Dixon promises new-look Basin
By Team TMX on 9th Aug 17
Motocross MXoN Matterley Basin
Promoter Steve Dixon is promising race fans a radically revamped Matterley Basin track for the Motocross of Nations on October 1.
Dixon, who also runs the Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki team, revealed that work is already well under way at the Hampshire circuit with Johnny Douglas Hamilton overseeing the redesign.
"We made a lot of changes to the track at the hill end to bring it towards the spectators," said Dixon in an interview with Andy Gee. "There's a couple of new loops and a new jump by the trees.
"We've changed the start with more of a drop-in start like Charlotte but it's new and fair for everyone and it means the spectators can see the start from the bank.
"The track will be longer - probably over two minutes - with a new loop by the wave section. It will be new for everyone so it will be pretty fair."
Dixon also went into greater detail about his plan to create a festival feel over the weekend.
"Matterley has the Boomtown festival six weeks before the MXoN with 60,000 people expected there. They have expanded across to the track and we're sharing facilities so the site is growing in stature.
"We want to get that festival feel so we've asked for a 3am licence with a new bigger entertainment area, a new parking area and new camping area. We'll have a DJ and music till 2am with a wind-down till 3am. We want everyone to enjoy themselves.
"We're looking at this as two events - one in the day and one at night. We must prove we can look after everyone, nowadays everything is so strict and we've spent hours at planning meetings with the police, council and licensing and we have the same level of scrutiny as a music festival."
A former GB team manager and Paul Malin's mechanic in '94, the last time Britain won, Dixon is a big fan of the MXoN and has already selected his own dream team.
"At the moment, my pick would be Max Anstie on a 450, Dean Wilson on a 450 and Tommy Searle on a 250 - that's our strongest team unless Shaun Simpson comes back strong from injury.
"Tommy always goes well at the Nations and just seems to rise to that occasion. Max was born in Winchester and always goes well at Matterley. Dean will like the track, it will suit the Americans and he will go well there."
