Tickets on sale for arena bike date

ONE of the most spectacular sporting events in the world will be one of the first events at the new Liverpool ECHO Arena.

Supercross, with high-flying bikes racing on a four-lane dirt obstacle course, is set to come to the venue in January.

With 5,000 tonnes of soil, top American and European riders will come to Merseyside for the two-day event.

Some of the world’s top riders have already been confirmed for Liverpool, including the 2005 British Supercross champion, 18-year-old Colton Facciotti, from Canada.

Tim Banfield, general manager of Liverpool Echo Arena, said: “It’s great to have this spectacular event as it is fantastic family entertainment and also shows the great versatility of the arena.”

The arena and convention centre is a £146m project on the city’s famous King’s Waterfront, due to open in January.

It will house the 10,600 seat Liverpool Echo Arena, designed to attract high-profile entertainment and sporting events.

Tickets for the show on January 25 and 26 will go on sale today, with prices ranging from £20 to £35.

For further details, call the Liverpool Echo Arena on 0844 8000 400 or online at www.accliverpool.com .

A proud dad and forum member Chris Marsden (http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/member.php?u=266) today had a taste of the limelight as the build up to rounds 2 and 3 of the 2007/2008 British International Supercross Championship continue.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1125/1268432097_abfd0e3570.jpg (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1125/1268432097_abfd0e3570.jpg)

I'm sure this will be a fantastic time, the rounds taking place on Friday & Saturday the 25th & 26th of January 2008.

Chris' son, (racing at the arena) a talented motorbike rider and local lad with much potential for success was invited down to the arena today for a photo op, due to appear in the papers tomorrow, not sure which though so watch this space.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1099/1268432109_8e66e1b726.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/1268432109/)

He was joined by former European Supercross champion Danny Tollett from West Derby.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1154/1268432083_191a6c8f13.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijob/1268432083/)

I would like to pass on my best wishes and good luck when the moment arrives!!! :PDT11

Here's short clip of him in action (http://pic4.piczo.com/jacob77/?g=44299034&cr=4).

Thanks Kev
The phots of Jacob will be in the Echo tommorow night.
Also the interview will be on the Breakfast show Radio Merseyside in the morning.
6 to 10 am.

A LIVERPOOL schoolboy is fulfilling a lifelong dream – thanks to the Liverpool ECHO Arena.

Jacob Marsden, from Garston, has been competing in Motocross events for the past three years.

:handclap::handclap:

The 11-year-old is ranked ninth in the Cheshire and North West schoolboy championships.

But the youngster was desperate to take part in Supercross – an indoor version of Motocross – which involves high jumps and high-speed racing around dirt tracks.

Bosses at the Liverpool ECHO Arena, which hosts the British International Indoor Supercross Championships in January, have given Jacob his big chance.

They introduced him to Supercross champion Danny Tollet, from West Derby, who gave the schoolboy some first hand tips and advice about the sport.

Jacob, who starts at St Margaret’s High school in Aigburth next week, said: “It was just an amazing experience. It was great to meet Danny.”

Jacob will now appear alongside his idol at the championships in Liverpool on January 25 and 26.

Danny, 33, teaches youngsters all over Europe.

He said he is looking forward to appearing in his home city in the Future West-organised event.

“It will be fantastic to not only be performing in my home city but also in the new Liverpool ECHO Arena.”

The 10,600-seater dockland Liverpool ECHO Arena opens in January 2008.

Tickets are now on sale now at the ECHO Arena box office: 0844 8000 400 or from: www.accliver pool.com

Anyone who can assist Jacob or offer sponsorship can log on to: www.jacob77.piczo.com or email: cmarsdencmjb@aol.com

news@liverpoolecho.co.uk

A lot of the points that I raised in the interview for the Echo and BBC Radio Merseyside were edited out.
The main point that I was trying to raise was that there were no facilities in or near Liverpool for us practice or even take part in events.
We still have to pay £270.00 to take part in the 4 round series and Future West Promotion the promoters of the event have only waived the registration fee, £100.00. It would have been £370.00
In the interview I had asked for help from local business' or people to provide some support for us to represent Liverpool in the National motocross championship in 2008, obviously a big year for Liverpool.
I had contacted local councillors and the Culture company for help but with no response.
For further information visit. www.jacob77.piczo.com leave a comment on the guestbook

Anyone going to the Supercross at the weekend.
Jacob will be riding on Friday and Saturday.
He failed to qualify for the main event at the first round in Sheffield, had too many crashes.
He is very determined to qualify at the Liverpool rnds, home crowd and all that.
As usual messages of support would be welcome by signing his guestbook.
www.jacob77.piczo.com

No one going then.
Thats a shame you'll all miss out.
Mind you it's not kicking a bag of wind around is it.

Muddy hell! ECHO Arena covered in red soil for motorbikes show

Jan 24 2008 by Catherine Jones, Liverpool Echo

Muddy hell

ECHO Arena floor covered in tons of red soil for motorbikes show

IT may be sparkling and new, but today the ECHO Arena floor is covered in dirt.

The state-of-the-art waterfront venue is being transformed to welcome one of the most spectacular sporting events in the world.

More than 2,500 tons of soil is being spread over the floor of for a visit by the British-International Supercross Championship.

The rock-sand, a red clay soil, has been specially selected for the event, which features high jumps and super quick racing from some of the most skilful motorcycle racers around.

A four-lane, 400metre-long track, is being created which will be able to accommodate 12 riders at a time.

Supercross is being promoted by Future West.

Chief executive John Hellam said: “We’ve done this to every arena in the country and we make sure we clean it all up again.

“Supercross is based around motocross but it’s indoors and it means every seat in the place gets a good view.

“There are some huge jumps and some of these riders do literally fly.

“The list we’ve got appearing reads like a race of champions.”

Among those due at the Arena are American champ Mike Brown, five riders from Canada including Colton Facciotti who won the championship at 15, and riders from South Africa and Norway.

The event takes place tomorrow and Saturday.

catherinejones@liverpoolecho.co.uk

Jacob won't be riding at the weekend. He was riding at the press day today and come up short on a jump.
He has broken his leg and we have spent all afternoon in Alder Hey.
Oh well.

Is it possible to buy tickets on the day? I so I might go on saturday.

:PDT11

PS. Sorry to hear about the broken leg. Get well soon young fellow.

Jacob won't be riding at the weekend. He was riding at the press day today and come up short on a jump.
He has broken his leg and we have spent all afternoon in Alder Hey.
Oh well.

Bloody 'ell Chris, sorry mate. Pass on our best wishes for a speedy recovery.