Tracks Article
Over the years many have questioned the quality of British motocross tracks. After Foxhill went off the MX calendar back in 2000, Britain was left without a Grand Prix. Weather had took its toll on a track which had hosted so many prestigious events, most the MX Des Nations in 1998.
It was an event which had high expectations, with the ‘King of Foxhill’ Stefan Everts taking on the worlds elite, including a young Ricky Carmichael. However, torrential rain turned the circuit into a mud bath and the spectacle of the event was ruined. Everts dominated both races, helping Belgium to an overall victory.
Whilst the Everts masterclass was to go down in folklore, the main talking point was the appalling weather conditions. Only the reputation and importance of the event meant that it went ahead, leaving many riders and spectators completely stuck in the muddy fields.
The following year saw the circuit renovated and rebuilt. Although the track had changed, the curse of the weather had not and another waterlogged event caused the Promoters, Action Group, to make changes. In 2000, Foxhill was taken of the calendar after Action Group decided that the poor infrastructure was ruining the profile of World Motocross, and ultimately gained a new lease of life as an amateur circuit.
After several years in the wilderness, the British Grand Prix returned to Arreton in the Isle of Wight. The event turned out to be successful and since then the British Grand Prix has been staged at a variety of tracks, making the domestic championship one of the most intriguing in world motocross.
One rider who has been impressed with the quality of the British Championship is Kiwi Scott Columb, who rode in the MX1 class in 2007.
“The general lay out of tracks in Britain is pretty good,” Columb said.
“There is a good selection of tracks, ranging from hard pack to sand. Johnny Douglas Hamilton is an awesome track builder.”
Even though Scott admits he has been impressed with the overall status of British tracks, he feels it still falls short compared to those in his homeland of New Zealand.
“I would have to say the dirt used on the New Zealand tracks is better than the dirt used here. The quality of the soil is much nicer and smoother to ride on. I remember having to dodge various bits of brick at a few British rounds,” Columb said.
Most tracks here are based on farms or fields so you haven’t got much space. That is one of the benefits of riding in New Zealand and America.”
This season sees Scott riding in the World MX1 Championships, allowing him to broadcast his talents on the world’s best tracks. Throughout pre – season, Scott has travelled to Spain and Belgium, training with best friend and fellow MX1 rider Josh Coppins, and states that there is not much difference in the quality of European tracks.
“The tracks in Spain and Belgium are not that much different to the ones in Britain. Obviously the sunny weather in Spain prevents the tracks from becoming ruined like Foxhill, but overall British tracks are up there with the rest of Europe.”
It seems that the improvement in tracks can be seen at local level as well as national, with many local clubs running their meetings on tracks formerly used in the British Championship. Jak Terry, a local Eastern Centre Championship rider, has been participating in motocross since the age of 6 and he feels that local clubs offer a good selection of tracks for their championships.
“One of my favourite tracks is Wakes Colne, which is used not only in the East Anglian Championship but for meetings like the Under 21 Championship and up until last year, the British Championship.” Terry said.
Although local clubs have access to quality tracks, such as Wakes Colne, the quantity of tracks within Britain is still an issue. Local clubs such as Peterborough have very rarely used more than two tracks over recent years, which indicates that these tracks could be overused in the near future.
“When I rode in the Peterborough Championship we only used to race on a track called Fengate. We were fortunate that the track was good quality because I raced on the same track in the East Anglian Championship,” Terry said.
“If the top national tracks are going to improve further then there should be fewer meetings from local clubs. This will keep the track in good condition. The emphasis should be on developing poorer tracks so there is a wider range of quality tracks for both national and local levels.”
Despite the quality of tracks improving, the prospect of another Foxhill moment in the future is still a major possibility. If British riders are to contest for world credentials, its domestic condition still has to be enhanced, with more quality tracks at local level a necessity.
