In order to increase safety during The Rally Poland new solutions will be implemented this year. New version of AutoGuard system used for tracking will be installed in rally cars. Apart from all drivers participating in the rally have the obligation to use HANS system.

During the rally all cars will be fitted with AutoGuard’s new ASTO system that allows the tracking of vehicles through GPS and GPRS. However, changes were made, which will further enhance safety: ASTO detects now whether the car moves or stands on Special Stage and, above all, it allows to reconstruct its speed in the last 15 seconds before stopping. Thanks to that the organizers will be able to know whether the accident took place at high speed or if it was not a serious car failure. All crews have also a special button to inform The Rally Control Centre that everything is fine - but since the competitors often forgot to use it, AutoGuard added a buzzer that will remind them about it.

Safety of the competitors is also influenced by cars, which protect the crews better and better. Rally cars are equipped with a roll cage, usually far more advanced than required by the FIA rules. It is not made of ordinary steel, but from the mixture of chrome-molybdenum or carbon-manganese alloys, which are lighter, yet more durable. Standard equipment are also bucket seats, 6 point safety belts and, this year, the HANS device – for several years successfully used in Formula 1, was introduced by the PZM as mandatory for drivers competing in the Polish Rally Championship.

Michał Bębenek, Platinum Rally Team: HANS is a system which, in combination with a helmet, protects the head and cervical spine against overload. During a frontal collision it may reduce force effecting the neck and head in such situation by as much as 80%. But the HANS is also useful when driving on Special Stages, by minimizing overload that occurs during fast passages.

Both innovations introduced by ASTO and use of the HANS device bring new quality of safety to Rally Poland. The organizers will gain the knowledge, which will allow them to take faster the necessary action and the drivers get a greater sense of security.