Despite herculean efforts to save the season, the cancellation of Rally GB has left organizers with no choice but to cancel this year’s British Rally Championship.
Rally GB was originally the BRC’s reserve round for 2020 but was introduced into the calendar when Rally Tendring and Clacton was canceled back in April. This followed the cancellation of the West Cork Rally, which was halted just two days before the event was set to begin as the coronavirus pandemic began to take hold.
The Ulster Rally in August was later canceled leaving a five-round calendar with the Galloway Hills Rally, Ypres – rescheduled from June to October – and a double-header on Rally GB.
Championship manager Iain Campbell had previously told DirtFish that if any of those remaining rounds were lost, the BRC season would be curtailed.
“The team behind the British Rally Championship have worked tirelessly with the organizers of the Renties Ypres Rally, Armstrong Galloway Hills Rally and Wales Rally GB to conclude the 2020 BRC season. Unfortunately, now Wales Rally GB is not going ahead, it is not possible to continue with sufficient events to have a full and meaningful championship,” Campbell said in a press release.
“The situation that the UK has found itself in since mid-March with the COVID-19 pandemic has been a constantly moving and fluid situation regarding the movement of people, hosting events and social distancing. It has all happened over quite a short period and it was hoped that restrictions could be lifted in the coming months to give us confidence and to have sufficient rounds to have a proper competition. With the loss of our reserve event – which accounts for two rounds, we have taken the decision to not continue the championship.”
“We fully support the decision concerning the cancellation of Wales Rally GB and wish to thank our competitors, partners and event organisers for their patience and work throughout this period. We hope the situation will improve throughout 2020, and we will in the meantime plan to come back stronger in 2021.”
Reigning champion Matt Edwards had been leading the series following his opening round in February but all championship points are now null and void.
A British Rally Championship title will still be up for grabs this year though courtesy of the championship’s Esports series, EBRC.
