Classic swansong at Hawkstone?...
By TMX Archives on 9th Jul 10
THE end of an era is nigh for classic scrambles and trials at the most famous circuit in the world Hawkstone Park! For while plans for this year's double header at the Shropshire circuit on July 24/25 are now in full swing, it is looking more and more likely that this year's event will be the final Hawkstone Classic swansong.
Money is the simple cause! In accordance with legislation, Salop MC is only allowed to run events at Hawkstone covering eight weekends a year.
Salop has overheads to pay for the upkeep of the circuit and as such, want – and get – big money for any organisation to run there, amounting to many thousands of pounds per event.
The club has modern motocross organisations willing to pay. But from next year the Salop club are looking for a full commercial fee from classic event organiser, Terry Challinor, who with a small but willing band of helpers has run the two-day classic since 1996 on a nominal cost basis.
With but a small paying gate to supplement income, where can the funds come from to give financial viability and allow a future event to break even?
Terry explains: "Even if I actually doubled the entry fee for both the trial and the scramble I would still not come anywhere near breaking even if the full rate is charged. As the Salop club doesn't seem willing to continue the arrangement of the last 15-years. What can I do?
It's a long and glorious chapter of British history for both scrambles and trials that looks likely to finish next month.
Does the Salop club really need the money? Hawkstone has been in use since 1930 and has been the epicentre of history's most memorable World and British championship meetings not to mention past Motocross des Nations.
Last July, Challinor ran the British round of the European Classic Championship at Hawkstone but struggled financially, so obviously he is reluctant to commit to a vast increase in the budget knowing that the books won't balance.
So, the plain fact is that if you want to ride at the Hawkstone Classic again, you had best get your entry in pretty fast because its unlikely you will ever get the opportunity again and it's the same situation for the Saturday Trial, run by the BMCA's Pete Reed.
This event features 15-sections all around the circuit including the famous ‘Hill'. There are three routes – Hard, Easy and a 50/50 route for Intermediates – indeed something for everyone on a British bike!
Start time is 12 noon and entries are available via the AMCA/ BMCA website.
Camping is permissible from Friday night. It's a really great weekend with proper entertainment on Saturday evening in a large marquee in a beautiful setting.
Be there or miss out!