Where should you never move during a special stage? What is the role of track marshals or safety delegates? And what is the security group in charge of in the backstage area? Škoda Motorsport presents an important part of the FIA World Rally Championship in a series of videos.

The safety of everyone involved is a top priority in the rally. And this also applies to the safety of the spectators. The FIA, competition organisers, drivers and suppliers of rally cars such as Škoda are constantly pushing it forward together. One of the initiatives to improve safety is a series of videos produced by the Škoda Motorsport team. The videos present important aspects of safety that may not be perfectly known to the public, but which will help viewers on the spot to understand the meaning of safety measures and give them a clue as to how to behave during stages.

Track Marshals
The safety of spectators directly on the spot of the special stage is always taken care of by the track marshals. These are mostly local volunteers who know the track very well and are also big fans of rallying. "People may sometimes think that what we are doing is a bit uncomfortable for them, but we are all about safety," explains António Sousa, rally track marshal at last year's Rally Portugal. The unwritten rule of the rally says that the track marshal or police officer is always right at the special stage sites and the spectators should follow their instructions and not argue with them. They are the ones who decide where it is safe to stand or when it is possible to cross the track.

FIA Safety Delegate
Before the special stage itself, the FIA Safety Delegate helps the commissioners with their work. This role was held until 2024 by legendary driver Michèle Mouton in the FIA World Rally Championship. About half an hour before the start of the special stage, she always sets out for a detailed inspection of the entire track. Only her approval means that the special stage can begin. "Everything we do and everything we ask of the spectators is for safety purposes. We ask them to respect this, because this is the only way the rally will run smoothly and without unnecessary safety risks," said Michèle Mouton.

Race Control
However, safety is also taken care of by the team in the rally backstage. If, for example, a spectator who has been banished from a dangerous place by Michèle Mouton or the marshals returns to that place, it will be very quickly detected by the security team at rally headquarters. Here, staff have access to an online feed from the cameras on the competition cars. To remedy this, they can again send a safety marshal in charge of the given part of the track, but in case of high risk, the special stage may also be cancelled.

Spectators
The spectators themselves should not only follow the instructions of the track marshals and organizers when choosing a suitable place, but of course they should also listen to their instinct for self-preservation. Standing where a spectator may be endangered by an uncontrollable competition car is dangerous. By respecting these rules, the spectators not only do their best not only for their safety, but also for the safety of the drivers

Where (not) to stand during the special stage

  • The organizers of the competition have marked safe spectator zones, which are recommended places for spectators. These places can be found in the competition regulations, including the marking of access routes.
  • Outside these places, do not stand in a straight line of movement of the rally cars.
  • Never stand on the outside of corners or below track level.
  • Do not stand on the inside of hairpin turns.
  • Maintain a distance of at least 20 meters from the track.
  • Find natural obstacles to hide behind, such as rocks or trees. Never stand in front of them!