MSA Petition for Road Rallying in the UK

[Allyc85]

The UK is losing out both in sporting and economic terms as a direct result of the law that requires an Act of Parliament to suspend the Road Traffic Act on a stretch of the public highway. Throughout Europe (and also in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man), ‘closed road’ events bring great benefit to the local communities in terms of tourism, economic prosperity and sporting kudos.

The UK government should provide a mechanism to deliver a Temporary Suspension Order (in association with local authorities) that would enable a limited annual number of ‘closed road’ events to take place in England, Wales and Scotland, with the associated benefits for the regions selected.

The Motor Sports Association is currently undertaking an economic impact assessment to support this proposal. Previous studies undertaken on behalf of the Jim Clark Rally, put the figure for that one event in excess of £3m – this leads the MSA to estimate that closed road rallying for a limited number of approximately 20 events a year, could deliver substantial benefit to local areas, particularly in the low season, of between £20m and £60m a year.

http://www.petition.co.uk/msa

Cheers.

[AndyRAC]

And about time too. I signed the petition the other day, and anybody interested in Rallying should do so.
Interestingly, Colin Clark of WorldRallyRadio/Total Rally isn't so impressed by this idea - and thinks the MSA should be doing other things to promote the sport.

[Allyc85]

Colin Clark of WorldRallyRadio/Total Rally isn't so impressed by this idea - and thinks the MSA should be doing other things to promote the sport.

Thats ridiculous, what does he think they should be doing?!

[sal]

I havent/seen heard the item Andy refers to however with traditional venues dissappearing for various reasons (forestry as as well as airfields etc) something has to be done otherwise there will be no where for our future rally crews to start out let alobe develop thier skills. The UK is pretty much unique in Europe in not having closed roads (JCMR excepted) so it's a long overdue move from the MSA. I've signed!!

[AndyRAC]

Thats ridiculous, what does he think they should be doing?!

Download the latest Total Rally podcast, it's at 36:50 - saying that, the other presenters thought it was a good idea, it's something we do need in this country.

[MrJan]

As sal says we are running out of MOD and forestry stuff at the minute. I remember when the Tour of Cornwall used to go all over the county with lots of different stages at different venues. Now it's gone.

[Langdale Forest]

I think there is a need to open up more forest stages again because a few years ago the Forestrey Commision said that Dalby Forest could only be used twice a year, and that stages like Whyekham and Broxa have been long lost.

There are also many other stages in Yorkshire that have been used in the past but are now unused, Guisborough Woods, and Inglby Plantation spring to mind.

Inglby Plantation would probably be one of the most epic stages in the UK, although it would be short, it sweeps around the edge of the Cleveland escarpment and it is a very scenic stage.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/645550

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/479632