Select a region
Plans for a Guernsey Rally in 2024 are progressing despite an error in an email claiming that any such event would be refused permission.
The Guernsey Rally Committee said they were made aware of an error in an email that had been sent to residents who had lodged concerns during the planning of the 2023 Rally, stating that future event permissions would be refused.
However, the email which was shared with Express by a concerned motor-racing enthusiast earlier this week, has been confirmed as containing an "error" by both the rally organisers and Traffic and Highways Services.
This year's rally was staged last weekend, with large amounts of publicity prior to, during and after the races.
The vast majority of people who contacted Express to share their view on the Rally and motorsport in general were in favour of future rallys going ahead.
Some of those were shocked to see the email which seemed to put the brakes on future events
Motor racing enthusiast Lee Corbet was one of those left unimpressed by the error. He said events like the rally should be "nurtured" going forward.
Mr Corbet was the hillclimb commentator for more than 20 years, and still travels to bike fairs and other events overseas as well as supporting all local motorsports.
He told Express that comments over the workload sparked by the rally, which THS had referenced in both their original email and their retraction, are unfair as dealing with applications for road closures is a large part of their day to day job anyway.
"...the civil servants are employed to do a job and that job includes the rally road closures, like it does for any other island sports," he said.
"It’s been a policy that it can and will be held once every year and for a senior civil servant to have even considered this decision without reference to the E&I committee in the first instance is utterly appalling. This is a fine example of too much tail wagging the dog and our States need to take a good look at what is going on in general within the departments they, under the public’s vote, are supposed to be looking after."
While angry over the handling of the administration of the rally on the States side, Mr Corbet praised all those involved with the 2023 Rally and other motorsport and other sport events.
"The rally itself was an awesome event and I saw many families out and about enjoying the Saturday spectacle. Guernsey has a great closeness amongst all its sports followers and that should be nurtured going forward."
Pictured: The email, sent to opponents of the 2023 rally before this year's event was held, has now been confirmed as containing an error with THS saying any application for a future rally will be considered.
THS confirmed to Express that it will consider applications for a future rally, and that the email saying permission would not be given was an error based on a misunderstanding.
The rally organisers said they were aware of the email, which was sent to those who had appealed against the 2023 rally, but they decided not to comment on it until THS were in a position to rectify the mistake. The organisers also said it was important for them to be able to focus solely on the rally last weekend.
"We will indeed be holding our annual discussions shortly with the THS committee and Environment & Infrastructure with regards to an application for a rally in 2024, which we hope, with the support shown these past few days, we will be able to progress," said the rally organisers.
"Guernsey Rally LBG is a well established non-profitable organisation simply bringing enjoyment to the many who share our passion for rally motorsport," they said.
"We've run all our events safely and successfully these past five years, have placed Guernsey on the world-wide rally map by organising this event for all the amazing supporters we have out there, and at the same time bring a lot of money into our island for an event that's only for a few hours once a year."
A debrief is due to be held to discuss the concerns raised by this year's rally and other lessons learnt but the organising committee said they are not being put off their future plans.
"Discussions regarding 2024 and the future of the Guernsey rally are very much on our radar and we shall continue our efforts to keep this as an annual event," they said.
Error rocks future Rally plans
Racing takes a new direction with carbon neutral deal
Rally supporters praise "spectacular event"
Rally opposers disappointed with communication
Rally row residents maintain opposition
Guernsey's first Motor Rally tomorrow
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.