Safety and Sustainability in Rally

An alternative solution

Patrick Lynch

The Challenges

• Keeping two occupants safe in a confined space during a

violent impact

• Management of resources and environmental aspect of rally

Rally Safety

• It is difficult to anticipate the nature of an accident in rally as

the terrain is unpredictable and spread out over a great

distance, thus solutions such as SAFER walls are impractical.

• The nature of accidents in rally are such that the force is often

centered in a particular area (a tree for example). Side impacts

are a particular concern as there is limited distance between

the side of the vehicle and the passengers. In these instances

it is not unusual that the occupants collide with each other

during violent impact.

• With two participants per vehicle, rally doubles the potential for

human injury. Also, space is confined, limiting options to

improve the safety cell.

Year Overall

FatalityRally Fatality % Rally

2001 58 11 18.97%

2002 57 11 19.30%

2003 49 16 32.65%

2004 56 17 30.36%

2005 51 14 27.45%

2006 54 23 42.59%

2007 51 21 41.18%

2008 55 13 23.64%

2009 33 14 42.42%

2010 33 9 27.27%

Rally Fatalities within motorsport

• In the past decade, rally fatalities have represented as much as

42.42% of all motorsport competitor fatalities globally (2009).

• Of these fatalities, the highest co-driver percentage was 72.23%

(8 out of 11 in 2002), and the lowest was 21.43% (3 out of 14 in

2009).

• Years 2001-2010 co-driver fatalities were 41.95%.

(data from motorsportmemorial.org)

How to dramatically reduce rally

fatality and injury?

Remove the navigator!

The GPS Rally Navigator• Potential to use bespoke GPS solution to 'call' pace notes to driver. Notes will

have been prepared before the event by experienced driver and navigator.

• No practice allowed: driver rents GPS unit from rally organizer once tech inspection has been completed.

• Driver downloads rally to GPS. Options may include language, type of note (number or descriptive) and other data.

• GPS is connected to intercom system.

• Once competitor leaves start ramp, he is guided via GPS to first special stage.

• At start point, driver selects 'pace note' mode.

• At end of competitive section, driver reverts to 'route guidance' and is directed to next stage or service area.

GPS Navigator Challenges

• Lack of description: only so much information can be relayed via

GPS.

• Lack of practice: competitors have become used to practicing

stages 3 times or more before the event.

• GPS cannot report on bumps, potholes or other surface conditions.

• Notes cannot be modified during the event.

Safety Benefits of Rally GPS Navigator

• Safety: with only one competitor on board, potential for injury is reduced.

• Safety: only one competitor per vehicle allows more room to move driver closer to the

centre, thus further from potential impact.

• Illegal practice: no longer an issue as pace note medium not available until just before

rally.

• Revenue: as the club would be providing the pace notes, Rally GPS Navigator

represents another revenue stream.

• Speeding: organizers can monitor and add time when a competitor breaks the speed

limit on a public road during the event.

• Stage cancellations: updated route available should disruption occur can most

efficiently re-route the field to the next location.

• Accident: should a vehicle come to a stop or sway from the expected route, information

can be relayed to the organizer to allow decision-making regarding rescue/medical

intervention. Potential to add competitor input, for instance 'OK' function.

Sustainability Benefits of Rally GPS Navigator

• Sustainability: Rally GPS Navigator negates much of the travel

resource and impact of a special stage rally: practice and

related costs, travel to and from the rally.

• Practice cars and maintenance costs: currently at the highest

level, teams practice in special vehicles requiring maintenance

personnel with the associated travel and other costs.

• Rally GPS Navigator would eliminate the need for 'gravel

crews,' a current practice involving a crew completing the route

pre-rally, another environmental concern.

• Impact on surroundings: eliminated practice significantly

decreases carbon footprint, as well as impact on surfaces,

surroundings and general disruption to public.

Conclusion

Introducing GPS Rally Navigator in the immediate future would be controversial, but would also be a proactive move to position the rally industry as environmentally conscious and forward-thinking.

For this to occur, a major cultural change is required. Change starts with ideas and discussions, and I believe I have covered

many here. We have the basic tools, what we need now is a platform to develop so we can ensure the long-term future for

rally as a sport.