Bridgestone boost for Oliver’s Mount road races

The tyre manufacturer has teamed up with England’s only natural race circuit of its kind, in an attempt to reach out to even more bikers in 2015.

Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough, has been likened to a miniature TT by the seaside and is hoping for record crowd numbers in 2015 at events in April, June, July and September.

Bridgestone has agreed to a sponsorship of the Eurosport televised races, which will see its name emblazoned around Oliver’s Mount in return for an interactive package of support.

This includes prize packages for race fans at the events, featuring premium bike tyre product and official MotoGP memorabilia, as well as riding experiences at the Honda Ron Haslam Race School and the Mick Extance Kawasaki Experience.

Oliver’s Mount marketing director Scott Beaumont said: “We feel that we are experiencing a real resurgence and having Bridgestone on board this year can only create an even bigger buzz.

“It really is fantastic news and we hope that this partnership will now grow from strength to strength.”

Past Oliver’s Mount winners reads as a ‘who’s who’ of motorcycle racing history, featuring legends such as Giacomo Agostini, Barry Sheene and Carl Fogarty.

The 2.43 mile track is widely regarded as a circuit for the purists, posing a tight, intense challenge which tests their skills to the maximum.

In Oliver’s Mount’s 50th anniversary year in 1996, a record crowd of more than 63,000 flocked to see their heroes in action and Scott is confident that this figure can be broken at the Steve Henshaw International Gold Cup Road Races on September 12 and 13.

He added: “It is an ambitious target, but we would love to get 70,000 people through the gates, certainly in the next couple of years.

“We are embracing social media like never before, our events will be covered by Eurosport several times during 2015 and we will welcome some of the sport’s biggest legends, along with some prestigious bike brands, like Bridgestone.”

Bridgestone’s motorcycle product manager Gary Hartshorne said: “We know all about Oliver’s Mount and the spectacles they put on each year. They are wonderful events.

“The race track really is synonymous with spectacular races, situated at a unique setting. We are thrilled to be associated with the events and to see our branding across the track will be a wonderful sight.

“We will be leveraging our partnership in a number of ways and we are looking forward to building on our relationship from here on in.”