CLUB NEWS: Future of “Dirt Bike Club” to be announced

The future of one of the newest and most popular summer attractions this year for youngsters in the Rugby area is set to be announced this weekend – with scores of young people hoping it will continue.

The Dirt Bike Club, staged at Bretford Playing Fields, comes to the end of its orginal six week run this Saturday (13th August). It has been staged each Saturday since 9th July (10am-11.30am).

The club has won backing from the Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull Sports Partnership and British Cycling, the governing body of cycle sport in the UK. All sessions are run by experienced British Cycling coaches.

It aimed at youngsters, aged 8 years to 18 years, who wish to learn basic bike handling skills, race tactics and the chance to compete at Cycle Speedway – where riders race with no brakes.

The club has been staged at the previously defunct track in Brandon Road, Bretford Playing Fields. Now the home of the Brandon Bees team, it is staged on a safe off road cycling track – the only cycle sports facility in the whole of Warwickshire.

The Dirt Bike Club has quickly proved an instant hit with youngsters from Rugby and the surrounding East Warwickshire villages. Its popularity has meant organisers have had to transport extra bikes to the venue to cope with the demand.

The organisers – the Coventry Cycle Speedway club – have been amazed with its interest and success. The success of the Dirt Bike Club has even led to two matches being staged on recent Tuesday nights, where a Brandon Bees junior team have raced junior teams from Birmingham and East Park Wolves (Wolverhampton).

Led by principle volunteer Rob Hardie, a former 1960s Cycle Speedway star, organsiers have reinstated a precious community sports facility, given scores of young people an exciting and healthy new sport to enjoy and has increased participation in Cycle Speedway.

And now organisers are in a race against time to announce the future of the Dirt Bike Club at its scheduled final session this Saturday (13th August) at its Bretford Playing Fields home. It is thought organisers need to consult with key partners before making any announcement.

Hardie is keen to call a Public Meeting soon to form a independant steering group, seperate to the Coventry club, to help run the new set-up. It will be open to all members of the Dirt Bike Club, parents, volunteers and community groups.

The brainchild behind the venture Joe McLaughlin, who has fought a two year battle to keep the Brandon Road facility in use as a cycling track, is seeking funding and sponsorship to help give any new club a flying start.