Mull Rally News - June 2017
Most
of you already know that there is an insurance problem that will
prevent the Beatson's Mull Rally running as a closed road event in
2017.
We know that many competitors and marshals and other
officials have already booked and paid for accommodation and/or
ferries, and some have stated their intention to be on the Island in
October regardless.
The event organisers are actively looking
at options to run some kind of event or events on the usual weekend,
and obviously, a forest rally is one of those options. Clearly it will
be difficult to put a new event together in the four months available,
but the will is there.
And of course, if an event is to run, it will need marshals.
If
you are coming to Mull anyway, or if you will be coming if an event is
run, please register on the mull rally web site so that we have some
idea of how much support we can count on.
We really hope to see you on Mull, and we really hope we'll keep you busy doing what you do so well.
2017 Beatson’s Mull Rally — Statement
It
is a matter of considerable regret for the organisers and the Motor
Sport Association, the sport’s governing body, that the
Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally cannot run as a closed
road event in 2017 due to insurmountable insurance issues.
MSA Chief Executive Rob Jones explained the current situation:
“The
Mull Rally runs under a private Act of Parliament. It has emerged that
the private closed road legislation raises very significant insurance
challenges for Mull this year, which was first thought to render the
Mull Rally uninsurable.
“The MSA has been endeavouring to
find a solution with its brokers. Whilst the brokers have offered a
potential solution for 2017, this is unfortunately totally impractical
as each and every claim under the policy would be subject to a very
significant excess payable by the organisers, and one which the
organisers cannot afford.”
Consequently the Mull Rally is
unable to run as a closed road event this year. It will be the first
time the world renowned three-day rally, which last year attracted a
record-equalling 150 crews and generates around £1 million for
the local economy, will not have run on closed public roads since the
event was granted its Act of Parliament in 1990.
“This
development has come as a massive shock,” Andy Jardine, Mull
Rally Clerk of the Course, said on receiving the news, “as we
were well on with a lot of the early work of setting the route and
preparing the paperwork.
“As I understand it, the MSA has
been working behind the scenes to try and agree a work-around but have
been unable to come up with an acceptable solution. Our attention is
now focussed on what can be done in the short timescale to make sure
something happens over the weekend.”
Donald Brown,
chairman of the Guardians of Mull Rally, admitted the cancellation of
the 2017 Mull Rally will have a negative financial impact on the island.
“There’s
no denying this is a huge blow to the Island and its businesses who
work hard to welcome the competitors, volunteers and spectators each
year to the island in October,” Brown said.
“The
organising team is endeavouring to put on an alternative motorsport
event for the same weekend on Mull. Naturally those plans are at a very
early stage of development, but it’s hoped the new event will be
attractive to Mull residents, competitors, volunteers and spectators
alike.
“Initial feasibility checks have been started to
see what can be done to mitigate the impact and hope we can rely on our
regular visitors continuing to support us.”
The MSA and
Mull Rally organisers fully acknowledge the Mull Rally's economic
benefit of around £1 million to the Isle of Mull.
It is
hoped that following the conclusion of the Fatal Accident Inquiry into
the Jim Clark and Snowman rallies in July and August this year, that
the Scottish Government will quickly adopt the new legislation recently
passed in Westminster which will allow the Mull Rally to make a return
in its closed road format in 2018.
Back to Top
|