The famous Mablethorpe Sand Races return this weekend after two years off, and with entries piling in for the first event back on Sunday (6th March), Max Inman caught up with part of the new Management team George Pickering to talk about his plans for the Club:
Interview by Max Inman – Images courtesy of Braking Point Images
Dirt Hub: Mablethorpe Sandracing is one of very few winter race series you can take part in in the UK, and has classes suitable for motocross bikes and road bikes, what would you say to people thinking about giving it a go?
George: Come and join us!
We’ve got junior classes for riders from 8 years old, all the way up to 16 years old. Adult classes for modified road bikes, motocross bikes, grasstrack bikes, minibikes, quads and sidecars.
So there will be something to suit everyone!
DH: Even though I am a racer, when I think of a race series I don’t take part in, I always think they would be hard to get into, most of the time not knowing how to go about it, but Mablethorpe Sandracing really is easy to take part in, what would you say the ideal bike is?
George: We’re trying to keep it as simple as possible to get involved, but like any race series we have to have certain rules in place.
As we have already said, there is a class for almost any motorcycle, the Minibike Class would be great for people who hasn’t done much racing and wants to get a feel for it. The Modified Road Bike Classes are good for racers who enjoy modifying their bikes and making them suitable and competitive. The Motocross Classes tend to be the fastest and most competitive ones, and the bikes are ready for race standard.
DH: People who know you and Steve Nicholls, know that there won’t be many people better for this job, but for those that don’t know, what is your history with Mablethorpe Sandracing?
George: Me and Steve have been friends for a number of years. He actually started me racing with Mablethorpe Sandracing when I was a teenager. Steve has been involved with Mablethorpe Sandracing for most of his life, it was his Aunty and Uncle who ran it for 40 years before us, so he has knowledge around it all.
I have been racing there for 15 years and have been able to win many championships, including all the motocross classes, the Unlimited Road Bike Class and junior classes, it has been a big part of my life.
Running Greenfield Dirt Track for a number of years has also given me confidence and connections that will be able to take Mablethorpe Sandracing forward and make sure it continues for many more years!
DH: You have a stock motocross bike, what modifications do you need to make to race at Mablethorpe Sandracing?
George: You don’t have to make any, but sand tyres help. I always used a Michelin S12 on the rear and a Bridgestone M101 on the front. I also used to stiffen the rear spring and have about 25mm of sag, then drop the front forks through the clamps to make the bike lower on the front to help it turn in better, but that’s all personal preference.
DH: Are you going to be adding new classes in the next season?
George: This is still something we’re discussing, we have added the Minibike Class already due to popular demand, so hopefully it will be well supported. Maybe going forward we will have to add an Electric Class.
Entries close for this Sunday’s first event at 8pm on Friday 4th March.
For more info and to enter go to https://mablethorpesandracing.co.uk
