As part of its ongoing commitment to enhancing rally safety, the FIA has delivered a series of regional Rally Safety Delegate training sessions across North and South America, supporting the continued development of officials and organisers across the region.

The first session was held in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and led by FIA Closed Road Commission President and FIA WRC Safety Delegate Nicolas Klinger. It brought together 21 officials from seven FIA Member Clubs representing North America and the Caribbean. The second session took place in Córdoba, Argentina, on 25-26 March, and was led by Francisco Romero, FIA Observer for the South American region. It welcomed a further 29 officials from four FIA Member Clubs.

Together, the two events trained 50 officials in the latest aspects of rally safety, with participants from 11 nations across the Americas taking part.

Across both sessions, officials completed a practical training programme designed to strengthen the planning and delivery of rally safety operations. The workshops focused on how to build a stage safety plan from the ground up, covering key areas including spectator management, road management, road closure procedures, team structures and wider event organisation.

A central element of the training involved real-world practical exercises. Officials assessed actual road sections and were tasked with designing a stage safety plan in conditions as close as possible to those they would encounter during an event. This included determining the positioning of start and finish points, marshal posts, spectator areas, anti-cut measures, protective installations and other safety interventions required to manage risk on the stage.

Officials then used their own national planning methods and templates to prepare stage safety plans before presenting them to the wider group for review and discussion. This enabled participants to compare different operational approaches, exchange best practice and receive direct feedback in a format reflecting how safety plans are evaluated in a live event environment.

The training also highlighted the value of regional collaboration, with officials sharing ideas and learning from the differing approaches used by organisers across the Americas. By combining classroom-based learning with practical on-site application, the programme supported local organisers in strengthening their safety procedures in line with FIA best practice.

Fabiana Ecclestone, FIA Vice President for Sport – South America, said: “Rallying has a strong and passionate base across South America, and ensuring that our officials and organisers have access to high-quality safety training is essential to the continued development of the discipline in the region. The Córdoba session provided an important opportunity for Member Clubs to work together, share experience and apply FIA safety principles in a practical environment. This kind of regional cooperation is vital as we continue to strengthen the foundations of motor sport across South America, and I am very happy to be part of this process.”

Daniel Coen, FIA Vice President for Sport – North America, said: “The FIA’s regional training programme plays an important role in supporting our Member Clubs and helping officials develop the skills required to deliver safe and well-organised rally events. The Cuernavaca session brought together officials from across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, creating a valuable platform for learning, discussion and practical application. By investing in training and knowledge-sharing, we are helping to build stronger event operations and safer conditions for competitors, officials and spectators.”

Nicolas Klinger, FIA WRC Safety Delegate and President of the FIA Closed Road Commission, said: “The regional training programme is an important way for us to work directly with FIA Member Clubs and support the continued development of rally safety. Bringing organisers together in person allows them to share experience, compare approaches and apply FIA best practices in a practical environment. As rallying continues to grow across the Americas, it is vital that organisers are equipped with the knowledge and tools required to deliver events to the highest possible safety standards.”

ENDS 

For media enquiries please contact FIA Road Sport Communications Manager, Sven Good Sgood@fia.com

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations globally. It is a non-profit organisation committed to driving innovation and championing safety, sustainability and equality across motor sport and mobility. 

Founded in 1904, with offices in Paris, London and Geneva, the FIA brings together 245 Member Organisations across five continents, representing millions of road users, motor sport professionals and volunteers. It develops and enforces regulations for motor sport, including six FIA World Championships, to ensure worldwide competitions are safe and fair for all.