There are many people who are unaware that the Derby Phoenix Club will be 67 years old in 2015.
In the beginning, in 1947, the Club made its name running Trials, Social Events, Scrambles, Moto-Ball; but in 1967 the Members decided to run their first road race at Cadwell Park. That means that we have been running Road Races since 1967. Over the years the scope of circuits expanded, to include Mallory, Brands Hatch, Cadwell, Snetterton, Oulton Park, Croft, Anglesey (both before and after their re-development) and Donington, (we also tried Three Sisters and Darley Moor).
Also this year, was our 48th consecutive year racing at Cadwell Park.
As we are all aware, there comes a time that has to be faced. It’s called RETIREMENT. Sadly this moment has arrived for the Club, in its current form.
It is with much regret, that the Derby Phoenix Motorcycle Club has to announce that we will not be running a championship for the 2015 season. However, we hope to retain our ‘Derby Phoenix’ Pi and Steel Frame 600’s Championship, and take them to other Clubs meetings, which would allow us to retain that Championship Title (if this was feasible).
The Board of Directors have no alternative at this moment in time, to consider any future meetings until we have cleared all outstanding obligations.
We have over the years provided events at many of the top circuits and always put you the riders first, particularly on your safety by having plenty of medical staff and marshals. (We even cancelled one Anglesey due to lack of medical staff). This all comes with a price tag, which over the seasons was covered by your entry fees and full grids which produced a safety net of capital.
Since the start of the recession, the grids have been steadily falling for the past 4-5 years, therefore with dwindling grids came a fall in revenue. This was our only means of receiving the majority of our income; a small percentage came from sponsors. This too began to dwindle.
Our paddock social side has become legendary over the years with many riders commenting on what a friendly helpful club we have been. Apart from the racing, the social scene brought everyone together.
Throughout the 66 years of the club (founded 1947), the club has had a colourful history. We have over the years, had many a top rider cut their teeth through racing with our club prior to becoming national and international stars in their own rights.
From 30
th November 2014, our Road Race Director, Jim Hinchliff will no longer hold that position, as it is no longer tenable. The club will continue to run in name only, until a suitable solution is sought for the future running of the club and any future events it may organise.
The final dinner dance has been planned for Saturday, 13
th December 2014, at the Yew Lodge Hotel in Kegworth, and will be the last one for the foreseeable future, or until we begin to run a race championship again.
To even contemplate running any future meeting/s, we would need to be able to be sure we have the numbers before we even hire the circuit. It’s a bit like booking your holiday... MOST people book them well in advance, some do last minute. We cannot run the latter way any longer.
Just to break even at any circuit requires roughly 176 solo and sidecar entrants for the weekend; such have been the rising costs from all the circuits we have used over the recent years. Our last meeting at Cadwell on 4 & 5 October 2014, when adding in all expenses for Insurance; Doctors and Ambulances; Trophies and Programme printing, cost around the £40,000 mark. At current entry fees, we would need to attract some 176 solos and sidecars to break even. Suffice to say that total fell well short of this, even at the final championship round with double points available.
This is your club and we need some suitable applicants to come forward to come “on board” with enthusiasm, new ideas, promoting the club, finance initiatives etc etc.
If you feel that you could contribute to the future running of the club and a possibly bring about a needed return to some regular road race meetings then please do get in contact with Dave Smith, our Club Secretary.
Dave can be contacted by phone on 01332 204198, or by e.mail
dave.smith@dpmcc.co.uk or by our Facebook page.
Many many thanks to all our previous Members, Riders, Sponsors and Officials, who over the years, we have had the great pleasure of their good company and enthusiasm to keep this Club going for so long.
Remember, the Phoenix has risen from the ashes in many ways. The Board of Directors hope that we can see this happen again. Club Racing is the breeding ground for many top class riders.