MOTORSPORT fans have been left “unhappy” after a £10 parking charge was not refunded following the cancellation of the 2017 Cambrian Rally due to snow and ice near Bala last weekend.

Cambrian Rally organisers said that some spectators had been left out of pocket by the decision to cancel after heavy snow affected the planned stage near Bala, making access to Aberhirnant and Llangower “almost impassable”.

More than 100 competitors were taking part in the event which starts and ends in Llandudno.

Spectators who paid for parking on the various stages complained to organisers over the refunding of the £10 fee but the rally said that £5 of that fee was for the programme, with the remainder donated to charity.

In a statement, the team behind the rally said: “We acknowledge that a lot of spectators are not happy and are contacting the organising team asking for their money back for the £10 parking charge.

“We are truly disappointed that we had to abandon the event, after nine months of hard work, but the sheet ice was unsafe for the marshals, spectators, competitors and officials and we were not prepared to take any unnecessary risks to any individuals on this event.

“This decision was not taken lightly. The last time the event was abandoned was in 1979 due to large amount of snow rather than ice.

“The car parking charge was £10 which included a £5 programme.

“The remaining £5 goes to the various teams of local rugby clubs, football clubs, communities and our charity of choice the Wales Air Ambulance."

Read the full story in tomorrow’s north editions of the Cambrian News