I used to run a motorsport rescue service which provided rescue and first aid to motorsport events, especially stage rallies. There were two of us involved, both trained in first aid and rescue mechanics, and we used to carry a doctor with us if one was not available at the event.

We started out with a Series II 109" military-style Land Rover ambulance on loan by way of sponsorship from a four-wheel-drive dealership, which had a rover 6-inline 3 litre petrol engine, but which struggled to 70mph and was a bit cramped in the back. This was reclaimed by the owners after the engine expired and we acquired a Ford Transit ambulance which was far superior but lacked four wheel drive - it never got stuck though! This would top 110mph, on private roads of course.

The vehicle was equipped with all sorts of stuff, including:

• Stretcher
• Oxygen admin set
• Entonox admin set
• Laerdal sunction unit
• 10 ton hydraulic spreaders
• Air hacksaw and chissels
• Air tank (which you wore on your back) to run the air cutting tools
• Fire extinguishers; two large foam units, two large BCF units
• Full tool kit
• Fire axe, crowbars, tree saws
• Three full medical kits, full intravenous kit, fluids
• Rally safety and medical radios
• CB radios
• Portable lighting
• Many blue lights and a very loud siren!

There are a number of rally rescue organisations in the UK. We were one until the bills mounted up and we had to quit. But who knows? I might win the lottery and invest in a better vehicle and start up again...

(click for bigger pic)

The first time I went out on rescue was to a rally at Otturburn in the Land Rover ambulance. It was so icy, a council gritter, based on an ex-military 6x6 chassis, was reversing down a hill gritter first so it didn't slide. Later I learned that at that same point, one of the organisers ran to escape a sliding car. Apparently he jumped over a wall and was rather surprised when the car followed him! Fortunately he was ok after a trip to hospital. On one other occasion, this time in Yorkshire we heard on the radio the commander of the stage we were heading for saying he was not prepared to start the stage before we got there as it was so dangerous!

(click for bigger pic)

In all our time doing rescue we were only called on twice - which is good because when rescue units are called in it is generally serious. the first was to a broken finger (actually they came to us) - a co-driver had broken his finger but insisted that he could carry on, and as a doctor had ok'd it we strapped his fingers together and let him go. The second was to an actual accident where a car had left the road at speed. I recall doing about 60mph up a forrest track with the offside wheels in the ditch and lights and sirens blazing. Fortunately no-one was badly hurt. It's a bit of a pity that we had been interviewed by the local BBC radio that morning - I wonder what the interviewer would have thought of a rather rapid trip up a special stage!

The whole activity eventually got too costly and it proved impossible to attract sponsorship, so I shut down. The ambulance was stripped out and sold, and the last time a member of my previous crew saw it someone was living in it.

[ Back to my Motorsport or home page ]