Threats to rally sad for island life
NEWS that the Guernsey Rally could be under threat because people living on the route are protesting – in some cases vehemently – are disappointing for those interested in the sport, and those concerned about what it might say about island life.
The Guernsey Rally is not particularly well-established – it only began in 2018. But it’s not promising to hear that organisers have been besieged by complaints, and that they are urging supporters to offer a counter-balance to the parish authorities.
One of the problems here is not everyone supports motorsport, but those who simply don't begrudge others' activities are unlikely to feel that they should take a stake in this argument. Which doesn’t bode well for the organisers.
This is an event which takes place for a few hours a year. It’s not as if it turns a road into a permanent race track, endangering residents, their vehicles, property and pets.
If public pressure can put an end to this event, though, what next? The hill climb? Vazon sprint? That is not far-fetched – it’s a genuine fear for organisers, who know there’s not much they can to to ameliorate the impact.
More than 25 years ago shooting had neighbours forcing the closure of a range. Continued pressure could send motor sport the same way – and island life and our community spirit will be the poorer for it.