn’t have to walk too far.
CHOOSING A SPECIAL STAGE
FOR SPECTATOR VIEWING
Items to consider for spectator locations are:
• Elevated viewing platform
• The depth of the viewing area
• What is access like from the car parks?
• Does the area need a crossing-point? If so, is there a safe area to locate this?
• Is there natural protection around the spectator location for spectators?
• What are the approach speeds to the area for the cars?
• Is the spectator area as safe if the stage is run in the reverse direction?
• Does the spectator access point conflict with a competitor escape road?
90º DEGREE BENDS
The outside of a bend is always considered as a prohibited area for spectators, marshals or media to stand to view a special stage.
There are however exceptions to this rule if the natural topography of the area allows. If the outside of the corner is a steep bank of c.3 metres in height, the banking will provide protection to those standing at the top.
The edge of the bank will need to be taped at least 1 meter back from the edge to reduce the risk of a spectator slipping.
The bank needs to have a steep drop to the special stage so that it does not act as a ramp to any car that is out of control.
CURVING BENDS
The outside of a bend is always considered as a prohibited area for spectators, marshals or media to stand to view a special stage.
There are however exceptions to this rule if the natural topography of the area allows. If the outside of the corner is a steep bank of c.3 metres in height, the banking will provide protection to those standing at the top.
The edge of the bank will need to be taped at least 1 meter back from the edge to reduce the risk of a spectator slipping.
The bank needs to have a steep drop to the special stage so that it does not act as a ramp to any car that is out of control.
T-JUNCTION WITH A ROAD STRAIGHT-ON
As well as considering the requirements of the other type of bends, a T-junction, where the rally route goes left or right at the junction is a regular feature of special special stages and a natural attraction for spectators.
The straight-on position needs to be a prohibited area for EVERYONE and the area should be made sterile for 100m.
If spectators are to be permitted to stand on the inside of the junction, close to the apex, the following must be considered:
Can the inside of the corner be ‘cut’ by the rally car?
Could a car lose control under braking for the junction and end up on the inside of the corner?
Is there natural banking, protection on the inside area of the approach?
Y-JUNCTION WITH A ROAD AHEAD OF RALLY ROUTE
As well as considering the requirements of the other type of bends, a Y-junction, where the rally route goes left or right at the junction is a regular feature of special special stages and a natural attraction for spectators.
The non-competitive road off to the left of the right of rally route needs to be a prohibited area for EVERYONE and the area should be made sterile for 100m.
If spectators are to be permitted to stand on the inside of the junction, close to the apex, the following must be considered:
Can the inside of the corner be ‘cut’ by the rally car?
Could a car lose control under braking for the junction and end up on the inside of the corner?
Is there natural banking, protection on the inside area of the approach?
S-TYPE BEND
Where the rally route sweeps left and right or vice-versa the area heeds to be protected on both the inside and outside of each bend.
Depending on the topography of the terrain, the cars could have the opportunity to ‘straightline’ the curves, or if the corners are after a crest, the cars could jump/’go-light’ and be unstable through this section.
There are however exceptions to this rule if the natural topography of the area allows. If the outside of the corner is a steep bank of c.3 metres in height, the banking will provide protection to those standing at the top.
The edge of the bank will need to be taped at least 1 metre back from the edge to reduce the risk of a spectator slipping.
The bank needs to have a steep drop the the special stage so that it does not act as a ramp to any car that is out of control
X-ROADS, STRAIGHT-ON
The exit of cross-roads is an area where measures have to be taken to reduce the risk to spectators.
Given the general straight-on nature, speeds can be high, there is likely to be either a dip or crest to the road that can unsettle the car making the exit unstable.
All personnel have to be prohibited from exit area surrounding cross roads.
The prohibited area must be at least 50m if there are no obstacles before this that could stop an errant competing car.
Spectators are not to be allowed to stand within 30m of the roads going off to the left or right of the cross-roads
Y-JUNCTION WITH A ROAD BEHIND FOR RALLY ROUTE
As well as considering the requirements of the other type of bends, a Y-junction, where the rally route goes left or right at the junction is a regular feature of special special stages and a natural attraction for spectators.
The non-competitive road off to the left or the right, that is behind rally route is somewhere spectators can view from, with a short sterile section of 15m from the stage edge.
The outside of the junction should be a prohibited area for all spectators, marshals and media unless it is at a height as described for a 90º degree bend.
CREST /JUMP
A crest, where cars may jump or fly can be the most spectacular viewing.
The risk element is the unpredictable nature of how the cars will behave when they land following the crest/jump.
The area for 100m following a jump has to be sterile with a considerable distance to the left/right of the area where the cars will land.
This area can be narrowed if there are obstacles between the stage route and where spectators are to be positioned.
No media are to be allowed in this vicinity either, though remote operated cameras can be positioned stage side.
Unless the area following a jump has high banks on either side or is tree-lined some metres back from the special stage, no exception to the exclusion zone will be allowed.
