2011 Youth Grass Track Racing in Europe
Rob Fortune has joined forces with the Track Racing Committee in a bid to
give youth riders more opportunities to race in Europe.
The much respected veteran racer is attempting to gather together a team of
youth riders to race primarily in 250 and 125cc events on the continent,
and has agreed to act as a team manager for British youngsters taking part.
Fortune spends much of his time living in France and so has been liaising
with organisers out there to put on more 250cc youth events as support to
FIM events or as a class in European club meetings.
It is also hoped the Dutch and German federations may also latch onto the
idea.
The move comes following Burton & District MCC’s successful staging of the
inaugural FIM 250cc youth Gold Trophy at Tallington Lakes last July.
This event led to a trio of British youth riders, Oliver Greenwood, Billy
Milton and Danny Boyle going out to Morizes to participate in a 250 youth
support event at the World Longtrack Team Cup in Morizes later the same
season.
Fortune and company now believe it’s time to build on the momentum
generated by the new youth class, with Fortune ready to act as team manager
for those youngsters keen to venture onto the continent more often.
Track Racing Committee member Annie Boyle told Speedway Star: “I’ve spoken
to Rob (Fortune) this week and he’s confirmed he’s happy to act in a team
manager capacity for what we want to do in Europe for the youngsters.”
“Rob is based quite a lot of the time in France so we’ve asked him to try
and work out which clubs on the continent are prepared take part in the
initiative. “In addition we are trying to get a training camp up and running on the
continent this summer, where well known riders can come along and help out.”
Plans are already in hand for Fortune to act as team manager for two FIM
and one UEM youth event this season.
Firstly, the UEM 125cc Euro Cup in Morizes on May 1, followed by the FIM
125cc in St Macaire on June 18, and lastly the FIM 250cc Longtrack at Tayak
on July 2.
Should Fortune’s networking meet with additional positive response, Boyle’s
role will be to put together a package for each youngster on the ins and
outs of racing on the continent, much as the Track Racing Committee does
now for its senior stars.
She said: “We want to get as many youth riders taking part as possible so
they can see racing in Europe compared to in the UK.
“So I’m looking to put an information pack together with details about the
different tracks and conditions, hotels, directions, key contact numbers
that sort of thing.
“We want young riders to know we are here to help them through the process
if they have never ridden on the continent before.”
For any of this to take off it will need youngsters willing to venture
across the channel or the North Sea to race on the continent.
Numbers may be limited, so riders are urged to contact either Annie Boyle
mailto:[email protected] or Tracey Cossar at the ACU on 01788 566 402.