MSA presents Junior Rally driver proposal
The Motor Sports Association's Rallies Committee has unveiled
its recommendations regarding the licensing of young drivers
on stage rallies.
The proposals, presented to the Motor Sports Council in February,
would allow children aged 14 and above to hold MSA competition
licences entitling them to compete on stage rallies, subject
to stringent conditions. These conditions are of paramount
importance to ensure that the safety and well-being of potential
competitors is at the forefront of any new regulations.
The Rallies Committee believes that by opening the door to
younger drivers, it will increase the appeal and participation
in rallying and thereby help to safeguard the future strength
of the sport. The proposals would also bring rallying into
line with other racing disciplines in which drivers are now
regularly competing from the age of 14.
However, unlike circuit racing, the rally environment is
unpredictable, so it is proposed that any Junior Rally venues
or events would have to be free of trees and other hazards
in order to be deemed suitable for younger drivers.
To combat the requirement for rally drivers to hold a regular
road vehicle licence, it is envisaged that potential venues
would not come under the jurisdiction of the Road Traffic
Act, nor have any footpaths, bridleways, or byways on or crossing
any part of the course, including link sections and service
areas.
The proposals were agreed by the Motor Sports Council for
debate and further consultation according to the following
criteria:
Drivers:
14-16 years inclusive. Minimum height 1.4m (4ft 7")
Licences:
Licence to be held by Championship Organising Club and the
Licence to be restricted to Junior Rally Formulae Only (as
in Junior Race Championships)
Co-Driver:
Child Protection Accredited adult, MSA Competition Licence
Holder, ideally a licensed BARS Instructor, but not parent
or family member
Cars:
Maximum 1000cc standard engine/transmission, production car
and fully MSA Stage Rally Safety Compliant
Venues:
No footpaths, bridleways, or byway on or crossing any part
of the course, including link sections and service areas.
Venues must be free of trees and other hazards.
Events:
Events must be MSA permitted competitions, if forming part
of a championship registered with the MSA.
"The MSA has long resisted calls for an age reduction
in rallying because of the inherent dangers associated with
the sport," says Colin Hilton, MSA Chief Executive. "In
circuit racing, the potential hazards are carefully controlled
and designed to minimise possible risk, but the same cannot
be true of the natural hazards encountered in rallying.
"However, there has been a feeling among the rallying
community for some time that the sport was losing out, in
particular in relation to circuit racing, in not being able
to accommodate people under the age of 17 so, subject to stringent
safety restrictions, we have agreed to put this forward for
consultation. In reality, this proposal is not going to enable
14 year-olds to compete in stage rallies, but is probably
more applicable to certain controlled single venue events.
"The MSA is fully committed to widening participation
in motor sport, and bringing young drivers into the sport
is a key part of that, but we will not do this at the expense
of safety considerations which will always remain our top
priority."
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