BG800® Safety at Wales Rally GB

Project Breakdown

​Highway Care have been innovating to increase road user safety since 1976 and with no sign of slowing down, their BG800® barrier was utilised as the ideal solution to a major off-highway safety risk, as the barrier was installed as the safety showpiece at the Welsh Rally GB.

The Dayinsure Wales Rally GB ran in October 2018 with action taking place across north Wales and Cheshire.

It features the world’s best cars and drivers, as well as more than 100 rally cars.

The event Kicked off at the Visit Conwy Tir Prince Special Stage, Llandudno, where the BG800® was acting as a road barrier for rally drivers completing a host of exciting, yet potentially dangerous jumps.

The BG800® is a portable steel barrier temporary vehicle restraint system, offering protection to both motorists and construction workers on UK highways.

Friday was spent in the North Wales forests of Brenig, Alwen and Penmachno, with Saturday seeing the BG800® moved to mid-Wales for the road section of the rally. The Sunday culmination of 4 great days saw Snowdonia rallied through, and a ceremonial finish in Llandudno town.

Installation of the BG800® at the rally incorporated approximately 640m of barrier at the 1st location on the Tir Prince Special Stage & 432m relocating to the 2nd location in Llandudo town centre.

The low deflection rates and the stepped profile of the BG800® is proven to reduce damage to both vehicle and barrier during impact, minimising repair or replacement due to the extremely shallow exit angle of the barrier. The system is fully N2 H2 compliant, has a 25-year life cycle, and its slim profile makes it cheaper and easier to transport.

Where is the BG800® Excelling? Currently, the system is in place on major motorways and A-roads for projects involving roadworks including the M20, A14 and had was also a staple of the Smart Motorway scheme on the major M3 in 2014.

The Welsh Rally GB is also not the only petrol fuelled, high octane event that has benefitted from the safety benefits of the BG800®. In 2016, the product was installed as the mainstay of safety at the Bournemouth Wheels Festival 2016.

"Wales Rally GB decided to go ahead with the BG800® barrier after conducting thorough research into the various systems available on the market at present. We decided to go for this particular barrier because it provided a system which gave a softer impact therefore protecting drivers as well as spectators. The time frame for installation and removal was achievable in the limited time we had available and the cost was reduced as the length required could fit on many less wagons than concrete alternatives. Also, the deflection zone that the barrier was rated to, wasn’t prohibitive to our spectator locations i.e. it allowed them to stand in safe positions without being too far from the action. The staff at Highway Care are always professional and look at ways to solve problems rather than using them as an excuse not to do things"

Alun Pritchard, Partnership Manager of International Motor Sports Ltd