• Tobermory-based event cancelled due to COVID-19 uncertainty
• Organisers committed to returning with a bigger and – even – better 2021 event
• News brings disappointment to crews, competitors and officials around the world

Mishnish Lochs will stay silent in October. There’ll be no Group 4 roar up the Glen and the Long One… well, it’ll be shorter than normal this time around.

The Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally – planned for October 8-11 – has been cancelled.

Clerk of the Course Andy Jardine admitted the decision was dictated by ongoing uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. While preparations for the iconic Scottish island rally had been moving forward, with the team behind the sell-out event closely monitoring the Scottish Government’s ‘route out of lockdown,’ the organisers are unwilling to proceed given the possible risk of spreading the virus.

Jardine said: “It was looking good for a while. October seemed so far off and things were opening up again, but now the end of July is looming and we just can’t commit to running the rally not knowing how the situation will develop. It’s tough for the team as we put a lot of effort into developing different ways to work with the coronavirus restrictions, but it isn’t practical to cover all the eventualities and keep everybody safe.

“This year’s been unprecedented in the way we’ve seen our sport simply stopped in its tracks by this pandemic. But we have to remember that an awful lot of people have been – and continue to be – affected in the most tragic way by coronavirus.”

Mull Car Club Chairman, Fred Maclean added: “While some of the island is preparing for some sort of tourist season in the weeks ahead, there remains uncertainty and many places are not opening. Mull has remained apparently COVID-free throughout the lockdown period and there is a nervousness about what might happen when visitors return.

“This is the right decision for Mull and to ensure the rally is welcomed back in, hopefully, happier times in 2021.”

Demand for Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally remains exceptional, with competitors from across the world keeping in regular contact with the organisers in the hope of securing a place, were the 2020 event to run. Jardine’s keen, however, this enforced break is used to take a look at ways to make a great rally even better.

Jardine said: “After the event missed a couple of years due to the insurance issue, we got the overwhelming message that the Mull Rally was still a competitors’ favourite when we broke the internet as entries opened in 2019.

“This has energised the team to use this break to take a step back and think about a review of the format of the event and we’ll be getting our heads together in the next couple of months to see what can be done to freshen it up a bit.

“It goes without saying, none of our Octobers will be the same this year. We’ll all spend a bit longer watching Peter Taylor’s run through Gribun on YouTube! But the key thing – the only thing – is to stay healthy, keep the island healthy and be back, bigger and better next time.”

Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally update

• Planning going ahead for the October 8-11 event
• Organising Permit in place from Motorsport UK
• Team pays tribute to the extraordinary efforts of key workers
• Priority is to look after the population, businesses and island life
• Mull Rally regulations to be released in July

The organisers of the Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally will continue with the planning for this year’s Tobermory-based event.

While the current COVID-19 pandemic has put everyday life on hold, Mull Rally clerk of the course Andy Jardine remains focused on installing the foundations for the October 8-11 rally.

Jardine said: “Before we talk about rallying, I think it’s more important we put this into the context of the wider world and what’s going on right now. I’m sure everybody involved in the Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally would join me in sending our heartfelt thanks, appreciation and admiration to all key workers in our communities.

“We extend our concern and sympathies to those affected by COVID-19.

“Nobody knows conclusively when the current situation will change, which is why the team will continue in its usual preparations for the rally. Right now we’re fortunate in that we can prepare the event from our desks and that’s what we’re doing.

“It is absolutely vital – and we cannot stress this enough – nobody: no prospective competitors, media, marshals, nobody travels to Mull until we have clear and precise government guidance to say we are permitted to do so.”

Deputy clerk of the course Duncan Brown has been working tirelessly through all the processes for the new closed road legislation and we recently received the Organising Permit from Motorsport UK in addition to our application being made for a Motor Race Order from Argyll & Bute Council.

Jardine continued: “We maintain a watching brief on the movement from Westminster, the Scottish Government, Argyll & Bute Council and Motorsport UK. As well as that, through the Guardians, we’re in regular contact with both the communities and the businesses on the Isle of Mull – those people remain very much at the heart of decisions taken moving forward.

“We understand the economic benefit the Mull Rally brings to the island, but we also understand the current financial situation those vital to the event – including the amazing volunteer marshals and officials, the sponsors and, of course, the competitors themselves – find themselves in or moving towards as the pandemic continues. We will, of course, remain entirely mindful of this as the weeks and months unfold.

“Our intention is to bring the best rally in the world to the world’s best island in October. But our priority is to do the right thing for the people of Mull.”

Jardine and his team continue to work to the pre-planned event timetable, with regulations for October’s Beatson’s Building Supplies Mull Rally coming in July.

Jardine concluded: “We’ve had support from all over the world, urging us to continue with the event and the planning for the event. That’s what we’re doing. We’re going about the usual processes, but working respectfully with all relevant government agencies and councils.

“We’ll get our heads together – virtually speaking, of course – and put the rally together. In the meantime, let’s all do our bit to bring this thing to the speediest possible conclusion by staying home, staying healthy and watching Peter Taylor’s run through Gribun on YouTube. Again.”

Calmac have made the following announcement regarding extra ferries:

Due to the Mull Rally, the following additional sailings will operate on Sunday 13th October.

Depart Oban – 07:30
Arrive Craignure – 08:20

Depart Craignure – 08:40
Arrive Oban – 09:30