MotorSport New Zealand is fully aware of the evolving situation regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and understands that it is having a significant impact on the community and those involved in motorsport.

The recent announcement by the Government restricting the number of people at any gatherings to 500 means that there may be some impact on your upcoming event, however, it is likely that many smaller events will not be impacted by this restriction.

Spectators may still be allowed to your event, but the total number of people at the event cannot exceed 500, including competitors, crew, officials, volunteers, media, spectators and so on. Please note ANYONE attending a MotorSport New Zealand permitted event must complete a COVID-19 Declaration form and present it upon entering the venue.

MotorSport New Zealand believes that many events can continue to go ahead, with the appropriate precautions in place. A COVID-19 policy has been issued

As a club responsible for organising an event, we have highlighted some important steps to consider to ensure the risk of infection remains low.

We believe the following precautions should be put in place:

• Encouraging social distancing amongst event attendees (standing 1.5m away from others)
• Providing drivers’ and officials’ briefings electronically – distributing a document via email in advance to competitors will avoid having everyone meet in one area at the event
• Any further officials’ briefings that are required should be short (under 15 minutes) and conducted in an open area
• Ensure that all participants must not attend your event if they are unwell or showing any symptoms of COVID-19
• Ensure hand sanitisers and handwashing facilities are readily available at events, including for officials at their various locations
• Appropriate spacing of the paddock
• Radio cleaning and changing of the foam tip between personnel changes and at the end of day
• Limiting the numbers in Race Control and limiting access to others
• Hand sanitiser at equipment distribution
• Consider fixed ratios of driver to crew (dependent on class) to have clear indications of numbers (to ensure numbers remain below 500)
• Consider splitting your classes over the two days – e.g. an event with 10 classes runs 5 classes on one day and the other 5 the next

In times like these, it is important that we can enjoy our sport in a safe and practical way, while ensuring good hygiene and social distancing practices are maintained. As stated above, Motorsport Australia is acutely aware that the situation changes regularly. We will endeavour to provide you with regular updates as soon as is practical.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

For more information and useful resources, we encourage you to read the following websites:
Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 resources