In a huge boost for British motor sports, new primary legislation facilitating closed road-events on mainland Britain has been approved by the government.
The Deregulation Bill achieved Royal Assent and contains a framework for running motor sports on closed public roads without needing a costly Act of Parliament to suspend the Road Traffic Act for each event.
This news is the culmination of a long campaign by the Motor Sports Association that began before the last General Election in 2010. Since then MPs have been targeted with information to demonstrate the potential value of motor sport events to local communities. There has been cross-party support for the campaign and the required legislation.
Rob Jones, MSA Chief Executive, said: “This landmark development is the result of a lot of hard work by a small handful of people behind the scenes, with vital backing from thousands of supporters within the British motor sport community.
“In particular we must recognise the invaluable contributions of both the Rt Hon Ken Clarke, the Minister responsible for driving the legislation, and Ben Wallace MP, who has relentlessly championed the cause of motor sport within Westminster these past five years and kept the pressure on his colleagues when necessary.
“I would also like to thank all those who have lent their backing, whether by responding to consultation, writing to their MP or simply by voicing their support.”
Before the primary legislation can become available to event organisers, secondary legislation – in the form of a statutory instrument detailing the enabling powers – is required.
The MSA will work closely with the relevant stakeholders to achieve this as soon as possible following the General Election in May.
• The first licenced motor sport event in Wales took place in Barry in the summer of 1905 and was a hillclimb