North Wales Member of the Senedd Mark Isherwood has written to the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism in the Welsh Government urging him to provide urgent support for the Welsh Motorsport and Rallying industry, which fears it could be left “decimated” unless they are given the green light to start operating again soon.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is having a huge detrimental impact on the Welsh Motorsport and Rally scene and Mr Isherwood has been contacted by those involved in the industry who have warned that unless the sport can resume soon, it will be ruined.
Mr Isherwood said:
“Those involved in the industry are desperate to know when rallying and motorsports can resume in Wales.
“They can’t understand why you can’t partake in these activities, yet gatherings such as packed car boot sales, with people often not adhering to social distancing, are allowed to take place, and I can fully understand their bewilderment.
“As they state: ‘an industry which employs thousands of people and generates millions of pounds for the Welsh economy, could be left decimated unless the Welsh Government acts fast and gives the green light for engines to be switched on again’.
“The cancellation of the Wales Rally GB, one of the highlights of the World Rally Championship, was a huge blow to the industry, but I have been informed that the crisis caused by the coronavirus is having a huge detrimental impact on the whole Welsh rally scene, hitting local clubs hard.
“Fears are growing that rallying won’t return in Wales until the spring of 2021, unless the Welsh Government allows non-spectator Covid-19 compliant trial events to take place.
“I have therefore written to the Deputy Minister for Sport, Dafydd.Elis-Thomas, urging him to give this his urgent attention and to confirm his intended course of action. We need fast action before it is too late for this popular and successful industry.”