Rally drivers banned for speeding in GB

:rolleyes:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/3257523.stm

British courts handed down driving suspensions and fines to many drivers on Monday because they exceeded the speed limit on public roads during the 2002 Rally GB in Wales.  "Loix, 32, was fined £1,750 and given a six-month ban after being caught seven times in the same stretch on the same morning. He was clocked at speeds of up to 54mph in the 30mph zone. McRae was caught doing 51mph and fined £150 and given three penalty points."  

HOO BOY!  51mph in a 30mph zone!  That\'s a good reason to hinder an international motorsports event that is bringing investment and tourism to the local economy!  :rolleyes: Good job, pigs!

Does anyone remember that little run-in Marcus Gronholm had with the local law enforcement when he was trying to return to service with his ruined wheel?  He was not harming anyone, but the pigs wouldn\'t let him return to the staging area.  Completely absurd if you ask me.

[GmanJoe]

Well, at least it happened last year. Luckily for them, they just gotta pay a fine. In the US, SCCA Rally will disqualify you if you get a speeding ticket between stages. :eek:

I laugh at 90% of the ridiculous 30mph speed limits (usually 35mph here in the US).  Usually they serve no purpose except to give the cops an excuse to cite you if they feel like it.  50mph in a 35 is NOT an unsafe speed on most of these roads.  

The fact that cops would go out of their way to control such minor infractions on a road they knew would be used by professional drivers kinda makes you wonder about their motivation.

[Kurt Angle]

I always do around 50 in a 30 zone and I have never been stopped by the police. I always watch for speed cameras etc though.

Ive been caught speeding, without a liscence.

Apparently the Police officer thought I was hot.

I could tell He was turned on.

What does that have to do with this thread, spammer?

Originally posted by Coredweller
I laugh at 90% of the ridiculous 30mph speed limits (usually 35mph here in the US).  Usually they serve no purpose except to give the cops an excuse to cite you if they feel like it.  50mph in a 35 is NOT an unsafe speed on most of these roads.  

The fact that cops would go out of their way to control such minor infractions on a road they knew would be used by professional drivers kinda makes you wonder about their motivation.

I have hit a deer going 50 mph...by the time I realized it was there I couldn\'t do anything about it.  Hitting a deer was bad enough, if it had been a kid I would be moritfied.

UPDATE:  Wales Rally GB pronounced "safe" by FIA.

http://www.wrc.com/en_GB/News/2004/002/2004_R_walesrallygbsafefor2004.htm

My interpretation:  The FIA, in response to speeding tickets issued by the South Wales police, investigated the roads surrounding the rally to ensure they were "safe" to host the event in 2004.    I think what that means is, they talked it over with the local government to find out why in the hell their drivers were being ticketed for minor infractions during an event that brought 15 million pounds to the local economy.  If negotiations didn\'t go well, the FIA could have pronounced the roads "unsafe" and moved to a different venue.

They must have come to an understanding because, surprise surprise, the roads are SAFE!  :rolleyes:  If I have misunderstood what happened, any members from the UK can let me know.

[GmanJoe]

Originally posted by Coredweller
UPDATE:  Wales Rally GB pronounced "safe" by FIA.

http://www.wrc.com/en_GB/News/2004/002/2004_R_walesrallygbsafefor2004.htm

My interpretation:  The FIA, in response to speeding tickets issued by the South Wales police, investigated the roads surrounding the rally to ensure they were "safe" to host the event in 2004.    I think what that means is, they talked it over with the local government to find out why in the hell their drivers were being ticketed for minor infractions during an event that brought 15 million pounds to the local economy.  If negotiations didn\'t go well, the FIA could have pronounced the roads "unsafe" and moved to a different venue.

They must have come to an understanding because, surprise surprise, the roads are SAFE!  :rolleyes:  If I have misunderstood what happened, any members from the UK can let me know.

I betcha the whole hubbub was coz the bobbies there were confounded by the fact that the drivers side was on the correct side of the car and they just didn\'t want the Brits to realize that the best drivers in the world drive on the left side of the car.

Bah, everyone knows the correct seating position in a performance car is in the MIDDLE!  

[GmanJoe]

For a million dollars.....? Yeah....but we\'re talking about WRC and not F1 inspired exotics.