Hopes Grow Of Restarting Rallying In Wales With Test Event Planned for December

By Paul Evans

Four Welsh motor clubs are in discussion with authorities to run a Covid-19 compliant test rally next month, on secure private land in Denbighshire.

North Wales Car Club, Clwyd Vale Motor Club, Bala & District Motor Club and Harlech & District Motor Club have come together to organise a small, socially distanced, event that they are confident will conform to current Welsh government coronavirus regulations.

If given the go head, the event on Saturday 12 December will be only the second forest gravel rally to take place in Wales this year, after the coronavirus outbreak took hold soon after the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally in February.

The proposed test rally will take place in a forest complex next to Llyn Bran lake, near Sportsman’s Arms.

Wales has some of the smoothest gravel rally stages in the world, like here in Gartheiniog Forest.

There will be four stages of around four miles each in length, with the service area located within the confines of the same forestry venue, all within an area closed off by a perimeter fence.

Unlike other proposed test rallies that were designed as driver only events, this one will allow co-drivers.

Only 15 cars will be allowed to compete, thus limiting the number of competitors to 30 – in line with the maximum number of people allowed to gather for an event.

No spectators will be allowed and the strictly controlled and limited number of volunteer mechanics, marshals and officials will be subject to a temperature test before entering the forest complex.

The event has receiving the backing of motorsport’s governing body, Motorsport UK, which is happy that the plans comply with its own comprehensive Covid-19 guidelines.