The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, is pleased to announce the release of the first edition of the FIA Cross-Country Rally Safety Guidelines which has been supported by the FIA Foundation.

This first edition reflects the FIA’s ongoing commitment to raising safety standards across the discipline by equipping both National Sporting Authorities (ASNs) and event organisers with the latest global best practices in Cross-Country Rally safety. The first edition is designed to help organisers of all cross-country events, from the prestigious Dakar Rally to grassroots Bajas, improve safety and operational standards. 

Coinciding with the launch of the first edition of the guidelines, the FIA has also launched a dedicated Cross-Country Rally Safety webpage. This new platform serves as a central resource hub for event organisers and ASNs, providing access to the latest Cross-Country safety guidance.

The first edition of the Guidelines are the result of close collaboration between the FIA Safety Department, FIA Road Sport Department, and members of both the Closed Road and Cross-Country Rally Commissions. The document is designed to complement existing FIA safety regulations while consolidating all relevant regulatory and operational information into a single, user-friendly resource. Ensuring organisers, ASNs, and officials have consistent access to the latest safety protocols and recommendations. 

Cross-country rallying presents a unique set of challenges due to the remote environments, long distances, and complex logistics involved and the first edition of the guidelines provide clear recommendations tailored specifically to the nature of these events.

The first edition includes guidance on risk assessment, medical and rescue protocols, helicopter coordination and best practices for advanced communications and tracking.

The guidelines offer criteria for route selection, giving organisers a clear method to identify safer selective sections based on terrain analysis, historical incident data, and logistical factors.  

The first edition of the guidelines introduce standards for medical and rescue protocols, including clearer guidance for on-site medical facilities, medical intervention vehicles, and rescue helicopters, enabling organisers to better prepare for and respond to incidents effectively.

Another major focus is helicopter coordination and control. With helicopters playing a crucial role in medical and logistical operations in remote areas, the guidelines provide improved procedures for managing helicopter operations, including designated landing zones, flight coordination protocols, and communications strategies. Improving the safety and efficiency of helicopter support across Cross-Country events. 

Recognising the remote nature of cross-country rallying, the first edition of the guidelines also offers detailed recommendations on advanced communication and tracking systems. These include satellite tracking solutions and vehicle-to-vehicle alarm systems that enhance situational awareness, reduce collision risks, and support rescue operations in challenging environments.

Additional guidance is provided to enhance safety across various off-road sections. The document outlines specific recommendations for two terrain types - “Open” sections and “Track” sections - offering tailored guidance for each to further improve safety for both spectators and competitors.

Jérôme Roussel, FIA Cross-Country Category Manager, said: “Cross-Country Rally is a discipline that continues to grow across the globe, attracting new organisers and competitors each season. These guidelines are a key step in ensuring that this growth is sustainable, giving organisers a clear framework to deliver events to the highest standards. By supporting ASNs and organisers with consistent, practical guidance, we can strengthen the future of the discipline while ensuring it develops in a safe and responsible way.”

Nuno Costa, FIA Safety Director, added: “Cross-Country Rallying presents unique safety challenges due to its remote environments, long distances and complex logistics. With the launch of the first edition of the guidelines, we are providing ASNs and event organisers with the practical tools and global best practices they need to address these realities more effectively. This will support organisers in raising safety standards across the discipline and will further strengthen the safety of competitors, officials and spectators.”

You can find the 2025 guidance here: https://www.fia.com/cross-country-rally-safety