A LONG OVERDUE RETURN
Motorsport finally returned to Wales with the British Racing and Sports Car Club meeting at Anglesey, the first this year.
With rallying hit hard due to COVID-19 restrictions as well as the postponement of circuit meetings at both Anglesey and Pembrey, Wales has probably been hit more than most by the various levels of lockdown.
Whereas Motorsport UK has worked hand-in-hand with central government for the restart of the sport in England, the devolved parliament in Wales has added further complications.
“We first had an idea that this meeting could go ahead and maybe with spectators about three weeks ago, when the initial bubbles of 30 people rose in England and it was decided to synchronise here with the same volume of people to attend,” said Anglesey circuit manager Andrew Crighton.
As with circuits in England, the race paddock and support area had to be segregated from any spectators, with no overlap between the two.
“At Anglesey we don’t have the paddock capacity of some circuits, so it was difficult to organise,” added Crighton. “We had to reconfigure the space we had, but having run rallies on consecutive days last week, they were considerably harder.”
The Anglesey management have also been working in conjunction with Pembrey’s circuit manager Phil Davies, to help bring the sport back to Wales.
“Being in the south, Phil is nearer to the Welsh Parliament and able to liaise with them on our behalf too,” said Crighton.
Random inspections were expected over the weekend and COVID-19 rules were strictly enforced with marshals, drivers and management pleased and relieved to see the competition side of the sport return to the north Wales venue.
“We have to work with any new legislation and we are very enthusiastic to see the sport back. We have had testing for professional teams and some private business events, so the circuit hasn’t been totally idle,” said Crighton.
“From now all the planned events will hopefully be going ahead and from our side we are heading in the right direction now. It continues to be a challenge for us all, changing the infrastructure, relying on the internet for signing on, briefings, passes and many things being new to us.”
As a Wales-based driver, how did Mazda MX-5 racer Jason Greatrex feel about the return of motorsport to his home country?
“I think it’s taken too long, really, as England has been open for sport for a long time, and I don’t understand why we didn’t too,” he said.
“I am based in south Wales, so it was over seven hours to get to Anglesey for me. The track is worth the visit, though, but I have been racing in the championship in England this year – but only heard that this was actually on about two weeks ago.”
His thoughts were echoed among other drivers, but, with everyone’s co-operation, hopefully the steps forward will now continue throughout the rest of the year.