Safety tracker system to be trialed on 3 MI rallies in 2019

Safety tracker system to be trialed on 3 MI rallies in 2019

Posted: February 12, 2019 12:45 PM

Motorsport Ireland are pleased to announce the introduction of a safety tracker system, on a trial basis, for stage rallies. The system will be trailed for the first 3 rounds of the Motorsport Ireland Triton National Rally Championship, namely the Birr Stages Rally, Midland Stages Rally and the Monaghan Stages Rally.

Sporttraxx, an Italian company with over 15 years of experience in the field of GPS tracking on motorsport events internationally, have been contracted to provide the service and Killian Duffy will be their Irish representative on the 3 trial events selected.

The introduction of a safety tracker system reflects the ongoing efforts by the governing body to improve the sport, particularly in relation to safety levels but also in relation to the efficient, fair and transparent running of the events. The system uses GPS technology to record the location, speed and status (i.e. moving / stationary) of vehicles to which the units are fitted as they traverse the entire route of the event. The data collected is then transmitted using GPRS technology to a control room where it is displayed on an operator interface and symbols are superimposed on a mapping system to represent the vehicles and their status, in close to real time, along the route. There is also a facility to send a message / messages from the car to control and in some cases visa versa.

The primary aim of the safety tracker system is to improve and minimise response times when deploying medical services in the event of participants requiring medical assistance following an accident. When a car stops on a special stage its status, is displayed as an alert on the operator interface. The competitor also has the facility to send a ‘SOS’ message from the car to control, indicating to the organisers that medical assistance is required and the medical services deployment procedure can be immediately activated. There are a number of other safety related benefits arising from the use of the system, for example in monitoring and managing ‘gaps’ (resulting from stage blockages or deployment of alternative routes etc.) in the field of competitors – these ‘gaps’ are quickly identifiable and stage start intervals may be adjusted to compensate.

The data available (via printed reports if required), will also be of significant assistance to organisers in the general running of the events, for example in relation to the location of officials and safety zero cars on stages, and in dealing with competitor queries in relation to stage times, penalties applied, etc. Factual information will be available which will assist in accurate, fair, consistent and transparent decision making, in response to these queries. The introduction of a safety tracker system to the sport will significantly enhance the events on which it is used and will make a significant contribution to safety standards on those events. In the event that the test is successful, and that the required funding can be sourced, it is hoped that the system will be used on the remaining rounds of the MI Triton National Rally Championship in 2019 and ultimately on all Irish rallies.

Speaking ahead of the 3 event trial, Motorsport Ireland President John Naylor said; “This is another milestone towards improved safety for our competitors and even though we are only trialing this over 3 events, the ultimate goal is to include safety tracking on all of the rallies run under the Motorsport Ireland banner. Motorsport Ireland is fully committed to improving safety throughout all disciplines and this in one of many steps we will take going forward. The introduction of safety tracking will of course impact on how we have traditionally run our rallies but we must all embrace change and grow with it.”