Organisers of competitive action at Crimond Raceway have cancelled all meetings on the north-east track for the remainder of the year.
The committee at the venue, near Peterhead, voted not to reopen the track despite having been given the go ahead by its governing body, Oval Racing Council International.
That means the nine stock car race meetings scheduled between now and October are off, including all junior race meets and the annual national hot rods staging, as well as all open practice sessions.
Organisers say that differing approaches to lifting the coronavirus lockdown restrictions between the UK and Scottish governments has caused confusion and resulted in conflicting decisions being taken across the UK’s race tracks.
Earlier this month, racing returned behind closed doors at the nearby Boyndie track in Banff, while in England, race meetings have been trialled with a limited number of spectators.
“After looking at all the current restrictions still in place and the possible timeline for the lifting of the remaining restrictions, a vote was taken on how we proceeded in 2020,” a committee spokesman said.
“The decision was to not hold any more practice or race meetings for the remainder of the 2020 Crimond raceway season.
“No doubt this decision will be disappointing to many drivers and spectators, but the majority of the committee felt it was the right thing to do until the Covid-19 situation has been resolved or brought under control and we can return to some sort of normal life, hopefully by March 2021.”
The decision has also put paid to the club’s 50th anniversary celebrations, which would have taken place this year.
The spokesman added: “Events were organised to help celebrate this, but the health and safety of all who attend our race meetings must come first.
“They will be put on hold until next year when, hopefully, we can celebrate our 50th anniversary plus one year.”
Anyone with an unused licensed card is entitled to a refund. For more information, email info@crimondraceway.co.uk.
