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15th May 2020
The Austin A30 & A35 Owners Club International Rally 2020
We have made the tough decision to cancel the 2020 International Rally, due to the
ongoing Corona virus (Covid-19) pandemic. As we are sure many will appreciate, this
is a decision that has not been taken lightly. This being said, we feel strongly that
the health, safety and well-being of our members must be our top priority.
As lock-down began in March we worked hard to reschedule the event to the August
Bank Holiday weekend and this was advertised on the club's web-site and Facebook
pages, but as the weeks have rolled on and the restrictions only now being very
slightly lifted it has become apparent large scale events are unlikely to happen
at all this year. As was widely advertised the 2020 rally was due to be our 50th
Anniversary celebration and we want it to be a major event with a good attendance, so
to proceed this year would almost certainly end up being a much reduced affair.
Therefore we decided it would make much more sense to delay things so that we can
do things properly next year. Also social distancing advise will be much clearer
so we can make everything as safe as possible for everyone involved.
The event will now take place from 28th-31st May 2021 at the same venue, Leamington
Rugby Football Club (subject to confirmation). This means the clubs AGM will also
move accordingly and the calling notice will be published in the Spring 2021 edition
of Sidelights. The AGM will be held at 4PM on Saturday 29th May 2021.
Raffle
Having taken advice from the council who grant the lottery licence for our raffle,
they assure us that moving the date in this exceptional circumstance is fine as long
as we inform anyone who has purchased tickets. The cancellation of the event in 2020
means we will draw the raffle on Sunday 30th August 2020 at 4pm, 56 Coombe Road,
Nailsea BS48 2HH . This will be using neutral volunteers (i.e. non club members)
and the winners will be notified in the usual way. We will also video the draw and
post this online with the results also being published in the next club magazine. If
anyone would like a refund on their tickets and not take part in raffle please contact
us with your ticket numbers and we can arrange refund.
We would like to thank everyone for their continued support for the rally and the
monies from this years raffle will help offset any costs incurred in having to cancel
the event. The 2021 raffle will continue as usual with tickets going out with the rally
booking form in the winter 2020/1 Spotlight.
I can't make the new date, can I get a refund?
Yes. We will refund anyone who cant make the new date, either in full or part. Please
contact us and let us know precisely which part you want a refund for. Some may not now
be able to make the whole rally so just need to cancel a few camping nights and meals.
That's fine too. In this case it may be easier to fill out the new form with this
issue and add a quick covering letter explaining this supersedes your previous form.
All contact details will be on the new form enclosed with the winter Spotlight later
this year.
I can still come and have already booked, is there anything I need to do?
If you can keep your booking exactly as it was before then you do not need to do anything.
We have all your details and will be sending out rally packs in the run up to the event
next May.
I couldn't make the old date but I can then new one – can I still come?
Yes of course. Please fill out the new form when it comes out later this year send it
off, we look forward to seeing you next May.
Will all the meal choices be remaining the same?
Yes – all these options are unchanged (TBC).
The Rally
We are in the process of transferring all the bookings over to next year. More
information will be published in the next Spotlight.
Everything else is pretty much in hand. The trophies have arrived and we can now
announce that anyone coming to the rally will receive a very special one off rally
gift in place of the coasters. We have had a special commemorative coin struck. These
are limited to the first 200 bookings. These are in place of the coaster but you will
still receive your rally board.
As for everything else we hope it can continue as planned but we will be following the
government advice as it stands at the time so this will probably still be social
distancing etc. We will need to be strict about camping distances but will do everything
we can to keep everyone safe and still have a fun and enjoyable event.
We cannot stress enough that the welfare and health of our members is our top priority
and will take any measures necessary as things progress.
Many thanks
2020 International Rally Team.