We understand that some people may question why we would be starting to plan the return of the event at such an early stage in the country’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The simple fact is that in order to satisfy the legal timescales in our application to run closed public road special stages in March 2021, we have to start the process now.

Whilst we recognise that it would be impractical to run the event with the restrictions that are currently in place, our planning is based on the assumption that the recovery will continue over the coming months. However, it must be stressed that the organisers will be following all guidance, restrictions and safe practises issued by Central and Local Government and by Motorsport UK and, as we did in 2020 will make the health and safety of the local community, competitors and volunteers our priority.

We are extremely grateful to all residents, councils and local businesses for their support, and also sincerely thank all the 2020 event sponsors who have generously confirmed their continued commitment for 2021.

We look forward to seeing you all in Lancashire next March.

When the 2020 event was first postponed the organisers gave serious thought to identifying a date in September / October 2020. Despite a very congested calendar there appeared to be one possible option in mid-October. However, at this point in time, we do not feel that the logistics of organising an event in that timescale make this a tenable proposition and so the 2020 Legend Fires North West Stages is now cancelled.

As organisers we are not only required to follow the legal closed road application timetable, but we would also need to be re-starting the resident consultation process in the next month which would not follow the current social distancing guidelines and we should be attending council meetings which we assume will be suspended for the foreseeable future. Also, and most significantly, if we ran an event in October 2020, we would not have the time or resource to run another event in March 2021 and so would risk losing our anniversary date.

We also had to consider the re-scheduling of other rallies for the rest of the year. No one knows how long these restrictions will go on for, which events will still run and whether championships will continue for 2020, hence the final decision to abandon thoughts of running the event in 2020

We understand that this will be a disappointment to some of the organising team, competitors, sponsors and spectators, but we have to be pragmatic and look at the long-term future of our event. When organisation of the 2020 event started, no one could have predicted the dire situation we find ourselves in and the knock-on effect that this virus is having on all parts of our lives, including all sporting events.

In order to protect the event financially we made the tough decision to postpone in advance of any Government or Motorsport UK directive. It is now clear that it was absolutely the right decision.

The last couple of weeks have been a challenging time for the organising team and we would like to thank the many people who have supported the difficult decisions we have had to make.

With the Rally HQ based at Myerscough College, Bilsborrow, Lancashire, the event will be offering 60 miles of tarmac stages with 115 road miles, all 60 stage miles will be on closed public roads.

As a thank you to our loyal competitors, for the first 24 hours following opening of entries, 30 places will be reserved for Drivers who have competed on the North West Stages Rally prior to 2018 on three or more occasions. (Note there will be no change of Driver allowed for these entries once the entry has been accepted).

In addition, for the first 5 days following opening of entries 25 places will be reserved for Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Championship contenders registered prior to 13th January 2020.

We would like to remind entrants to complete their entry form as fully as possible, and in particular remember that seeding information for a minimum of three National B/Interclub Special Stage Rallies is required before the entry is accepted.

An unseeded entry list will not be published until Monday 20th January to allow entry criteria to be validated so please be patient.

Legend Fires North West Stages Rally Regulations

2020 Legend Fires North West Stages Regulations

The final 5 entries will be selected at the closing date.

If, in the meantime, there are cancellations and additional entries become available, these will be added to the entry list based on date of paid entry received and competitors will be notified individually.

Future entry selection will be based on the following, but not necessarily in this order:

• Star Name – Prince Harry would definitely get a run, but only if he has got 3 National B finishes.
• Top Competitor – does your seeding contains lots of 1st places? If so you have a good chance.
• Interesting entry or unusual car.
• Serious championship contenders.
• Those who have been regular competitors on the Legend Fires North West Stages.
• The earlier the entry was made the better chance you have.
• Overseas entry.

Please also note that the following will not help your cause:

• Sob Stories – we are not X-Factor!
• Pestering our Entries Secretary – she has heard it all before and would just like to chill out in front of the TV with a glass of wine occasionally.
• Pestering John Stone. Yes he has lots of mates, but we can’t fit them all in!

On a serious note – the Organisers are delighted and overwhelmed by the interest shown by competitors and sincerely thank everyone who has submitted an entry.

Due to the flood of entries of entries and the necessity to take into account and reconcile payments made by the various payment methods, and to verify seeding information, it is taking some time for our Entries Secretary to check and confirm the initial 100 entries.

We hope to be in a position to publish the initial unseeded accepted entries by Friday evening.

We appreciate your patience.

Based at Myerscough College, Bilsborrow, Lancs, the event will be offering 50 miles of tarmac stages with 150 road miles, 35 stage miles will be on Closed Public Roads.

The entry fee for the event will be £545 plus a compulsory £50 LCC road damage bond contribution. (Organisers are required to deposit a £35,000 bond with Lancashire County Council to fund repairs for road damage not covered by the standard Motorsport UK policy. In the event that no claim is made against the £35,000 bond then the £50 competitor bond contribution will be repaid in full)

As a thank you to loyal competitors, for the first 24 hours following opening of entries 60 places will be reserved for Drivers who have competed on the Legend Fires North West Stages Rally on three or more occasions. (we have a record of eligible drivers)

Can we also remind potential entrants that seeding information, for a minimum of three National B special Stage Rallies, will be required on the entry form before the entry is accepted.

Legend Fires North West Stages Rally Regulations

2019 Legend Fires North West Stages Regulations

The route will comprise of 50 stage miles over 12 special stages, of which approximately 35 miles are on closed public roads. The event will be based at Myerscough College near Garstang.

Entries will open Mid-January. Full details will appear on the event website www.nwstages.co.uk.

Please be aware that only drivers who have finished at least three ‘National B’ Stage Rallies will be eligible to enter the event. Results will be required on the entry form before any entry is accepted.