This weekend’s NORA MX meeting at Culham will mark the end of an era for the ACU-affiliated club – but also the dawn of an exciting new one. After nine years at the helm Chris and Sharon Murphy will retire and hand over the reins to new owners, Stuart and Nikki Walker.
The popular Walker family stepped-up after the Murphys announced their intention to step down earlier this year, and the news 100% affirms that the prestigious NORA MX championship will continue next year. Dates and venues for 2016 are already in place as are the team of club officials who have helped run the club in recent years.
"We are officially in!" said Stuart. "And we intend to give it the investment it requires in both time and money to uphold the traditions and good name of the best quad club in Europe."
“It had to be a family decision, especially following Nikki’s accident at Pont de Vaux this year when she broke her leg. However, it is great to have the continued support and well wishes of all the main players who are instrumental in the smooth running of the club, so therefore, we are really excited for 2016.”
Following the announcement, Chris added: “In some ways it will be a sad day as NORA has been a big part of our lives for almost a decade. However, we are also very excited for the future. The Walker family are absolutely ideal people to take the club forward. Not only are they full of enthusiasm, but also they are quad people through and through. They know the sport, what it needs and, crucially, they are highly respected by everyone in the sport.”
“What they need now is for everyone to get behind them and help them in whatever way they can. They will have their own ideas and ways of doing things, but at the heart of it they will be looking to take the club and sport to the next level. “
For those that do not know the Walker family, Stuart is a former British and European championship racer who has been around the sport since 1988. He won the NORA title back in 1994 and has also finished on the podium at Pont de Vaux. His wife Nikki has been by his side the whole time and can be seen regularly at events taking some of the best quad photographs around. Their family business is Zip (many of you will have used their seat covers) and their two sons, Harry and Alfie are racers. In addition, their daughter Charlie is Assistant Clerk of the Course at NORA MX events. A proper quad family…