All entrants have already been notified of the sad news that despite enormous efforts by the Motor Cycling Club organising team, this years event has today been cancelled.
The MCC issued the following update earlier today...
Nick
Update on the 92nd Exeter Trial from Clerk of the Course Keith Johnston - event cancelled
It is with regret that I write to inform competitors, members and supporters that the decision has been taken to cancel the 92nd Exeter Trial planned for Friday 8th/Saturday 9th January 2021.
There was always a high degree of risk in planning for a large scale event immediately after Christmas and New Year. The organizing team, supported by our COVID19 adviser, have worked hard to organize the Exeter under difficult and constantly changing circumstances. The most recent significant development was the announcement of the new Coronavirus Tiering arrangements in England on Wednesday 2nd December and their restrictions on travel and hospitality.
A small number of competitors reside in tier 3 areas and in Wales. In addition, our Chief Marshal and a significant number of test/hill chiefs and marshals, live in current tier 3 areas. Such expertise and experience is not easily replaced. We also took into account the demographic of our marshalling teams.
The organizing team then considered whether the situation would be likely to improve over the course of the next month and concluded that it was unlikely that there would be any positive change in the current tiering arrangements at the Government review points on the 16th and 27th December. The Chief Marshal and I also noted increasing numbers of marshals who were expressing concern about being involved in the context of probable increasing Coronavirus case numbers after Christmas.
The new tiering arrangements, also impacted upon our potential use of Haynes Motor Museum, which had been directed by the Local Authority to adhere strictly to the new tier 2 provisions for Museums, specifically closing at 23.00. Whilst a 60 minute break is not a Motor Sport UK requirement on an event of less than 200 miles, we felt that the absence of a controlled rest area and hot refreshments would not be conducive to a safe event, particularly in the context of the pandemic.
It is worth remembering that no other multi venue motorsport of any discipline has taken place in recent months. We have consulted widely with Local Authorities through which the trial is routed and they and the Police are counselling against the organization of large events.
The organizing team reviewed the position over the weekend in consultation with advisers and at a meeting on Monday evening, the MCC Executive endorsed my recommendation.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organizing team for their support over the past 9 months, our entrants and our volunteer marshals and officials. Between us we have developed a number of innovations that we hope will improve the way our trials are run in the future.
Competitors are entitled to a full refund of the entry fee less 15%, to cover the unrecoverable costs of organization. Refunds for add ons including Reis insurance and pasties will be made in full. We plan to effect refunds in the next 28 days and further details will be published in NOTW.
To end on a positive note, I can confirm that the 92nd Exeter Trial will now be held on Friday 7th/Saturday 8th January 2022 and will feature a Main Trial, O Class and Classic Road Trial. I am now sourcing a finish hotel [The Toorak is not available] and would be pleased to receive suggestions of suitable locations between Exeter, Okehampton and Torquay, with accommodation for 150 people and a function room.
-- Edited by NickJ on Wednesday 9th of December 2020 05:26:06 PM
-- Edited by NickJ on Wednesday 9th of December 2020 05:40:41 PM
