EMERGING ONE STEP AT A TIME
Another week, and we are another step closer to bring the picture into focus about how motorsport will emerge from the current global coronavirus pandemic. Firstly, all credit must go to the national governing body, Motorsport UK. These have been unprecedented times in the world, let alone in the sporting sphere. With the easing of restrictions, there has to be a clear and safe path through the government advice to enable sport to continue. But it is not going to be a smooth road and look at the trouble the Premier League has gone through to allow it to complete its season – and that is a sport which essentially only requires 22 players and three officials to make happen.
There will still be hurdles for motorsport to overcome, and there may well be a situation where further restrictions are put in place. While the national government struggles to come up with a clear direction out of the current pandemic situation, the sport we all love appears to be in some good hands with positive and thoughtful steps put in place.
You can read how the new guidelines will affect both rallying and racing in a news special from deputy editor Graham Keilloh and reporter Luke Barry on page 8-9.
In this issue, columnist-at-large (and programme-collecting bookworm – see page 22) David Addison caught up with fivetime Formula 1 race winner John Watson to pose the Motorsport News readers’ questions. Wattie was considered in his responses and talks us through some of the most revolutionary moments he experienced in his career.
Our historics editor Paul Lawrence takes a fond stroll down memory lane with a look back at the Rover 220 Turbo Cup, which featured strong backing, a field full of talent and some robust racing (to say the least...) We also take an in-depth look at the up-and-coming stars who are likely to be writing the World Rally Championship headlines in the future. Remember where you heard about them first, and we will enjoy seeing our predictions proved right (hopefully).