Circuit chiefs in drive to keep Superbike meeting

Bikers and motorsports enthusiasts from across the region clogged the roads leading to Croft circuit, outside Darlington, to witness the entertainment.

The highlights of the weekend were the two BSB Superbike races, featuring machines capable of more than 200mph.

The championship made its debut at Croft last year with more people watching the racing than at any of the other UK rounds.

Peter Gaydon, chairman of Croft, said that despite the poor weather - and the rival attraction of the Isle of Man TT - it was hoped to equal last year's crowds.

He said that after organisers had witnessed the weekend's events, he was confident that the Superbikes will return.

"The first one was difficult to get hold of and the repeat needed quite a bit of negotiation, but we are on the list now. The guys love coming here, it's a very good circuit to race on.

"To have it here that first year was great, but then we wanted more so got involved in a lot of politics and I think we are on the map now. I think we will keep this. We think we are here now.

"We try and present the circuit in as clean and tidy and in as nice a condition as possible. The North-East is a huge area of enthusiasm for bikes and it has been starved.

"It's not been right that it has been starved because the density of bike sales in the North-East is very high and we feel we are entitled to have a Superbike race here reflective of that."

Mr Gaydon said that Croft, working in conjunction with the police and other authorities, had improved access in and out of the circuit - changing the way the car parks were operated and introducing one-way systems.

As for nearby residents, he said: "We have a planning constraint, as all circuits have, and we work within it. It's quite simple, you must not go over it, otherwise you get a big slap and you put your operation in jeopardy."

Published: 06/06/2005