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TOPEKA, Kan. (May 17, 2003) ? Tom Campbell , Chairman of the SCCA Board of Directors, released an official statement today regarding the temporary suspension of all stand-alone ClubRally and Rally Sprint events. His complete statement is as follows:
On May 15th the SCCA suspended stand-alone ClubRally and Rally Sprint activities until a comprehensive review of the safety standards and policies of the Performance Rally Program is completed. This action was taken in consideration of several serious ClubRally accidents that have occurred over the last year and a half, especially the tragic Sawmill Rally fatalities last weekend.
We must take appropriate action to ensure that rally program activities are operated appropriately and do not present an unacceptable risk to event participants, spectators and the public. If the risk exposures in the rally program, particularly those involving spectators, are not managed appropriately, rally activities will almost certainly not be insurable in the future and, in fact, may jeopardize the entire SCCA insurance plan.
It was decided that the ProRally events, including any concurrent ClubRallys, could continue because of a higher degree of national-level control and oversight. However, prior to each ProRally event during the period of the suspension, a formal event-specific safety assessment will be conducted by the PRB [Performance Rally Board] and additional senior oversight of the event will be in place. If there is any breach of safety protocols these events will be suspended as well.
We recognize that all forms of motorsports involve risk. When those risks impact the people on the sidelines, however, we have a responsibility to step away for a moment and carefully assess the situation. The Board of Directors has directed the PRB, which is responsible for all aspects of this program, to conduct this assessment and report to the Board of Directors their recommendations for continuing our Rally Program without undue risks. As soon as this review is completed, and the recommendations implemented, we expect that the hold on the ClubRally program will be released. We must be able to assure our insurance carrier that we recognize the seriousness of this most recent incident and that we have taken every reasonable precaution to avoid similar tragedy in the future.
Our direction to Ralph Kosmides, Chairman of the PRB, was simply that we expect the safety policies of both the ProRally and the ClubRally programs to be world-class. Without this review and improvement in the risk exposures, the performance rally program will have a very limited future in SCCA and in the United States . We recognize the disruption this stand-down causes for some of the event organizers. This is necessary to ensure the survival of our program. Thank you for your support and cooperation as we undertake this vital task
Tom Campbell , Chairman
SCCA Board of Directors
On May 15th the SCCA suspended stand-alone ClubRally and Rally Sprint activities until a comprehensive review of the safety standards and policies of the Performance Rally Program is completed. This action was taken in consideration of several serious ClubRally accidents that have occurred over the last year and a half, especially the tragic Sawmill Rally fatalities last weekend.
We must take appropriate action to ensure that rally program activities are operated appropriately and do not present an unacceptable risk to event participants, spectators and the public. If the risk exposures in the rally program, particularly those involving spectators, are not managed appropriately, rally activities will almost certainly not be insurable in the future and, in fact, may jeopardize the entire SCCA insurance plan.
It was decided that the ProRally events, including any concurrent ClubRallys, could continue because of a higher degree of national-level control and oversight. However, prior to each ProRally event during the period of the suspension, a formal event-specific safety assessment will be conducted by the PRB [Performance Rally Board] and additional senior oversight of the event will be in place. If there is any breach of safety protocols these events will be suspended as well.
We recognize that all forms of motorsports involve risk. When those risks impact the people on the sidelines, however, we have a responsibility to step away for a moment and carefully assess the situation. The Board of Directors has directed the PRB, which is responsible for all aspects of this program, to conduct this assessment and report to the Board of Directors their recommendations for continuing our Rally Program without undue risks. As soon as this review is completed, and the recommendations implemented, we expect that the hold on the ClubRally program will be released. We must be able to assure our insurance carrier that we recognize the seriousness of this most recent incident and that we have taken every reasonable precaution to avoid similar tragedy in the future.
Our direction to Ralph Kosmides, Chairman of the PRB, was simply that we expect the safety policies of both the ProRally and the ClubRally programs to be world-class. Without this review and improvement in the risk exposures, the performance rally program will have a very limited future in SCCA and in the United States . We recognize the disruption this stand-down causes for some of the event organizers. This is necessary to ensure the survival of our program. Thank you for your support and cooperation as we undertake this vital task
Tom Campbell , Chairman
SCCA Board of Directors