Mallory Moto
By TMX Archives on 30th Jan 08
RHL Activities Ltd, the rights holders of the British Motocross Grand Prix, have reached agreement with Mallory Park to host round 6 of the 2008 World MX1 and MX2 Motocross Championships at the famous Leicestershire venue on June 1. Renowned as a top motorsport venue, this will bring world class motorcycle sport to Mallory Park as the track gears up for a host of improvements and developments in the near future.
RHL Activities, together with Mallory Park, was due to host a press call on Wednesday, January 30, to launch the British Motocross GP. After a short presentation all the leading personnel from RHL and the circuit were to be available to answer questions before offering a tour of the facilities and proposed layout of the all new Grand Prix motocross track.
World MX2 class frontrunner and multi British Champion Stephen Sword, who rides for the UK-based Kawasaki team, was due be on hand to give a rider's perspective on the importance of having a top class venue for a British GP.
The above is based on a press release from RHL Activities last week – and it obviously means that the much-heralded and eagerly awaited return to Foxhill for the British MXGP is now off.
T+MX asked Gareth Hockey of RHL, on Tuesday this week, what had brought about the shock change.
Said Gareth: "Basically, it is all about the infrastructure. Youthstream make a lot of demands regarding the standards of the GP venues and, with Foxhill as it is at the moment, it just didn't work. I began to look for alternative venues and Mallory is the one that felt right. I think it is inevitable that Grand Prix MX is increasingly going to have to move to road-race circuits because they have the infrastructure. At Mallory we can use all their facilities including the paddock and they are really keen to make the event a success and to establish Mallory as a major MX facility.
"I'm well aware that since issuing our press release everyone and his dog has been having a go at me on the MX chatrooms. Fair enough, people have their opinions – and if they have any positive contributions to make I am willing to take them on board – but it is up to me to change their minds. Firstly the track. The practise track that has been there
for around ten-years is going to be absolutely flattened. Starting tomorrow (Wednesday) RHL is to begin importing 600,000 cubic metres of earth – a tremendous undertaking – and on Thursday, Greg Atkins of Youthstream is coming to begin designing and shaping the new track – which will become a permanent feature at the venue.
"My plan is to have the circuit finished by the end of March and then I will invite Grand Prix riders – maybe teams – to come and ride the track. The new track rule for 2008 is that it be no more than 1,600-metres in length and contain no more than 22 bends. This is mainly to accommodate the TV coverage.”
Fans will be really close to the action at all times. There is a huge camping field of 120 acres virtually alongside the track. At many venues now, fans are being repeatedly moved further and further away from the action. Of all the alternative sites I looked at, Mallory is the one that has the best MX feel. It also has a central location and good access from A roads. I have also been assured that, on race day, police will operate the same one-way system that they implement for British Superbike events at the venue. This effectively means that the exit road will be dual lane to allow the quickest possible exit for everyone.”
Hockey concluded: "It has been my dream and burning ambition to run the British MXGP and I am 100% committed to the Mallory project. RHL is committed for four-years, that is how confident I am of making it work.”