Wales Rally GB 2020 canceled

After Finland and the Safari Rally, here is another myth of the World Rally Championship which will not be contested in 2020. Faced with the uncertainties of the restrictions resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, Wales Rally GB (October 29 – November 1) will not take place this year.

COVID-19 FORCES CANCELLATION OF 2020 WALES RALLY GB

It is with great regret that we have today had to cancel the 2020 event due to the unprecedented global coronavirus pandemic.

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- Wales Rally GB (@WalesRallyGB) June 9, 2020

The organizers of the ex-RAC highlight “concerns about the evolution of COVID-19 and security restrictions on large-scale gatherings and international travel […]”

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly but, in close consultation with our main financial partner, the Welsh Government, it is unfortunately a decision we are forced to make in light of the global COVID-XNUMX pandemic. coronavirus, explained David Richards, chairman of Motorsport UK, the governing body of British motorsport and organizer of Wales Rally GB.

In recent years, the enormous appeal of the latest generation of luxury cars rally and the presence of Elfyn Evans have attracted record crowds to the wonderful Welsh forests, but now is not the appropriate time for us to plan and promote an event which attracts tens of thousands of visitors, many from outside the country, in rural Welsh communities.

As the governing body of British motorsport, our absolute responsibility and priority is always the safety of everyone involved, whether competitors, officials, spectators or the thousands of volunteers who share our passion for this sport, and we thank them all for their support and enthusiasm during these difficult times.

Although significant progress is being made in the fight against the virus, there remains considerable uncertainty around public gatherings, social distancing and travel restrictions, as well as the possibility of a resurgence of the virus later in the year . »

The organizers are therefore already looking towards the 2021 edition of a pillar event of the WRC, and has been on the calendar since 1973. This is the third time in history that the Wales Rally GB cannot take place, interrupted in 1940 by the Second World War, the Suez Crisis in 1957 and the epidemic of hand, foot and mouth syndrome in 1967.

Only Turkey (September 24-27), Germany (October 15-18) and Japan (November 19-22) would remain on the calendar.