Motorsport Centre blaze ‘malicious’
Thursday, 25 September 2008
HE police have confirmed that a devastating early morning blaze at Nutts Corner Motorsports Centre was started deliberately.
Intruders broke into the complex in the early hours of Monday morning (September 22) and 'went on the rampage'.
It is understood that they started a jeep used to tow damaged karts off the circuit and drove it into the main building before torching the evidence.
A number of vehicles were also stolen during the raid, which has left a question mark hanging over the finals of the Northern Ireland Championships and Ulster Cup which were due to be contested at the Dundrod Road circuit on Saturday October 4.
Ironically the Council had just completed the sale of the Centre, the home of the Ulster Karting Club, just weeks ago. Now new owners Nutts Corner Circuit Limited are beginning a major clean-up operation - and already the repair bills are soaring.
Early estimates put the cost at £100,000, though with more charred karts and specialist equipment emerging from the rubble insiders fear that could be 'optimistic'.
A spokesman was understandably downbeat when news of the blaze spread. Though he stressed it was 'early days', he feared that racing could be suspended for several weeks.
“In the early hours of Monday the Nutts Corner Motor Circuit based at Nutts Corner, Dundrod, was destroyed by fire," he said.
“In addition to the destruction of property running into six figures including the workshop storage buildings, a number of racing karts, motorcycles, engines and parts, a four by four jeep and office equipment the perpetrators made off with thousands of pounds worth of quad bikes and a ride-on tractor and lawnmower.
“The emergency services were called and the fire brigade brought the fire under control. The incident was reported to the PSNI who are treating this attack as robbery and arson
“We would appeal to those with any information to please come forward".
Those sentiments were echoed by police, who raced to the scene after the alarm was sounded at 2.15am.
“It was established that a main building and two portable buildings had been damaged - and that a 4x4 vehicle was set alight," said a spokesman.
“Initial enquiries suggest that the fire was malicious. A quad motorcycle, ride-on lawnmower and trailer were stolen.
“The reported value of the damage caused and items stolen is in the region of £100,000.
“Anyone with information or who witnessed suspicious activity should contact police on 0845 600 8000, alternatively information about crime can be passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111."
Antrim Mayor Oran Keenan said it was a 'sad day' for the legions of karting fans who regularly converged on the one-mile track.
“I am extremely disappointed at the damage which has been caused at Nutts Corner Motorsports Centre," he said.
“Ulster Karting Club has put a lot of effort into running this track. It is so disheartening for them when such a wanton act of vandalism destroys what they have worked so hard to build up."
