RALLYING in the UK is governed by stringent rules designed to keep spectators away from competing cars.

Marshals lining the routes of the 800 British rallies taking place every year are required to shepherd fans into safe areas where the cars cannot cause serious injury, even if they slide off the road.

The dramatic motor sport is watched by millions every year, making the spectacle of specially-designed rally cars hurtling along isolated forest tracks or closed, private roads, one of the most popular spectator events in the country.

Organisers are required to mark off dangers spots with tape, while two course safety cars, which patrol each stage ahead of the competitors, are used to report back on any spectators who may have put themselves at risk.

"Every stringent measure that can be taken, is taken," said Colin Wilson, spokesman for rallying's governing body, the Motor Sports Association.

"Each race steward has a 300-page safety manual which has to be implemented.

"If a marshal spots people who are in a dangerous position, he asks them to move. If they refuse, then the stages will simply not run.

"Similarly, if a marshal spots people in danger, then the rally is also stopped."

Last Sunday's accident was the first fatality involving a spectator at a British rally for more than 20 years.

"Club rallying has a very good safety record. I cannot remember anything like this happening since the 1976 RAC Rally,' added Mr Wilson. "Changes were made after that incident, and it may be that new safety procedures have to be brought in after what happened at Otterburn.

"But if it appears that this was a one-off, then it may be foolish to change procedures which have been successful up to now.

"From what we know happened, the circumstances on the face of it appear to have been bizarre. There is nothing to suggest the spectators were standing in anything but the right place, and it's not easy to understand how the car even reached them from where they were."

The idea of safety barriers lining an entire stage route, some of which last more than 100 miles, has long been discounted by the MSA as impractical and presenting a potential injury hazard to spectators.

Rallies in the UK can only be organised by a recognised motor club and operated under a licence issued by the MSA, which in turn insures the competition and its competitors.

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