In a major blow for rallycross in Victoria, the Chairman of Rallycross Management Australia, Bob Watson, has announced that as the result of a shock decision by Motorcycling Victoria, plans to hold rallycross meetings at the Broadford Motorcycling complex will not proceed.
Concerns over mud being swept onto the tarmac has seen the cancellation of rallycross events at Broadford.In a statement today, the CEO of Motorcycling Victoria, Wayne Holdsworth, said:
“It is the decision of the MC Board not to continue to host rallycross events in the future.”
Reasons given were “financial risk associated with track maintenance and potential track damage bringing the requirement to resurface”, and “reputational damage with the current majority user groups”.
In spite of receiving written confirmation from the then track manager that rallycross would proceed at the Broadford track, concerns were raised after the rallycross launch function on May 21, when mud was carried on to the motorcycle track from the newly formed gravel rallycross course.
Rallycross was set for a popular return, but those plans have now been put on hold - in Victoria at least.At that stage, planned steps to reduce the mud transfer had not been put in place. The decision to pull the plug on rallycross was made by MCV before any detailed discussions on addressing the problem were held.
The MCV decision will bring disappointment to many people who have shown enthusiasm for the return of rallycross to Australia, including prospective competitors from the rally and autocross sectors of motor sport.
Rallycross was seen by CAMS as a great stepping stone for young competitors looking to take the next step in the sport.
“It is bitterly disappointing,” Bob Watson said.
“Broadford would have been an ideal venue for rallycross, but a change of attitude by new track management turned the tide against us. I am grateful for the support we have received from CAMS and the rally and autocross communities and I deeply regret that we cannot proceed.”
The first event had been scheduled for July 19. Rallycross Australia are now in a search for an alternative venue, although it is not expected that an event will be held in Victoria until 2016 at the earliest.
- Photos: Peter Whitten
Multiple cars on the track at any one time is one of the drawcards of rallycross.
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