[cocalolaman]

Originally Posted by planetX

What message does a rally send, driving dangerously fast on unsuitable roads is a sport?

Please define what a 'suitable' road is. That's the point of rallying, trying to get the fastest time on a difficult stretch of terrain. Wouldn't be very exciting if they just drove on a flat straight for a few miles.

[questionmark?]

Some ridiculous comments been made on this thread. Lets not forgot that people lost their lives today in an accident and others we presume are fighting for their lives or may have to cope with life changing injuries.

[hondasam]

Originally Posted by questionmark?

Some ridiculous comments been made on this thread. Lets not forgot that people lost their lives today in an accident and others we presume are fighting for their lives or may have to cope with life changing injuries.

yes but you have to remember these people were there as spectators to watch a sport they liked.
It's up to everyone to watch from a safe distance, I have been to lots of rallies myself and I know what it's like, everyone wants the best view.

[mike65]

Not too mention the impact this will have on the driver and his navigator.

There will always be a risk level and the safety standards are higher than they used to be - anyone remember Group B in the 80s?

[Sky King]

I am not into rallying but I was channel surfing about a fortnight ago and watched it for 20 mins or so and one thing that I really noticed as I watched was how dangerous some of the spots the spectators were standing were... like on the outside of bends and stuff like that. I actually remember thinking at the time that it's amazing it doesn't happen regularly.

Unfortunate accident though.

[Doc Ruby]

They really need to get on top of the spectator situation to be honest. How they do it I neither know nor care, but these won't be the last fatalities unless things get a bit tighter. You've a ton of metal doing 90 on sharp corners only meters from crowds, I'm surprised its lasted this long.

[My name is URL]

Race stewards are always telling people to move away from the spots that are deemed to be more dangerous. A lot of corners are cordoned off these days so people simply can't stand at them. It just wouldn't be feasible to man the entire route with officials or to keep it completely clear of spectators.. that may be possible in much larger events but not small amateur rally stages like this.

This happened on a relatively straight stretch of road iinm. It was a tragic accident and couldn't have been foreseen.

As for the people that stand on extremely tight and dangerous corners regardless of being aware of the risks and warned not to.. well, they're idiots.

[irish-stew]

Originally Posted by Doc Ruby

They really need to get on top of the spectator situation to be honest. How they do it I neither know nor care, but these won't be the last fatalities unless things get a bit tighter. You've a ton of metal doing 90 on sharp corners only meters from crowds, I'm surprised its lasted this long.

Apologies in advance, but based on that comment I'm assuming you dont really follow rallying. TBH I'm not really a huge fan my self but I do know there is many all over the Island throughout the year, four of which I can name in this region alone, this weekends Cavan Stages, the Donegal Rally, The Forestery Rally (something like that) also in Donegal, The lakes (Caven, Leitrim, and I think Fermanagh).

I'm also guessing if it wasn't for todays unfortunate news, how many people who have called to changes to the sport on this thread would have even known it was taking place this weekend?

Yes they weren't the first, and unfortunatly they probably wont be the last, its a very small unfortunate satistic, but then so is footballers dying on the pitch, if the same attitude was taken to that and other sports we would be calling for changes and bannings to many sports.

These things a reviewed all the time, and this will also most definalty prompt another review, but lets not write the sport off all together.

[Doc Ruby]

Originally Posted by irish-stew

I'm also guessing if it wasn't for todays unfortunate news, how many people who have called to changes to the sport on this thread would have even known it was taking place this weekend?

We've plenty of experience with rallies where I come from, never fear.

Originally Posted by irish-stew

Yes they weren't the first, and they wont be the last, its a very small unfortunate satistic, but then so is footballers dying on the pitch, if the same attitude was taken to that and other sports we would be calling for changes and bannings to many sports.

All I'm saying is, when people start dying, things start changing. Its up to the sport to survive with those changes or not. Its not even an argument, this is almost certainly how its going to go. Rallying is a cool sport, I for one stand beside any who want to see machines go faster, but the spectator safety issue needs to be definitively handled.

[hairyprincess]

Originally Posted by Ares

Lol! Those rallies. As in there are certain types of rallies that are ok but you detest the one held in Cavan today.

Its a tragedy that people died following something they liked/loved. RIP to the two dead and I hope their families and other hurt involved get the support they need.

How and ever motorsport is inherently dangerous and these people knew they were taking risks standing where they did. Sad and all as it is this shouldn't be a template for the banning of motorsport. If its banned then surely everything, with any risk of injury whatsoever no matter how minute the risk is, should also be banned with it.

'Those rallies', as in rallies in general. I think you knew exactly what I meant.

I detest rallies and always have done. Individual people and groups have fought to get speed limits reduced. There are constant advertisements encouraging people to slow down. And then we have this legalized race, which fine has professional drivers taking part, but it is encouraging 'boy racers' thinking they are the next best thing. And people standing inches away from cars speeding.

There is no sense to it. It is not a sport. And I would 100% back a campaign to ban it. I have always held that opinion, long before the events of today.

Originally Posted by hondasam

How do you mean a senseless waste ?

A senseless waste of life of course. Do you think it wasn't a waste?

[The Big Red Button]

Originally Posted by hairyprincess

I detest rallies and always have done. Individual people and groups have fought to get speed limits reduced. There are constant advertisements encouraging people to slow down. And then we have this legalized race, which fine has professional drivers taking part, but it is encouraging 'boy racers' thinking they are the next best thing. And people standing inches away from cars speeding.

Certain drivers are always going to drive irresponsibly, in every country, whether rally driving is a pastime or not.

I can pretty much guarantee you that you have never seen a rally car speeding or driving in any way that could be considered dangerous outside of a rally stage, as they would be very heavily penalised for this (and why on earth would they risk the damage to their car, anyways.)

Is it not a good thing to be teaching people to keep speeding, etc, where it's appropriate and regulated? At any rally I've attended, there's been a massive emphasis on safety, and sure there are tonnes of Gardaí in the area at any rally, regularly breathalising and checking for insurance/tax/NCT etc. It's not a hang-out for "boy-racers", it's for motor enthusiasts, who care about their cars, and who aren't going to go risking their cars and their licences through "messing"!

[The Big Red Button]

And for those suggesting that you can rock up to a rally and stand on the outside of a corner or at any old spot you want to - just try it, someday! At any rally I've attended, it's very well regulated, the most dangerous spots are cordoned off. And there are plenty of marshalls (or the race cannot go ahead.) While the marshalls (who work in a voluntary capacity) can warn you away from certain spots, they can't force you to move - and they will call off the stage, rather than leaving you standing in a very dangerous zone.

However they can't have marshalls at every bit of the stage. For very obvious reasons. So, naturally, the discretion of the spectators is required.

I've been talking to people who were at the rally today, and from what I've heard, it was a completely freak accident at a relatively "safe" part of the stage. It's just very sad. But there are risks involved in every sport, and rally participants and spectators accept those risks - there's only so much you can do to mitigate them.

[questionmark?]

Originally Posted by questionmark?

Some ridiculous comments been made on this thread. Lets not forgot that people lost their lives today in an accident and others we presume are fighting for their lives or may have to cope with life changing injuries.

Originally Posted by hondasam

yes but you have to remember these people were there as spectators to watch a sport they liked.
It's up to everyone to watch from a safe distance, I have been to lots of rallies myself and I know what it's like, everyone wants the best view.

There was a reason I said some of the statements where ridiculous as two of the injured just so happen to be my cousins. (They try to stay safe as best they can and have been following rallies for years up and down the country) Hoping they pull through and my thoughts are with the famiies of those that have passed away

[PogMoThoin]

Originally Posted by hairyprincess

'Those rallies', as in rallies in general. I think you knew exactly what I meant.

I detest rallies and always have done. Individual people and groups have fought to get speed limits reduced. There are constant advertisements encouraging people to slow down. And then we have this legalized race, which fine has professional drivers taking part, but it is encouraging 'boy racers' thinking they are the next best thing. And people standing inches away from cars speeding.

There is no sense to it. It is not a sport. And I would 100% back a campaign to ban it. I have always held that opinion, long before the events of today.

FFS. What a backward statement. Should we ban all motorsport? Formula 1 encourages the same, should we ban that?

[hondasam]

Originally Posted by questionmark?

There was a reason I said some of the statements where ridiculous as two of the injured just so happen to be my cousins. (They don't try to stay safe as best they can and have been following rallies for years up and down the country) Hoping they pull through and my thoughts are with the famiies of those that have passed away

I'm sorry about your cousins and I hope they get better soon.
I really don't understand your comment tbh.