Motorsport suspended until at least end of April

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Actually none of those 3 did finish...
They did give up after last SS.
Last liaison is also mandatory for overall results.

But this was only done to allow prizes to go to the highest non- M-Sport competitors.

[AndyRAC]

One wonders how many license holders decide to either give it up altogether, or decide to switch to circuit racing. With very few forest events likely to take place, the circuit championship could be oversubscribed. Where do you get your rallying fix?
You couldn't blame people for doing so; having a car sitting in the garage, with nowhere to go, all the while there is still plenty of circuit racing taking place.

[Steve Boyd]

You couldn't blame people for doing so; having a car sitting in the garage, with nowhere to go, all the while there is still plenty of circuit racing taking place.

If only it was that simple. First you need to pass an ARDS approved course to qualify for a race licence. They aren't cheap and finding one while covid restrictions are in place will be a challenge. Then when you've got your race licence you'll find that your rally car isn't the best thing to have. The class structure in racing is completely different from rallying and if you do find a race that your car is elligible for it'll probably be overweight and underpowered compared with the cars it's running against. Swapping to racing will be more like a complete career change than just nipping out to do a race or two. Bored rally drivers will find doing track days a lot easier than taking up racing.

[AndyRAC]

Bored rally drivers will find doing track days a lot easier than taking up racing.

That is actually what I was thinking of. As you say it's quite a bit of hassle getting a race license, and a suitable car.....

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Closed road racing has come in last year though hasnt it, with Bae Cerredigion & also Clacton. More of these type of events may be the future.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Re Return to Rally - I have to admit it was more like an M-Sport promo than a demo of how rallies are to be run in future.

Great publicity for them and maybe hoping a few cars had problems and needed to buy some parts !

[Steve Boyd]

Closed road racing has come in last year though hasnt it, with Bae Cerredigion & also Clacton. More of these type of events may be the future.

I think you mean closed road rallying. Bae Ceredigion and Corbeau Seats Rally Tendring & Clacton are rallies, not races. I'm not aware that any races on closed public roads have taken place in UK since the last Birmingham Superprix, though there have been a couple of speed events under the new legislation.

Regarding the MSport event, part of the thinking behind it was to trial the Motorsport UK initiatives in paperless timing and documentation in a real rally environment. It seems only fair that the offer of the venue and event support from MSport to enable the trial to take place should be rewarded by the subsquent publicity.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Yeah, dont know why I said racing, maybe it still seemed strange to call it that after being only on private roads before.

Anyway, if the forests dont want rallying any more at least there's a chance for more events on tarmac.

[Steve Boyd]

Tarmac events on closed public roads might prove difficult until limits on public gatherings are relaxed, as keeping crowds to the size limits may be impossible. Tarmac events in secure locations, racing circuits, MOD land &c, may well be all we have until next year at the earliest.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

They seem to manage ok in Europe like in Italy recently.

Are there any Rally Championships still running in the UK ?