By Paul Evans
Wales will be able to stage closed road motorsport events – like in Monaco with the Formula 1 Grand Prix and on the Isle of Man with the TT races – from next month onwards, after a change to the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Ken Skates, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport, might have stalled when it came to the Circuit of Wales, but he’s put the pedal to the metal in rubber-stamping a change to the law which will allow two motorsport authorities – The Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association and The Auto-Cycle Union – to issue permits to affiliated motor clubs for motorsport events to be organised and run on closed public roads.
Previously, a much more complicated and time-consuming act of parliament was required to close a public road for motorsport use.
The change to section 12B(6) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 comes into force in Wales on 2 February, while the law in England changed in April of last year.
Chelmsford Motor Club is due to run the first such event in the spring, with a closed road stage rally near Clacton-on-Sea. Motorsport will also return to the streets of Coventry city centre for the first time in over 25 years, when the Coventry Motofest takes place in June.
Wales is blessed with stunning scenic roads that could make fantastic motorsport theatres. The Welsh forests have hosted both Britain’s round of the FIA World Rally Championship (since 2000) and many national and regional rally and off-road events, while MOD owned land, such as the Epynt military ranges above Sennybridge, and disused airfields, have been the staple diet for asphalt rallying in Wales.
Motorcycle racing has largely been confided to Wales’ two racing circuits – the Welsh Motorsport Centre at Pembrey and the Anglesey Circuit in Ty Croes – and events like the annual Aberdare Park Road Races. Closing public road motorsport could be a real game changer for the sport in Wales, and a significant boost to a region’s local economy, thanks to the visiting competitors, mechanics, sponsors and spectators.