DRIVEN OFF THE ROAD
A CAR rally set to roar through North Wales next month could be forced off the road because organisers say parts of the course are “impassable”.
The Cambrian Rally, which is due to come to Denbighshire, Conwy and Gwynedd, could be called off after the North Wales Car Club found sections of the course are in such a bad state some vehicles won’t be able to negotiate the route.
The event, now in its 62nd year, is run on forest tracks controlled by Natural Resources Wales, who have told the organisers it is “not acceptable” for them to carry out repairs and maintenance without their permission.
It comes just 12 months after NRW increased the cost of using the roads by more than 100%, which prompted the formation of Rally4Wales to negotiate on behalf of the car clubs to reduce costs.
Alyn Edwards, clerk of the course of the Cambrian Rally, said: “I’m very disappointed that a workable policy to ensure the future of motor rallying in Wales has not yet been successfully formulated.
“Rallies like the Cambrian generate a significant amount of money for Welsh communities, particularly in rural Wales.
“The cancellation of the Cambrian would mean a loss to the economy of £400,000 and, if you put that together with the loss of the mid Wales stages estimated at £500,000, it is a loss approaching £1m.
“This is the thin end of the wedge, as other rallies could also be cancelled if outstanding issues aren’t resolved.”
The event, a round of both the British Trials and Rally Drivers Association national championship and of the Welsh Rally championship, is due to take place on February 11.
Despite telling organisers that motorsports events must accept the roads on an “as found” basis, NRW have now said they are hoping to come to an agreement with Rally4Wales about the event.
Tim Jones, NRW executive director of North and Mid Wales operations, said: “We are working hard to reach agreement with the Cambrian Rally organisers and are in detailed talks on a suitable route.
“There are many roads and routes in our forests ready for the rally, and we are confident we will reach agreement on a route that will allow the rally to take place this year.
“At the same time, we are also in discussion with Rally4Wales and are close to finding a sustainable long term solution to managing our forest roads for rallying into the future.”