Sprint Auto Parts Rally SA.

[rallygraphix]

Originally Posted by flat04

Don't you mean Toyota? Not sure that NEC did much for the rally itself, just the championship.

NEC used to supply sponsorship (As did others) for the SARC and RALLYSA setup. They all pulled out. Sprint auto came to the party but for about 1/10th of the amount that was originally available. Toyota were one of those parties as well.

Originally Posted by flat04

I would have thought then that it would have been safer to setup a "normal" spectator point with a few officials there (like any SARC round) and let the general public know so that it attracts the majority of the people that don't know where to stand so that they are close by an official that can let them know rather than don't tell anyone where any spectator points are and have them standing in dangerous spots on every corner of every stage.

By setting up a point it costs $$$ that werent there. Bottom line.
Angaston was the money maker in this scenario. And I think after half the spectators jumped fences and entered dangerously/illegally last year enough was enough.
Setting up a spectator point that will be under-manned by officials or not fully controlled is opening up avenues of duty of care issues. Which means insurance.. Only one thing that costs more than rallying... insurance for spectators for rallying... I think you could safely run a privateer team for a few years on what the insurance costs alone.

Originally Posted by flat04

There's no reason that the spectator point at Mt Crawford has to cost much money to setup. I think we have gone from the best spectating point in the country to the worst. We went to Melbourne last year to have a look and thought their forest spectating points were pretty basic compared to Rally SA but little did we know that they would have been better than what was available this year at Rally SA.

Insurance / infrastructure/ officials to be fed-watered/ bark chips/ bunting/ fencing/ barriers/ etc etc. Did you know the tent alone that was used up there this year for media day was about 2500 bucks worth?

Originally Posted by flat04

I can't remember seeing anyone that I thought was in a dangerous spot by the time we came through. Maybe they had all been hit and taken to hospital by the time we got there? Are we that much of a nanny state that people can't stand where they choose? We can never have every meter of every SS covered with marshals so that people don't stand too close so we just have to accept that people will stand in strange spots and get over it. Having no spectator points is not the answer, it makes the problem worse in my opinion.

I think you need to go and have a look at some of the incar footage on SArally.. This has now been used to show just how close some spectators were to the hi-speed corners and sections of the stages...
How about the datsun hitting a pole on a 4 right just 2-3 mtrs from about 40 people (AND NO BARRIERS).... Pole stopped said car spearing into the crowd.... Food for thought, its all clearly shown on the video.

Or the jump in forties (old) that had 3-4 year old kids running around 2 mtrs from the track with cars doing about 150 kmh over the jump... (Oh not to forget the 50 or so people standing within 2 mtrs of the track each side).
I was there and saw the people in dangerous points and even attempted as an official (Media 1) to move them back. Most listened, some didnt.. There was a few having a little cry after copping stones in the face..

Originally Posted by flat04

Can anyone come up with the last time a spectator was hit by a rally car in Australia?

Not sure myself, But I can tell you the last time a spectator had to run away from a rally car.. Actually I can tell you a few just watch the incar stuff...

Heres some others from Australia though if you want to catch up on old news.
First one is particuarly worthy of the "Spectators standing in the run off zone" award.... They were bloody lucky to survive being where they were! (Watch the video on you tube for the full effect).

http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2007...missed-inches/

At the end of the day, you may be able to drive a rally car ok, but its the possible issue of spectators just doing what they want and having no real idea of the physics of a crash or off.

Or do a search (Ctrl F) for injured here: there is a number of them. Not all in Aust but it certainly proves that we dont have the touch the car mentality over here. (Though were you one of the unlucky ones that copped a full beer can in the side on ridgetops?)..

http://www.rallysportmag.com.au/home...n=com_mambomap
There is a few incidents in there for your reading pleasure.

Originally Posted by flat04

Do we need spectators? I darn well do. No spectator points = no spectators = no team sponsors = no budget for us to run the expensive events.

Bottom line: <LEGALITY AND DUTY OF CARE>
I can tell that you have never had a possible law suit thrown against you or had to fight with worksafe or OH&S people. If you did you wuld be a lot more eyes open to what "can" happen is the issue, not what "may or may not" happen.

Its all good and true to have a bit of a bite about them not doing spectator points, but in reality there was good reason.
They certainly want them, but $$$ talk...

I personally hate angaston oval super special, its boring to shoot, hard at night and nothing like real rallying.
But it brings in the much needed $$$, thats the bugger about the place.

Hopefully next year, there are more funds and sponsors, and we can see forties again. I know that is the wish of RallySA HO. BUt again $$$ are the decider here.

Perhaps instead of winging everyone should be out trying thier hardest to promote the sport? I know what it cost me this year in promotion to the sport and sponsorship for about 5 privateers. Not too mention the cost alone on loaned incar cameras for the SA rally live-TV and in-car footage coverage.
I can give you a hint, it would more than cover a SARC privateer team for a good season