Statement:

Rallycross Organisers completely cleared of Health and Safety charges

Lydden Hill Motor Club, Lydden Hill Race Circuit Limited and Amy Doran were all found not guilty of breaches of health and safety legislation arising from an event at Mallory Park on August 8th2010.

Charges were brought by Hinckley Borough Council following an injury to a spectator by debris thrown up from the track by a competing car.

Although Mallory Park accepted responsibility at an early stage, the Council chose to bring charges against the organising club (Lydden Hill Motor Club) and the promoter (Lydden Hill Race Circuit Limited) despite being repeatedly advised by the MSA and everybody involved with the organisation of the event that the safety of spectators had not been the responsibility of the club or the promoter.

After nearly four years of this hanging over the club and the promoter, the Council’s case against the Club collapsed at the beginning of the trial and clearly should never have been brought. The charges against the promoter were also dismissed by the Court with the Judge concluding that the Council had failed to provide evidence to support its case.

A spokesman for Lydden Hill Motor Club explained. “We are extremely sympathetic towards the injured spectator Mr Mathews and we wish him well for the future. However the alleged charges against LHMC were not brought by Mr Matthews but by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council for alleged health and safety breaches despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

It is unfortunate that the local authority chose to pursue spurious charges against a team of volunteers and individuals without whom motor sport would cease to exist.

We would like to thank all those involved in defending the case. These include John Symes and Andy Stevens of the MSA who did a sterling task of presenting the facts and especially Amy Doran who was also wrongly accused.”

The costs involved in prosecuting and defending this case have been significant and it is unfortunate that both the Club’s funds and public funds have been wasted in this manner. Hopefully the positive outcome achieved will deter other unjustified action from similar authorities.

British Rallycross is here to stay

Statement Ends

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