2025 FIA Cross-Country Rally Safety Guidelines

Dear Colleagues,

The FIA is pleased to launch the first edition of the 2025 FIA Cross-Country Rally Safety Guidelines, now available for download on the FIA website. These guidelines will be updated annually to reflect evolving safety standards and global best practices.

Additionally, this release marks the launch of a dedicated Cross-Country Rally Safety webpage, designed to provide comprehensive and continuously updated safety information.

This inaugural edition of the FIA Cross-Country Rally Safety Guidelines incorporates best practices from FIA events to support ASNs and event organisers to hold Cross-Country rally events safely. These guidelines bring together the latest advice and guidance from the FIA Safety Department, FIA Road Sports Department and members from both the Closed Road Commission and the Cross-Country Rally Commission.

Below, we outline the key components of the new guidelines and safety recommendations. Please view the full guidelines for the most complete and detailed information:

• Route Selection & Risk Assessment: Clear criteria are provided to help organisers select safer Selective Sections by focusing on terrain analysis, historical data, and logistical factors.
• Medical and Rescue Protocols: Clear standards for medical intervention vehicles, rescue helicopters and on-site medical facilities are outlined, ensuring enhanced off-road emergency preparedness.
• Safety on Selective Sections: Distinct safety recommendations for “Open” type sections (off-road terrain) and “Track” type sections (defined routes) have been introduced to optimise spectator and competitor safety.
• Advanced Communication and Tracking: Emphasis is placed on reliable communication and tracking systems, including satellite tracking and vehicle-to-vehicle alarm systems to mitigate collision risks and enhance rescue operations.
• Helicopter Coordination and Control: Helicopter safety and effectiveness have been strengthened through clearly defined coordination protocols and dedicated landing zones.

We kindly request your support to promote these updated Guidelines among your event organisers, officials, and volunteers.

Thank you for your continued commitment to improving safety across the sport.

Best regards, 

FIA Safety Department

If you have any topics you would like us to cover in future bulletins please send your suggestions to the FIA Safety Department.

To read the other articles about the ASN Safety Bulletins, please visit the FIA website. You can also read by clicking here.