A Fairytale for Ireland
By TMX Archives on 23rd Apr 08
PREPARATIONS for the 2008 Irish Motocross Grand Prix which will be held at Fairyhouse Racecourse, located near Dublin, over the weekend of August 30/ 31, moved up a gear this week following the successful meeting with representatives for the FIM, Youthstream and The Motorcycle Union of Ireland at the venue.
Youthstream track designer Greg Atkins, along with FIM motocross representative Dave Nicoll, were given a tour of the impressive facilities at Fairyhouse Racecourse by Sean Bissett of the MCUI along with members of the organising committee.
Construction of the circuit will now gain serious momentum in the lead up to the event, which will see the return of World Championship Motocross to the Republic of Ireland following a gap of 12 years. Munster MCC hosted the last Irish GP at the famous Vernonmount circuit, at Cork in 1996.
The famous horse-racing venue will be a unique stop on the GP tour in that it is planned to open-up the stands to spectators and both Greg Atkins and Dave Nicoll agreed that the spectator and trackside facilities at Fairyhouse would set new standards in the world of motocross. The spectator facilities gained top marks for the visiting officials who were very impressed that spectators will be able to see the entire circuit when viewed from anyone of the three spectator grandstands alongside the circuit. Construction of the race circuit will finish in July.
Clerk of the course Tony Skillington said; "The meeting and inspection tour by the FIM, Youthstream with the MCUI organising committee was very successful and it has set in place a very sound foundation for not only this years' Grand Prix, but for the Grand Prix that will follow in 2009 and 2010.”
The Fairyhouse Racecourse venue is located on the edge of Dublin city just off the N3 road on the R155. The venue is also close to Dublin Airport and the Ferry terminals, and with the abundance of cheap air fares to Ireland the organisers are gearing up for motocross fans from all over the UK and Europe to attend and enjoy the special atmosphere of the Irish Motocross Grand Prix.
More information on the Irish GP can be found at the event website www.irishmxgp.ie.