Killarney Historic Rally Organisers explain reasons behind service park ticketing – more to released tonight !
Statement from organising committee of Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney Historic Stages Rally relating to Service Park Tickets.
The organisers of Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney Historic Rally are delighted to have a capacity entry of 165 cars ready to tackle the event this Saturday. We are also extremely proud and humbled to have two time World Champions Kalle Rovanpera and Jonne Halttunen compete in a BMV prepared Toyota Starlet. The crew’s entry has seen an unprecedented level of interest in the rally.
As part of the running of any type of event nowadays (even outside motorsport), all factors have to be constantly reviewed to ensure the Health and Safety of all involved is catered for. This is the same when it comes to the Historic Rally. The organisers have to be cognisant of the needs of competitors, service crews, marshals, sponsors, residents, spectators and those who have no active part or interest in the rally but are affected by it. This analysis is continuous cycle and begins on day one of organising. As event preparations evolve any locations where a potential issue is identified, appropriate steps mitigating the issues have to be put in place.
From an organisational perspective, Liebherr Container Cranes factory site is a fantastic amenity and we are privileged to have permission to use it as Service Park for our event. The area provided to us is large enough to cater for tyre management, servicing and refuelling of the competing rally cars in one location. The surface and layout provided for servicing of competing cars is also second to none. In addition, its geographical location on the outskirts of Killarney town is key as it works extremely well any potential rally route chosen. The above factors makes the location fundamental in running this weekend’s event and key to our future plans.
However, as part of the safety analysis this year the Service Park has been identified as a location where there may be issues. These issues have been exasperated by the appearance of the double World Champions and the crowds expected to descend on Killarney at the weekend. Given the large volume of spectators expected, the following safety factors were identified by the organisers pertaining to the Service Park:
(1) The factory remains open and in operation on the day of the event. As such, factory employees have to be able to access their workplace safely.
(2) The service crews need a safe environment to work on rally cars.
(3) The competing car crews need to be able to traverse the Service Park safely from Service in, to their service crews and on to Service out.
(4) The environment has to be safe for car refuelling.
(5) Consideration for the Garda traffic management on the road outside the Service Park.
(6) The environment for the marshals and volunteers assisting in running and management of the Service Park.
Given the rally schedule, the organisers are very much aware that on Saturday when the top Modified Category cars will be entering service the top Historic Category cars will be exiting service. This means that there will be a minimum of four cars traversing the Service Area every minute when the crowds will be their peak. Crowd management is going to be a challenge this weekend. If crowd control becomes a serious issue on a rally stage the stage will be cancelled. However if crowd control becomes a serious issue at the Service Park the rally will choke and stop. The organisers are very much aware of the crowd control issue and have had to take steps to mitigate this, hence the concept of Service Park tickets. It is not something that the organisers do lightly as it is a change from the norm, but it has to be done to ensure the smooth running and the safety of all within the Service Park.
Service Park tickets were released online last night with 1000 booked up in under 5 minutes. Again this is something the organisers did not envisage. However, it does showcase the unprecedented level of interest in the rally. To this end the organisers intend to release and additional 1000 Service Park tickets to the public which will be available at 1930hrs tonight Tuesday –
see the rally’s official social media accounts for link
These tickets are being offered free of charge on a first come first served basis.
We are delighted that so many have taken an interest in attending the event. However, given the level of enthusiasm shown by potential visitors from an organisational perspective we are in uncharted waters. We have to balance the running of the event safely with the spectacle that it is. Consequently, some difficult decisions have to be made. Constructive criticism on the decisions made to try to ensure the safe running of the event is fine but abuse of organisers and foul language as part of comments posted on Social Media is not. Any foul language comments will be deleted and abusive comments reported. The people involved in helping put this event together are volunteers giving up their own precious time to try to make the rally happen. It is unfair, unwarranted and unjust to vilify them.
This weekend all roads lead to Killarney for the greatest free show in the country. We need everyone’s help and co-operation to ensure it is runs effectively and everyone gets home safely.
Thanking you.
Organisational Committee.
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