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Myerscough College is the new home of the Legend Fires North West Stages

Published
Wednesday 26 Sep 2018

Myerscough College and University Centre will be the central base for the Legend Fires North West stages, with big plans underway for a return of the prestigious motorsport event in 2019.

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Motorsport North West has confirmed that, subject to permission, they plan to run the rally on Saturday, 23rd March 2019, with a move to a new base at Myerscough’s Bilsborrow campus, home to the College’s state-of-the-art Motorsport Centre, making the venue the perfect choice for hosting the event’s Central Service & Scrutineering.

Following the change in the Road Traffic Act Legislation in 2017, the organisers took a year’s sabbatical to concentrate on the vast amount of work needed to pursue the possibility of a number of Closed Road Special Stages for the 2019 event. They have now announced that a MSA permit has been issued, which has allowed an application for a Motor Race Order to be submitted to the Local highways authority, Lancashire County Council.

Belinda Oldham, Head of Motorsport at Myerscough College and University Centre said she was delighted that the event would be based on site: ''We are delighted that the North West Stages rally is back for 2019 and the College is looking forward to welcoming the hundred or so competitors onto our beautiful campus.

''The organising committee have worked tremendously hard to get to this point and with the combination of closed roads and private venues it should be a fantastic event for both competitors and spectators.

''The College continues to offer students experiences of working at prestigious events on the motorsport calendar in addition to their course studies and this is a big opportunity. We’re pleased to be able to continue to offer these unique opportunities to Myerscough students as part of their enrichment.’’

A spokesperson for Motorsport North West, said: ‘’We have worked closely with Wyre Council for a number of years having run Special Stages on the Council owned Fleetwood Waterfront in the past, so it made sense to seek their support for Closed Road Special Stages.

‘’It was at the Council’s request that the base of the event has been moved into their borough, so accordingly we’re delighted to be moving to the facilities at Myerscough College, which is well known for their motorsport courses. Moving the base (to Myerscough) still allows some of the traditional area to be used, but opens up other possible options in the Lancashire Fells.

‘’A tremendous amount of work has already been done and there are still numerous hurdles to overcome, but subject to securing the Motor Race Order, it is planned to use a combination of Closed Public Roads and private venues for the Special Stages, giving the event around 50 stage miles in total.’’

The Legend Fires North West Stage rally is the largest multi-venue tarmac rally in the North of England, attracting thousands of people who compete and watch the action. Myerscough College has played a significant role in the event for a number of years, and the last time the event was run in 2017, a total of seventeen students supported seven cars competing.

The facilities at Myerscough College include seven motorsport garages, a number of different competition cars for the continuing development and expansion of motorsport teaching, and a new motorcycle workshop.

Myerscough HE Motorsport tutor, Simon Moss, said: ‘’It’s fantastic news for Myerscough College & University Centre, that the new-look Legend Fires North West Stages rally will be hosted here next year.

''Occasions like this give the students crucial real life experience on events where they'll be working alongside potential employers. The students will get to experience, first hand, a major event and such experience looks great on their CV when they apply for jobs within the industry.

For more details about the range of motorsport study programmes available at Myerscough College and University Centre, CLICK HERE

by Dave Salmon

DSalmon@myerscough.ac.uk