Its not that they try to mess with the rallies so much...just that there has historically been no control over where they are allowed to stand or spectate from. As the sport has grown in popularity over the past few years, it has led to LOTS of people who are not in safe places, standing in inappropriate spots, trying to walk out DOWN THE STAGE ROAD before all the cars go through... This is like walking down the track at your local speedway!
This summer, two spectators will killed at a Clubrally in PA. That in addition to the deaths of Mark Lovell, Subaru's top man in the US, and his codriver Roger Freeman have caused great concern from the legal/insurance point of view.
New regulations regarding spectating were put in place halfway through the season this year after the PA incident. It puts all the spectating at mandatory spectator areas instead of "freelancing." To accomodate the numbers, rally organizers have had to come up with more spectator areas and more marshals to enforce them. It also puts all the traffic in more confined areas which can affect how the rally runs as well. Rally organizing, working and marshaling is a thankless job done by volunteers. It has been very taxing on the whole infrastructure.
Now if the events were promoted properly (as they should be for a televised professional motorsport), we would have even more spectators, more traffic, and more crowded spectator areas, which many spectators are complaining are too full already to see much action.
We are just going through growing pains. I think when an organizer steps up to the level of a race promoter and turns it into a -for profit- venture, like other forms of racing, then the events will be able to supply a better show to the spectators and competitors alike and be able to afford the necessary safety margin along with ample spectating opportunities. Win, win, win.
That is my hope for the sport. There are many in the sport who are clinging dearly to the "secret sport of rallying" and want to make it more obscure like the good ol'days. I personally would rather see it succeed with the benefits of other motorsports...more sponsorship opportunities, a better show for the spectators, and consequently, more manufacturers and parts companies' involvement.
Eric
This summer, two spectators will killed at a Clubrally in PA. That in addition to the deaths of Mark Lovell, Subaru's top man in the US, and his codriver Roger Freeman have caused great concern from the legal/insurance point of view.
New regulations regarding spectating were put in place halfway through the season this year after the PA incident. It puts all the spectating at mandatory spectator areas instead of "freelancing." To accomodate the numbers, rally organizers have had to come up with more spectator areas and more marshals to enforce them. It also puts all the traffic in more confined areas which can affect how the rally runs as well. Rally organizing, working and marshaling is a thankless job done by volunteers. It has been very taxing on the whole infrastructure.
Now if the events were promoted properly (as they should be for a televised professional motorsport), we would have even more spectators, more traffic, and more crowded spectator areas, which many spectators are complaining are too full already to see much action.
We are just going through growing pains. I think when an organizer steps up to the level of a race promoter and turns it into a -for profit- venture, like other forms of racing, then the events will be able to supply a better show to the spectators and competitors alike and be able to afford the necessary safety margin along with ample spectating opportunities. Win, win, win.
That is my hope for the sport. There are many in the sport who are clinging dearly to the "secret sport of rallying" and want to make it more obscure like the good ol'days. I personally would rather see it succeed with the benefits of other motorsports...more sponsorship opportunities, a better show for the spectators, and consequently, more manufacturers and parts companies' involvement.
Eric
