No Jim Clark Rally in 2017 as fatal accident enquiry continues
The Jim Clark Rally will not run this year after failing to gain a permit from UK motorsport's governing body amid an investigation into deaths on the event in 2014
The initial investigation into the three fatalities - caused by a car leaving the road and crashing - by the Scottish Government ruled that no further action would be taken against the organisers.
However, a Fatal Accident Enquiry was then set up and until that is concluded the Motor Sports Association will not give the event a permit to run.
An MSA spokesperson said: "Everyone is unfortunately well aware that on the 2014 Jim Clark Rally three people tragically lost their lives in an incident that will now be subject to a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) this summer.
"The rally has not run in the two years since then and with the counsel of the MSA's advisers we are not in a position to sanction it this year.
"Like the rest of the rallying community, the MSA will have to wait some time for the FAI outcome but once that is known we will of course be entering into discussion with the organisers of the Jim Clark Rally."
The Jim Clark Rally was part of the British Rally Championship when the 2014 accident occurred, and the event was set for a slot in the revived series last year had it been run.
In an email to the organisers of the rally, MSA chief executive Rob Jones said that consultation with the MSA insurance brokers had influenced the 2017 decision.
"Following extensive consultation with our insurance brokers and our insurers, I am able to confirm the position of the MSA regarding any proposal for the JCR (Jim Clark Rally) to be run in 2017," said Jones.
"It would not be appropriate for MSA to issue a permit for the JCR until the FAI (Fatal Accident Inquiry) has been completed and the Sheriff has issued his findings."
Dan Wright - Jim Clark Rally chairman - said that the organisers of the rally were not consulted on the decision.
"In any other workplace or sporting endeavour, routine carries on while FAIs are under way," said Wright.
"So we don't understand the insurer's reasoning behind this decision.
"They may well have consulted extensively with their insurance partners, but the rally organisers were not consulted."
Previous article
Le Mans organiser ACO backs UK LMP3 championship for 2017
Next article
Donington Park taken over by Jonathan Palmer's MotorSport Vision
10 reasons to attend the Goodwood Festival of Speed
It’s almost two years since Goodwood last hosted a public motorsport event, but the stars, cars and fans are now set to flock back this weekend. Here are 10 of the key elements that will make this year’s Festival of Speed unmissable
The addictive experience of racing a rallycross Supercar
Racing a Supercar is what every budding rallycross driver aspires to do – and it’s exactly what our reporter had the opportunity to try out. As he found, it lived up to and exceeded expectations
The mouthwatering title fight resulting from a BTCC ace's exile
Three more of the BTCC’s support series are finally due to begin at Snetterton this weekend, with the Carrera Cup GB promising an epic title fight between its reigning champion and a returning king ousted from his tin-top seat over the winter
The entry level series turning trackday fans into GT champions
Low-cost. Easily accessible. And the perfect route for trackday drivers into competitive motorsport. It’s easy to see why Super Lap Scotland’s time-trial format is proving popular and encouraging new people to try it for themselves
The Caterham king on a mission to conquer one-make national racing
Danny Winstanley has dominated in Caterhams for several years, firstly as a driver and more recently as a team owner. Now he has more ambitions on the horizon
How the GT Cup is thriving despite the pandemic
The GT Cup has attracted a stunning array of drivers and machinery for its opening event at Donington Park this weekend. The fact we're in the middle of a pandemic makes that entry all the more remarkable, but there's plenty of reasons why the series is proving popular
What Autosport’s looking forward to in national motorsport this year
With COVID-19 restrictions gradually being lifted and national motorsport finally returning this weekend, focus and anticipation has switched to the year ahead. Here are Autosport's picks for what should be some of the best events and rivalries of 2021
How 2020's newest national series and championships fared
To the credit of organisers, some new national UK series and championships were still able to successfully launch last year, even with the world in the grip of a pandemic. Here's how Autosport has ranked them
