FIA proposes safety move

[Cryos]

WRC.com News:

The World Rally Championship Commission has moved to enhance safety on asphalt rallies in the wake of the three big crashes on the recent Rally Deutschland.

The commission met today in Paris and has announced that it will make a number of proposals to the next meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council on October 13. Most concern measures for 2005, but it also wants crews to be able to send a safety car (effectively the old gravel crew) through the stages on the last two asphalt events of 2004 – in Corsica and Spain.

For 2005 it is proposed that manufacturers will collectively provide one car which will make last-minute safety information available to all competitiors.

The move addresses the loss of gravel crews this year - one of the biggest concerns expressed by drivers and co-drivers throughout the season, and most particularly after the events in Germany.

The commission also made important proposals for 2005. These include a modification to the SupeRally-style re-start system which has been trialled this season. For 2005 crews would be allowed to re-start the following leg after retiring, but with a five minute penalty for each stage they had missed.

Servicing would be carried out by a fixed number of identified mechanics for each team.

The commission has also announced its draft WRC calendar for 2005, which includes move for Italy from Autumn to Spring, but not the rumoured return of Rally GB to its old November date.

Proposed 2005 WRC Calendar

January 20-23 Monte Carlo
February 10-13 Sweden
March 10-13 Mexico
April 7-10 New Zealand
April 28-May 1 Italy
May 12-15 Cyprus
May 26-29 Turkey
June 16-19 Greece
July 7-10 Argentina
August 4-7 Finland
August 25-28 Germany
September 15-18 GB
Sep 29-Oct 2 Japan
October 13-16 France
October 27-30 Spain
November 10-13 Australia

Just copped this off wrc.com, it appears things may once again be moving in the right direction.

Im a bit sceptical of the 5 minute penalty tho per stage missed, perhaps taking the last time of the last finishing car in the class and adding 30 seconds onto that time per stage missed would of been better? it still means that competitors can have a good finishing place relative for their efforts...

Comments as always from the forum regulars please

[imull]

5 mintes is not enough. on a lot of scenarios they would be fairly likely to drop only 1 place if they were to retire on the last stage of a day.

Perhaps 5 minutes after slowest car through would be fairer... And they should be reseeded at that position, not where they think they should be.

[Cryos]

on thinking more about it the +5 minute time on the last car would be the best comprimise i think.