The Department of Infrastructure has blamed ’poor organisation’ for the decision by organisers to cancel this year’s Rally Isle of Man.

In a statement, the DoI said it was not confident the event could be run safely and competently.

News of the event’s 11th hour cancellation, coming less than two weeks before it was due to be staged, was a ’significant disappointment’ to the government, said the DoI.

It said the decision will be a ’big disappointment and frustration to rally fans on and off the island and for the competitors’.

The DoI said that together with other departments, it had tried hard to get Rally IoM to start planning its rally event earlier.

’Despite repeated opportunities Rally Isle of Man missed all of the original deadlines for its paperwork and indeed the extended deadlines.

’As a result of Rally Isle of Man’s longstanding poor organisation, government officers were not confident that the rally would be run safely and competently.’

The DoI said the Rally’s lack of planning and co-ordination came to a head in July this year when the DoI concluded that the organiser was not able to run a competent event at the time and therefore could not legally issue a Racing Authorisation.

A review of this decision was undertaken by the department on July 19. Commitments were received from Rally Isle of Man that a new leadership team would be put in place and on this basis the department agreed to give the organiser more time, said the DoI.

It continued: ’Government has remained committed to helping up until last night’s disappointing announcement, even as late as last week the DoI sent Rally Isle of Man examples of good documentation provided by other organisers.

’The government can only offer support, which it has done on several occasions, ultimately this is a private event and it is for the organisers to make the decision on its future.

’The DoI will continue to support any motorsport organiser that can show a clear commitment to ensuring the safety of the public and to minimise the impact of their plans on residents and road users. The next event will be the Manx Auto Sport rally in November.’