A RESIDENT of a North Yorkshire village has raised their concern over a popular rally which is set to return to the county this month.

The Trackrod Rally Yorkshire takes place on September 23, starting and finishing from Filey.

During the rally drivers will take to stages in the North York Moors.

Concern has been raised by Wrelton resident, Anne Miller.

In a letter to the Gazette and Herald Ms Miller said: “Another Trackrod car rally is due to scar our region at the end of this September 2022. 

“Once again and for hours, residents and visitors who happen to be on the circuit will be exposed to continuous noise pollution, smelly exhausts, and excess traffic.

“In the days of Code Red for our planet Earth, how can such a fuel-wasting, purposeless carbon-emitting and senses-assaulting event still be allowed?

“Visitors come to the region to seek and enjoy clean air, nature and peace.

“Whoever authorises these events, Local Councils, Highways and most surprisingly, the North York Moors National Park Authorities, need to start showing some basic commitment to our environmental protection and ban these biannual rallies which have now become an obsolete and damaging irrelevance.”

Rod Parkin, clerk of the course at Trackrod Motor Club, said: “Trackrod Motor Club is fully committed to complying with the latest sustainability and environmental issues facing us today.

“We work closely with Motorsport UK (the governing body) and all those who authorise events We have already reduced our footprint by not allowing support vehicles to follow the rally.

“We have implemented changes to tyre regulations, reduced our use of printed material and replaced our planning meetings by virtual communications. This rally will have a maximum of one car per minute for a short period of time and only uses the public highway, in the same way as other users, but as a means of gaining access to the forest areas.

“We will monitor and introduce other sustainability measures as these become available but it should be acknowledged that rallying is a legitimate, properly regulated sport which brings significant economic benefit to the area and enjoyment to many participants and spectators. The value of sport and recreation to the health of individuals is also significant.”

Michael Graham, director of recreation and wellbeing at the North York Moors National Park Authority, said:

“We have both sympathy and understanding for the concerns raised by a local resident regarding the Trackrod rallies.

“While the rallies are held within the boundary of the North York Moors National Park, they are not held on land under our ownership or management. 

“It is a statutory obligation that the National Park Authority issue ‘Section 33 Road Traffic Act’ authorisation for such events, although only if the organisers provide all relevant information, public safety is not compromised and if we do not consider there to be any lasting damage to public footpaths, public bridleways or restricted byways.”

North Yorkshire County Council declined to comment.