Welcome return to Oliver’s Mount

North motor sport with ZOE BURN

PLANS are stepping up ahead of the long-awaited return of road racing action at Oliver’s Mount next month.

After just over a year of no action on the Scarborough hillside, the sound of motorbikes and sidecars are set to return over the weekend of September 16-18.

The RST Gold Cup will mark the return of road racing to the venue – which is this weekend hosting a hill climb as the first event since last May – and it is hoped this will finally be the end of the bad luck and drama which has plagued the iconic spot.

Following the dramatic and controversial exit of the man who made it all happen, Peter Hillaby, several years ago, Oliver’s Mount stood empty for a few seasons.

Amid fears it would never return, it was saved in 2019 by new owners which included former racing legends Mick Grant and

Eddie Roberts, who got the show back up and running with a year of successful events.

Like everywhere, Oliver’s Mount was badly affected by Covid and then, following the departure of Grant and Roberts, became the sole responsibility of director Andy Hayes, who worked hard to finally get racing back last year with a very successful Spring Cup.

But just weeks later Hayes and the team were dealt another major blow as a number of buildings were condemned.

Some were declared unstable and earmarked for demolition – something the team were confident they could work around and still host events – but then they were hit with the news bat droppings had been discovered, meaning all work had to stop.

However, a year, countless sleepless nights and more hard work later, Hayes last month revealed the famous Gold Cup would go ahead this year with plans for a full season in 2023.

And with less than a month to go, the preparations are well under way for what the team hopes will be a successful event.

Although no riders have yet been officially announced, fans can expect to see a number of top road racers, including sidecar TT stars Dave Molyneux and

Dan Sayle.

As part of its drive to improve facilities and sustain racing at the event, the management team is now looking to recruit and train fire marshals.

No fire fighting will be involved, instead it’s a role to help minimise the risk of fire.

Email office@oliversmount. com or send a message via the Facebook page.

Meanwhile, tickets for September’s RST Gold Cup are on sale, with full weekend access for £50 if bought in advance. For details see the ‘Events’ section on www. oliversmount.com