News - Basin Build
By TMX Archives on 12th Jun 06
Work on track for British GP
The diggers are in, Johnny Douglas Hamilton's in the driving seat and the track's taking shape at Matterley Basin for the British GP on June 17/18.
Toby Fuller nipped across to the venue near Winchester at the start of June for our exclusive pics and although it's clear there's still a lot of work to be done the fact that the job of constructing the track is under way is cause for celebration.
As well as conventional track building machinery, JDH and the team are using huge crushers to reduce the flints uncovered by the fleet of bulldozers into fine gravel which will then be used as part of the track surface.
Billy MacKenzie, arguably our best bet for home-grown glory at the GP, is chomping at the bit to see the finished article.
"I think Johnny's record on the Isle of Wight, Matchams Park and at Sun City in South Africa proves that he is one of the best when it comes to cool tracks that are fun for the riders and spectacular for the fans," reckons Billy.
"The fact that there is only one British round this season and that it takes place at a circuit that is new for all of us means that it should be really exciting. The British fans are always the best when it comes to the noise, supporting the local riders and generally making an awesome atmosphere and that is why we always love it when the GP comes around. I just hope I can win again and give them something to go home happy about."
Giuseppe Luongo, president of world championship promoters Youthstream, is confident that the event will be worthy of its GP status.
"Bike-it Promotions have already done so much work," says Giuseppe. "They have made a big investment and Steve Dixon has a lot of experience in world championship racing and knows the high level we want. I am confident that we will see a great occasion and it will be an important preparation for the Motocross of Nations a few months later."
A special bus service from Winchester has been scheduled for the GP weekend with pick-up points at the train station and by the King Alfred statue. The buses will run every 30 minutes from 7.30am to noon for the trip to the track and from 4pm until 6.30pm for the return journey.