Mount promoter’s money worries
Council reiterates that it has cut off relationship with race organiser following cancellations
Troubles at Scarborough’s popular Oliver’s Mount circuit look set to continue after a letter sent by the promoter laid bare the dire financial situation.
Troubles at Scarborough’s popular Oliver’s Mount circuit look set to continue after a letter sent by the promoter laid bare the dire financial situation.
Last week, it was revealed that Scarborough Council had cut ties with organiser, the Auto 66 Club, after the Cock O’ The North Race scheduled for this month was cancelled, the second race weekend of the year not to go ahead.
Peter Hillaby, of PMH Promotions, has written to people owed money asking them to choose from three options for the future of Auto 66 and PMH.
Scarborough Council said it is looking to work with a new promoter to save racing at the historic venue. The authority said it had acted due to what it called “misleading statements” made by the Auto 66 Club.
The email from Mr Hillaby said: “Firstly I would like to thank you for your support in the racing at Scarborough. “Unfortunately after all these years of no involvement with the council including no financial support from them we found ourselves at the beginning of the year at loggerheads with the ACU. Every time we received a letter or a visit from them the ‘goal posts’ were moved.
“This has proved very frustrating for the club and PMH Promotions who are responsible for the publicity at the event.
“Normally we have a management plan for the season which meant we had to run all four meetings at Oliver’s Mount to try and reclaim some of the losses from last year.
“Up until now, all these losses have been absorbed by PMH Promotions which now look as though they are owed approximately £250,000.”
Mr Hillaby gave the creditors three options; let PMH work with the council, use ticket money to put on more races, or put PMH into receivership, with all money going to the receivers.
The letter also states that it is “proving impossible” to provide refunds to people who bought tickets to the Spring Cup and the Cock O’ the North.
When contacted a spokesperson for Scarborough Council confirmed it was not in discussions with Auto 66 or PMH.