Protyre News

Although the calendar for the 2021 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship has yet to be announced, the event that is expected to be the opening round of the series – the Legend Fires North West Stages – has confirmed that it will run on Saturday 20 March.
 
The popular closed road Lancashire rally – which is sponsored by Championship frontrunner John Stone’s own Blackburn-based business, which manufactures and sells an impressive range of gas and electric fires – was to have hosted the opening round of this year’s series, before coronavirus restrictions forced its cancellation just a few weeks before it was scheduled to run.
 
Which was a great shame, as the 2020 event had received a magnificent entry!
 
And that bodes well for 2021, which will once again see the Legend Fires North West Stages based in and around the market town of Garstang, with Myerscough College providing the location for both rally headquarters and the central service area.
 
“We understand that some people may question why we would be starting to plan the return of the event at such an early stage in the country’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic,” said an official from the organising Motorsport North West committee.
 
“The simple fact is that in order to satisfy the legal timescales in our application to run closed public road special stages in March 2021, we have to start the process now.
 
“Whilst we recognise that it would be impractical to run the event with the restrictions that are currently in place, our planning is based on the assumption that the recovery will continue over the coming months.
 
“However, it must be stressed that the organisers will be following all guidance, restrictions and safe practises issued by central and local government and by Motorsport UK and, as we did in 2020 will make the health and safety of the local community, competitors and volunteers our priority.
 
“We are extremely grateful to all residents, councils and local businesses for their support, and also sincerely thank all the 2020 event sponsors who have generously confirmed their continued commitment for 2021.
 
“We look forward to seeing you all in Lancashire next March.”