Ron Haslam back in action for inaugural Donington 500

MOTORCYCLE legend Ron Haslam will make a racing appearance at Donington Park this Sunday (August 13) at the inaugural Donington 500 event.

Haslam last raced back in 2005, and will be competing in the 250 Endurance Race at this brand new meeting, designed to showcase the affordability and accessibility of motorcycle racing especially at grass root level.

Haslam will be joined in a team with fellow riders John O’Toole and Jack Tynan. O’Toole is Haslam’s son-in-law and Tynan is a mutual friend.

Both O’Toole and Tynan have been tutored through the Ron Haslam Race School, which regularly takes place at Donington Park. To further support the event, Ron and Ann Haslam are sponsoring the race with a £500 cash prize.

Speaking about the Donington 500 Haslam said: “The reason I am dusting down my leathers is to support the sport that has been a large part of my life. I want to show people how affordable it can be to take part – either as a competitor or as a fan – and Donington Park have echoed this by offering spectators entry for a fiver.”

It is entirely fitting that Haslam’s return coincides with a new-format racing event at Donington Park. The Donington 500 is the brainchild of Bob Adams, Donington Park’s Sporting Director, with the intention to reposition the sport of motorcycle racing as one that offers both affordability and enjoyment at a grass roots entry level.

With spectator tickets being offered at just £5 per person, Donington Park’s aim is to encourage as many enthusiastic riders and spectators as possible to be part of an action-packed day.

The Donington 500, run by Thundersport GB, will feature a selection of different grids, with the showcase race being the Donington 500 Two-Fifty Endurance, in which Haslam will be racing, wholly contested on CB500 machinery fitted with Dunlop Alpha 13SP tyres.

This will be a pure endurance style competition with just one motorcycle shared between each team of riders. Each team will need to balance outright speed with fuel stops, brake pad changes and the ability to nurse a motorcycle to the finish in order to stand a chance of outright victory.

Donington Park in conjunction with Thundersport GB are also keen to firmly establish the link between affordable racing and childrens’ racing. Therefore, for the first time in modern racing, the Cool Fab Racing Conti and Metrakit GP50s and GP70s will be sharing equal billing with the adult classes at an ACU-sanctioned event, with no less than three races for these mini Grand Prix motorcycles.

Other highlights of the day’s programme include the GB Racing Military Races, which will showcase serving military riders with a full set of three championship races and the Thundersport 21st Century Challenge. This is a race for any rider born in the 21st century riding a production-based machine up to and including a 650cc twin engine. The race will feature motorcycles such as Aprilia RS125s, Kawasaki ZX300s, KTM RC390s and Suzuki SV65s. The results will be based on a sealed handicap system.

Donington Park Sporting Director, Bob Adams, said: “I have long been conscious of the seemingly ever-increasing costs associated with getting into bike racing. Some costs are real and others just perceived, but the fact that getting involved has an aura of large expense is a very good reason to address the issue.

“Back in the day there were many oneday race meetings that were completely standalone with no practice day or preevent qualifying sessions. The whole spectacle was accomplished between 9am and 6pm on race day. A few of these events remain but none that take place on the premier race circuits such as Donington Park. The Donington 500 is designed to recreate that 1990s style of race meeting, but with 21st century safety standards.”

Tickets for the Donington 500 on August 13 will be available upon arrival at the circuit, priced at just £5. Children aged 13 and under go free. For more information, visit www.donington-park. co.uk