Just when you thought things were returning to something almost like normal, you're reminded that the cancellations and postponements will continue for a good while yet. The latest victim is Wales Rally GB, which despite not being scheduled for nearly six months and despite taking place outdoors, has been cancelled because there are "too many unknown factors to make the organisation of such a sizeable sporting fixture a realistic, or sensible, option in these uncertain times." Logic which it's hard to argue with, even if it means disappointment on multiple levels.
Rally GB was first held in 1932, and is one of only two rounds - the other being Finland - that has been a permanent fixture of the WRC since its inauguration in 1973. As you might expect, stoppages have been pretty rare over the decades: it's only been cancelled previously for World War II, for petrol rationing enforced during the Suez Crisis (1957) and for Foot and Mouth in 1967. Rally GB has been in Wales since 2000, with Welsh Assembly Government support since 2003; it's been held in North Wales from 2013.
"As the governing body of UK motorsport, our overriding responsibility and absolute priority is always the safety of all involved whether they be competitors, officials, spectators or the many thousands of volunteers who share our passion for this sport, and we thank them all for their ongoing support and enthusiasm in these difficult times. While significant progress is being made to combat the virus, there remains considerable uncertainty regarding mass gatherings, social distancing and travel restrictions, plus the possibility of a resurgence of viral transmission later in the year", said David Richards, Chairman of Motorsport UK.
With that in mind, the team is now said to be focussing its efforts on making 2021 "even bigger and better" for Wales Rally GB. Quite whether it'll hit the six-figure attendances recent years have seen is hard to predict, though there'll be no shortage of support for getting Rally GB back to its best. Need reminding why? The highlights of last year are below...
1 / 3