Hawkstone Park Motocross Circuit

The Hawkstone circuit is approximately 1.8 miles (2.9 km) long (although the layout can be shortened for youth or clubman events if required).

Other famous obstacles include the 'whoop' section, a series of large man-made bumps that require a great deal of skill and courage from riders in order to tackle them at speed.

Thanks to coverage from the BBC Grandstand programme (which incidentally included Murray Walker as commentator), "Scrambling" was quite popular with the general public, and major events at Hawkstone regularly saw five-figure crowds in attendance.

However, riders in the 500cc voiced their disapproval with the dusty conditions, and so in 1976, a Grand Prix was staged for 125cc machines, in the inaugural FIM 125cc Motocross World Championship, Belgian Gaston Rahier taking victory.

Overall winner was American Trampas Parker, whilst hidden away with the back-markers was Belgian newcomer Stefan Everts, who later went on to dominate Grand Prix motocross.

Held every March, the International event sees some of the world's top riders competing at the circuit, gaining race speed prior to the full Grand Prix season.

Hawkstone Park also stages several amateur and historic race meetings every season along with a round of the ACU British Motocross Championship.

The venue has also staged the British Trials Grand Prix, utilising the steep, rocky woodland surrounding the circuit as opposed to the motocross track itself.

However, this is unlikely to happen, due to the high costs in staging a Grand Prix event, along with the relatively remote location and infrastructure in the local area.

Despite the racing being described as some of the most exciting to take place at Hawkstone Park for some years, disappointing crowds meant the event made a financial loss, and is unclear whether the Grand Prix will be staged at the circuit in 2010.

Unfortunately he crashed, broke an ankle and appeared live on Saturday Night at the London Palladium that evening with his foot in a plaster cast.

The deep sand and bumpy surface sap the energy of even the best riders and to ride at speed around the circuit takes a lot of hard work and concentration.