No changes in schedule to 2020 South India Rally
The South India Rally will run as scheduled between March 20 and 22 in Chennai. The event, which is both the season-opening round of the 2020 FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) and the 2020 Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) will go ahead as planned, but complying with medical and travel advisories issued by the Indian government.
File photo of Dean Mascarenhas in action in his VW Polo during Round 1 of the 2019 INRC in Chennai
Appropriate safety measures will be taken, with no spectators being allowed entry into Rally HQ, and no large gatherings of any sort allowed.
Chairman of the event, Vicky Chandhok, who is also the president of the APRC Working Group stated, "To reiterate, next week's South India Rally is very much on as per schedule. We are closely monitoring the situation arising out of the COVID-19 spread globally, and taking due precautions as per the directives of Union Health ministry.
"As Chairman of the event, it is my duty to stay in close contact with our team and medical advisors which is what we are doing. No spectators will be allowed into the Rally HQ areas and no gathering of people in a single place will be permitted.
"We have also communicated to all the participants, officials and stakeholders, urging them to take all precautions to stay safe and healthy."
However, with the Indian government having suspended most visas for foreign nationals until April 15, 2020, the APRC event will only be contested by Indian nationals.
"Consequent to Government of India's travel advisory prohibiting entry of foreign Nationals into India until April 15, and other factors, the APRC round here will be contested by Indian crews who thus will have an opportunity to win a FIA international trophy," he said.
