Safety blamed for rally cancellation

Rally Organisers are blaming new safety requirements for the cancellation of the final round of the Manx Rally championship.

Officials say next weekend's fixture has been called off because the TT Festival and Motorsports Arrangements Group has introduced new rules which can't be met in time.

The group, which is run by the Department of Home Affairs, was set up in July in the wake of the inquest into the fatal accident at the 26th milestone during the Centenary TT.

Manx Radio Rally correspondent Chris Boyd says safety standards in rallying are already very high (audio file attached):

Meanwhile, Department of Transport officials say it was the governing body, the Motor Sports Association, that withdrew the permit for the event.

Director of Highways Bruce Hannay said the application to close the roads was made very late.

He said there were concerns about safety arrangements, particularly for spectators, and it was decided these hadn't been properly addressed.