MSA AGREES FOREST DEAL WITH ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND

Nations hit with a total rise of 15 per cent over three years for forest usage

The Motor Sports Association has reached a new three-year agreement with Forest Enterprise Scotland and Forest Enterprise England for the use of forests for rallying in the respective countries, with fees to rise by 15 per cent.

With a deal for national rallying in Welsh Forests still to be signed, the MSA was eager to reach an agreement with its England and Scotland counterparts and the deal means fees will rise incrementally by five per cent each year.

Rob Jones, chief executive of the MSA, said: “We would like to thank Forest Enterprise in Scotland and England for their continued recognition of the security which the sport needs in order to plan ahead.

“Working in partnership helps to ensure a sustainable and mutually beneficial arrangement that meets the needs of each of the organisations involved. This outcome provides certainty for the next three years, and represents the best arrangement achievable at this time.”

The deal has been met with mixed reaction from organisers, clubs and competitors, especially while Wales’ situation remains up in the air.

If the Rally4wales campaign is successful in becoming responsible for repairing roads for national rallies using Natural Resource Wales (government body responsible for Welsh Forests) land, the rise in the country could be minimal.

Last week, the MSA signed a deal with NRW to allow Wales Rally GB, Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship, to go ahead.