Rally - An amber light?

Earlier this evening the organisers of the Jim Clark Memorial Rally issued the statement below which I have shown in its entirety.

Last week, the Draft Regulation of a new Bill to allow rallying back on to closed public roads in Scotland was presented to the Scottish Parliament. The MSPs will now vote on it, but there is no exact timetable for this latest stage of the process. Looking back on established precedents, this could take up to 54 days. However, it could take less time, much less - fingers crossed, eh?

We're not out of the woods, or to be more precise back on the roads yet, but at least the traffic lights are on amber. Next stop green - for go!

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STATEMENT FROM THE ORGANISERS OF THE JIM CLARK MEMORIAL RALLY

The organisers of the Jim Clark Memorial Rally have been greatly encouraged by recent developments in the Scottish Parliament to help overcome the barriers to closed public road rallying in Scotland. Such a move will bring the country into line with other parts of the UK including Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, Wales and England.

The recently concluded Public Consultation on the new proposals proved there was an overwhelming desire for such a move which would benefit not only motor sports fans, but also many other sporting interests and pursuits. The Public Consultation process attracted 3,788 replies of which slightly more than 98% were positive.

Business and commercial interests, as well as local authorities, also welcomed these positive steps especially on the Isle of Mull and in the Scottish Borders which led the way in establishing the sport on 'mainland' UK.

To that end, the organisers of the Jim Clark Memorial Rally have been maintaining contact and continued working with Scottish Borders Council and Police Scotland in hopeful anticipation that rallying could return sooner rather than later. Arrangements and plans are already in place to facilitate a quick resumption of the sport on completion of the parliamentary process.

Potential rally competitors, officials, volunteers and fans right across the UK are therefore advised to 'pencil in' two important dates, 24^th and 25^th May 2019, and plan their routes to the eastern Scottish Borders.

With a bit of luck and goodwill, it should soon be possible to allow all those interested to confirm their diary date in ink!

The Analysis report can be read at: https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/public-consultation-analysis-report-motorsports-on-closed-public-roads/