UK motorsport gets green light to restart from July 4

Motorsport UK plans for national motorsport to resume in Britain from July following the enforced hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The outbreak of coronavirus forced British motorsport’s governing body to suspend all motorsport events in the UK until June 30 in March.

Motorsport UK has now outlined a plan to restart national competitions - including series such as the British Touring Car Championship - and will allow organisers to begin applying for event permits next month following discussions with the government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The move is dependent on the UK government continuing to ease its lockdown measures and restrictions that had put a temporary hold on national-sanctioned motorsport events from taking place.

A Motorsport UK statement confirmed no national or British championship events will be held in July and that all races will be staged behind closed doors with appropriate PPE requirements when they do take place.

Motorsport UK chairman David Richards said: “In March, Motorsport UK moved quickly and in line with government to suspend motorsport, while everyone's priority was restricting the spread of this terrible disease and protecting the NHS.

“It is now right that, as government has set out plans to ease restrictions, we move in step and introduce the next stage of our phased restart.

"Unlike many sports, motorsport in the UK is an industry in itself, employing tens of thousands and contributing billions of pounds to the UK economy.

"We always said that, when the conditions were right, we would take a responsible decision to resume motorsport in order to sustain the sport, jobs and the economy.

"Our plan is that, subject to government advice and ongoing lifting of restrictions, motorsport will resume from 4 July.

"We are making this announcement now as event organisers, venues, preparation specialists, the supply chain, volunteer marshals, officials and competitors all need time to put in place their plans.”

Last month the BTCC issued a revised calendar that will see nine events crammed into 16 weekends from August to November.