AutoGuard – official partner of PZM rallies
14 June 2010

AutoGuard has become the official partner of the rallies organized by the Polish Motor Association (PZM) as part of the Polish Motor Rally Championship. The Company has created for rally organizers and drivers a new application that controls the rally cars passages. This application is called ASTO - AutoGuard Safety Tracking Operation and is based on the GPS technology. The system is supplemented by the Virtual Fan internet service, created together with Go Rally. Thanks to this service the motor sports fans are able to follow on-line the course of the rally. During the Rally Poland - the elimination of the European Championship the competitors and the fans could use the new AutoGuard system.

 

The ASTO system allows for controlling of the passages of all cars that take part in the rally, both on the special stages and on the access routes. The introduction of this system improves considerably the safety level of the event and in case of an accident shortens the reaction time of the medical and technical services. In each car that participates in the rally the AutoGuard GPS devices containing the GPRS modem are installed. The mode of operation is easy - the GPS determines the position and transmits data through the GSM network to the programme. The application processes received data and immediately displays them on the computers' screens in the Rally Command Centre or any other place. It is important that the GPS device is equipped with its own power supply and does not interfere in any way with the car's electric installation. The time of the device's installation in each car amounts to 3-5 minutes. The installation can be executed during the scrutineering and it does not disturb the preparation of a competitor or a vehicle for a start.

 

The ASTO system has perfectly proved itself as a method of improving the safety of the competitors and the spectators and the source of information for the fans. The motor rallies are a dangerous sport for the participants as well as for sometimes carefree fans, dangerous situations occur frequently. In such cases the control of rally cars passages is essential. In the Rally Command Centre the organizers are able to precisely monitor the movements of the competitors vehicles and rally service teams. Thanks to the ASTO system the information about a vehicle accident or any other incident on the special stage route is immediately transmitted to the Rally Command Centre and it enables an immediate launching of the rescue action. The system shortens considerably the reaction time, which in emergency situations is invaluable. The prior task of the ASTO system is to improve the safety during the rallies and to ensure that the medical services reach the ones needing assistance as soon as possible.

 

During the competition the pictures from the dedicated website of www.wirtualny-kibic.pl are shown on-line on the LCD monitors. It is also possible to watch the course of the rally on a computer located in any place. Thanks to the website the fans are able to follow during the rally the competition among the participants, which increases the attraction of the organized rallies for the public.

 

AutoGuard provided the ASTO system during the 67. Rally Poland which took place  on the 4th-6 th June 2010. The Rally Poland is second oldest rally in the world, and also the most prestigious motor rally in Poland. This year edition took place in the Mazurian Lakes region and as in last years the competition was included in the FIA European Championship and in the Polish Motor Rally Championship.

 

The agreement signed by the Polish Motor Association and AutoGuard S.A. ensures that the ASTO system and the monitoring devices will be provided during the following rallies that will be organized as part of the Polish Motor Rally Championship.