The Task Force’s work was central to the safe operation of the event, with the processes and practices introduced during its visit directly informing the delivery of this year’s rally.

The FIA Rally Safety Task Force was deployed to Japan after the WRC Commission issued a Yellow Card to the organisers of Rally Japan due to a serious safety incident during the 2024 edition. In collaboration with the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF), the FIA implemented a targeted programme to strengthen rally safety procedures ahead of the 2025 event as part of the FIA’s ongoing commitment to its member clubs (ASNs).

Nearly 100 participants attended three days of interactive workshops and training sessions covering the latest FIA rally safety processes and procedures. The programme also included a visit to the Fukui GR Rally Challenge, enabling participants to observe and evaluate safety operations in a real-world setting.

Participants included key safety and operational roles, including stage commanders, radio operators, safety caravan crews, post chiefs and marshals. The Task Force provided guidance on the critical responsibilities of each role and how effective coordination between them ensures smooth operations and rapid response during rally events.

Led by FIA Closed Road Commission President Nicolas Klinger and FIA Safety Director Nuno Costa, the programme also provided an update on the FIA Rally Safety Guidelines published earlier this year. These guidelines, available to all member clubs, set out the standards for event preparation, stage management and incident response across all levels of rally competition.

The work carried out by the Safety Task Force proved essential to the safe and successful delivery of the 10th edition of Rally Japan. Hundreds of stage commanders, marshals and operational personnel applied the lessons from the training directly into the live running of the event, strengthening stage management, communication and incident-response procedures across Rally Japan. The knowledge and practices introduced through the Task Force’s visit will continue to support improved safety standards across both national and international rallying in Japan in the years ahead.

Nuno Costa, FIA Safety Director, said: “The FIA Rally Safety Task Force has driven improvements in rally safety worldwide and Japan is the latest country to benefit from our workshops and practical exercises to train and support volunteers and officials. By sharing best practices and reinforcing safety standards we are helping ensure that every rally is run to the highest level of safety for competitors, volunteers and spectators”

Koichi Murata, Secretary General of the JAF Motor Sports Department, said: “The onsite training conducted by Mr. Nicolas Klinger and Mr. Nuno Costa, as part of the FIA Rally Safety Task Force, was highly beneficial and effective, as it was based on clear, practical examples of safety measures implemented at rallies around the world.

This invaluable training not only contributed significantly to enhancing the safety standards of the WRC Rally Japan but also helped further improve rally safety across all domestic events in Japan. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the FIA for providing such an outstanding initiative.”

FIA WRC Safety Delegate Nicolas Klinger said “Rally Japan has made clear and tangible progress this year. The practical workshops and on-site simulations delivered by the FIA Rally Safety Task Force, together with the Japan Automobile Federation, have helped embed the processes and behaviours we need to run a safe, well-controlled event here in Japan. Seeing stage commanders, radio teams, safety caravan crews and marshals train together in Toyota City and then apply those same principles during the event was incredible, and it is always a pleasure to see these theoretical concepts applied in real-world situations. The practical training, clearer processes and on-site simulations have clearly delivered results, and will continue to raise standards not just at Rally Japan but across all off-road events in the region."