Thousands enjoy England’s first closed-road rally

Thousands of spectators enjoyed a successful Corbeau Seats Rally Tendring & Clacton (22 April), the first closed-road event organised under new legislation in England.

Melvyn Evans and co-driver Sean Hayde made history by winning the inaugural event, organised by Chelmsford Motor Club and a team of 500 marshals and officials. Hugh Hunter and Rob Fagg took second, while Kevin Proctor and Andrew Roughead completed the podium.

An estimated 3500 people visited the service areas in Clacton-on-Sea, while 2500 more witnessed the competitive action from the spectator areas.

MSA grants permit for first closed-road rally in England

The Motor Sports Association (MSA) has granted the first Event Organising Permit for a closed-road competition in England to Chelmsford Motor Club (CMC) for a stage rally in Essex next April.

New legislation facilitating closed-road motor sport commenced on 10 April this year, following a long campaign by the MSA. The first full event under these new laws is set to be a stage rally of up to 45 competitive miles near Clacton-on-Sea on 22 April 2018.

The MSA inspected CMC’s original proposed route in July and has since worked with the club to develop its plans. The governing body has now issued a Permit, which allows CMC to apply to Essex Highways for a Motor Race Order under legislation set out in the Deregulation Act 2015.