Rally racing introduces changes after specator's death

Prague, Sept 4 (CTK) - The speed at rally racing events will be reduced and spectators will be farther from the track in the remaining three competitions held in the Czech Republic this year, the Rally Commission of the Czech Motorsport Federation decided yesterday, after a spectator was killed on Saturday.

At the Barum Rally Zlin in southern Moravia on September 2, one of the race cars went out of control, rolled and hit two spectators, killing one of them.

This has been the third death during Czech rally competitions this year, however, both previous victims were co-drivers.

In May, co-driver Ales Zimolka died, succumbing to fatal injuries he suffered within the Cesky Krumlov Rally. In July, another Czech navigator, Bohuslav Ceplecha, died after a crash at Rally Bohemia.

To help prevent similar accidents from reoccurring, the corridor along the track to which spectators do not have access will be enlarged.

The man who got killed two days ago was standing in the area for the audience.

Three more races will be organised within the Czech rally championship this year.

"We will lower the speed in the rally stages by adding speed bumps and possibly cancelling some stages," Czech Motorsport Federation spokesman Josef Patl said about the next three events.

As of next year, only experienced drivers would be allowed to drive super-strong rally cars. At present, anybody who takes part in five rallying races may drive such a car.