Road cleared for motorsport rallies to return

MOTORSPORT rallies are set to return as SNP ministers unveil a bid to bring back the events after a series of fatal accidents.

Organisers of rallies have struggled to get insurance after three spectators died at the Jim Clark Rally in the Borders four years ago, with many providers refusing to sell them cover.

The event is believed to have injected around £1.2million into the local economy every year but has not been held since Iain Provan, Elizabeth Allan and Len Stern were killed near Coldstream, Berwickshire.

But yesterday Transport Secretary Michael Matheson revealed a bid to help organisers to bring back the popular events. He published a consultation seeking changes to the application process for rallies to ensure they can return.

It would mean motorsports bodies would be allowed to issue permits to stage events and give councils powers to close public roads and suspend the speed limit when rallies are being held.

It is believed this would make it easier for organisers to obtain insurance, with accreditation from officials and Police Scotland to hold the events. They would also have to follow strict safety rules.

Motorsport UK chairman David Richards said: ‘This is fantastic news and takes us a step closer to seeing closed-road motorsport right across the UK.’

Scottish Motor Sports chairman Tom Purves said: ‘It is now vital that the Scottish motorsport community gets behind this consultation and delivers a clear message of support for these proposals, which would allow us not only to revive worldrenowned events but also to take different forms of motorsport to new parts of our country.’

Scottish Conservative MP John Lamont said: ‘It’s right that we look at getting this popular event back, which is vital for the local economy. Local people and rally fans alike will be glad to see it.’