Maxxis British Motocross Championship - Round 1

Sunday 16th March 2003

Working Parties

Photos, track change article and dates of working parties.

Photos

Calfstock Lane Corner

Dover Straight

Eastwoods

Paddock Bend

Water Tanks

Washboard

Miscellaneous

Saturday

Shopping Centre Displays

Alan Clarke's article on the working parties and changes to the track

I am writing these notes on the evening of the 23rd having spent the excellent weekend working with a great team on track preparation for this year's events. Yes, that's right, the work we do now is for the benefit of all the competitors during the year and is not just for the British Championship event.

The Team, which comprises of all those who have attended and worked over the proceeding weekends have come up with a number of quite major changes to the track and the venue's infrastructure. So taking the track first - this is what we have done so far :-

From the start line, the left hand fence comes over more to the right and the first bend has moved at least 8 metres to the right also. This will have the effect of making the start fairer to those who use the now more desirable right hand end.

Now instead of continuing to turn left and dropping down the finish hill you will all go round a revised right hand turn and drop straight down the steps.

The track then remains the same until the very fast back straight, where, in response to a number of requests to slow things down, we have, just before the first uphill jump, introduced a 90' left hand bend. You will cross over the bottom of the ups and downs and then turn 90' right and go straight up into a modified "Maddens Hole" . The hollow after the table top has had to be reduced in depth and the landing slop bevelled - this is because under the latest regulations this feature is now seen as a double jump !

The journey through Derek's Dive remains as it has been but on leaving the feature instead of turning left and going along "Eastwood" you will turn right and go down over the big drop off . At the bottom on the run down you will now turn left rejoining the back straight on the side of the first uphill jump [ very technical ] The run up the back hill and into " Claggy Maggie " remains as was but now as you come to the exit you will turn right to go along " Eastwood".

The track then follows it's normal route although the corner before the Orchard Table Top has been moved along slightly to make the approach to the Orchard able Top squarer. The run around Dover straight and the approach to the old finish line remain as was but just before the finish jump you will now turn left around the old start loop crossing a revised finish line and completing your lap.

During his inspection the other weekend, Frank Dixon confirmed the following dimensions. Minimum track width 6 metres, length of the start straight 91 metres and length of lap 2017 metres.

Work continues with grading, post bashing, completion of chestnut fencing replacement and tightening, track post painting, track side roping and finally the refurbishment of all the marshal's posts. But there is still a lot of work to do and we could do with some more help anyone free between now and 16th - just a couple of hours will do.

With regards to the infrastructure, your Committee has given my Mum a new kitchen in the container, well at least more room to feed the workforce. The roof over the veranda in front of the containers has been made leak proof, a gutter has been put up all the way round, the exposed surfaces painted, some awning sides have been made to stop the wind whistling around the front entrances and to top it all the awful wet patch in front of the containers has been taken away and replaced with compacted road stone. Lastly a bespoke parking area for road going motorcycles is under construction, hard pads for bike stands, secure railings for chaining the bikes to all feature in the construction plans currently being acted upon by Pete Edwards.

Finally your Committee have agreed to have all the main access road right up to the top of the hill totally refurbished and re tarmacked - never let it be said that the Sidcup Team sit on the money that running these events brings in.

Alan Clarke - Clerk of the Course

Thanks to Alan Clarke for writing this and Marge Clarke for typing it up

Working Party Dates

By Alan Clarke - Clerk of the Course

In anticipation of the club running the first round of the 2003 Maxxis British Motocross Championship (otherwise known as the Early Birds Motocross) we will be holding working parties at Canada Heights to prepare the track for the first event of the year and in preparation for the rest of the year's events.

To clear up any misconceptions, the consortium, which both prepares and cleans up for our open to centre meetings, is not tasked with the Early Birds work that is seen as being the club's responsibility - i.e. you - Will you give us a hand?

The idea is that we carry out any track modifications, repair any fencing, work out any drainage problems, and trim any trees or shrubs while working as part of a team. All those who have been involved in the past have found it a good, sociable gathering.

As Clerk of the course for the Early Birds I would like to appeal to you to give us a hand please. It is proposed to work on the following days from around 10 am ish and if you could help either turn up or contact me on 01634 201268 or email marge@mclarke45.freeserve.co.uk.

I look forward to meeting you at the track.

More Information

For more information on the whole British motocross championship series go to MXGB.info