---

MSA: Tony Fall to Spearhead MSA Rally Driver Training Scheme

12 January 2001

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

The Motor Sports Association (MSA) is pleased to announce that Tony Fall has agreed to oversee the growth and development of the British Association of Rally Schools (BARS) on our behalf.

BARS will be aiming to have sufficient schools of an appropriate standard available in all parts of the UK before the final meeting of the Motor Sports Council in September, in which case the Council will ratify mandatory training for all new special stage rally drivers from 2002.

A new Stage Rally Driver competition licence will then be introduced on 1 January 2002, together with a 'starter pack' and mandatory attendance at an approved rally school. The scheme will thus be very similar to those already running successfully for race and kart drivers.

Tony Fall's appointment was welcomed by MSA Director of Sporting & Technical Services, Colin Hilton: "Tony brings exactly the right combination of talents: a skilled driver, a successful team manager and a leading businessman. We expect him to drive the training scheme forwards so that we can satisfy all the Council's conditions."

Driver training was recommended by MSA after receiving the report of the Rally Safety Study Group, formed last year to examine every aspect of rally safety, including vehicle regulations, organising rules, and the protection of spectators, officials and competitors.

Tony Fall was one of Britain's greatest drivers in the 1960s and 1970s, rallying factory cars for BMC, Lancia, Ford, Porsche, Datsun, BMW and Opel and later running the official Dealer Opel Team. Among his many victories were the Rally of Portugal, plus the Circuit of Ireland, Scottish and Welsh rallies and events in Africa, South America and Europe. He remains actively involved in motor sport as head of Safety Devices, best known for their popular rollcages.

Text Provided By Colin Wilson

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.