Rally - BRC snowed off

Next weekend's opening round of this year's British Rally Championship has been postponed. The Morris Lubricants Rally North Wales was supposed to take place this Saturday and Sunday, 6/7 April at Welshpool.

Event Manager Kevin Witton said: "Since Wednesday (27 March) of last week, we have been closely monitoring the adverse weather conditions within and surrounding the Dyfi, Dyfnant and Gartheiniog forests."

"Yesterday, we made a more detailed survey of the gravel roads to be used as special stages and found them all to be covered with significant patches of hard ice. Given the depth of the ice, especially on exposed, north-facing roads and under the trees, and the long-range weather forecast, it is unlikely to thaw before the event is due to start."

"Three of the four clerks of the course - who are responsible for the safe running of the rally and who drove through the stages - unanimously decided that, for the safety of competitors, marshals, rescue and recovery crews and spectators, the event should be postponed."

"This was not an easy decision to make, but - based on what we experienced first-hand - it's the right one. We will now begin discussions with the championship organisers in an effort to find an alternative date for our event, which should have been the opening round of this year's British Rally Championship," added Witton.

Approaching 140 entries had been received for the rally.