Motorsport is one of the oldest organised sports, with Formula 1 Grands Prix being the highest profile aspect of the sport worldwide. It’s a popular sport in the United Kingdom, a key player country in the world of motorsports, hosting many race events. It’s also the place where most Formula 1 teams, including famous names like McLaren, Williams, Alpine, Mercedes, Red Bull and Aston Martin, are based. But it’s not easy to become successful in this field.
This sport is highly demanding from drivers, as it requires physical prowess and a bit of competitiveness to succeed. As with any sport, thousands of fans view and fancy this sport, and some even frequently attend events to support their favourite racer or just to get the adrenaline. The problem is that many of them are at risk of getting injured and are even part of the accidents on the road. So, if you intend to participate in such an event and want to be safe, here’s what you need to consider.
Types of spectators
In the motorsport world, there are two types of spectators:
The enthusiast – This type of person is very knowledgeable and into this sport; they know everything about the teams and what it takes for a driver to finish the races successfully, so they have favourites. As they are very passionate, they arrive early, choose the best spot from where they can see the race better and are used to attending competitions even in bad weather. They are usually the most behaved and know how to keep themselves safe.
The regular person – Everyone else from the general public can be attending simply because there’s an event close to their home, and they want to see what’s happening. They most likely don’t know much about the racers or the competition and may not understand the “etiquette” of such events. They are the hardest to control when there’s a general fuss and are the most prone to experience accidents.
Other race participants
Motorsports events can’t happen without volunteers, who usually help the racers prepare for the competition or are assigned other duties, like informing people about the place or helping around. They can also be at risk of getting injured because as they move from one place to another, they may find themselves in a place they shouldn’t be.
Then there’s also the press or photographers that want to capture any second of the races. They are the ones that are willing to go over the edge and put themselves at risk just to take a specific photo or talk with racers. They are usually more likely to break the rules in order to get what they want, even if that means putting themselves in danger.
Who is responsible for your safety?
Let’s not forget the awful event in 1986 at the Portugal rally, when three people were killed and many more were injured because the fans were standing too close to the road. While organisers put people’s safety second to the rally’s popularity, racers were put in an uncomfortable situation. One of them came over a crest and lost traction, which made the car plough in the crowd.
Usually, the organisers of a race have experienced, qualified and insured safety staff for crowd management, risk assessment and many other things. Even if organisers are obliged to provide safety within the racing area, sometimes they will spend the budget on other things because they don’t foresee people going the extra mile at such events. But that’s exactly why accidents happen.
What can you do if you’ve been injured at a motorsports event?
Unfortunately, accidents can happen because even a small driver mistake can get the car out of the racing pavement. An accident can occur due to:
A negligent car driver that has ignored the car’s deficiencies; and/or
A dangerous race track.
Whatever the reason, you might get injured if you’re unlucky and in the wrong seat at the wrong time. In this case, you can make a personal injury claim in the UK after the accident. If you can prove that the accident happened due to someone else’s negligence and this caused you to get injured, you might be able to get compensation up to £36,790.
Know that the organisers have the duty of ensuring safety, as they’re setting up the event in a public place, so they need to assure the public and the participants that the environment is secure and safe enough for them. So, you are eligible to claim if they’re not checking the cars or have not placed warning signs where needed.
Is there a way to prevent accidents from happening?
When attending motorsport events, it’s important to have some things into consideration:
Follow a marshal’s instructions, their guidance ensures the safety of everyone;
Watch and obey all event signs;
Do not enter any prohibited areas; and
Listen to all the official announcements.
Remember that, especially in rallies, you must expect the unexpected because cars are more likely to:
Run wide on or cut corners;
Throw up stones on the road or gravel from sand roads;
Overshoot junctions; and
Leave the road.
The Health and Safety Executive of the UK recommends organisers to:
Calculate the safe capacity of the sports ground;
Ensure planning for safety;
Consider circulation (ingress, egress, vertical);
Add barriers and separating elements;
Ensure fire safety;
Check communication methods and control;
Ensure all mechanical and electrical installations are safe; and
Provide medical and first aid staff.
What’s also important is to manage crowds’ safety. For example, the organisers’ duties include:
Setting clear roles and responsibilities to staff and volunteers;
Assessing the risks and identifying any potential hazards; and
Putting crowd controls in place for when people arrive, leave and are circulation on site.
Wrapping up
Motorsports are one of the biggest and most-watched sports in the world, but as important as they are, the events can become dangerous for people who are unaware of the risks or don’t obey the rules. Moreover, some organisers tend to ignore safety regulations, making it riskier to participate in such events. But you’ll be safe watching your favourite race if you know how to behave and follow the rules.
