Voetball, cycling and motocross. These are our three national sports. Where the first two continue to flourish, the sport with the best filled record has been camping in the doldrums for quite some time. A sport with 15 world champions and no less than 56 world titles since 1958 that has to fight for its survival? Incomprehensible! Without a training ground, the sport cannot continue to exist.
A calvary that speaks for itself.
Almost a decade ago, op July 19, 2002 (VR/2002/1907/DOC_0627Bis), the Flemish government concluded from a needs study (WES Study) that a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 15 locations for courses with training facilities for motorized sports should be provided in Flanders according to a provincial distribution table.
Op February 4 2005 (VR/PV/2007/43-point 31) the Flemish government described and specified the procedure that the Flemish provinces must follow. On December 23, 2005 and December 14, 2007, 4 locations were definitively designated for the province of Limburg and 3 for the province of Antwerp, respectively. No locations were yet designated for the other Flemish provinces due to a lack of 'support'.
In 2007, the CJSM department appointed a contract expert (Mr. Bogaert) who would investigate the matter together with BLOSO and the ministerial cabinets. Subsequently, the Flemish government would take interim decisions May 8 2009 and contacts with the various provinces ultimately on Wednesday October 5, 2011 through an extensive bisnota, the decision was made that further work had to be done.
The conclusion today is that work is indeed being done, but that there are no tangible results as yet. Instead of the 2002 or 12 locations promised in 15, today only Olmen, Lommel, Genk and Lille are open. With the understanding that the sustainability of two of the remaining locations is also in danger of being seriously compromised. There are no new areas yet.
However, the list of closed circuits is endless: Neeroeteren (the Kiezelgraven), Tielt-Winge (Yamaha Motoland), Westerlo, Welden, Kluisbergen, Ronse (the Hootond), Bocholt, Waasmunster, Moerbrugge, Dessel (Witte Berg), Lummen, Gelmen , Waanrode, Zwartberg, Overpelt, Willebroek, Windham, Meeuwen, Weelde, Wielsbeke, Vlierzele, Denderwindeke, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Helchteren, Watou, Rotem, As, Lanklare, Eindhout-Laakdal, Wachtebeke, Roosdaal, Zottegem, Zwartberg, Tremelo , Sint-Lievens-Esse, ... And we could go on and on.
In Wallonia, the overall picture of closed circuits does not look much better: Francorchamps, Flobecq, Walcourt, Perwez (municipality where competent minister Antoine is mayor!), Nivelles, Bastogne, Stockem (Arlon), Virginal, Bonneville, Retinne, Havré, Chapelle read Herlaimont, Ressaix, Libin, Dürler, Oleye, Maubray, Flemalle, ... and so on!
Wallonia, which with the CDH Minister of Sport André Antoine, born in Leuven, has a different approach than in Flanders, currently has 3 open circuits: Rognée and the two language border municipalities of Helecine and Comines.
It is positive that in September 2011 the responsible minister opened the purse strings for some very ambitious plans at a press conference in Mont-Saint-Guibert. With a budget of 5 million euros and former motocross rider Thierry Kluzt as a permanent employee, the minister wants to fully prepare the Rognée site as a regulated circuit in 2012. Mont-Saint-Guibert would then be presented as a new circuit in 2013 when sand mining comes to an end. This means that the first stage has already been completed, twelve months after his call to look for areas. Ultimately, there should be a circuit in every province in Wallonia.
But even with a Flemish government that continues to expand the possibilities for the 'search zones' and a Walloon government with clear plans, we are unfortunately still far from there!
Action & reaction: The story of “Save the motocross”!
Taking the above timeline into account, everyone will understand that pressure remains necessary.
When in 2006 the survival of the 'De Kiezelgraven' circuit in Neeroeteren was seriously threatened, the 'Save the Motocross' initiative was launched from the vicinity of the circuit. The first action soon followed April 19, 2006 when we flooded the hemisphere around the Limburg provincial council. What was unique was that, in stark contrast to other places, this time local residents did not take action to close a circuit, but rather to keep it open!
Because Neeroeteren, as a famous circuit, was quickly declared an example for all the others, the action expanded to acquire national allure in 2009, with the climax being a large march in Brussels on 13 November 2009. It is not without reason that the Flemish government states in its bisnota of October 05, 2011 (VR 2011 0510 Doc.1017/1BIS) clearly referred to our actions as a reminder for our own work!
Unity in the sector
At the end of 2011, all parties involved sat down again at the table: the various motocross associations, former champions Stefan Everts, Joels Smets and Eric Geboers, together with the motorcycle industry and Red de Motorcross. We have already succeeded in proposing one unique point of contact to the Flemish Government in the person of Eric Geboers. In the meantime, the UMC association is affiliated with the VMBB (the Flemish branch of the Belgian Motorcyclists' Association) and an important step has been taken to get everyone moving in the same direction.
That's why the car show!
Since FEBIAC is the federation of automotive and two-wheeler industry is, it is only logical that the important and economically relevant motocross sector will also have its place at this fair. This once so successful sector is gasping for breath today and is therefore pleased with the platform offered by FEBIAC to express its grievances.
Under the age-old motto of 'give and take', we want to send a positive signal about motocross to the world. On the one hand, we will draw attention to what will be lost if tangible results are not achieved quickly, and on the other hand, we want to show that we are also still prepared to do our part for sustainable sport in a sustainable society.
Because we realize that this beautiful sport raises many objections, we would like to give the official starting signal for our sport today, led by our great tenors. "WHAT2-tree planting campaign”. The intention is that in the future we will plant a tree together with the nature associations for every license issued as symbolic compensation. During the Salon, athletes and all sympathizers can purchase their own tree at the Save the Motorcross stand in Palace 1.
Without hesitation, we hope that this outstretched hand will be a clear solution-oriented signal for everyone: “Oxygen for motocross through oxygen for nature”.
For additional information: www.reddemotocross.be
