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DOI Climb-down as Rally IOM says it's to go ahead

Tue, 24 Jul 2018

Organisers of Rally Isle of Man say the event will be going ahead despite an attempt by the Manx Government to refuse road closing for the event.

It was revealed last week that Officers in the Department of Infrastructure had, what they described as, "many examples of safety failings" - an allegation the organisers refuted.

The allegations by the local DOI are at odds with the findings of the sport's governing bodies who carry out full safety checks before any rally stage is run. Both the MSA (The UK Governing body) and the FIA (World Governing body) send delegates to the Island to drive through each rally stage prior them starting. The organisers cannot over rule the safety delegates if the deem the stages not safe to run.

In 2017, no such stop was placed on a Rally IOM stage by the external safety delegates.

Crisis meetings have taken place between Senior Officials from Rally Isle of Man and a large number of Civil Servants and Politicians from the Department of Infrastructure and the Department of Home Affairs. A decision was released this afternoon where Government had asked for commitment from Rally Isle of Man's organising team.

Rally Isle of Man is the Island's biggest event outside the TT/MGP and does not receive any funding from the Isle of Man Government. It was first held in 1963 and attracts over 160 rally crews with competitors coming from as far afield as Japan. Past winners include, Roger Clark, Colin McRea, Malcolm Wilson, Tony Pond and local rally star Mark Higgins.

The event will take place from 13th to 15th September.

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