Motor Sports
The North York Moors National Park Authority has two purposes: to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area and to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the area by the public. It is perhaps surprising that motorsport has a place here but events such as forest stage car rallies and motorcycle trials have been held for so many years that they have become a local tradition. In fact, hill climbs were a spectator sport here in the 1920s.
There are about 6 rallies and 9 motorbike trials each year in the Park and the Authority works closely with organisers to minimise their impact and avoid sensitive locations. Nevertheless, there is concern about the amount of additional spectator traffic and the disturbance to local communities which these events cause.
Motorcycles and other motor vehicles are of course free to use the public road network in the Park, but are causing increasing problems straying illegally off public roads on to footpaths, bridleways or moorland habitats. Offenders risk severe penalties for damaging Sites of Special Scientific Interest or archaeological sites. In other places, off road vehicles are causing major damage to routes so as to make them impassable (or at least uncomfortable) to other users. This damage, together with safety and noise factors is triggering renewed calls for severe restrictions on recreational vehicles in the countryside
The National Park Authority encourages riders and drivers to be responsible in their use of this outstanding area. Users should respect its special qualities and the needs of other people, whose own enjoyment may be affected by motorsport.
Click here to view document "Enjoy Off-Tarmac Driving or Motorcycling?"
For further information on motorsport opportunities:
