Woodvale Rally 2014 date and venue confirmed

The Woodvale Rally will be held away from its traditional airfield home for the third time in a row when next year's event takes place, the event's organisers have confirmed this week.

While the event has been confirmed for June 21 and 22 next year, organisers said that the event would once again be held at Victoria Park in Southport, after the organisers said that the event's traditional home of RAF Woodvale, near Formby, was linked to asbestos contamination.

In a new development car clubs have been dealt a fresh blow, with the organisers ruling out all but a few car club displays due to Victoria Park being a much smaller venue.

Car club secretary, Charles Scott, said in a message to car clubs which normally attend the event: "Woodvale Rally cannot return to Woodvale airfield for the foreseeable future due to asbestos contamination. For the past two years we have held an event in Southport at Victoria park which is the home of Southport Flower Show and other events. Because the flower show has precedence we cannot use the park in July or August. There is no other suitable location in our area. In 2014 we will hold 'Woodvale Rally at Victoria Park' on the 21st and 22nd June.

 "The format is similar to previous rallies, but the much reduced space means that we cannot accommodate car clubs. The 2014 rally is well advanced in the planning stage and there could be space for one or two large clubs with interesting vehicles. Overnight camping may be possible as part of a display if unobtrusive, but there will be camping pitches available on site at £40 for the weekend. It may be possible for a club to attend on Saturday or Sunday only, depending on demand."

Individual classic car entries are being encouraged, however, and are being urged to get in touch with the event's organisers.

After asbestos was discovered at the airfield in 2012 the event was relocated to Victoria Park, despite ongoing controversy about whether the airfield can safely stage the event. This year's event was renamed the Woodvale Transport Festival, and offered visitors lower admission prices than the Woodvale Rally had in previous years.

The Woodvale Rally has been held annually since 1971, and attracts visitors across the north west and further afield due to its mix of classic vehicle exhibitions and model aircraft displays among other attractions.