Whether the weather...

The Hawkstone International had become the definitive season opener for MX in Britain and this year was perhaps more eagerly anticipated than ever with the young genius that is Jeffery Herlings  naturally proving the major draw.

 

However, the red flag had been waving above the Hawkstone meeting ever since the day organisers were forced into a date change by the FIM/ Youthstream announcing their surprisingly early start to the 2013 World Championship calendar.

 

Hawkstone effectively had two choices – move to early February or cancel altogether and HIMX took a HUGE gamble and went with the early Feb date.

 

At best this was realistically always a 50/50 gamble over the weather, with the probability a lot worse in terms of odds. And so it proved.

 

The question is, as you will no doubt read and hear elsewhere, where does this now leave the International?

 

If the FIM/ Youthstream continue to start their season so early and Hawkstone has a choice of an early Feb date or not happening at all, then quite simply it is not going to happen at all. 

 

Would it work later in the year – or is there even any point in running later in the year? 

 

Let's face it, once the GP season is up and running most Brits look forward first and foremost to the British GP and of course there are plenty of nearby European Grands Prix to tempt you with the promise of better weather (not guaranteed) – not to mention good beer and fabulous pommes frittes avec mayonnaise (definitely guaranteed!).

 

Then of course you are also into the British Championship season when there's a none GP date so the calendar restricts you further.

 

I feel genuinely frustrated on Hawkstone's part as they were herded into a corner but surely no-one is actually surprised that they eventually had to cancel. We all know that there is a reason that motocross meetings in Britain are few and far 

between in February. 

 

Hawkstone's loss proved to be the Liverpool ArenaCross's gain and while the date clash was almost criminal (not getting involved in any blame game, just stating a fact) Matt Bates had done a superb job in his first year running the series.

 

When it comes to promotion, Matt really knows what he is doing and if I had a flat cap I'd gladly doff it in his direction. 

 

The crowds in London, Belfast, Birmingham and now Liverpool have exceeded all expectations (OK, Belfast excepted) and hopefully  the series will be bigger and better than ever next year.

 

In these tough times that is some achievement.