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BMX Racing
BMX IS BACK überdog speaks to Eamonn Wyer who remembers BMX RAcing the ...first time around, and liked it so much he’s helping to bring it back
WHAT HAPPENED TO BMX RACING IN THE 80’S? Had it’s skateboard moment around the early to mid eighties, went on till about ‘89 then stopped, the fighting between the two rival organisations did nothing to help, the bland track produced in Marlay Park just pissed people off.
WHY’S IT COMING BACK? The time is right, cycling, the country is ready once more for a wild ride! Also, cycling always goes well in a recession and it’s in the Olympics too so it’s as much right to be there as road cycling, 100 metres running, boxing, soccer or any other boring mainstream sport
WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THE TRACKS? In Ulster they fell into disrepair, down here they got built on in the Celtic Tiger, or turned into a playground and not replaced.
WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THE RIDERS? Most got old, fat and lazy, one guy even lost his nerve, they went to motocross, MTB, car racing, drink, ballet - some are captains of industry, other are in jail, other still fly as good as anyone, but it’s a hard sport, injuries can ruin a season.
WHERE CAN WE BMX? There’s a small play track in Ballinrobe, County Mayo - Western Lakes CC (They’re the guys that are responsible for bringing it back, blame them) and a International Standard Race Track in Ratoath BMX Club, Ratoath, County Meath - real soon!
WHY RATOATH? Home of Shay MacNally, he got some land and wasn’t about to wait for the Dublin Councils to get their finger out. Shay is the driving force behind this, I’d say by now he hates BMX because of the amount of hassles and work he’s putting in.
IT’S NOW AN OLYMPIC MEDAL SPORT, ARE THE OLYMPIC COUNCIL OF IRELAND BACKING YOU. No, they don’t want to know.
CYCLING IRELAND MUST BE BIG INTO THIS?
YOU’RE NOT IN THIS FOR THE MONEY THEN?
HOW OFTEN WILL THERE BE RACES?
Not one cent!
Local races every other week, and a series of six Irish Nationals spread over six months. The Nationals will be a points series to crown national champions in each age group. There will be “Gate” practice probably twice during the week.
HOW GOOD IS THE TRACK RELATIVE TO WHAT’S AVAILABLE ON THE MAINLAND? I hope you mean on the Continent! or did Kevin McShane put you up to that? It will be as good as anything out there, better because it’s here!
TELL US ABOUT THE TRACK
Don’t quote me but around 50k.
4 metre start hill wide enough for eight racers, electronic start gate, 10m wide first straight with step up table, step up double, step up double, 180 degree tarmac berm, one to second straight featuring step up, huge double, massive triple, 180 degree tarmac berm two to third straight with step up, step down, mad tank jump, double to 180 degree berm three to forth and final straight which is a complete rhythem section. There is no more than 20m of flat earth on the whole 350m track. The entire track is roll-able so a 5 year old should be able to roll around it and a skilled rider will be able to fly a lot of it.
WHERE DID YOU GET THE MONEY?
TARMAC BERMS I HEAR YOU SAY?
Are you the PSNI? Ok then 7k from Meath County Council, Regina Conlon TD Fine Geal is a great supporter of this. The rest is donations from sponsors and past BMX legends and a bank loan.
Yes, time moves on, less maintenance and more grip, riders are clipped in these days too!
You’d think so, but they haven’t yet put their money where their mouth is. Our glorious sporting institutions are only interested in Elite Riders that can win medals.
DO WE HAVE ONE? Yes, Kelvin Batey. That’s worth an article on it’s own.
THE RATOATH TRACK LOOKS MASSIVE WHAT DOES THAT COST?
SO, YOU’RE IN DEBT? Yes, all part of being a not for profit organisation.
HOW MUCH IS IT? A year’s club membership is 30 Euro for kids, 40 Euro for big kids.
WHAT ARE THE AGE GROUPS ALL ABOUT. We used to run 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17+ and SuperClass (Pros), not sure if we’ll get the same volume of riders we had in the 80’s so we may be grouping two ages together. We used to run Novice and Experts categories in some of those age groups depending on numbers (everyone is a winner)! But we are all novices now!
WHEN WILL IT BE READY TO RACE? It all depends on how many people turn up to help, we had planned to be racing in May but there has been some issues, probably the end of August 2011.
HOW WILL YOU MEASURE SUCCESS? If we are half as good at doing this as we were in the 80’s I’d be happy!
JOIN the club today and be part of this unique race track at Ratoath BMX Club Website WWW.RATOATHBMX.COM
WHAT DO I GET? Unlimited access to the best place in Ireland to ride a bike.
The story so far. This picture gives you some idea of the scale of this venture all help is gratefully received
www.uberdogmagazine.co.uk
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