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Old School BMX 1980 - 1988 => Old School Race (riders ready, pedals ready... GO!!) => Topic started by: kevin rettie on August 19, 2008, 11:18 PM
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After speaking about this at the recent old school meeting at Clydebank it looks like East Lothian council have got plans to rebuild the Musselburgh track. Great news as I have many fond memories from back in the day.
Heres the link for the Edinburgh Evening News -
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/latestnews/Racecourse-revamp-on-track-to.4307679.jp
I will try and do some more digging and see if we can get some more information, plans etc.
Watch this space. :daumenhoch:
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Nice one Kevin. I think we should start getting involved and try getting club together to help push this forward.
I'm happy to get involved
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Yeah great news Kevin. Hope they build a decent track since it will cost a good bit of dosh. Might as well do it right. Hope they get good track expert involved to design it, build it, etc.
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Hi Guys,
Being a local in Musselburgh, I can confirm that the council are going to be building a new track to replace the old one. I still use the track regularily with my kids, albeit very overgrown these days. I noted the suggestion of getting a Musselburgh club started again. I think that that's a great idea and something that I've spoken about myself for several years. I'm sure that with BMX now being an Olympic sport, funding would probably be available to help with this. I know that my kids have many friends that would love to get involved in racing so I'm sure that a new club would grow really quickly.
If anyone wants to discuss further, give me a shout.
Cheers,
Fraser...
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This is really good news guys.
Looks like there's development at the racecourse which would mean the existing track will be removed for the development, so they'll put it back once the're done.
Couldn't find anything on timescales though.
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OK Guys, I think I might have just started the ball rolling!
I'm just off the phone with Councillor Brian Turner (Musselburgh) and he has confirmed the plans to move and build a new track. I have asked him what standards will be applied in the re-development and he said that there are no firm plans in place as yet although developments should move soon. I told him about Clydebank and how I think Musselburgh could reach the same standards. He has requested that I email him information on what is required for racing which I have done. My email to him read as follows:
Hi Brian,
Thank you for returning my telephone call.
Here are the links that I discussed with you over the telephone.
Clydebank Track and Club: http://www.smand.co.uk/others/titans/index.html
BMX Rulebook: http://www.smand.co.uk/others/titans/join/assets/BMX_Rulebook.pdf
Old School BMX Forum thread discussing Musselburgh Track and it’s potential: http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=68728.0
Thanks for your time and I hope that I can be of assistance to you in helping create a new facility for the community.
So come on guys, who else is available to help/offer advice/ get involved? Can we start to get a group together to see if we can help ensure that an appropriate facility is created and a New Musselburgh Monarchs Club is formed?
I look forward to comments :-)
Cheers, Fraser...
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Well done Fraser. Rad member Kenny Hunter would be a good source of information as he's the Chair for Clydebank and was involved to some degree in it's building. I also believe he's up to speed with the sort of requirements a track might need.
As for support, I'm more than happy to help out where I can but am over in Glasgow.
I think you're on the right lines in getting the council to understand the standards required in the first instance. No point in building something that can't be 'approved' by the likes of the BCO. It'll also be interesting in understanding the developers schedule. If my understanding is correct, the development at the Racecourse will be completed first, which means it might well be a year before anything is being started.
How did you find out Brian Turner is the man at the council?
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Paul,
Kenny S is the Chairman and I'm Club Secretary ;) And I can't lay claim to having anything to do with designing the Clydebank track. If Kenny S or I had been involved then the jumps would actually be GOOD! ;D
However!...... Kenny S, Dan Kerr and myself are going to be speaking soon to Renfrew council regarding getting a 'proper' BMX track built. We'll be advising on track design and construction. Thereafter we'll be offering our services regarding the setting up of a club, organising races, offering advice and training to volunteers so they can run their own events, and hopefully running more coaching sessions at tracks and possibly around schools. We're hoping to offer this service to all local authorities in Scotland, not just Renfrew, so we'll contact Musselburgh council and see what their plans are and if we could help :daumenhoch:
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Hi Paulo,
Brian Turners name appears in a few of the press articles. Traced him via www.eastlothian.gov.uk.
Cheers...
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fraser colquhoun? (sic)
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This is great news guys.
Fraser, I am happy to get involved, used to race at musselburgh back in the day and would be keen to get the club up and running again.
Theres an old school race at Clydebank this weekend, it would be good if you can make it along and we can have a chat about how we could take this forward. If not I could see you at the track some time as I am only along in Haddington.
Did the councillor give you any ideas time scales Fraser? It would be great to strike while the olympics are still in peoples minds.
Kevin
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For gods sake, don't leave the council to build it.
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Don't worry Hudu, that's why we want to set ourselves up as 'advisors' so we can get tracks built properly by real BMX people who know what they're doing. ;)
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Hi Guys,
Just an update on progress. I've just had the local councilor on the phone who is dealing with the redevelopment of the track. They have already had an architech draw plans and have planned out the proposed area. They have agreed to meet with me next week at the new track site to go over the plans and discuss any changes that might be required to make the track "Useable". Now, I'm NOT a track designer but have fallen off on a few! Can anyone give me any good links to information that might be useful before I meet with the council and the architech?
Also, if any local members want to come along to the meeting with me, just give me a shout.
Cheers,
Fraser...
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Hey Fraser, I'd love to get involved am local and available to attend the meeting. Drop me a line and let me know where and when. :daumenhoch:
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Kevin,
PM sent. Give me a call.
Cheers,
Fraser...
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Fraser
Also happy to get involved. Pm me your details.
Already race with Kevin at Clydebank and we have been discussing this
I was planning a trip to the track on Sunday if I can
Cheers Marc :daumenhoch:
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Hi Kuwahero,
PM sent...
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OK, the council have delivered the plans to me. Kevin, maybe you can call me to have a look over the plans. Can't scan them as they are massive. The track design doesn't look too bad, other than the fact that it's only 3m wide! Looks like we will need to try and resolve that one.
Fraser...
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Kuwahero and Kevin. How about setting a time on Sunday to meet at the old track. I can bring the plans and we can talk through the best approach with the council?
Fraser...
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hi fraser
needs to be morning for me as i'm going through to clydebank for about 12.30pm
so about 10 or 10.30. can be earlier if you want. I know Kevin has people coming at the weekend so a quick trip out early might be better for him
i'll try and call you tomorrow night when I get home from work around 7pm
cheers Marc :daumenhoch:
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Hey guys, I might struggle to get out on Sunday morning. Got folk over and both our cars are knackered at the moment. I will try but can't promise anything. Let me know if you are going to be there anyway in case I can get the car sorted tomorrow.
The 3m wide thing sounds like it might be a bit of a problem though. We have to make the council and the architect understand what is required to grow the olympic champions of tomorrow!!!!
Has the council given a time scale on the development Fraser?
Marc, getting some sneaky practice in at Clydebank are we??? :LolLolLolLol:
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Marc, getting some sneaky practice in at Clydebank are we??? :LolLolLolLol:
Gonna make them doubles bigger so you cant fookin jump them. :LolLolLolLol:
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3m wide!! Is it a bmx track or a pavement they're planning?? :-\ Try 10m and we're a bit closer to a normal track width :daumenhoch:
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Kenny, for christ sake dont let Danny Kerr on a proper BMX track! ;D
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Hi Guys,
Just an updated on progress.
Spoke on the telephone today with Gary Houston of East Lothian Council. He is the Project Manager for the racecourse project which involves the redevelopment of the Musselburgh Track. We discussed the current plans and he told me that he followed the guidelines for a "Play Track" on http://www.bmxtrackbuilding.co.uk/.
After a lengthy discussion, he has agreed that they will build us a track to the specification of a "Regional" track! Great Success!!! :-)
He is now going back to the Architech to have new plans drawn up on a Regional Track basis. I will get to see these before it moves to build.
That's all for now. I'm delighted that we appear to be getting a proper track eventually :-)
Cheers,
Fraser...
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Good news Fraser. Well done. Fingers crossed.
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Sounds great, a new regional spec track in Musselburgh.
Are the plans available online at East Lothian Planning? If so what is the planning application number.
I'm very local, East Edinburgh and willing to help out.
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where is the old track located in relation to the race course and is the track still ridable ?
wouldnt mind a blast round the track and the plans for the new track sound promising
does anyone remember the old track at broomhouse ? was a sheil race track,used to go there a long time ago,theve now built houses over it
thanks for the help
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i used to go to that track 3 times a year my dad trained race horses and we would go to musselburgh for 3 days at a time as it was so far a way so when i got into bmx i use to take my bike to have some fun
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any updates as to how things are progressing with buildinga new track ?
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Kev some one from Forres has been in touch about building in your old back yard.... :)
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Kev some one from Forres has been in touch about building in your old back yard.... :)
Eh?
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HI Fraser/Kevin
Just wanted to add my support to the building of the new Musselburgh BMX track.The old one is now gone :'( and the area where it was has been completely revampt for the new racecourse cafeteria and stable block...Doesn't look like there is much room left for a track.
Whats the latest updates?
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Hi ian
Good to hear from you mate! All the old boys are coming out of the woodwork eh?
I'm not sure about what is happening at the track, Fraser has seen the plans and would probably be best for an update. I'm keen to get involved though if its still on the cards.
Maybe see you on Sunday if I can get accross.
Kevin
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Was down there yesterday...not much to see apart from a lot of heavy machinery and piles of muck n stuff. Anyone know what the deal is and when work is gonna start and it is due to complete etc?
Be good to see Muss back up n running again - its my closest track and I'm itching to get back into riding the bikes again :daumenhoch:
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Mr Archibald! Good to hear from you mate. Hope you're good :-)
I've just been down to the racecourse this evening and the track is underway!!! The council said that they would contact me for advice and comments but haven't done so (no surprises there). Anyway, they appear to have gone with the original plans that they had for a "Fun" track. It's really narrow - I'd guess about 3.5m wide. The jumps are massive and the doubles and triples would not be rollable! I've taken photos and will add them to my website shortly.
Maybe we could get some of the guys down to the track to take a look over it and then get back to the council with comments? Only problem I have is that I'm abroad this week so can't get involved. Ian, can you maybe take a look and pass some feedback to the council?
Cheers,
Fraser...
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OK guys, photo's are here: http://www.interneting.co.uk/mussbmx/
Fraser...
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Hi Fraser
Doing well mate.Had no idea that this was under way. :wtf:Got a phone call from Sean Boyle this evening who lives in Glenrothes and he came through for a look as he had seen the photos you posted.I was looking recently at the area and there was nothing there so cant believe its started .Looking at the pictures it looks not too bad but i will see for myself.i will go tomorrow before i start my back shift so will hopefully get to speak to someone working on it :daumenhoch:
speak soon.
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are they trying to build dirt jumps or a bmx track :idiot2: I think we need to get in touch with them sooner rather than later.
ian let me know what you find out tomorrow. see you around noon to give you your bike.
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From the pics it looks well mental..will get a look for real tomorrow
New bike New track :D christmas has come early
See you tomorrow Mark
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Hi Fraser
Got to speak to the track designer today.He's called Sean and he's happy to change things to suit us and make the 1st straight wider.I'm going back to see him tomorrow with more ideas and track layouts etc...looking good. :daumenhoch:
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Ian, You could maybe go onto the BC website and download the bmx rulebook. There should also be guides on track specifications for National/Regional tracks, covering stuff like track width, distance to first jump etc. The closer we can get to these specs the better the track will be to ride and race on. If the guy building it is happy for us to help then let's do everything we can to get it right. It really p*sses me off that councils seem to be happy throwing thousands of pounds on taxpayers money on a track without the input of an experienced bmx track builder or at least an experienced rider. You'd think they'd want to get it right. It's hard enough getting them to spend the cash in the first place, but then to risk wasting it is pretty disgraceful.
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Ok Kenny will do
Had some more pictures of the track but not sure how to load them on..
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Bloody hell guys, just back off my holidays and cant believe its all started!!! Shame it looks more like dirt jumping and not so much racing but if we can catch it now and make it wider that would be great.
Iain, I'm, back home from Sunday if you need any help with meeting these guys on site to make changes. Let me know how things are going.
Kevin
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Popped down for a look the other night. Couldn't get a close look as i had my screaming baby son in the car, (driving about trying to get him to sleep!!) but saw all of the mounds of dirt, thanks for putting the photo's up.
Suprised to see all of the new flats opposite, weren't there the last time I was down.
Looking forward to re-live my youth when its finished.
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Bloody hell guys, just back off my holidays and cant believe its all started!!! Shame it looks more like dirt jumping and not so much racing but if we can catch it now and make it wider that would be great.
Iain, I'm, back home from Sunday if you need any help with meeting these guys on site to make changes. Let me know how things are going.
Kevin
Hi Kev. Haven't been down today but guys on site are very approachable. Sean is the project engineer. Alec is the earth mover /jcb driver.
Had a talk with Sean yesterday and was advised that the architect Gary Houston (who i happen to know from my rugby playing days ) priced the track by looking at track design/build/cost/materials required etc from the web. He looked at National,Regional,and 'Fun' track costs and with the budget given decided that the 'Fun' track was the affordable option. I hope to speak to Gary soon to see what scope we have to maybe ask for a bit more funding if we go to him with a plan of how we would like to use it in the future. The local councillor is John Caldwell so might send him an e-mail also. The materials are coming from the excavations next to the track site so it is slightly limited but Sean says he will ask for as much as possible..Also being constructed are 102 horse stables,a cafe/restaraunt, golf starter hut and education center so there is a fair bit of development going on.
I am going to go back over the weekend but i'm working Monday and off on holiday to Turkey on Tuesday for a week.
Can you meet me on sunday?
Ian
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Hi Iain
Could catch up on Sunday at the track, how you fixed in the morning as Im planning going down to Glentress to burn off some of my holiday excesses...
... say 11am? Let me know and I'll see you then.
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Ok mate
11am would be fine.See you then :daumenhoch:
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Went down to the track again today. It's certainly taking shape. Spoke to the guy driving the JCB and he says that they will be moving the starting hill back about 4 meters so that it's not to close to the first jump. They've also filled in the doubles a little on the first straight. The triples are now doubles and are to be reshaped. They've got a really strange sort of "drop-off" thing happening that's on a slight corner? Never seen anything like it but I'm sure it will be interesting! Last straight has a technical section of 6 small whoops in a row - looks very smooth and simple.
Took the camera, so here is another gallery of the latest images: http://www.interneting.co.uk/mussbmx2/
Iain Archibald - Give me a call when you are back from your holidays. You can get me via my website: www.interneting.co.uk.
Cheers all...
Fraser.
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hi fraser
Ian and myself were there this morning with the engineers and driver. We went round the whole track and made suggestions for the changes. So sounds like they have started doing this stuff. I am planning to come back through on wednesday with pictures of peterborough, etc to show them so they can start to profile the jumps better. at the moment they are just trying to get the basic shape right.
the problem they have is they can only use the material they have there so they are going to have to borrow from other areas to make the first straight wider. Ian and I both suggested that if they make it as wide as poss extra jumps can be added later once the track is being used and we establish a proper club. they seem to be happy to help us as long as it doesnt cost anything more. as they are doing all this against the plans they are supposed to be following, so are trying to change it without anyone being any the wiser :daumenhoch:
let me know when/if you are free anytime wednesday if you want to meet up.
marc
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Great job guys. It's looking fab and wider than previous. lmk if you plan to meet up on Wednesday and I'll come through as well.
It sounds as though the drivers and co are happy to accommodate where possible. Good on them.
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Hi Fraser
Great photo's mate. :daumenhoch:
Yea the guys on site are great and have been adjusting things as we ask them too. The last straight is a rythym section which all modern tracks have nowadays and its not bad at first time of asking.The first doubles have been made longer and look great but the front take off needs steepened.I told them to take away the first triple too as that was a crap jump.They are now adjusting the berms,the first jump and moving the start hill back along with another few tweaks,so all in all its a good track.Its not going to be a full on race track to begin with but its going to have great potential. Marc is going along to keep an eye on things this week so be good if you could meet up with him.I will call you when i get home next Wednesday and look forward to see how the track looks. :D
Cheers
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Went down to the track at lunchtime today with Marc and Paulo and it is starting to really take shape. They seem to be following all the advice thats been given - sound guys...
We asked if they could make the start hill and first straight a wee bit wider 'cos at the moment it looks like it would only take 4 riders, good if we could get 6 and build up to 8 at a later date. Its all dependent on how much additional material that they can source on site.
The berms are looking good and the second straight looks like it should be quite fast with quite a cool step up step down into a gentle berm. The rhythm section is also looking pretty good on the last straight.
Top job lads, its a great start to putting the east coast back on the BMX map and getting the old Musselburgh Monarchs BMX club going again. :daumenhoch:
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Yeah agreed Kevin. The track has loads of cool features. The builders are a great bunch of guys and were really keen to see that the kids will have something worth riding. As we were speaking to them a bunch of kids turned up on their bmx's and started riding round. The builders were so chuffed that it's gonna be used.
They will try and make the start straight wider but one of the builders said the start mound has a lot of hardcore in it so shifting it from round the back of the start hill to make it wider would be difficult, but you know they'll give it their best shot.
As for the second straight (with a kink). It's gonna be great. I had my doubts as to how much momentum you will be able to keep after the first straight but the kids riding round had no problem and one was getting plenty of air on the doubles. The third berm is going to be an awesome bend with loads of lines available for overtaking.
The builders haven't got a schedule. They just want to finish it as soon as. They reckon a fence is going to be put round it as well to stop the motobikes and quads. And with all the amenities being build next door, it's a really good start for Edinburgh bmx scene.
The weans will have loads of fun on it and I recon a few of the older ones will as well :coolsmiley:
Well done everyone who has helped out with this track. Good on ya.
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Man that looks good. Like you say, it's a great start. Hopefully this will make other councils sit up and take notice and maybe look to actually doing something.......
I was actually speaking with a Renfrew councilor tonight and I'll be seeign him tomorrow - guess what I'll be sugesting?..... I really want to put a good case together though so I'll start working on a presentation (done loads in the past for work stuff) and I'll pass it to a few of you to have a look and see what you think....
Anyone heading to Clydebank tomorrow?
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good work on the muss track. what a change to get the riders involved. Also good to get advice from Mark, Paulo, Ian and Kevin..... :LolLolLolLol: Only kiddin guys.
If the weather is ok on Thurs I will be doon at cbank around 7ish with the Robinson. Need the practice on it as going to Lytham on Sun.
God help me... I must be aff ma heed :uglystupid2:.
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Any one have any new pic's with the expected completion time it must look excellent by now - I can not wait to have a go :daumenhoch:
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Yeah - anyone been down to musselburgh recently with a camera/video? - must be nearly finished by now!
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I'll swing past on my way home from work tomorrow and give you all an update. I'll try and take some pics as well. :daumenhoch:
Mr archibald is back from holiday on wednesday though and he said that he would be down there on Thursday and Friday with his shovel if need be :LolLolLolLol:... good lad!
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Stopped off on my way home tonight and it looks like nothing much has happened since we last went down. They have started to dust the first berm but thats about it.
Looks like we might have an instant club on our hands though, I counted about 15 youngsters using the track which I am sure we can find a future world champion amongst! :LolLolLolLol:
On that note we should try and sort out a meeting to get the club up and running. Maybe we could arrange a meeting at the track one evening? Any thoughts and/or volunteers appreciated. Kenny, any advice you could offer would be really helpful as you've been there done that and still wearing the T-shirt. :daumenhoch:
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I'm up for a meeting in mubrugh next week sometime?? Not an authority on anything to do with track building but glad to help out in whatever way I can. Off to T tomorrow but back Monday so say after Tuesday allowing for recovery time? ;)
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Went down tonight to have a ride but the track is completely fenced off.
Anyone know when it's due to be completed?
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Spoke to the track builders last week and they said that the architect had been down and seen the amount of people using it and so requested it be fenced off till it had a chance to be finished and surfaced so obviously that's what they have done which is not a bad thing as the kids were already adjusting all the jumps because it was so slow to ride and they couldn't get any 'air'.
No timescales on completion either but sooner the better.It needs rain to bed it in but typically it been dry for ages. :tickedoff:
The builders are trying to source more material too at the moment.
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As for a meeting guys i'm working back shift this week so would not be able to meet up. I could do at the weekend or next week..
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How about anyone interested in helping out meet at the track on Sunday 19 July at 11am to kick things off?
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I can be there on Sunday Kev.Spoke to Fraser Eadie today and mentioned this too him but he cant make Sunday but could one night next week so depending on who replies we could re-schedule.
Spoke with the architect Gary Houston today and he said he will be down on site tomorrow morning at 10:30am so i will be there to meet him and discuss ideas/plans we have. Anyone else who can make it please come along. :daumenhoch:
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Lets do it one night next week then. I think a few of the guys are away this weekend anyway. What night suits you and Fraser next week?
Can't make 10.30 tomorrow to meet the architect, can really only do lunchtimes but keep us all posted.
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Wow
Im from porty now living in Australia us porty boys would go ther lots.If i was still in porty i would defo be involved lotst of good times there and scotia bmx in leith.Hope it turns out good 8)
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Cheers portypaul
Lads i'm available any eveing this week. :daumenhoch:
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Can't make any nights this week, then I'm away for a week.
Hope to catch up with any developments in a couple of weeks.
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Latest updates.
Spoke with the architect at the end of last week.He has done the new drawing of widening the first straight to 10m. Now waiting for the landscape architect to finalise, then get costs for it.The local councillor is backing the extra improvements to bring the track up to regional status,so hopefully i should know more this week.
So lets get a meeting time organised .I'm back shift this week but can meet at the weekend or next week
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part time poster dragging up an old thread! Went down to the track tonight after doing a random search on the forum for the term 'edinburgh'
I take it this lost momentum, if any of the lads on here from Embra are still about, is this still going to happen? I had a hoot down there, but it reinforced how much of a shitebag I really am. Could hardly clear the table tops and the doubles had me pulling the break! Would be good to see it restored.
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It has lost momentum but we are still keen to get it sorted.
I had a chat with Ian Archibald last week and we have agreed to try and get things back on track in the coming months.... even Nairn are beating us FFS!!! haha... big up the Fraser brothers and the guys up there!
If you are interested in getting involved let me know and we can arrange a catch up at the track next time we go down.
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It has lost momentum but we are still keen to get it sorted.
I had a chat with Ian Archibald last week and we have agreed to try and get things back on track in the coming months.... even Nairn are beating us FFS!!! haha... big up the Fraser brothers and the guys up there!
If you are interested in getting involved let me know and we can arrange a catch up at the track next time we go down.
it would be good to see you guys get the track done kev. P.s dont ask your bro as utd might be on the box :LolLolLolLol: