Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past History Information Request Motorcycle racing

Am I right in remembering that there used to be motorcycle racing on the front at New Brighton, I have a very clear memory of watching this in the late 60's early 70's. Or am I confusing this memory with Aintree?

K

Yes I remember that but it was more recent than that. Must of been late eighties.

Still happened in the 90's.

IIRC it only stopped about 10 years ago following an unfortunate accident where a competitor lost his life

I remember when I was at school they used to race on the sand & Ronny Ward was one of the local riders. He used to have a motor cycle shop in Wallasey Village, next to the Farmers Arms that later became an Esso Station. He also owned The Tavern at one time.

I moved away when I was young, had no idea this still took place so recently,shame its still not on.

There were two kinds of motorbike races I remember going to; the Sand Races (on the beach, brillant, natural spectator's arena, from up on the embankment!) and there was road racing (on the prom). I remember Eddie Roberts racing on the prom.

Yes, it is a great pity they don't still run either of these, as each in its own way, was brilliant. All road racing is dangerous (for the riders) but these days they ought to be able to figure it out for spectator safety - heck, if they can close down the whole Isle of Man for the TT Races, they ought to be able to figure out how to put this on once again, on the Promenade! I do seem to remember the road races on the Prom were ACU sanctioned? Maybe not I can't be sure...

Thanks for awakening the memories, good topic!

Yep, I remember the Sand Races too. Couldn't tell you exactly when they started but I'm sure they were on in the early 70's. Used to watch the other road racing from up on top of the Red Noses.

Did they ever have bike racing at the Tower Grounds, or was that only Banger Car Racing?

Until recently I lived in Northwich, they have the Thundersprint once a year, which is a race aroung the M&S car park. This draws about 20,000 people into the town over the weekend, (not the 100,000 that Mr Melling claims) This would be great for the local economy, I sanctioned the sponsorship of this event in the past and have experience of teams at IOM, with the growth of these events, getting a road race back on the mainland would be incredible.

The Road Races (on the Prom) were organised by the "Wirral 100 Motor Club" which is still extant... they may have had a hand in the Sand Races too?

Yes, the Motorcycle races on the sand and the roads at New Brighton were organised by the Wirral 100 Club,(very efficiently) I used to race on both in the 60s and 70s, I remember Ronnie Ward very well, New Brighton Road Races was the only race on mainland Britain to run on closed public roads.

The Promenade Stages rally (held earlier this month), still is