THE ACU, National Governing Body of motorcycle sport and the country’s biggest organiser of off road motorcycle competition, has become the proud leaseholder of an established Northamptonshire motocross track
Milton Malsor MX track is situated three-miles south of Northampton and sits right next to the northbound carriageway of the M1 motorway.
Well used and much loved, the track is a favourite amongst midlands motocross riders and has been used for both practice and racing on a regular basis over the past 24 years.
Milton Malsor motocross track will now not only become the venue for much more ACU motocross activity, but also, importantly, the home of an ACU ‘Centre of Excellence’ for youth motocross.
Additionally, through its work with the ACU Local Authority Support Unit, the ACU has become increasingly aware of the value of motocross as a ‘re-engagement’ tool for young people who find themselves socially or educationally excluded. The ACU intends to explore opportunities to allow use of the track by local motor projects and social projects, as a social inclusion tool, to give young people legal off road riding opportunities.
The track’s current owner, Bob Jones, a life long motocross fan and active member of the South Midland Centre of the ACU, is pleased to see the track pass into the hands of the Governing Body.
“I’ve nurtured motocross at my track for over 20 years and seen the venue evolve into part of the local community. The riders love it and I want that to continue. I’m convinced this new deal with the ACU is the best thing that could happen to the track and I’m sure that the ACU will invest in the facility to take on to a whole new level,” said Jones.
ACU Chairman Jim Parker is proud that the ACU have seized this opportunity:
“Tracks like Milton Malsor don’t come along every day,” explained Parker.
“I am very proud that the Directors of the ACU had the foresight to embrace this opportunity and see its potential. Over the coming years I am convinced that we can develop the venue for sport and, importantly, realise its potential as a social inclusion site to allow disadvantaged and disengaged young people to enjoy the many positive benefits that motorcycle sport has to offer.”
Note from NSMXC: For those of you that may not be aware, Bob Jones is the President of our club. We hosted the ACU South Midland Centre Challenge event at the track last year and had some excellent feedback on the work that was carried out on the track and the conditions on the day. With this in mind we booked two dates at the track for 2010, which Bob Jones has confirmed will still be honoured and the club looks forward to working with the ACU and the Jones family on the project at Milton Malsor in any way that either party feels our involvement will be beneficial.