THE future of the City of Orange Classic Forest Rally remains uncertain with event director Peter Crich in “shock” over the death of 70-year-old John Giddings who died from injuries sustained while competing in last weekend’s event.
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Mr Giddings, a former Bathurst businessman, and his co-driver Richard Davidson were driving in the Canobolas State Forest at around 3pm when their Datsun 180B hit a tree.
Mr Davidson was taken to Orange hospital with a fractured sternum and ribs and has since been released.
Mr Giddings was flown to Royal North Shore Hospital on Saturday night with spinal and thoracic injuries.
Mr Crich said he was yet to decide if he would stage the event again.
“At the moment we’re just focusing our attention on John’s family,” he said.
Mr Crich said the rally community was “like a big family”.
“Even though there are 500 or 600 members, we’re close. They’re all great, all got hearts of gold.
“A lot of people are struggling with the loss.”
Yesterday morning Mr Crich met with police and spoke with representatives from the sport’s umbrella organisation Australian Motorsport Action Group (AMSAG).
“Our procedures are all very open and the event was well planned and well documented,” he said.
“There was nothing wrong with the track and the forest but there was an error somewhere but I’m not sure where, it’s not for me to determine.”
Mr Crich said 60 or 70 cars, including Mr Giddings’s, had already travelled the same track where the accident occurred.
“It was well worn and everyone was aware of the conditions.”
