Scottish Rally Championship cancelled

The KNC Groundworks Scottish Rally Championship has been called off for this year (picture by West Coast Photos)

Organisers of the KNC Groundworks Scottish Rally Championship (SRC) have taken the “regrettable” decision to cancel this year’s competition as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread, causing a subsequent call-off of events.

Four events – McDonald & Munro Speyside Stages, Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Reivers Rally (in Duns at the end of May), RSAC Scottish Rally and Grampian Forest Rally – have all rightly been cancelled because of the global health warning, making the decision to axe this season’s championship inevitable.

While the decision is a huge shame for competitors, organisers and fans alike, it was viewed as the only sensible one to make, with a rather thin calendar remaining and the threat of COVID-19 still largely unknown.

Organisers of the championship will not be standing still, however, with conversation already turning towards 2021 as the series looks to bounce back stronger than ever next year.

“We apologise to all competitors, sponsors and fans who will all be affected by this difficult decision but, given the circumstances, it was the only responsible one we could make,” said SRC chairman Gordon Adam.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to spread and apply pressure to our national health service. With half the calendar now called off, it would simply make no sense to continue with the 2020 SRC and potentially put people’s lives at risk.

“As an organising team our attentions have already turned to 2021, where we aim to deliver the best championship possible.”

All competitors will be refunded their registration fee in full. Championship points from the Coogie Urquhart Snowman Rally are now regrettably void but the result of the rally still stands.

Other events on the calendar had included the RSAC Scottish Rally at Dumfries in June and the Armstrong Galloway Hills Rally at Castle Douglas in September.