Scheduling dilemma: championships in distress
SPORT MUST WAIT Various countries ban any major events until the end of August. In Switzerland, the decision will not be made until June. This also puts sports organizers in a bind. In Germany and Belgium, for example, major events will not be possible again until September at the earliest, unless the ban is extended beyond that. In France, it applies until mid-July for the time being and [...]
In Germany and Belgium, for example, large events will be possible again from September at the earliest, unless the ban is extended beyond that. In France, it applies until mid-July for the time being, and in Austria until the end of June. Italy has not yet announced a new stitching date beyond May, but a sporting standstill until well into the summer is also to be expected in our southern neighbor.
German states decide
So not only the drivers but also the spectators will have to be patient. In Germany, racetrack operators are currently clarifying which occasions fall under the term major events. The individual federal states are responsible, so the organizers are checking feasibility against the ordinances. In addition, they also have to take into account the travel restrictions of the surrounding countries, since most German championships have strong international participation.
Although there have been no concrete cancellations to date, it is therefore not to be assumed that, for example, the DTM season opener in mid-July at the Norisring in Nuremberg, the Truck GP and the ADAC Masters Weekend at the Nürburgring, the ADAC Rallye Deutschland (WRC round) and the NitrOlympX in Hockenheim will be able to take place in the period mentioned. The Formula E race in Berlin on June 21 is so far only considered postponed.
"Ghost races" are hardly a solution
Since many organizers of smaller events are also dependent on spectator income, "ghost races" would only be an option in a few cases. However, the organizers of those championships that generate their main income from TV rights, such as Formula 1, are considering this.
End for the GT classic?
In Belgium, the biggest motor sport events affected by the bans are the 24 Hours of Spa and the Belgian GP, and in France, the French GP at Le Castellet, which has not yet been canceled despite the date at the end of June. Since the biggest GT race in Europe cannot simply be moved to September (by which time the postponed 24 Hours of Le Mans and Nürburgring are already scheduled) or the cold late fall, its cancellation for 2020 is threatened.
Decreasing number of hill climbs
The FIA Hill Climb Masters has already been cancelled or postponed and will now take place in the fall of 2021. In general, hill climbs in Europe will be thin on the ground this year, as they cannot be postponed to the colder months.
In Switzerland, the mountain championship will consist of a maximum of five races if the season opener can take place in Anzère at the end of July. The organizers of St-Ursanne-Les Rangiers, Oberhallau and Gurnigel are also watching the current situation with concern. The gradual relaxation of the lockdown does not help them at the moment. Since the organization of mountain races is already associated with financial expenditure many weeks in advance, they will not be able to wait too much longer with their decisions.
A season without a championship?
Critically, the slaloms of Romont, Chamblon and the Rally Ronde del Ticino are scheduled for the second half of June. All three organizers are currently evaluating the latest decisions of the Federal Council. They want to communicate the status - tendency towards cancellation - before the end of April.
In the six-round Swiss Kart Championship, the next two race weekends in bordering France (Mirecourt in May and Levier in June) have been postponed following the cancellation of the season opener in Italy. Alternative dates are being sought.
So it will soon be up to the National Sports Commission to decide whether there can be any championship at all in 2020 or just isolated races and rallies.
