Here's a good news story to finish the motorcycling year: Mallory Park Circuit has been saved, by two men who are involved with and well known supporters of motorcycle racing: Eddie Roberts and Stuart Hicken. Eddie through his retail motorcycle tyre company that supplies the British Superbike series, and Stuart through his ownership of the Buildbase BMW Motoradd UK British Superbike team.

Both share a history as motorcycle racers over the years including racing at the TT and Grand Prix as well as UK short circuits. They have formed a new company, Real Motorsport Ltd, to run the circuit on a day to day basis. Rescuing it from administration.

Many race fans will be aware of the (complex) back story in the lead up to the liquidation of the previous company that owned and ran the circuit. With one of the main issues being residents objections to the noise and traffic emanating from the events held there.

As motorcycle enthusiasts and race fans it would be easy to dismiss the objections as nimbyism, and to conclude that people knew they would be living near a race circuit when they bought property nearby. But it seems that some of the problems stemmed from the use of the circuit on Saturdays, over and above an agreement negotiated in 1985. This affected the number of dates the circuit could be hired and used for its popular track days, and therefore the level of revenue the company operating Mallory could count on...always follow the money.

We're sure everyone in the motorcycle and car racing world will wish Eddie and Stuart success in this new venture. In common with many others I have memories of watching some dramatic races there, and also of chucking my Suzuki SV750 away at Gerrards bend, resulting in an ambulance ride to Leicester Royal Infirmary.

John Newman
for Wemoto News