The Otepää Winter Rally makes a return to the calendar after a five-year absence, ERR s sports portal reports, though this year s event will take place without spectators, as a result of coronavirus restrictions.
Janis Kaal, board chair of the Estonian Motorsport Association (Eesti autospordi liit) said that: Unfortunately, the epidemiological situation has not improved compared with last year, and as a result the current restrictions must be taken into account when organizing events.
Spectators will not be permitted at the rally s speed test stages or in the maintenance area, the organization says.
The rally was announced Thursday and takes place on February 13, the first time Estonia has hosted a winter rally since 2015, when the event took place in Võru County. Mild winters in the intervening years were behind the hiatus.
Rally Estonia will remain a part of the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar in 2021, set to take place in Tartu and southern Estonia on July 15-18. At a press conference on Wednesday, the rally organizers announced that Rally Estonia will also be a WRC event in 2022.
Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (Center) anoounced: The 2020 rally was a fantastic experience, it was a great success, it was something truly special. In the last two years, we have shown innovative solutions to be offered to the entire world. In the coming two years, we can do the same. We have received confirmation that Estonia will get to organize a WRC event here for the next two years. It shows trust in the Estonian organizers. The Estonian Health Board (Terviseamet) also admired the professionalism displayed by organizers. The event allows us to introduce our nation and athletes to the entire world.