|
UPDATED – COVID-19
MUK introduces 2 metre rule
In light of the UK Government updated guidelines on the COVID-19 pandemic (12 March 2020), Motorsport UK has today updated its guidance as to the implications of the outbreak in relation to motorsport. Based on the World Health Organisation’s declaration that this is a public health emergency of international concern, the UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the UK to high. First and foremost, Motorsport UK takes very seriously the concerns and welfare of its members and those associated with the motorsport community. It is important to follow the prevailing advice of the government and its medical experts – advice that the sport’s governing body is monitoring closely.
The governing body of motor racing in the UK, Motorsport UK, has confirmed the addition to the Blue Book regulations 2020 (Q) Circuit Racing a new paragraph 14.4.6 as follows
“No car shall be driven within 2 metres of another car, including when overtaking.”
This is to ensure the minimal spread of the Covid-19 virus as required by the UK Government’s guidance, it having been shown that there is no proof that race cars can neither contract nor spread the Covid-19 virus between each other or to humans.
Miranda Cow, Chief Executive of the British Touring Car Championship, welcomed the development by saying “WTF, what planet do these people live on? What will the bloody TV ratings be without door-handle scrapes, barging, closing the door, massive first lap pile-ups and fisticuffs in the pits after the race. The 2 metre rule is unworkable for our drivers who have been trained over the years to do everything possible to get as close as possible to other cars in the hope that something “unforeseen” will happen to get their sponsors extra air time. Our very livelihood is threatened by these measures.”
Jason Uranus, BTCC veteran, said “WTF I don’t care anymore. I’ve been so slow in the last two seasons I can’t get close enough to anyone to be within 2 metres anyway.”
Motorsport UK also confirmed the provisions that, to complete the club racing season satisfactorily after restrictions on sporting events are lifted, and given that national and international race meetings will occupy the entirety of the weekend calendar, all club meetings will take place between December 25th 2020 and January 8th 2021... Mallory Park Plum Pudding races 26th December, Snetterton 27th, Oulton Park 28th, Silverstone 28th, Brands Hatch 29th, Thruxton 30th, Donington Park 31st, Pembrey 1st Jan, Anglesey 2nd, Cadwell Park 3rd, Croft 4th, Castle Combe 5th. Goodwood 6th, Knockhill 7th and Lydden 8th January 2021 (January dates counting for 2020 championships).
The final anti-Covid-19 provisions announced today are
1. “coming in to the pits” will now be expressed as “sneezing into the arm pit” as a means of communicating the need for everyone to avoid spreading the virus,
2. Scrutineering of personal “equipment” will henceforward be done in the toilets so that each driver can show he or she knows how to wash their hands for 20 seconds while singing Happy Birthday,
3. When engaged in motorsport, stay at home; only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home). In this way, damage to cars and injury to drivers caused by the 2 metre rule will be successfully minimised.
By order
1st April 2020
|