CRC Rallies Gearing Up for 2021 Season
Wednesday, March 17th, 2021
Photo: Shawn Bishop
The 2021 Canadian Rally Championship season is set to return to action with the Rocky Mountain Rally in Cochrane, Alberta. The event will mark the first round of the national championship since the 2020 season was cancelled due to health and safety restrictions. The following round, Rallye Baie-des-Chaleurs in July, is also moving ahead with plans.
Rocky Mountain Rally, more recently held in Invermere, British Columbia, will be moving back across the border to Cochrane, Alberta on May 28-29th.
“Alberta’s plans for reopening activities gives us confidence that we will be able to run Rocky as planned in late May,” says Rocky Organizer, Keith Morison. “The event is likely to still be a non-spectator event and include social distancing protocols, but it will be great to get out on the stages again and kick-off the reopening of the CRC.”
Event organizers are working closely with local authorities to implement the correct protocols for hosting events. Spectating at rallies is expected to remain limited until restrictions ease. While restrictions on outdoor gatherings are starting to ease in some locations, the process to obtain road and event permits from local jurisdictions often requires a higher level of caution.
“We are submitting our COVID protocols to the province in the hopes of getting an exemption for Rocky even if restrictions come back somewhat,” says Morison. “The reality is that rally events can run with a high level of distancing for the most part.”
For Quebec’s Rallye Baie-des-Chaleurs, the COVID measures include a change in format. The event will be held over two days instead of the usual three. Friday, July 2, will include recce, shakedown, and tech inspection, while all competitive stages will run on Saturday.
“We will be monitoring the situation closely,” explains Danny Hudon, Event Coordinator. “And focusing our efforts on putting together a rally to match the BDC despite the restrictions.”
More detailed information for both events is expected in April. Stay tuned to www.crcrally.com for the latest updates.
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