This was my first time back on the bike in 7 months and it really felt like it.. and what a track to get back on the bike, the world famous Hawkstone Park .
The track was very rough in places as it had been used for racing all day up until the practise session at the end of the day, which this was , some parts of the track had to be changed as the ruts went up to the top of the wheels and a lot of people were getting stuck and were having to be lifted out by the spectators..
So here is one of my laps of the fast eddy practise session at the world famous Hawkstone park.
The track used most of the mx track and the woods at the back end of the circuit .
Hawkstone Park Motocross Circuit, typically referred to as Hawkstone Park or Hawkstone, is a motocross circuit situated near Market Drayton, north Shropshire, England. The circuit is arguably one of the world's most famous and BEST motocross circuits, having staged many grand prix and international events from the 1950s, right through until the present day.
In the past, the circuit has also been used for enduro events, utilising the motocross circuit and the woodland surrounding much of the circuit to create an extended lap of several miles.
Hawkstone Park has in recent years held a round of a major UK Hare and Hound series, which utilises the woodlands and the motocross circuit.
Hawkstone Park was to have a new lease of life however, as it staged its first pre-season International event in 1999. Held usually in February , the International event sees some of the world's top riders competing at the circuit, gaining race speed prior to the full Grand Prix season. The event is seen as the "curtain-opener" to the British Motocross season, with crowds of over 10,000 regularly attending the International events.
The circuit is seen as one of the toughest motocross circuits in the UK, with many fans calling for it to return to the MX1 Motocross Grand Prix schedule. However, this is unlikely to happen, due to the high costs in staging a Grand Prix event, along with the relatively remote location and infrastructure in the local area
The Hawkstone circuit is approximately 1.8 miles (2.9 km) long (although the layout can be shortened for youth or clubman events if required). It is famous for the track surface, which consists of deep, loamy sand. During the course of a race meeting, the circuit becomes very rough and bumpy, testing the skill of riders. The centrepiece of the circuit is the famous 'Hawkstone Hill', a steep hill that eventually rises to a 1-in-3 ascent at the top of the hill. The crest of the hill can be seen from the A53 road (Shrewsbury to Market Drayton) several miles away. At the top of the hill, riders have to contend with a hard sandstone surface, before dropping back down the hill in a fearsome descent, beginning in an 8-foot (2 m) almost vertical drop, followed by a bumpy descent that tests riders' skill and bike control. Other famous obstacles include the 'whoop' section, a series of large man-made bumps that require a great deal of skill and courage from riders in order to tackle them at speed. A fall in this section is usually heavy and spectacular. (3 times World Motocross Champion David Thorpe crashed spectacularly here in front of TV cameras at the 1986 500cc British Motocross Grand Prix).
There is also a Race control area including a commentary tower, offices, scrutineering area and press room, a first aid building, toilets and shower area for riders, and a large paddock and car park area.
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