One of the biggest motocross meetings in Cumbria takes place this weekend, with the third Thomas Brown Memorial meeting being held on the Route 44 Track at Haverigg on Saturday and Sunday.

Thomas Brown, as many local enthusiasts will know, was a regular at the Haverigg track before he tragically lost his life three years ago on a track near Sedgfield in North Yorkshire.

The popular 27-year-old suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung in a heavy fall that resulted in his untimely death.

Having suffered the same injuries myself many years ago in a racing incident, I know from experience how vital it is to get the right medical attention as soon as possible.

Following the tragedy, a fund was set up to start a campaign to raise awareness of practice track safety and to encourage track owners, promoters etc to ensure fully-trained medics and equipment are on hand before riders are permitted out on the tracks.

Following the success of the previous two meetings, the committee are gearing up for their third event to ensure Thomas`s memory continues.

The weekend is being held in association with the Motocross Federation and the Cumbria Motocross Club, who organise all the events there and grade and prepare the track prior to racing.

The whole layout was upgraded and remodelled by ex-British Grand Prix racer Alfie Smith, using donations from an online funding page in his memory.

Soon after completion, the circuit was renamed the Route 44 Track as a lasting tribute to the popular rider.

The family are indebted to the support they’ve received and were recently quoted as saying: “He`s greatly missed by us all but we feel sure the fun weekend, running now for the third year, is something he’d be very proud of, so get entered, ride hard but safe,and have fun in his memory.”

The meeting caters for both adult and youth riders and includes a fun race for dads and mechanics.

At the close of racing on Saturday night, an after-race party, bar and disco is planned with all monies raised going to provide better safety equipment at practice tracks, ie erection of safety boards in front of hazards, marshal training, and helicopter landing sites etc.

All entries are being taken online by the MCF at www.mcfederation.com/event-entries. If you’ve not already done so, get in touch now before you miss a great weekend.

Spectators are always welcome and the track is easy to find - follow signs to HM Prison Haverigg and continue past the prison onto the venue. Plenty of hard standing and catering facilities are available.

*Following a week devastated by rain and fog which cancelled many of the practice sessions, the Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix races finally got under way last weekend.

Multiple TT winner John McGuinness won the opening senior event on an Italian Patton.

On Monday, Graham Wilcock’s new rider, Yorkshireman Joey Thompson, put in a great performance on the 750cc Wilcock Kawasaki in the Superbike race, finishing just out of the top ten in 12th place amongst the larger capacity machines at an average of 116.40mph, gaining a silver replica award.

A creditable result considering he’d not had much practice/set-up time due to the cancellations.

Australian David Johnson won the drama-packed race, after leader Michael Dunlop, still recovering from injuries received in a fall at the Southern 100 races in July, retired less than two miles from the finish.

*Yours truly popped down to the Car and Motorcycle Show at Rampside on Monday.

Neil McDougall, who organises the Pennington Bike Nights, and his team did another great job.

The field opposite the Clarkes Arms was packed with classic and vintage cars of all marques, with Bentleys, Rolls Royces, MG Sports cars and many others sharing the brilliant sunshine with vintage tractors and classic saloons.

Across the roadm the Clarkes car park too was packed with motorcycles, again from every size, age and era.

Several gleaming Harley Davidsons were on show alongside vintage machines, including an immaculate Norton Dominator, several Triumphs, a Velocette and if I wasn`t mistaken a rare Francis Barnett being ridden off into the sunshine just as I arrived.

It was great to catch up with old friends and chat about motorcycles... what else.

*Congratulations to Askam racer Geoff Hadwin, who won the 250cc Classic race on Sunday on the Tonfanau circuit in Wales to net him the championship for the eighth time.

Dalton motocross rider Greg Fisher heads down to Wiltshire this weekend for the final round of the Bridgestone British Masters series with a massive 136-point lead in the championship.

The next Torver Bikers Breakfast meeting at St Luke’s Church and Torver Village Hall takes place on Sunday. There’s a free breakfast for visiting motorcyclists following a short service from 9:30am.

The Furness British Motorcycle Club hold their next meeting on Monday night at 8pm at the Ulverston Sports club on Priory Road. If you have an interest in Classic British Motorcycles, pop along – you’ll be made most welcome.

The Millom Bike Group Classic Car and Motorcycle Show at the Green is set for Sunday, September 15.