Epynt and Caerwent Liaison Officer Update - October 2021
The Forresters CC Targa Rally at Caerwent in August was a resounding success being the first of its kind for both the organising club and the venue.
Followed by the Mewla Rally on Epynt at the end of the month which also earned praise from many quarters for its organisation and management.
Port Talbot MCs Tour of Epynt at the ned of October is well into the planning stage and again in accordance with MoD criteria will be a non-spectator event.
Another non-spectator event will be HEROs Le-Jog in early December where Epynt will be used briefly for both tests and regularity sections as it passes through on its way north to John O’Groats.
We are still up against the high level of military training currently being experienced and event planning can be fluid to say the least.
The Patriot Stages, for example due to run at Caerwent in September was offered a new date in October, confirmed six weeks in advance and then pulled within a month of running. This is a problem being experienced across the UK not just within the WAMC Region – frustrating but out of our control.
Please see below a recent communique from the military regarding NHS Ambulance Services and whilst motorsport events are self sufficient to some extent it’s worth bearing this mind when planning your event.
Emergency Services Ability to Respond to an Emergency on the Defence Training Estate (DTE)
Pressures on the NHS is impacting on the Ambulance Services ability to respond to emergency incidents on the DTE. Furthermore, A&Es across Wales are struggling to cope, this maybe the case throughout the Winter period as the demand heightens. The responsibility for training (and third party) risks sit with the organisers wishing to use the facilities and it is your control measures that reduce the risks to persons involved. Planning Officers must consider their training (and event) needs against the risks they are undertaking and the ability to manage to reduce the risks to all persons involved to As Low As Reasonably Practical. Defence Infrastructure Organisation do not hold the training (and event) risks and will not cancel training. It is the organisers responsibility to consider the impacts if the emergency services inability to respond effectively.
As ever, if there’s any assistance the WAMC can give at either of the current venues or indeed any potential military estates don’t hesitate to ask - we’re all in this together.
2021 Patriot Stages
It is with regret that the Organisers of the 2021 Patriot Stages have cancel this years event due to issues with the venue, They are now working on getting the 2022 event running and further announcements will be made in due course.
WAMC Statement in Regards to Welsh Forests
In September 2020 Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Motorsport UK signed a new access agreement which allowed rallying on NRW-managed land for the next three years.
The new agreement would see local economy boosting events return to the woodland estate until 2023 with a renewed importance on the potential impacts of motorsport on the natural environment.
The new agreement had environmental considerations at its heart with NRW and Motorsport UK committed to working together on the ambition to drive towards a lower carbon, greener and more sustainable approach to hosting the events in the future.
The new agreement would be subject to a review, entitled Sustainable Management of Natural Resources, the review, which commenced in Autumn of 2020, would be far reaching and involved many stakeholders. The review, which would take until the spring of 2021, was presented to the NRW board on July 14th.
The board accepted the recommendations and look forward to working with MSUK, the Welsh Association of Motor Clubs and Rally Event Organisers ensuring a sustainable future and the continuance of rallying on the woodland estate.
Epynt and Caerwent Liaison Officer Update - August 2021
Epynt & Caerwent Liaison Officer Update – August 2021
At last, we’re on the road!
The Nicky Grist Stages went off without a hitch and in the words of the military Safety Training Officer for Sennybridge “…the bar has been set……”. His comments refer to, in the main, the way the ban on spectators was managed by Quinton MC.
We must also thank the motor sport public for their buy-in and adhering to the current exclusion of spectators.
Next up will be the Forresters CC Targa Rally at Caerwent in August followed by the Mewla Rally on Epynt at the end of the month and then the Tour of Epynt in October, all of which will be non-spectator events.
There will be no spectator access to any events on Epynt for 2021 and organisers will be asked to plan accordingly.
Also, on Epynt the FIBUA area (German Village) will not be available for any future events.
The bid for the Roger Albert Clarke Rally (RAC) to use Epynt has been denied due to military training although the organisers are looking for local alternatives.
Chris. Phillips
Epynt & Caerwent Liaison Officer
2022 Event Calendar Form
The Association has created a new form so that the information direct from the club can go into the main calendar with a little effort from the administrator. The form is open all year and you are not limited to how many events can be input.
Please click the Link
Page 1 of 2
