2017 Mull Rally cancelled 07 | 06 | 2017

    THE 2017 BEATSON’S MULL RALLY — which annually generates around £1 million for the island, and is one of the most popular motorsport events in the UK — has been cancelled due to an insurance issue. (Related: John MacCrone — My long road back)

    According to the sport’s governing body, the Motor Sports Association (MSA), the event will not run in its traditional closed public road format because of “insurmountable insurance issues”.

    But while a road-based event will definitely not go ahead on October 13-15, the rally’s organisers and the Guardians of Mull Rally are now striving to put in place a one-off gravel event for the same weekend. The intention is then to return to Tarmac in 2018.

    The rally, based in Tobermory, has been run on closed-off public roads since the organisers of the original Tour of Mull funded a 1990 Act of Parliament.

    “The Mull Rally runs under a private Act of Parliament,” Rob Jones, MSA chief executive, explained. “It has emerged that the private closed road legislation raises very significant insurance challenges for Mull this year, which was first thought to render the Mull Rally uninsurable.

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    “MSA has been endeavouring to find a solution with its brokers. Whilst the brokers have offered a potential solution for 2017, this is unfortunately totally impractical as each and every claim under the policy would be subject to a very significant excess payable by the organisers, and one which the organisers cannot afford.”

    As a result, it will be the first time the world renowned three-day rally, which last year attracted a record-equalling 150 crews and generates around £1 million for the local economy, will not have run on closed public roads since the event was granted its 1990 Act of Parliament.

    “This development has come as a massive shock as we are well on with a lot of the early work of setting the route and preparing the paperwork,” Andy Jardine, Mull Rally Clerk of the Course, said.

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    “As I understand it, the MSA has been working behind the scenes to try and agree a work-around, but have been unable to come up with an acceptable solution.

    “We appreciate all the hard work the MSA has done, and accept its decision. Now our attention is focussed on what can be done in the short timescale to make sure something happens over the planned weekend.”

    Donald Brown, chairman of the Guardians of Mull Rally, admitted the cancellation of the 2017 Mull Rally will have a negative financial impact on the island.

    “There’s no denying this is a huge blow to the Island and its businesses who work hard to welcome the competitors, volunteers and spectators each year to the island in October,” Brown said.

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    “The organising team is endeavouring to put on an alternative motorsport event for the same weekend on Mull. Naturally those plans are at a very early stage of development, but it’s hoped the new event will be attractive to Mull residents, competitors, volunteers and spectators alike.

    “Initial feasibility checks have been started to see what can be done to mitigate the impact and hope we can rely on our regular visitors continuing to support us.”

    It is hoped that following the conclusion of the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the Jim Clark and Snowman rallies in July and August this year, that the Scottish Government will quickly adopt the new legislation recently passed in Westminster which will allow the Mull Rally to make a return in its closed road format in 2018.

    Related: MacCrone wins emotional Mull Rally

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    Jim McGill

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