Mallory Park Sunday 16th March 2014

On a gloriously sunny Sunday morning it was the dawn of an a new era at Mallory Park that tempted The Spectator to a rare Motor Cycle race meeting.
The recent history of Mallory Park hasn't been great to say the least, with not only noise problems affecting the circuit but leaseholders the B.A.R.C. pulling out from running the circuit in 2013. My last visit was in August last year and it was sad to see the old place in a run-down state with toilets not working and litter bins not emptied. After a period of uncertainty it was good to hear that a new lease was secured by Real Motorsport Ltd. in the winter and racing at the circuit could continue. Due to the late in the day nature of the deal most clubs had calendars already sorted so while dates at Mallory may be a little thin on the ground for 2014, let's hope that 2015 sees the circuit back on its feet.
Bike racing has always been the main provider of action at the track so local club, the East Midlands Racing Association (EMRA), had the honour of being the organisers for the first meeting in 2014. A free open day at the circuit on March 1st had apparently attracted thousands of people through the gate and so I decided to get to Mallory earlier than normal just in case. I needn't have worried though as a typically modest crowd turned up on the day despite the reduced admission price of £10 for adults by the new operators.
EMRA attracts a relatively local entry for their meetings and it was pleasing to report that entries for the meeting were healthy. 18 races were on the programme catering for most classes of machinery including sidecars. As is the way it seems nowadays the 1000cc and 600cc races tend to dominate the schedule but a class that EMRA have ran for several years, Roadstocks, caters for the more road standard bike.
Highlight of the days racing were the Mallory Superbike Trophy races which featured a good scrap between Lee Jackson and Leon Jeacock for the lead in both races.
Thankfully there weren't many accidents and delays to report during racing. Similar to oval racing I don't get to many Motor Cycle race meetings and this was my first one for nearly two years. I don't mind the 2-wheel form of the sport but my general rule of thumb is that car racing is better to watch track side rather than on TV while bike racing is better on the TV than watching track side!
As mentioned previously admission was £10 with programme £3

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