Motorsport UK has announced that as of March 29, organized motorsport can resume in England in accordance with national and local restrictions. Following the announcement made by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on February 22, outdoor sports for adults and under-18s will be able to restart under strict regulations set by the UK government.
As Motorsport UK is the governing body for motorsport, permits will be granted for all disciplines, while applications for permits will also be allowed. In accordance with its restart protocols, Motorsport UK will then safely resume motorsport activities. Spectators are expected to be allowed to attend events in late spring in limited numbers, with stakeholders expected to be informed following developments.
Currently, motorsport events in Scotland, Wales, Northern Island and the Channel Islands are still subject to government rulings in each individual territory, with updates expected in due course.
Motorsport UK CEO Hugh Chambers said, “We are extremely grateful to government for providing the opportunity for motorsport to resume in England from 29 March. This will be very welcome news for our community, which extends from professional drivers and teams, through to the grass roots of the sport with tens of thousands of enthusiasts. Collectively they fuel an industry employing 41,000 people and generating over £10bn (US$14bn) for the economy, so this is a vital step in securing the UK’s future as leaders in motorsport around the world.
“Hopefully it won’t be too much longer before we can announce similarly positive news from the other home nations. Clearly strict protocols still apply, as our sport needs to play its part in supporting the NHS and wider frontline community in keeping infection rates under control, and our restart guidance has enabled us to accomplish that objective on two previous occasions.
“I would like to thank the Motorsport UK community for their support during lockdown, and for their spirit and fortitude in keeping the sport together for when this announcement came. We now look forward to getting motorsport up and running at the end of March.”
