Posted: March 17, 2020 8:03 PM - 1293 Hits
Round 2 - 2020 Scottish Rally Championship
Posted: March 17, 2020 12:42 PM
The KNC Groundworks Scottish Rally Championship (SRC) fully supports the difficult decision made by the organisers of the McDonald & Munro Speyside Stages today (16 March) to cancel the event as a result of the global coronavirus outbreak.
Based in Elgin, the Speyside Stages is one of the most popular events on the Scottish sporting calendar and was set to be round two of the 2020 Scottish Rally Championship.
But due to ongoing and increasing concerns over public safety because of the COVID-19 pandemic, event organisers have been left with no alternative but to follow advice from the Scottish Government and cancel this year's rally.
In a statement, Neil Shanks, Clerk of the Course, said:
"Whilst as a club we are disappointed to take this course of action, we feel that we have a responsibility to all of our event volunteers, competitors, sponsors and partners to remove any uncertainty with a firm decision in good time. We would like to thank everybody for their support of this year's event."
The Speyside Stages will return in 2021, with organisers feeling cancelling the event rather than postponing it is the "most responsible course of action."
As the SRC's reserve event option has already been exercised, this year's championship will now be reduced to a six round series.
"With a busy event calendar in the period where we will hopefully see things returning to normal, the club have decided the cancellation, and not postponement is the most responsible course of action, and we will focus our efforts on the 2021 event," Shanks added.
"The club will work to refund all entry fees in full, along with sponsorship monies paid, as soon as possible."
The KNC Groundworks Scottish Rally Championship fully supports this decision as the safety of all participants and onlookers is paramount in these globally uncertain times.
"Taking the decision to cancel a rally is never an easy one, but we 100% support this difficult choice the organisers of the Speyside Stages have had to take," said SRC Chairman Gordon Adam.
"With the effects of coronavirus predicted to get worse before they get better, they had no alternative but to cancel the event. Rest assured, the Speyside Stages will be back and stronger than ever in 2021.
"Due to the unfortunate cancellation of the Argyll Rally earlier this year, our reserve event, the Carlisle Stages, has already been introduced into the official championship calendar in 2020. We therefore have no choice but to reduce to a six-round calendar.
"We will be in contact with all competitors and would like to thank them for their understanding in these challenging times."
The KNC Groundworks Ltd Scottish Rally Championship is supported by Royal Aero, Pirelli Motorsport, Moates Offshore Ltd, Albyn Garage Ltd, RAVENOL and Reis Motorsport Insurance.
Keep up to date with all the latest news via the championship's official website, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #SRC20.
Posted: March 17, 2020 12:30 PM
It is with regret that event organisers, The 63 Car Club (Elgin) Ltd, announce the cancellation of the
2020 McDonald & Munro Speyside Stages Rally, due to be held on Saturday 18th April, as a result of
public safety concerns around the global pandemic of COVID?19 (Coronavirus)
With the on-going situation regarding the COVID?19 illness changing every day – together with the
latest Scottish Government advice on mass gatherings ? event organisers were left with no other
option but to cancel the event. The club have not taken this decision lightly, but the health and
safety of all competitors, volunteers and the general public must be the priority at these
concerning times.
Neil Shanks, event clerk of the course, commented;
“Whilst as a club we are disappointed to take this course of action, we feel that we have a
responsibility to all of our event volunteers, competitors, sponsors & partners to remove any
uncertainty with a firm decision in good time. We would like to thank everyone for their support of
this years event.
With a busy event calendar in the period where we will hopefully see things returning to normal,
the club have decided the cancellation, and not postponement is the most responsible course of
action, and we will focus our efforts on our 2021 event.
The club will work to refund all entry fees in full, along with sponsorship monies paid, as soon as
possible”.
Miguel Gomez, of event sponsors McDonald & Munro added;
“We fully support the decision that Neil and his team have reached, these are unprecedented &
uncertain times for us all, and safety has to be the top priority for everyone. We too look forward
to 2021 when the event will return better than ever”.
The club have the full support of their partners, and the organisers and sponsors of the KNC
Groundworks Scottish Rally Championship, of which the event was due to be the second round.