Motorsport to get £6 million from government coronavirus rescue package

The government has announced a rescue package of £300m of emergency funding for sports hit by the coronavirus pandemic, with motorsport to receive £6m.

Rugby union and horse racing will be among the biggest beneficiaries by getting £140m and £40m respectively as part of the government’s rescue package to help sports impacted by the absence of spectators because of COVID-19.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS) announced the Sports Winter Survival Package, which will comprise of loans, on Thursday.

DCMS minister Oliver Dowden said: "Clubs are the beating hearts of their communities - this boost will help them survive this difficult winter period, with a statement adding: “Preliminary allocations have been made on a needs-based assessment process and reflect the submissions made from the individual sports, and the funding process will be overseen by an independent decision-making board and supported by Sport England.”

Based on preliminary figures, motorsport will receive £6m of the funding distribution which will be shared across the owners of major circuits including Silverstone, Goodwood, The British Automobile Racing Club (BRDC) and MotorSport Vision.

The announcement acts as a boost for club-level motorsport, which was suspended in England for the second time this year in the wake of the second coronavirus lockdown.

A statement from Motorsport UK on 2 November read: "The governing body confirms that, following DCMS guidance, it must suspend all non-elite motorsport until 2 December.

"Selected elite events officially recognised by the DCMS, which include the British Touring Car Championship, will be permitted to continue.

"In respect of permits issued for non-elite events in England between 5 November and 2 December, Motorsport UK confirms that those permits are now withdrawn.

"Organisers will need to reapply if they plan to hold the event at a later date.

"Motorsport UK will continue to monitor the prevailing advice from the UK Government and that of the devolved nations and ensure the motorsport community is updated.

"Motorsport UK would like to thank the entire motorsport community for their resilience and hard work throughout the summer months to keep motorsport running and operating safely.

"During the coming weeks we will be working hard to ensure that, as soon as government guidance allows, motorsport can safely resume once again.”

Football’s lower and women’s leagues will take £28m, with Rugby League receiving £12m, while tennis (£5m), netball, basketball, ice hockey (all £4m), badminton (£2m) and greyhound racing (£1m) will split the rest of the emergency funding.