Rally - FAI

The MSA has come in for a lot of stick over recent weeks and months ahead of the FAI in Edinburgh. No doubt they are being guided and advised by their legal team what to say and when, whereas those of us on the outside have rather more free rein.
 
Mindful of that they did issue a Press Release today and the full text is printed below. It doesn't tell us anything we don't know nor does it tell us how hard they are having to defend their position, but the outcome could greatly affect the future of the sport.
 
I do hope that they stress upon the court that the second accident was not a result of bad organisation nor can the driver of the car which crashed have expected someone to be so close to the road. It should also be borne in mind that the central figure in this case was a former rally driver and should have been more aware of the dangers than anyone else. He first rallied a Ford Lotus Cortina in the early 1970s before moving on to a Mk1 Escort and latterly a Mk2 in the early 80s. He also sponsored one of the rounds of the Scottish Rally Championship through his Glasgow based business.

One spectator fatality is one too many, and the past two weeks have been hard to bear, but we'll just have to brace ourselves for what's to come and expect more lurid headlines when the court moves on to the second accident.

"  MSA update on Scottish inquiry ...

The Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) into four fatalities on two stage rallies in Scotland is nearing the end of its second week, having commenced in Edinburgh on 18 July.

The FAI is considering the tragic deaths of Joy Robson on the 2013 Snowman Rally and Elizabeth Allan, Iain Provan and Len Stern on the 2014 Jim Clark Rally. It is expected to last for approximately ten weeks; the MSA has been present from the start and will remain so throughout the proceedings.

The MSA will give evidence, which means it is limited in its ability to comment while the inquiry remains ongoing but may offer further updates if appropriate.

The MSA looks forward to understanding any recommendations that the Sheriff may make when the inquiry concludes. In the meantime, the governing body reiterates its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the four victims. "