Multimillion pound makeover for Mallory Park

Mallory Park is undergoing a massive reconstruction to expand its facilities and improve the current ones.

The Leicestershire circuit has two mottos, “The Friendly circuit” and “The little circuit with the big view,” and with both of these in mind it is aiming to improve on what it can offer as a venue.

Having landed its first ever world level event, the British round of the FIM World Motocross Grand Prix which it will host on Sunday 1st June, Mallory is well on the way to putting itself on the map. The venue already has a motocross track which will now be modified to FIM standards taking it to 1600m long and containing 22 turns mixed with jumps and obstacles.

Included in the changes is the famous Bus Stop chicane, the banked spectator area has been restructured to improve viewing and expand the run off area. This is also where the Rallycross and Supermoto track exit road has been added.

“Adding the Rallycross track is something we have been looking at and whilst we are carrying out works to the run off areas we thought we should incorporate some of the modifications required,” explained Ward. With Rallycross becoming popular again Mallory Park decided it would be a useful asset bolstering its off road potential. With the Rallycross track in place Supermoto events could also run on it.

The Stebbe Straight is gaining more run off and the paddock will be expanding as new Armco is being installed at the Esses, this will also benefit the spectators too as it increases the viewing area. Run off at the Esses out has been extended to 6 metres by removing the bank through to the hairpin but sadly the Oak tree has had to succumb to the changes.

An area that is very important to Mallory Park is maintaining and improving the viewing areas for spectators. Banking round the track has been increased and a large amount of landscaping has been carried out to make some great viewing spots and provide a large car parking area within the venue.

“This parking area will offer better opportunities for event such as the Festival of 1000 Bikes where large elements of the activities are off the track,” said Ward. “Space is always at a premium for BSB events too, the complete finished area toward the top of the Devil’s Elbow will give more space and better access for traders too. Generally the work will create a better, tidier Mallory Park and open the doors for possible other events such as trade shows, caravan rallies, owners club weekends and more.”

Further developments are planned throughout 2008 continuing into 2009, the view has improved and with more modifications in the pipe line the friendly circuit just got friendlier.