ACU Events pledges Maxxis shake-up
By TMX Archives on 1st Apr 15
ACU Events Ltd, promoter of the Maxxis British MX championship, is promising a series shake-up after last months opening round was marred by controversy.
Last week an enquiry into the Hilton Park event resulted in a list of recommendations designed to restore the credibility of the country's leading domestic series.
Attended by the ACUE board of directors, members of the ACU MX Committee and representatives from importers and teams, the enquiry found that the Midlands circuit was unsuitable for a British championship round and in future will be restricted to lower-level events.
The enquiry acknowledged that Brian Higgins was involved in too many aspects of the event. Prior to the enquiry Higgins had already stepped down as series manager and the enquiry appointed a new race director.
In his place the ACUE's Stuart Drummond was made acting series manager and Steve McCauley from the MX Committee will fill the role of race director. Both men will assume these positions for rounds two and three. Higgins will remain as ACUE chairman.
The issue of medical provision for the event was addressed and while the enquiry found that ACU Standing Regulations were met an independent medical co-ordinator will be appointed for future rounds. Pre-event medical checks will also be more comprehensive.
A meeting of the Motocross Committee prior to the enquiry concluded that the clerk of the course/race director didn't have the authority to issue positional penalties to four riders for failing to reduce their speed sufficiently under yellow flags. The riders affected will have their penalties revoked and at future rounds time penalties will be imposed.
In future team representatives will be invited to the 8am stewards meeting on race days and Saturday's 2pm circuit control meeting. It was also decided to hold a pre-season meeting with teams and, in the interim, invite teams to a meeting at ACU head office between rounds two and three.
