(Updated 13 April 2026)
Thank you to those scrutineers who have provided feedback regarding competitor equipment checks at stage starts across events held during the last few months.
The feedback will be presented to the Rallies Committee on 8th April. The aim is to ensure a clear and aligned approach to competitor safety, supported by organisers and senior officials including clerks, stewards and scrutineers.
The regulatory position detailing the obligation on crews to be correctly equipped and ready to compete is detailed below:
- Ch.13 App.13 Art.3.8 & 3.9. Competitors must not leave the Special Stage Arrival Control unless ready to start a Special Stage.
- Supported by Ch.13 App.14 Art.1.(ii) Schedule of Timed Special Stage Event Penalties.
Competitors are responsible for presenting themselves correctly equipped, however, stage start checks remain an essential safeguard.
Recent events and direct scrutineer reports highlight a pattern of non-compliance at stage starts. Examples include:
- Plumbed-in extinguishers not armed
- Helmets not secured
- Harnesses incorrectly fitted (including belts routed under FHR devices or not worn at all)
- FHR devices not connected
- Balaclavas not worn correctly (outside overalls or around the neck)
- Racewear not fully fastened (zips open)
Competitors are responsible for presenting themselves correctly equipped, however, stage start checks are a critical final safety control, not a duplication of pre-event scrutineering.
Please ensure that provision for stage start checks are enabled through the Event plan with the support of the Organising team and the Senior Event Officials Team.
Please share any specific Event issues, observations or concerns with: [email protected]; [email protected]
Stage start checks should be conducted after crews have checked in to the Arrival Time Control.
Further updates post Rallies Committee in April will also be communicated via the Scrutineers’, Clerks and Stewards Bulletins and the Rallies Newsletter.
Update 13 April 2026: NCR references corrected and addition of guidance to implement checks after crews have checked in to ATC.