VOTETODECIDEUK MOTOR SPORT’ S FUTURE
Eu will decide on the implementation of thevnuk ruling
The future of motorsport competition could be decided on January 22 when a vote within the EU will help to decide the implementation of the Vnuk insurance ruling.
The legal case known as Vnuk led the European court to determine that the Motor Insurance Directive was being implemented incorrectly, and that all vehicles – even on private land – must have third party insurance adding a potentially catastrophic level of cost to grassroots participants.
Conservative MEP Dan Dalton sits on the European Parliament’s internal market committee, which is currently discussing his suggested amendment to the revised Motor Insurance Directive which would effectively exclude motorsport from needing to have third party insurance for vehicles on private land.
If a vote within the committee on January 22 is successful, it will likely be accepted by parliament as it generally ratifies the suggestions of its own committee.
Dalton, an ex-professional cricket player and son of a club motorsport marshal, said: “This is the kind of legislation that gets people so angry in the UK where those writing the laws don’t understand how bad regulation can hurt individuals and companies.
“I’ll be fighting in the European Parliament to make sure that we try and secure an exemption for motorsport.”
Dalton said that the success of the vote is too close to call. The vote will be preceded by a meeting in Strasbourg to discuss the amendment.
“We have the political groups – the ECR, the Liberal group and there’s the EPP – the three groups have a narrow majority in that committee, and the three groups are supporting this package. But it’s very, very tight. The other groups are generally not supportive of what we are trying to do.
“I’m confident we can get it through. If it goes through them, I imagine it will have to go to the main parliament, which will likely happen in February.”
Dalton believes that if the changes pass before Brexit, or during a planned transition phase of two years once the UK has left the EU, then the Motor Insurance Directive will apply.