A REVIEW will take place into the bid to bring a money-spinning motor sport event to the roads of Tendring.

The Motor Sports Association is set to carry out a review of the proposals for a rally around the district on April 22 next year.

It will decide whether to go ahead with an application for the order needed to get the event off the starting line.

Tendring Council tourism boss Tanya Ferguson said that if Tendring manages to bring the rally to the district it would be a major coup and that it is expected to boost the local economy by around £500,000 and bring thousands of visitors and motor sport fans into the area.

“It would be the first event anywhere in the country under the new legislation and it will have significant financial benefits to the area and its businesses,” she said.

“Research by Sheffield Hallam University suggests this will be in the order of £500,000 and it would go along with the council’s goal to bring exciting new events to inspire tourism.

“We are talking about experienced drivers taking part and the Chelmsford Motor Club has already started a period of consultation to inform those likely to be on the route.”

Once the MSA has completed its review, final authorisation for a stage rally will need to come from Essex County Council.

“There is still a very long way to go and a number of bridges to cross before we can announce that the event will take place on April 22,” added Ms Ferguson.

“However, we are making progress and the necessary steps are being taken and we intend to keep residents up-dated as we proceed.

“That will involve making further announcements when there is something to tell and developments are made.”

It is expected the association, the sole national governing body for four-wheeled motor sport in the UK, will start their rigorous review process with a visit by officials to the potential route late in July.

Tendring Council has been discussing the idea with organisers, Chelmsford Motor Club, the MSA and Essex County Council as the highway authority, for a number of years.

The event was only made possible after enabling legislation was passed earlier this year which allows local authorities to suspend the Road Traffic Act for authorised events.