Motocross News

MX2 IMBA - BELGIUM - CANCELLED

Date: 01 June 2018

We have just received a call off the organisers of the Belgian MX2 IMBA round, they have had to cancel the event due to the heavy rain in the region.

MCIA condemns European Commission move to end motorcycle sport

Date: 01 June 2018

The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) is today calling on EU member governments and MEPs to reject European Commission proposals which threaten to end all forms of competitive and grassroots motorsport across the EU, including the UK.

The proposals arise from a newly tabled EU Directive which amends aspects of the Motor Insurance Directive (MID). It also responds to the 2014 so-called ‘Vnuk’ judgment of the European Court of Justice, which ruled that all mechanically propelled vehicles must have full third-party motor insurance to cover injury, damage and loss, whether used on public roads or private land.

The insurance industry has already made it clear that it would be difficult to provide such insurance, given the risks, particularly damage to machines, caused by vehicle collisions, common in competition events. In countries where full third-party liability insurance has already been applied to motorised sporting events, premiums have risen to exorbitant levels. As a result, such insurance would make almost all such events unviable.

This will not only affect high level motorsport, but the thousands of people who take part in local events up and down the country.  Motorcycle sport generates much needed income in rural areas, with over 1.7 million spectators watching around 55,000 riders attend an average of over 4000 off-road and track events each year.

The European Commission’s proposals represent a complete U-turn from its position of two years ago, when in the wake of the Vnuk judgment, it proposed to exclude vehicles not being used ‘in traffic’ from the MID. This would have made all forms of motorsport exempt from the impact of the Vnuk ruling. The EC has ignored 3,500 consultation responses supporting an exemption for motorsports.

MCIA, along with its motorcycle sport partners the ACU and AMCA, were among the first to raise awareness of the issue and were quickly able to build a coalition of all major UK Motorsport stakeholders.

The UK Government has actively supported efforts to remove the threat of Vnuk and its unintended consequences.  

Tony Campbell, CEO of the MCIA said: “It is now vital that our motorcycle sport and industry partners across Europe move swiftly to lobby both the European institutions and other EU member governments. In the UK alone, motorcycle sport is estimated to be worth £1 billion which rises to around £11billion across all forms of UK motor sports.

 “We strongly support UK Government efforts, but our message is clear – whatever the outcome of these new proposals Government must take action in order to avoid the catastrophic damage that will be inflicted on Motorsport across the board if this ruling turns into law – even if this means defying Brussels.”

Championship R3 Cancellation

Date: 17 May 2018

It is with regret that AMCA Events announces the cancellation of Round 3 of the AMCA Championship at Bromsberrow on 27th May. Circumstances beyond our control have resulted in AMCA not being able to guarantee an event of the required standard. Re-design work is currently underway at the venue and when complete will benefit AMCA clubs and riders for the 2018 season and it is envisaged that this will then be a Championship venue in 2019. There are no plans to replace the round. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause and we look forward to welcoming you to the next round at Lower Drayton on 10th June.

Vnuk: the story so far

Date: 20 March 2018

Many of you will have heard the sad tale of Mr Vnuk who was knocked off a ladder at work by a tractor and his fight for compensation. As the employer wasn't required to have employer liability insurance, Mr Vnuk claimed from the tractor's insurance and was refused on the grounds that the tractor was on private property

Mr Vnuk eventually took this to the European Court of Justice. He won and despite an appeal by the UK, German and Irish governments, changed the understanding of the Motor Insurance Directive which now requires ALL mechanically propelled vehicles in ALL places to be insured for ALL 3rd party losses for ALL uses. Including motor sport vehicles used in motor sport.

The ACU and AMCA have been working with the Motor Cycle Industry Association via the Motorcycle Sport Political Strategy Group (MSPG) in an effort to protect the sport from this judgment. The UK government, via the Motor Insurance Bureau and the Department for Transport, are fully on side and have been working with us to try and get the Motor Insurance Directive changed to exclude motor sport.These efforts have been successful and following meetings with representatives from the AMCA and ACU and businesses involved in the sport, the European Commission has committed to changing the Directive. They have published several consultations on the subject and the sport has responded to each urging exemption. The overwhelming majority of the responses received were in favour of exempting motor sport.

The most recent consultation (called "Refit") closed in October and had a section of questions for members of the public that did not cover Vnuk and a section for businesses which covered various subjects such as no claims bonuses, autonomous vehicles and the scope of the Motor Insurance Directive, i.e. Vnuk. We have encouraged motorcycle businesses to respond and this was picked up in the trade press. Responses urging exemption were also sent from the MIA, FIA and FIM following our lobbying efforts. As this consultation was aimed at businesses, not individuals, we did not ask our members to respond – this opportunity may come later.In the background, legal challenges are being received by the Government, who will need to implement Vnuk and make motor insurance compulsory on private property at some point in the future if the Motor Insurance Directive isn't changed. 

2018 AMCA SUPERCLASS SERIES – AMCA EXPERT & CHAMPIONSHIP RIDERS

Date: 20 March 2018