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Motorsport News, April 20, 2005

Almost half of all motorsport in this country could be forced to run "underground" rave-style events due to a government ruling which dramatically restricts the use of farmland as a venue.

The ruling by DEFRA would mean that farmland which qualifies for subsidies from the EU could only be used for motorsport for two months of the year. The ruling could affect up to 40% of all motorsport run in the country including autograss, hill climbs, sporting trials and some rallying.

"The ruling could cut out at least half of all the UK motorsport and that would send most motorclubs down the plughole. It could lead to people running 'hit-and-run' motorsport events in the same manner that people used to organise raves with people co-ordinating events on the internet and then releasing the venue by e-mail the day before."

The ruling centres around the EU's new scheme to give hand-outs to farmers. The previous policy awarded subsidy payments according to farmer's output. Now it will pay farmers according to their eligible farmland.

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