The Motor Sport Association (MSA) recently commissioned the Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC) at Sheffield Hallam University to evaluate the case for allowing local communities in Britain to stage ‘closed road’ motorsport events.
The study found that the economic impact of the current portfolio of stage rallies, hill climbs and sprints in the UK is estimated to be ‘at least’ £23m per year. However, the report also found that up to £40m of economic benefit could be delivered to local communities over the next five years by allowing 20 motor sport events on public roads in Britain, at no cost to the public purse. These events would provide increased revenue for local businesses such as hotels and restaurants and much needed boosts to local economies.
Additionally, motor sport events require many volunteers, often drawn from the community, bringing people together and offering a sense of cohesion and civic pride.
As a result of the study, the MSA are now seeking to enact a minor amendment to the Road Traffic Act (RTA) which would make it possible for Local Authorities to suspend the RTA for a small number of events that are deemed to be in the interests of the local community.
Fringe meeting lunchtime today
As party of this campaign, the MSA is holding a fringe at this year’s Liberal Democrat party conference, entitled “How motor sport can benefit local communities.” The event will be taking place today from 1pm until 2pm and will be held at the Grace Suite 3 at the Hilton Liverpool.
The panel for the fringe will be hosted by Cllr Chris White (Chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board), The Rt Hon Michael Moore MP (Secretary of State for Scotland), Allan McNish (former Formula 1 driver and two-time winner of the Le Mans 24 hour race), Colin Hilton (Chief Executive of the MSA) and Richard Philips (Managing Director of Silverstone Circuits).
The intention of the fringe meeting is to explore these areas further and seek to establish what more can be done to facilitate and support these events.
Ben Taylor is the Motor Sport Association’s Director of Communications.
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3 Comments
Have I missed the parallel fringe meeting looking at the environmental impact of the current portfolio of stage rallies, hill climbs and sprints in the UK?
’20 motor sport events on public roads in Britain’ God forbid!!
What a daft and environmentally damaging idea this is!
‘As a result of the study, the MSA are now seeking to enact a minor amendment to the Road Traffic Act (RTA) which would make it possible for Local Authorities to suspend the RTA for a small number of events that are deemed to be in the interests of the local community.’
Have or will the local communities be asked ? I for one for greatly object to this appalling idea. First there are a small number of events , then more and more – once you begin to suspend a law that is there to protect the environment merely for the benefit of a minority who want to race round the country destroying the peace and quiet what next?
Roads are open for the benefit of the ordinary law abiding road user and should not be closed, however temporarily and taken over by a bunch of idiots racing round in sports cars.
@Nigel. You have probably missed the fringe meetings discussing the environmental impact of *all* sports. What is the carbon footprint of getting 80,000 people in to Wembley, for example?
@David Orr. Motorsport already takes place on British roads quite legally and fully regulated. We are not overrun with events.
Look to mainland europe, Ireland, and the Isle of Man to see what closed-road motorsport is like before you decide what your opinion is. It may not be to your taste. Football isn’t to my taste, but I appreciate that it brings a great joy to many and I am prepared to accept this and the travel disruption it causes me on occasion.