Motorbike racing school set to close after 24 years
Honda Ron Haslam Race School will close this year
A POPULAR motorbike racing school known to thousands of people, including A-List celebrities and world champions, is to permanently close after 24 years.
Former world champion racer Ron Haslam, who owns Honda Ron Haslam Race School, has announced that lessons would soon be ending at the school, marking the end of an era.
Based at the Donington Park race circuit, in Castle Donington, the race school in partnership with Honda has taught over 86,000 customers of all ages and abilities.
Mr Haslam, winner of three world titles, has spent years helping his son Leon - also a world champion - to perform wonders in the sport and thousands of others with riding experiences.
In 2016 he was given a Derby Telegraph Lifetime Achievement award for his efforts.
But the challenges of running the same business following new coronavirus guidelines means Mr Haslam and his partner Ann are now looking at new ways of providing training. It means the school will be closing for good at a later date.
A statement on its Facebook page said: “It is with with great sadness, Ron and Ann Haslam announce that this will be our final year for the Honda Ron Haslam Race School.
“We have been running for 24 years and have had over 86,000 great customers. We would like to thank Honda for all their support in providing the best range of motorcycles from 125cc to the Fireblade.
“The training, both on and off track, has been built to suit customers’ individual needs and most importantly to have fun and become safer and better riders.
“However, given everything that is going on in the world and the current climate, Honda and the Haslam’s are looking at new ways to work that are suitable for the existing times and we plan to continue to provide training and learning services across this great industry.
“This era has been so greatly rewarding and we have had the best time of our lives with such great people from A List celebrities to racers and world champions to complete novices learning to ride a bike and with customers wanting to learn skills on track.”
Mr Haslam said the school intends to run a further ten course days this year with bookings still available.
Hundreds of people have expressed their sadness over the news on Facebook.
Gary Smith said: “So sad to read this. I’ve loved every single moment of every time I’ve been over for the last 15 years.”
And Suzanne Berzins said: “This cannot happen. I am truly gutted for the Haslam family.”