London Olympic track builders, Clark and Kent Contractors, have been signed to build the track for this year’s UCI BMX World Championships in Auckland.
World Championships Event Director, Jane Patterson said the organisation is delighted to have secured the services of the British company who earned such acclaim for the track in London.
The championships on 24-28 July will be held in Vector Arena in downtown Auckland.
“They have an outstanding reputation not only with their efforts with the Olympic BMX track but also another of other high profile projects,” Patterson said.
“We are also keen to leave a legacy for BMX in New Zealand with Clark and Kent working closely with our track operations led by Tony Takarua and homegrown staff who have experience with BMX tracks in this country.”
The two brothers, who have a keen background in BMX racing and trail riding, worked initially for a British company building tracks until they branched out on their own.
“We built our own local track in 2009 as our first big job and have not looked back since,” said Kent Bridgett.
They have been involved in many projects with multiple national tracks in #England, pump tracks and other major projects including Perry Park, used for the UK European Championship round in 2011. They built a pump track and the Supercross straights at the US Olympic Training Centre in Chula Vista as well as remedial work at the World Cycling Centre at Aigle in Switzerland.
It was the Olympic project that won them worldwide acclaim.
“The experience of the Olympics was once in a lifetime. Months of hard graft came together in the end. There were a lot of hurdles along the way and a lot of pressure working to a tight timescale.
“We learnt a lot as a business from London and hopefully the momentum will carry on through the next few years. Certainly 2013 is again a massive year for us with projects in UK and overseas and we are humbled and excited to be involved in the world championships in New Zealand.”
The restrictions of space at Victor Arena will provide a challenge.
“In our opinion a track for the worlds need to be safe yet challenging for every level of rider, fast smooth and flowing is key. Variety is also good but we don't feel the need to necessarily try building new things at the world championships.
“More space is better and building indoors presents some challenges but at the same time it will be a unique and exciting venue.”
The project will involve moving 4000 cub metres of clay into Vector Arena with six days to complete the track.
For details: www.bmxworldsnewzealand.com
For further information contact:
IAN HEPENSTALL
Media Manager
UCI BMX World Championships 2013
Auckland, NZ
Mob +64 275 613181
E: ian@sportsmedianz.com
Skype: kiwiheps
www.bmxworldsnewzealand.com
UCITRUSTED1860
