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Chaos at Rally Japan: Organizers Slammed with €150,000 Fine After Van Breaches Live Stage

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Chaos at Rally Japan: Organizers Slammed with €150,000 Fine After Van Breaches Live Stage

The 2024 Rally Japan faced a damning verdict after a shocking incident involving a van entering a live stage and stopping directly in front of Elfyn Evans’ Toyota Yaris. The FIA handed organizers a hefty €150,000 fine—€100,000 of which is suspended—following a string of communication and security failures that could have resulted in catastrophic consequences.


“The Incident: A Van Against the Flow”

During Saturday’s third stage (SS12), a blue Nissan van drove 520 meters in the wrong direction, stopping at the start line and blocking Evans’ car. The stage was immediately halted, but the sequence of events revealed deep flaws in the rally’s safety protocols.

The van’s driver breached two checkpoints before entering the live stage, bypassing poorly implemented security measures. Marshals and security staff failed to effectively communicate the breach to rally control, with the first notification coming not from officials, but from Evans’ co-driver, Scott Martin, who alerted Toyota’s team.


“Stewards’ Report Unveils Damning Findings”

A stewards’ investigation laid bare the series of lapses:

  1. Lack of Physical Barriers: Marshal Post 5, where the van entered the stage, had only tape and personnel as barriers, allowing the vehicle to pass without obstruction.
  2. Communication Breakdown: Security guards at the breached checkpoints failed to inform rally control, and marshals on the stage delayed relaying critical information.
  3. Inadequate Safety Planning: The stewards deemed that sufficient safety measures, such as water-filled blocks or parked vehicles blocking access roads, should have been implemented from the outset.

Stewards’ report: “The lack of communication could have contributed to a serious accident. The organizers’ failure to take reasonable measures resulted in an unsafe situation.”


“Immediate Safety Overhaul Demanded”

In response to the incident, the FIA ordered drastic measures to prevent a recurrence:

Physical Barriers: Water-filled blocks or parked vehicles must now block every access road.

Enhanced Communication: Marshals’ radios must be directly connected to rally control to ensure immediate reporting.

Contingency Warning: Any future breach of safety protocols would result in the rally being immediately canceled.

Stewards’ directive: “The rally will be permanently stopped if the contingency plan is compromised or breached.”


“The €150,000 Fine: A Message to Rally Japan”

The organizers were fined €150,000 for their “failure to take reasonable measures,” with €100,000 suspended on two conditions:

  1. Mandatory Training: A full-scale marshals’ training exercise on road surveillance and communication must be implemented before the 2025 Rally Japan.
  2. No Repeat Offenses: If a similar incident occurs in 2025, the suspended fine will be triggered.

“A Troubled Track Record”

This incident wasn’t Rally Japan’s first safety failure:

2022: A vehicle entered a special stage through an unmarked junction.

2023: A Zero Car was found parked on the stage, nearly causing a collision with the first competition car.

The FIA emphasized the need for systemic changes to address these recurring issues.

Stewards’ conclusion: “This issue cannot be considered an isolated occurrence. A continued focus on marshals’ training and safety measures is critical.”


“Looking Ahead to 2025”

To regain its credibility, Rally Japan must implement sweeping changes. The FIA, in collaboration with the Japan Automobile Federation, will oversee the mandatory training and safety enhancements. Failure to meet these standards could jeopardize the event’s future in the World Rally Championship.

As the dust settles on this shocking breach, the motorsport world awaits to see if Rally Japan can rebuild trust and prioritize safety in the years ahead.

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