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NI Championship May Still Run

Despite loosing the first round due to lockdown restrictions, the 2021 McGrady Insurance Motorsport UK Northern Ireland Rally Championship may still be salvaged. The intention is to start the season in July rather than scrapping the competition entirely.

If plans come to fruition, two of the proposed tarmac rounds would be closed-road events. Series spokesman Jonathan MacDonald said “We are hoping to run a five-round NI    Rally Championship between July and the end of the year that would consist of a mixture of single-venue and closed-road events.”

All this is of course dependent on the relaxation of Covid restrictions and successful consultations with residents, especially with regards to closed-road events. Currently Northern Ireland is locked down until April 1st. No motorsport events can take place until after that date and indeed until the government gives the go ahead for a resumption.

The proposed rejigged NI Rally Championship calendar would consist of The Bishopscourt Stages, Maiden City Stages, Tour of the Sperrins, Tyrone Stages and one other unnamed reserve event.

Let’s hope things work out for these events and BRMC NI marshals can get back to some form of rally action in the second half of this year. I don’t envisage anything happening sooner than that unfortunately.