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Official Opening: Redditch BMX Track

Words and Photography By Richard Robotham

Posted July 12 2010

Excellent weather blessed the official opening and inaugural competition held at the new BMX Track in Redditch over the weekend. Hundreds turned up to witnessed the conclusion of four years hard work by the Redditch Premiers BMX Racing Club. In collaboration with British Cycling and the local authority the necessary permissions were obtained and funding was raised to built the brand new track and renovate the existing changing rooms and club house facilities.

On Saturday the Mayor of Redditch formally opened the track with a ribbon cutting on the start hill ramp. The famous Tour de France TV Commentator David Duffield made a special guest appearance and said a few words to those gathered at the opening. It was no accident for David Duffield to make the opening speech as he & Halfords introduced the Sport of BMX to Britain by building the very first BMX Track on the same site as the newly opened BMX Track.

Sunday saw the very first open competition on the new track with a round of the Midland BMX Series. 192 Riders of all ages turned out to take part in the inaugural competition which was run with 26 different categories from Novice through to the more experienced Masters. Such was the demand for competition a special Mountain Bike category was included for three competitors who made a good competition over the day. Event Organiser Benn Thombs was clearly ecstatic by the attendance over the two days and was extremely thankful for those who had helped to make it all happen. Talking to some of the Riders taking part they all commented on the great new track and how pleased they were to have a new track in the area and they were all looking forward to returning.