Irish des Nations re-think
By TMX Archives on 6th Oct 06
AFTER what was witnessed in terms of the vast numbers of fans wishing to spectate at the Motocross des Nations at Matterley Basin, Winchester, last month, where in excess of 50,000 fans saw James 'Bubba' Stewart lead the American team to an overall triumph over the rest of the world, it was immediately recognised that the venue for the 2008 event at Desertmartin, in Northern Ireland, would nowhere near cope with the huge crowd numbers expected at the big end of season event.
Event promoters, Northern Ireland Events' CEO Janice McAleese said: "Desertmartin has served its purpose well for rounds of the British motocross championship and two World championship GPs, but I doubt if it could be expanded to cope with an estimated 40,000 fans plus riders from 30 nations along with additional corporate hospitality."
Ms McAleese added: "Wheels have already been put in motion to find an alternative site and that may mean building a completely new facility. We
don't want a temporary fix, the
sport could do with a new permanent track in Northern Ireland.
"We would need this new track operational by next summer, a Grand Prix must be staged on it before we can entertain the Motocross des Nations two years from now.
"A decision will have to be taken within the next six weeks, either we do it properly or we forget about it. At the moment we have built-up a great working relationship with all concerned and we wouldn't want that tarnished in any way."
It is understood that Bishopscourt, the venue for last weekend's Supermoto des Nations in Northern Ireland, with its expansive area of hard-standing has received favourable comments from the foreign officials.
Wolfgang Srb, President of the FIM's Motocross Commission commented last Sunday when attending the Supermoto des Nations: "So far as I am concerned Bishopscourt has got the green-light from me, but I know that other parties have a vested interest."