RE: Closed-road motorsport returns to Scotland
Thursday 18th April 2019
Closed-road motorsport returns to Scotland
Jim Clark and Mull rallies look set to return with latest rule changes
It's been a couple of years since the announcement that closed-road motorsport was to return to Britain. But while events such as the Coventry Motofest have already taken advantage of it in England, and similar legislation was enacted for Wales in 2018, it's taken until now for Scotland to catch up.
In what's described as "a landmark development for motorsport in Scotland" however, it now has, and could soon overtake its fellow British nations with events like the Jim Clark Rally and Mull Rally free to return to the annual calendar once more.
The result comes off the back of a lengthy campaign by Motorsport UK, whose chairman, David Richards, said: "This is fantastic news. Closed-road events help organisers take motorsport to new audiences and this legislation will create a wealth of opportunities for everyone associated with motorsport in Scotland; from competitors, volunteers and fans, to communities and businesses who will benefit economically from hosting local events.
"The response to the public consultation was overwhelmingly positive and a clear demonstration of the passion for motorsport in Scotland. At Motorsport UK we are committed to making our sport more accessible, in all its forms. For the first time, laws are now in place to allow closed-road events in all four nations of the United Kingdom, providing a wonderful opportunity to engage and inspire the next generation of motorsport fans."
Of course, not all Scottish residents will be particularly happy at the thought of more petrolheads heading their way. While the North Coast 500 is renowned as perhaps the UK's greatest driving route, and the prospect of closed-road racing on it is an enticing one, the surge in and behaviour of visitors and has led to outcry amongst locals. Some have even gone as far as to sabotage the route.
Still, with closed-road racing being a wholly more organised affair, and with the entirety of the UK now on the same page regarding the events for the first time, the prospects for public motorsport now look better than ever.
Discussion
Coming from N. Ireland I think there is nothing better than a closed road rally but organisers have to be very careful to work with locals.
A mix of misinformation, social media and usual NIMBY types can destroy an event and make the running of future events very difficult. With more and more houses on back roads some classic stages are basically unusable. After event communication is important too, especially fixing any property damage ASAP.
A mix of misinformation, social media and usual NIMBY types can destroy an event and make the running of future events very difficult. With more and more houses on back roads some classic stages are basically unusable. After event communication is important too, especially fixing any property damage ASAP.
As one of the Mull Rally organising team, I'm very delighted at this news. We have been working very hard to make sure this happens, and that we can deliver a rally once it did. The Beatson's Building Supplies Mull Rally (50th anniversary) will take place on 11-13 October this year.
You make some good points, on Mull we are blessed with a lower population density but still resident issues arise. We've always found a way to work in harmony and our announcement today has been met with a massively positive response.
https://mullrally.org/
Hopefully see you there
You make some good points, on Mull we are blessed with a lower population density but still resident issues arise. We've always found a way to work in harmony and our announcement today has been met with a massively positive response.
https://mullrally.org/
Hopefully see you there
thepawbroon said:
As one of the Mull Rally organising team, I'm very delighted at this news. We have been working very hard to make sure this happens, and that we can deliver a rally once it did. The Beatson's Building Supplies Mull Rally (50th anniversary) will take place on 11-13 October this year.
You make some good points, on Mull we are blessed with a lower population density but still resident issues arise. We've always found a way to work in harmony and our announcement today has been met with a massively positive response.
https://mullrally.org/
Hopefully see you there
Great stuff. All the best for the rally. I will try and make it over! :-)You make some good points, on Mull we are blessed with a lower population density but still resident issues arise. We've always found a way to work in harmony and our announcement today has been met with a massively positive response.
https://mullrally.org/
Hopefully see you there
Well done to all concerned for hanging in there and getting this through. Two fantastic events, and Mull is on my spectating 'bucket list'; having already attended a few JCMR, including in 1999, when it took over the whole town of Duns.
Can't help but think that having a Chairman of Motorsport UK (was MSA) who is passionate about rallying has helped; former incumbents were not so keen on the sport - and how it showed. Well done DR.
Can't help but think that having a Chairman of Motorsport UK (was MSA) who is passionate about rallying has helped; former incumbents were not so keen on the sport - and how it showed. Well done DR.
ArnageWRC said:
Can't help but think that having a Chairman of Motorsport UK (was MSA) who is passionate about rallying has helped; former incumbents were not so keen on the sport - and how it showed. Well done DR.
It's not just at Chairman level, there have been plenty of other changes in personnel which, from what I've seen so far, are having a positive effect on rallying and motorsport in general. A shame that these changes didn't happen years ago. The closed road legislation is a positive and I think locals are on the whole supportive of properly organised authorised events - the residents of Mull certainly are. It's the non-authorised events using open public roads that cause issues.
Was this article sponsored by Calum Duffy?
ArnageWRC said:
Well done to all concerned for hanging in there and getting this through. Two fantastic events, and Mull is on my spectating 'bucket list'; having already attended a few JCMR, including in 1999, when it took over the whole town of Duns.
Can't help but think that having a Chairman of Motorsport UK (was MSA) who is passionate about rallying has helped; former incumbents were not so keen on the sport - and how it showed. Well done DR.
This had nothing at all to do with DR.Can't help but think that having a Chairman of Motorsport UK (was MSA) who is passionate about rallying has helped; former incumbents were not so keen on the sport - and how it showed. Well done DR.
This was political lobbying and campaign started by the MSA back in 2010 and they finally got the law changed in England in 2017 - before DR had anything to do with MSA/MUK.
The "previous incumbents" put it all together, with Wales and Scotland following suit using the English legislation as its basis.
Credit where credit is due.
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/road-ra...
I think what was meant was that the changes put in place recently that have pretty much made watching at some at some types of rally pointless, where brought in following two incidents in Scotland that forced insurance people and clubs and pretty much everyone to sit tight, introduce draconian spectator rules (not enforced anywhere else in Europe even on closed roads or any type of event typical Nanny state UK) to sort of hold the line a bit.
I doubt these rules will be released too much, but it is great that Scotland particularly has a new run with closed roads, it is the best place outside Ireland for these type of events.
if you actually read the legal docs in the JC and Snowman case you can see the judge is actually very sympathetic, so to come back this strongly was not a surprise to me.
What is, are the new events in England and the borders in Wales, NW etc. I never expected that.
I doubt these rules will be released too much, but it is great that Scotland particularly has a new run with closed roads, it is the best place outside Ireland for these type of events.
if you actually read the legal docs in the JC and Snowman case you can see the judge is actually very sympathetic, so to come back this strongly was not a surprise to me.
What is, are the new events in England and the borders in Wales, NW etc. I never expected that.
chunder27 said:
I think what was meant was that the changes put in place recently that have pretty much made watching at some at some types of rally pointless , where brought in following two incidents in Scotland that forced insurance people and clubs and pretty much everyone to sit tight, introduce draconian spectator rules (not enforced anywhere else in Europe even on closed roads or any type of event typical Nanny state UK) to sort of hold the line a bit.
I doubt these rules will be released too much, but it is great that Scotland particularly has a new run with closed roads, it is the best place outside Ireland for these type of events.
Is it essential for you to put across your negative comments on rally spectating at every opportunity?I doubt these rules will be released too much, but it is great that Scotland particularly has a new run with closed roads, it is the best place outside Ireland for these type of events.
The above is your opinion, but please let me state some facts related to the bits I have emboldened:
(1) Thousands of people disagree with you w.r.t. rally spectating in 2019. Especially related to the new closed road rallies. It is independently estimated that 6000 people watched the Corbeau Seats Rally in 2018, and more spectator provision is being made for 2019.
(2) The UK-standard spectator safety guidelines are seen as world-class, and are the basis of the FIA's new safety guidelines which are being implemented across the world. You may call it "nanny-state" but myself, many other organisers, competitors, sponsors, spectators, regulators and insurers see them as essential but manageable provisions to protect the future of the sport.
Have a read :
https://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/april-2019/fia-saf...
Edited by thepawbroon on Tuesday 23 April 14:27
chunder27 said:
I think what was meant was that the changes put in place recently that have pretty much made watching at some at some types of rally pointless,
Again you talk rubbish. As someone who actually goes out on rallies, help organises rallies, even postponed an operation for cancer to attend a rally, I know that is not the case. As an example the organisers of this years North West Stages, put a huge effort into making the spectator areas not only accessible, but also with good views.
None of the rallies I have attended this year have there only been spectators in "spectator areas" Rallies have always had non spectator stages mainly for environmental (nesting wildlife, access issues etc) and PR issues. Then of course there are restrictions put on events by landowners and operators.
To be quite honest motorsport would be better off if you just stayed at home and kept your rubbish to yourself.
And you wonder why there is so much hostility towards you.
Edited by Drumroll on Tuesday 23 April 20:20
I've not noticed any difference watching a rally now compared to years ago. Get there in plenty of time, stand somewhere safe and you can have a good day spectating, even if you're not in a designated spectator area. Obviously events are putting on more spectator areas and encouraging people to go there but that's for the best anyway, not everyone is capable of reading a map and walking to somewhere remote, some want the commentary/toilets/burger van experience.
Yes, some elements were tightened up after the Scotland incidents (and other incidents such as the pic that was in MN from the Wyedean) but if that hadn't happened we probably wouldn't have forest events now and we'd definitely not have any closed road events.
Yes, some elements were tightened up after the Scotland incidents (and other incidents such as the pic that was in MN from the Wyedean) but if that hadn't happened we probably wouldn't have forest events now and we'd definitely not have any closed road events.
fttm, reason? No OTT reaction by the clubs in your country maybe.
I don't give a toss about people being hostile, I used to attend several single venue events at venues that now make it blatantly obvious speccies are not welcome, so while you all might not experience any issues. I have. Fulbeck, Melbourne, the Fortress stages. You can still go and stand in the service park all day, but that is hardly spectating.
So stop telling me my own business. The recent rulings have affected me, yes it's selfish, yes I can still attend events where I can watch, but they are invariably heavily diluted down circuit rallies where the track owner puts heavy restrictions on where the event can go.
So you might all feel rallying has not changed, as you seem to be heavily involved, good for you, but you, dear boys are not me. And it has affected me, which is the point
Thankyou
I don't give a toss about people being hostile, I used to attend several single venue events at venues that now make it blatantly obvious speccies are not welcome, so while you all might not experience any issues. I have. Fulbeck, Melbourne, the Fortress stages. You can still go and stand in the service park all day, but that is hardly spectating.
So stop telling me my own business. The recent rulings have affected me, yes it's selfish, yes I can still attend events where I can watch, but they are invariably heavily diluted down circuit rallies where the track owner puts heavy restrictions on where the event can go.
So you might all feel rallying has not changed, as you seem to be heavily involved, good for you, but you, dear boys are not me. And it has affected me, which is the point
Thankyou
chunder27 said:
fttm, reason? No OTT reaction by the clubs in your country maybe.
I don't give a toss about people being hostile, I used to attend several single venue events at venues that now make it blatantly obvious speccies are not welcome, so while you all might not experience any issues. I have. Fulbeck, Melbourne, the Fortress stages. You can still go and stand in the service park all day, but that is hardly spectating.
So stop telling me my own business. The recent rulings have affected me, yes it's selfish, yes I can still attend events where I can watch, but they are invariably heavily diluted down circuit rallies where the track owner puts heavy restrictions on where the event can go.
So you might all feel rallying has not changed, as you seem to be heavily involved, good for you, but you, dear boys are not me. And it has affected me, which is the point
Thankyou
Then all you have to say is that you have found some venues where spectating is restricted. You don't have to imply it is the whole of rallying in the UK. I don't give a toss about people being hostile, I used to attend several single venue events at venues that now make it blatantly obvious speccies are not welcome, so while you all might not experience any issues. I have. Fulbeck, Melbourne, the Fortress stages. You can still go and stand in the service park all day, but that is hardly spectating.
So stop telling me my own business. The recent rulings have affected me, yes it's selfish, yes I can still attend events where I can watch, but they are invariably heavily diluted down circuit rallies where the track owner puts heavy restrictions on where the event can go.
So you might all feel rallying has not changed, as you seem to be heavily involved, good for you, but you, dear boys are not me. And it has affected me, which is the point
Thankyou
Melbourne have ALWAYS placed restrictions/not wanted spectators. Again nothing to do with Motorsport UK(MUK) (formally MSA) that was at the request of the land owner. Fly Fortress, again nothing to do with MUK it is at the request of the land owner. Fulbeck haven't been for years but the last time I went (pre review) there where restrictions on spectators. So again get your facts right.
Lets be honest most rally fans hardly see Fulbeck, Melbourne, the Fortress stages. as the pinnacle of club rallying.
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff