Members of the Forest of Dean Motor Club are determined that there will be a Wyedean Rally next year, even though it will not be part of the BTRDA championship for 2016.

The Forest of Dean Motor Club said that they are bitterly disappointed to be dropped from the British Trial & Rally Drivers Association (BTRDA) Championships.

The BTRDA Rally Series runs classic one day forest stage rallies, which for over 30 years has included the Wyedean Forest Rally. One of the members of the FoD Motor Club told the Gazette: “After running one of the most popular events in the series for 30 years the Club feels let down and disappointed at the decision made by the BTRDA.”

The Club realises that in the light of stricter regulations, following serious incidents at other rallies, that safety has to be a priority for the BTRDA but the Club does not understand why their rally has been dropped. The member said:?“At last year’s event there were no delays, no incidents on the rally and everything ran very well on the day.”

It was the Wyedean’s 40th anniversary event on February 14th 2015, and it was a lovely day, there were thousands of spectators out watching.

Dan Gray, of Ross-on-Wye, raced at the Wyedean circuit six times and told the Ross Gazette: “It is understandable to protect the public but these measures are ruining our sport.”

He added: “It was always something that was in the pipeline after recent fatalities.

It is to protect the public, but it is really the public who caused the problem because they can watch from anywhere at Wyedean.”

For the full story, see this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette.