A letter from Mr Charles Ramus about Motor Cross

June 2026

 

While we completely understand the reasons why some people are not fans of the motocross, there is also a community within the village who enjoy coming to watch it and witnessing the joy that it brings the participants. Most are indifferent and depending on the wind direction can be aware that it’s on or not. 

 

It is not our intention to upset the local community and therefore we restrict the number of meetings per year to well below the legal limit and the time in which they start and finish.

 

The noise of the Iden Motocross track is highly dependent on the weather. With the wind direction being the deciding factor of who in the parish can hear the track. 

 

In order to combat disruptions, we made changes to the way in which we organised the meetings at the track. Rather than having 8 single days spread across the year, we changed it to having 4 weekends. 

 

The new structure brought about a cross section of people. With Saturday being a practice day open to anyone of any ability, in a regulated environment with medicinal personnel present. By doing this we hope to reduce illegal riding by providing a safer environment and enabling people to be part of a club. 

 

The track also needs to raise a certain amount of money to cover its costs, the new structure generates more income without increasing the days the track is used, creating a more efficient use of hired equipment. 

 

History

The track is owned by Charles and Edward Ramus. Who trade as C.M Ramus & Sons which is a long-standing farming family business. The pair have always taken a very liberal view to people enjoying the land.

 

From a personal perspective Charles has a love for motorsports. He grew up surrounded by racing, with his father, Nick Ramus, involved in car racing. Charles himself competed in motocross during the 1990s after being introduced to the sport by Tom Huggett at around 10/11 years old.  And although he now enjoys the sport as a spectator rather than a rider, his enthusiasm has never waned. Over the years, he has taken great pleasure in watching the next generation take part, including the children of people he once competed alongside.

 

The first meeting took place in 1991, then annually following rotation of crops around the farm. At this time there was also a practice track at Charles’ parent’s house in Playden. 

 

As times and regulations changed towards the end of the 1990s, it was decided that the track be sited in one place. The placement was based on the topography and location which made it suitable. Due to health and safety, stakes and rope were not sufficient, so the track was fenced off, and a spectator area was created so that visibility of the track was improved without risk to safety.

Since then, many changes have been made, some due to regulations and some on the suggestions from the local community, such as moving the parking field and the start straight.

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MX meetings

All meetings are run by ACU affiliated clubs, these being: GEST (Hastings), Mid Sussex MX Club and East Kent School Boys Club.

 

The FIM/ACU have a sound rule which is enforced meaning that bikes are tested and the noise continues to be reduced over time.

 

As per the law you can have 14 race meetings or 28 practice days per year, the track has never had anywhere near this number.

 

Furthermore, considering the impact on the parish, instead of the allowed 9:30am to 6pm, the meetings are meant to run between 10am to 5pm but occasionally have run over, mainly because of gaps due to medical cover.

 

This year, there are 4 weekends booked, meaning the track is scheduled to be in use for 8 days. There was supposed to be a fifth weekend, but this is not going ahead.

 

The bottom line is MX is mainly a sport young people do, and it is getting increasingly difficult to find places to ride, whatever level you are at. The sport gets people out in the countryside, brings families together and gives young people something positive to do with their time.

 

Over the years we have donated £1,000s from funds raised by the MX to various local and national good causes, but we’ve done it quietly without a fuss in a way to give back.

 

In the future more people are moving to electric bikes as proven by the first running of the Balance Bike Championship, which sees very young children on electric bikes racing along the start straight. 3 of the 6 rounds are taking place at the Iden track and it provides great viewing on a Saturday afternoon!

 

I’m happy to answer any questions and am always open to suggestions.