Mallory Park is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee year by providing not only a strong programme of events but also a major spend on environmental projects aimed at reducing further noise impact on the surrounding area.

Circuit bosses Stuart Hicken and Eddie Roberts with their Real Motorsport company are now into their third year of running the Leicestershire circuit and are spending around £95,000 on a specialised fencing system to reduce noise levels as they continue to build relationships with the local community.

“Eddie and I sat down at the start and listened to the residents and their concerns – what we said then we would do, we have. The two major complaints were about the motocross and drifting – they were both stopped immediately,” said Hicken, speaking to bikesportnews.com.

“To cut noise to the village we put in fencing at the Hairpin and now we are building another fence from the Esses to the Hairpin using an Italian product called “Whisperboard” which is foam based and used at airports and the like. The cost is high, the whole project some £95,000, but it is guaranteed for 20 years.  It is going in now and is backed by the local authority with whose notices we are adhering.”

Hicken, who juggles his time between the circuit and, with his son Steve, the Buildbase BMW team, is a busy man, but enjoying it all. “I’m lucky my son is 30 years of age and has taken the on the running of the race team. We have that based here now at Mallory Park and as I build all of the engines it is so handy to be available for both.”

It is a special year for the circuit.  The 60th Anniversary. “Our big event is the Mallory Bike Bonanza over the weekend of 30-31 July to which we will have a host of riders and currently we working on attracting one of the current top three MotoGP riders to headline it,” said Hicken.

“People will see the changes when they visit, the place is looking a lot tidier, we are bringing the pride back into the circuit for everyone and now we hope to settle down with more quality race meetings.  And for next year, we are hoping to run a Classic Motorcycle event using the old Mallory Park circuit, with no Edwina’s chicane or the Bus Stop.  We have had it assessed by the BSB safety officer and are continuing forwards with the idea,” he added.