Anger as model car track is vandalised (From Keighley News)

Anger as model car track is vandalised

2:00pm Thursday 2nd July 2009

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Members of a remote control car-racing club have condemned yobs who vandalised their facility.

Hundreds of pounds of damage was inflicted on the site at Marley Stadium last Friday night. The vandals targeted the pit area next to the track, which is used by the Northern Oval Racing Affiliation group (NORA).

They knocked down fencing, wrecked a steel framework and lit a bonfire, leaving behind the charred remains for club members to discover the following morning.

Defying the criminals, the club still went ahead with its England Open Championship for 1/8th scale model stockcars on Sunday.

Dick Batty, one of NORA’s members, said he was “disgusted” by the vandals’ actions.

“It just isn’t on is it? It’s mindless,” he said.

“It’s like we have a hobby and they haven’t and they want to stop us enjoying it.

“We’ve been here about five years and we’ve had the odd problem now and then but nothing like this before. We’ll now have to completely clear the site after every meeting as there’s no way we can leave anything there.”

He said the steel framework had previously been in place for six weeks without any trouble. It is designed to support covering to provide a sheltered area on race days but the vandals wrenched it loose from its foundations and twisted and bent some of the bars.

Mr Batty and club treasurer Stewart Bealey said they thought the damage would cost about £300-400 to put right.

A spokesman for Airedale and North Bradford police confirmed: “We were called to reports of vandalism which took place at an activity centre on Aireworth Road, Keighley over the weekend. It is believed the incident occurred at some time between 9pm on June 26 and 10.40am on June 27.

“Anyone who may have any information is asked to contact Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team on 01535 617119”.

Mr Batty added he and his colleagues did not allow the disruption to stop the competition on Sunday.

He said: “On the Saturday we straightened things out as best we could. The championship was excellent. The racing was top notch and the weather was brilliant.

“We had drivers from across the country, including British and European champions.”

The event’s overall winner was Mark Whittaker, from the Notts and Derby Club.

A pair of local youngsters were also successful with Michael Reay, 14, picking up the best junior trophy and Amelia Batty, nine, scooping another junior award.

The club will stage its next meeting at Marley on July 12, starting at midday. This is the John Goodhall Memorial meeting, which is sponsored by the Keighley Festival.

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