Family of rally driver hit out at FAI ruling

The family of a rally driver who was killed in a crash said they were disappointed with a decision not to hold an inquiry into his death.

Jimmy Girvan died while taking part in the Colin McRae Rally in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, on 25 September 2010.

The 56-year-old, from the Inverness area, died after the car he was driving collided with boulders and left the road, crashing into trees, during the forest stages of the rally on a section of the course known as Griffin.

The event was being held in memory of rally champion Colin McRae, killed in a helicopter accident in 2007, with his young son, Johnny, and two friends.

Mr Girvan’s navigator and main sponsor, Mike Ramsay, was cut free and treated at the scene before being taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. He was not seriously injured.

The Crown Office confirmed yesterday that following a “detailed and thorough investigation” it concluded that a fatal accident inquiry into Mr Girvan’s death would not be appropriate.

A statement, released on behalf of Mr Girvan’s wife Fiona and the rest of his family, said: “Despite the decision of the procurator fiscal not to hold an inquiry on this occasion, the family feel strongly that measures require to be taken to minimise the chances of this type of accident occurring in the future and help prevent any other family having to go through the trauma and grief they have had to endure.

“The family consider that the sport’s governing body, the Motor Sports Association (MSA), should oversee the introduction of compulsory training for co-drivers/navigators alongside a subsequent competency test.

“Furthermore, the family would like the MSA to introduce a regulation which requires the wearing of a Hans Device [a head and neck support] to be made compulsory for drivers and navigators on all special stage rallies, in line with the current requirements for international rallies, where it is mandatory.”