Race planners usually visit the homes of all Islanders likely to be directly affected by the two-day event six months in advance, but lockdown restrictions due to Covid-19 have put paid to that tactic as crucial paperwork deadlines for a centenary special draw near.
The rally – one of the few surviving motorsport events in Jersey Motorcycle & Light Car Club’s 100th year – is still on course to return on 9-10 October, although officials are still waiting on green lights from four parish constables after submitting adjusted permission requests.
‘We’re usually door-knocking along the routes at this time of year but that obviously can’t happen at the moment,’ said JMC & LCC rally chairman Mick Cotillard.
‘Usually about 4% of people oppose – that’s about the same mark each year – and we have to mitigate for that. So what we’ve done is use historical data from previous years to give to the constables.
‘We run under licenses from the motorsport association and there are strict rules and timescales that we have to stick to. Depending on when all [the health restrictions] are lifted we might not physically have enough time to do the work. There is so much paperwork.’
Full story in Monday’s JEP.
