A year on from our first report, on the noise threat against Mallory Park race circuit, the news is not good. Mallory Park has been forced to cancel Driving Experience dates and 'Own Vehicle' trackdays for the remainder of the year. It has managed to hold onto to its race meetings although many of them have had to down size the meeting to fit within the new council enforced restrictions. The number of days Mallory Park can operate has been heavily limited. Mallory Park naturally won't take the decision lying down and have no choice but to try and re negotiate the terms if it is to survive as a viable race circuit. The age old Wednesdays test days are still happening although it looks like they are every other week as the circuit tries to accommodate its other obligations in its 'mid-week allowance' from the council. Weekend race meetings are heavily affected with a typical two day race meet squeezed into a one day schedule and no chance of Friday testing. Not good if (like many racers) you have a way to travel. Oulton Park race circuit has a similar issue. A statement from the friendly circuit reads: "Following today’s Leicester Magistrates court ruling to uphold Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s prosecutions of Mallory Park on noise grounds, Mallory Park is now reviewing its legal and trading position. Mallory Park is delighted that the case has established a number of facts regarding the 1985 notice that were previously unclear. Mallory Park remains open for business and to discussions with HBBC and wishes to start this process as soon as HBBC is willing." To us this seems like a positive spin on a negative result. But reading between the lines it looks like they have found some areas that may open the doors to a better overall outcome? We hope the future discussions between Mallory Park and the council are successful and they come to an agreement that lets this historic circuit continue to operate. For many years circuits laid dormant for most of the week and were financially under threat. They now largely rely on the income generated by
driving experiences and
own vehicle trackdays, that fill the gaps between race meetings, to remain viable.