The Auto-Cycle Union is proud to congratulate its Technical Director, Andy Summers, who supported the running of his 400th FIM MXGP event in Australia last weekend and was deservedly presented with a ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award by series promoter Infront.
The milestone formally recognises Andy’s association with the FIM Motocross World Championship that stretches back more than two decades, as well as his wider contribution to the technical development of motorcycle sport.
Andy who hails from Wednesbury in the Black Country, first undertook a technical role with the ACU in 1995 when he was recruited by Eddie Jones to do sound testing at the British Motocross Grand Prix.
His work with the FIM began in 2005, initially as a technical expert, before he became a highly-regarded member of the FIM Motocross Commission in 2007 and later the FIM International Technical Commission.
The season-ending MXGP of Australia in Darwin marked Andy’s 400th Grand Prix. With the exception of two events that were missed when he contracted Covid, Andy has attended every MXGP round consecutively since.
“This is a milestone that crept up on me,” Andy explained. “I’ve only ever counted events in batches of 50. When I got to 200, I wondered how long it would last, then 250 came and went, followed by 300 and 350.
“When I first became involved with the FIM, the role was supposed to be for one year. That has turned into 21 years and I’ve been lucky enough to do and see a huge amount during that time and to travel the world for a number of years with my great friend Chris Warren who was the FIM’s Chief Flag Steward before he sadly passed away in September last year.”
Andy’s technical work has encompassed areas ranging from motorcycle sound regulations to rider protection. He played an important role in the introduction of the FIM’s ‘two-metre-max’ sound testing method and has made a big contribution to five stages of international motorcycle sound reduction during his long service.
His international technical role has developed alongside more than 30 years of service with the ACU, where he has held commission roles, joined the Board of Directors in 2019, and now leads the organisation’s technical panel.
That crossover reflects the close working relationship between the ACU as the UK’s governing body of motorcycle sport, and the FIM, which relies on the experience and expertise of officials that have cut their teeth at domestic level.
“What we've done in the last few years at the ACU has changed the whole outlook of technical for off-road bikes in different disciplines and I’m hugely proud of that work," Andy said. "The technical panel is made up of some fantastic people and I’m really pleased to work with them.”
Tim Lightfoot, ACU President, said: “Andy’s been a mainstay of the ACU and the FIM for decades and helping to deliver 400 FIM Grands Prix is a significant achievement. Everyone at the ACU congratulates Andy on both the milestone and his Lifetime Achievement Award.
“His technical knowledge has benefited the ACU for many years, while his work with the FIM shows the important role British officials continue to play at the highest levels of international competition.”
There was further recognition for British motorcycle sport in Darwin, with the Monster Energy MXGP of Great Britain, held at Foxhills in Wiltshire, receiving the Best Promotion award at the annual MXGP Awards.