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Self promoting this video and sending it back into the queue for one more try; last queued Thursday, July 16th, 2015 11:49pm PDT - promote requested by original submitter SFOGuy.

Well, they're not standing in the road.
https://youtu.be/N3FZz7w9psg?t=76

Every few years a spectator or three does get flattened, but not much ever gets changed so I figure it's deemed acceptable losses.

Rally is the only motorsport I have any time for, but I've never wanted to see it in person - standing watching them go round one corner can't compare to the televised version with its in-car, helicopter and crane-mounted cameras.

Never underestimate the stupidity of large groups,

The same thing happens in off road racing. We call them 'bushes with clothes on'. That's the only way to stay on the gas, if you think of them as people, there's no way you can go as fast as you should (unless you're a psychopath).

What's worse, people bring their small children and stand on the outside of corners, just asking to be hit. It's maddening to be a driver with these people on the course, and I always wished the racing organizations would do something to keep them back, at least keep them off the outside of corners where a loss of control by any car will mean loss of life.

Because they're fucking idiots?

And I'm from Portugal... you can see how our rally used to be (safety wise) from AeroMechanical's video.

I have actually been to a Rally of Portugal in the 00's. Me and a group of friends in college just decided to skip class out of nowhere, take 2 cars and drive 1h30m to where they were holding a rally stage, and go watch it. Colin McRae was still around back then.

Yes, you only get to watch them go by once, but if it's in a cool spot, it's well worth it. (we were in a straight portion of the road, but in small ridge above it, so we were pretty safe I'd say).

They feel comfortable because they're in a crowd.

I bet most of them would keep a healthier distance if they were alone.

I attend every Rally Amercia event in the US I can, since it's the best we have (no WRC here). Every event has spectator areas which are designated spots highly controlled by course marshals. They are typically on the inside of tight corners fit for maximum drama, slides, high acceleration etc.

Of course you can find your own spot at an uncontrolled location if you want to risk the fury of a marshal or land owner, but that's where the intimate and most desirable action can be found.

I'd personally prefer a WRC event where I can stand wherever I want and cheer on my favorite driver/car.