Will racing return to Aintree circuit in the near future?

Things are looking a little brighter for the future of the 1.5 mile Aintree Motorcycle Racing circuit that looked like facing closure.

Racing was suspended two years ago following a serious accident involving a competitor who sustained life threatening injuries.

The rider’s solicitors sued the club for alleged negligence which could have financially ruined them.

Following an in depth inquiry, the club were consequently absolved of any negligence having fully complied with all the safety standards as laid down on the course permit.

The solicitors have now focused their attention on the Auto Cycle Union (ACU) and not the Aintree Motorcycle Racing club.

Following this the ACU have insisted on further safety equipment being erected and resurfacing of some parts of the track costing thousands of pounds.

Club officials did have meetings with all interested parties, but things took a downturn earlier this year when the Aintree Jockey club announced they would have to pull out of their share of the funding having gained no income this year with the cancellation of the Grand National.

Thankfully they will now be able to help with the costs after all.

The motorcycle club have sufficient funds to meet the cost of the extra safety requirements and have already received favourable quotations for the resurfacing.

Unfortunately work cannot commence until after the Grand National in April 2021 which will delay inspection by the ACU and issuing of the new track certificate.

However if there are no further obstacles, racing could resume there later in the year

The original three mile track was constructed in just four months over 60 years ago back in 1954. It was the first purpose built British Grand Prix circuit, and hosted the British Grand Prix in 1955 ,1957,1959, 1961 and 1962.

Sir Stirling Moss won his first Grand Prix there and local Rider Mike Walker still holds a motorcycle record on the 1.5 mile circuit.

I hope all parties can quickly come to an agreement.

Council u-turn is good news for riders

Some good news emerged last week among all the doom and gloom the Covid outbreak is causing.

Earlier this year it looked like the hugely popular Brighton Motorcycle Speed Trials that have been held on the Madeira Drive at Brighton since1905 were coming to an end. A small group of councillors wanted to make the drive a pedestrian precinct, effectively banning any motor sport from taking place. However the council have now done a u-turn after one of the largest petitions they have ever received from motorsport enthusiasts, racers, car clubs and local businesses who pointed out the event brings thousands of pounds of revenue. September 4 2021 is the date applied.

TV coverage is excellent

ITV4 are certainly giving armchair race fans a treat with their coverage of the BSB series.

If you missed last night’s coverage of the Cookstown 100, which takes place on narrow country lanes in Northern Ireland, part two is being shown tonight at 8pm.

Next week at 9pm on Wednesday, again on ITV 4, Part 1 of the Gold Cup meeting at Olivers Mount in Scarborough is being shown followed by part two the following evening again at 9pm. Although achieving some good results there in the past it was never my favourite circuit, but the 2.25 hillside circuit always produces exciting racing.

It was great to see Stockport’s Christian Iddon, who has many friends here in Barrow, gaining three rostrum placings at the televised British Superbike round at Oulton Park last weekend.

Bike night is cancelled

The Preston Patrick Bike Night near Crooklands planned for this Monday has fallen foul of the latest Covid rulings and has left the organiser with no option but to regretfully cancel. The Classic Motorcycle Racing club`s final round on the Pembrey circuit in South Wales planned for this weekend has befallen the same fate. It is good news however for Askam Classic racer Geoff Hadwin, who was about to make the 600 mile round trip to consolidate his third place in the club’s 250cc Championship. He`ll now still qualify for the award at the Club`s Annual prizegiving (Covid rules permitting).

The Westmorland Clubs Sporty Boys Trial near Kendal this Sunday has been cancelled too.