GREEN LIGHT FOR SCOTTISH RALLYING

Great news for rallying in Scotland - the Scottish Government has agreed to drop the rule that only members of the same household could share a car for motorsport. 

This means that rallying, trials, etc can resume almost as normal, but this applies only in areas at Level 3 or below, and there are still requirements, like face coverings in the car, and no spectators. Guidelines issued by Motorsport UK must be followed, an update is expected Friday 14th May  

Read on for more details from Chairman Pete.

Update on Covid19 and Event Resumption in Scotland

 Following the announcement last week that travel within Scotland is now allowed for leisure purposes. the First Minister confirmed on Tuesday that the next stage of relaxing Covid19 restrictions would go ahead as planned with effect from Monday 26th April. I am delighted to confirm that, following formal agreement with Scottish Government, this includes competitive motorsport events running with Motorsport UK permits.

I am however disappointed that, despite strong representation being made, the Scottish Government has not given agreement to allow two competitors in a car which means that rallies and other disciplines with a driver and passenger are still not allowed in Scotland.  Efforts will continue to get some movement on this issue.

An updated version of the Scotland specific guidelines has been agreed and has today been made available on the Covid-19 page of the Motorsport UK website. Clubs intending to organise events should read through all of the available material, not just the Scotland page, to ensure they meet all of the compliance requirements for running a Covid19 safe event. Note in particular that spectators are not allowed and total numbers on site are also limited. These points may change in future phases of easing restrictions. Clubs should also make sure they engage fully with the venues they want to use to make sure they comply with any local requirements which may. Overnight stays are allowed within the guidelines applicable to the hospitality sector.

The team at Motorsport UK, led by John Ryan, have worked very hard to gain approval from Scottish Government to allow out sport to continue and it is incumbent on all of us to follow all of the rules and guideline to show motorsport in a good light.

Regards

Pete Weall

Chairman

SAMSC Statement on SMS

It is with considerable sadness that I am sharing the news with you that today sees the end of the Scottish Motor Sport (SMS) project. Please see attached the formal notification of this issued by Motorsport UK today. Also attached is a note from Kevin Ferguson, the SMS partnership manager at sportscotland giving a little more background.

Kevin was due to speak to us at our meeting on 17^th March before it was cancelled.

SMS was established in 2011 as a project vehicle through which to approach the Scottish Government, via Sportscotland, to secure an investment of public funds to help develop motorsport in the same way that such funding supports many other sports. Since then, SMS has been a collaboration between the governing body of two-wheel motorsport in Scotland, the Scottish Auto Cycle Union, and the governing body of four-wheel motorsport in the UK, Motorsport UK.

Scottish Auto Cycle Union and Motorsport UK Conclude SMS Partnership

31 March 2020

The Scottish Auto Cycle Union (SACU) and Motorsport UK today announced the conclusion of the Scottish Motor Sports (SMS) partnership.

The partnership was established in 2011 as a collaboration between the governing body of two-wheel
motorsport in Scotland, the SACU, and the governing body of four-wheel motorsport in the UK, Motorsport UK.

The collaboration benefited from historic funding from the Scottish Government through sportscotland which has allowed it to focus on a number of grassroots sports and club development initiatives.

Motorsport UK COVID-19 Update

It is with regret that Motorsport UK is suspending all organising permits and Certificates of Exemption until at least 30th April 2020. This suspension follows the latest guidance issued by HM UK Government in response to the outbreak of COVID-19. This position will be constantly reviewed given prevailing information. 

RS Clubman Licence new for 2020 - and it's FREE

For 2020 Motorsport UK is introducing the requirement for all competitors to hold a new RS Clubman licence as a minimum, which will be free of charge. If you compete, but don’t currently hold a licence you will need to apply for this. These changes will affect Autotests, Trials, Cross Country, Road Rallying, 12 Cars and Scatters. Passengers will also now be required to hold an RS Clubman licence. The RS Clubman licence can be applied for online from 18 November and aims to encourage more grass roots participation, as well ensuring all Motorsport UK event competitors are covered by comprehensive insurance. Additionally, licence holders will have access to Motorsport UK’s Member Benefits Programme that includes the new upgraded personal accident cover.

You can apply online from 18/11/19, but you can also apply at the event with a paper form and a photograph.

Again, it's FREE.

Motorsport UK - Important Club Changes for 2020

Now that 2019 is on the finish straight you may be starting to plan your events for the 2020 season, so we need to advise you of a number of changes to event permits and competitor licences that will affect the organisation of competitive events next year.

Throughout 2019 we have been evaluating the best strategy for the future of motorsport in this country. The fact is that there are some real challenges ahead and we need to act now, or potentially see a further decline in both licence holders and events. Why should that be something to worry about? The issue is that across the sport we are beginning to see some events, clubs and championships reaching a tipping point where their viability is in doubt.

Motorsport On Closed Public Roads - Consultation

Some of you will have seen this before I got to my keyboard but this is the announcement we have been waiting for. 

See announcement on Transport Scotland website 

or go straight to the Consultation - eight questions here.  

You all have 8 weeks - till 28th January - to respond.