Body blow!
By TMX Archives on 17th Mar 03
Dorna pull the plug on British GP THE '03 British GP is off. The crushing news comes after FIM-appointed promoters Dorna - due themselves to quit motocross at the end of '03 - pulled the plug on the event, originally scheduled for Rushmoor Arena, Aldershot, on August 2/3. Dorna's official line is that a delay in signing contracts with event promoter Andy Nicholls left them no option but to cancel the GP, which would have been the first in Britain since Foxhill's ill-fated Y2K triple-header. It's a reason Andy is quick to dismiss. "I think that's an excuse," he says. "We're ready to sign a contract now and I don't think any other country's signed their contract yet. Last year Austria signed their contract a week before - we're ready six months before. "I'd like to think there's a way around this but, officially, Dorna have said no. I can only put it down to it being an expensive grand prix for them to take part in. This is one way to help save money - don't come to England." ACU chairman Ted Bartlett flew to Geneva last month to meet with FIM president Francesco Zerbi but, despite getting his backing, Dorna remain adamant that the GP is off. "Having found a new and exciting venue it is tragic to loose out in these circumstances," says Ted. "The official reasoning for cancellation remains the failure of the event organiser, Andy Nicholls, to meet the deadline for contract signing. Dorna has resisted pressure from the FIM and Dorna's involvement in Motocross Grand Prix may terminate prematurely at the end of 2003." However, it's not all doom and gloom. The FIM are keeping the date open and, instead of a British GP, Andy is planning to run an international event - The World Riders' Cup - that should attract some of Europe and America's top MX stars. "We will bring together the leading riders from Europe and are also currently trying to tempt the major stars over from the USA," adds Andy. "All our enquiries have been very positive so far as it does not clash with any major date on the American calendar. "But motocross is just part of the package in what will be the ultimate weekend of extreme sport. An international supermoto, a trials event, world class freestyle action, BMX and mountain bike racing will complement the star-studded line-up that was originally destined to include Rushmoor Arena on their summer timetable. "The fans have demanded a quality event this summer and we are ready to deliver."