FIA acts on safety in rally racing after fatal crash in Spain killed six

The FIA announced on Thursday a safety action plan in the wake of last week’s crash at a rally race in Spain that killed six spectators.

A damaged rally car sits on the back of a flatbed tow truck on September 5, 2015 near the village of Carlal where six people lost thier lives when a rally car driver lost control of his vehicle and ploughed into the crowd during the A Coruna Rally. Vanessa Casteleiro / AFPShow less

PARIS // Rallying’s ruling body the FIA announced on Thursday a safety action plan in the wake of last week’s crash in Spain which killed six spectators.

“The aim of the action plan is to have a positive influence in rally safety around the world, from local grass roots events through to the pinnacle of the sport at World Rally Championship level,” an FIA statement explained.

In last week’s Rally of La Coruna a car hurtled off the road and ploughed into a crowd of spectators in northern Spain, killing six people including a pregnant woman.

This year has also seen spectators die in domestic events in Australia and Estonia. In France at the weekend amateur driver Frederi Comte perished when his car left the road in the Mont-Blanc Rally.

The plan to improve safety emerged from Wednesday’s extraordinary general meeting called by FIA president Jean Todt in Geneva.

Among those advising the FIA on safety are reigning world rally champion Sebastien Ogier and 1981 champion Ari Vatanen.

The FIA said it would set up “a dedicated task force of FIA experts” to assist national rally organisers on safety.

The FIA’s action plan will also reinforce to rally organisers “the heightened danger in running rallies outside of the basic framework of the FIA guidelines for spectator and vehicle safety”.

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