What a season! BoJo performed miracles to push BREXIT through (remember that?), so we could all focus on building – rebuilding some would argue, our great nation following several years of bickering and divide. Thousands spent the winter bailing river water out of their homes, sadly many are still displaced today, due to the record breaking floods experienced across many regions.
Despite the seemingly long, wet winter we were all set to go, Newcomers filtered through the early training weekend at Pembrey, entries for the first 3 rounds were coming in and the general flavour was positive as the long awaited season was coming to the grid..
While discussing the virus way back in February with a very well connected football coach and friend, I suggested we were heading into a torrid 4 or 5 week period while the virus and associated fallout hits us. We were reviewing the potential impact on youth football, something pretty big and close to hearts in our household but in a cold, calculated but alarmingly well informed whisper, he said “try September”! referring to any sort of bounce back date. That prospect was simply unthinkable at that time, but despite trying to dismiss it, I was unable to shake it from my mind. Thoughts and fears back then drifted into how our racing may be affected! The word “normality” is now referred to in years not weeks or months.
We have weekly calls with the ACU who are working hard to roll out a recovery program that essentially shadows the governments phased opening of the current lock-down. If and when we get going, events will have a very different feel. We will have to guarantee our ability to meet mandatory requirements such as social distancing, shielding and ppe. All aspects of the event may take longer to process. The table is covered with ideas, risk assessments, proposals and so on, but we can not implement a specific plan to go live, simply because the mandatory conditions of going live will change between now and whenever that may be.
Clearly more questions than answers at this stage. But I wanted to thank each and every one of you linked to NG in any way whatsoever, for your patience, support, loyalty and as always enthusiasm. People are still joining the club and, we encourage you to keep entering the live events on line (currently from Cadwell in July) which gives us an idea of the appetite out there given the unprecedented and unimaginable situations we are all currently faced with. We assure you no entry fees will be taken until we are absolutely sure an event will take place and this will be around 1 week prior to that event.
I also want to mention our partners and friends at all venues we visit, sending them our very best wishes at this torrid time. I know through speaking with all of them regularly, they are as keen to see us as we are to race with them.
Almost as an aside in the grand scheme of things, a small nugget of news - the current NG Road Racing Club membership period will be extended to October 2021. In short, if you have joined NG this season, your current membership is valid until the end of next season.
Please keep watching out for updates, we will shout very loud as soon as we have developments, but for now, on behalf of the team at NG, Stay safe, look after your loved ones, stay home where possible and see you soon.
One thing is for sure, we will go racing!
Steve Bostock
May 2020