Roy Barton on NORA’s investment in the Development Team

The UK has been missing a Youth and Amateur Motocross Development Programme for some years now since Roy Barton and Mark Hucklebridge ran a programme under the ACU some years ago but sadly lost the budget back in 2007/08.

With Roy Barton taking on NORA92 in late 2018 and the development of the organisation over the years and a introduction with Coach Robb Beams that the plan to put a new development programme in the UK came to life.

We took 5 minutes out of Roy’s busy day to discuss what made him invest back into a youth development programme and looking ahead into the 2026 season as the programme enters its fourth year.

What made you want to put a vast amount of money each year into the development of youth and amateur riders in the UK?

“I worked with Mark Hucklebridge on a youth academy back in 2007/8 until we lost the budget and have been keen to put something new together ever since. It was only with the development of NORA 92 as a business, and an introduction to Coach Robb Beams coming at the right time, that a plan came together. Both Coach Robb and I share a vision of development within the sport and what we feel it needs to give riders that final edge over their competitors. Robb has been doing this kind of thing very successfully for many years in the states, under his business of Complete Racing Solutions, and we formulated a plan on how to bring it to fruition in the UK.”

What is your vision and goal of the NORA CRS Development Team?

“We started out by offering places on the squad to the winners from the MX Master Kids with a plan to work with them and develop them into adult racing, hopefully then progressing into a professional team. What we offer through access to Coach Robb is an intense programme based around Fitness, Health, Mental State and Wellbeing. Package and used in the right way this can be the way to finding that final 10% required to reach the top, obviously there must be some raw talent as a base to work on to start with.”

What is the aim of the NORA CRS Development Team?

“The aim of the development team is to give back to the sport in such a way that we aid in producing top UK riders for the future, working with riders throughout their career, even when they have reached the top. Since starting the team three years ago we have faced some unexpected challenges that I believe has held it back from reaching its full potential and we have had a fairly high turn over in team riders, according to Coach Robb this is unusual in the early years of such a project. We currently have some good talent on the squad that we will hope will stick with us and go on to achieve their own goals within the sport.”

Can you give a brief overview of anything potentially new or changes that may be coming to the team in 2026 onwards?

“We are now at a crossroads in the program whereby we need to evaluate our progress and work out the right pathway to moving forward in a positive light, I believe that one goal that we have not managed to achieve is getting the word out about what we are doing and what we have to offer to riders and potentially teams, something that we will be planning for over the coming weeks. We have come to learn that the program is intensive and needs 100% dedication from the riders, and parents come to that, in order to get the most out of the training and information that comes from Coach Robb, including weekly training plans and nutritional plans based around the individuals own physicality and race schedule, weekly hour long calls with Coach Robb directly in Florida. One on one access to Robb and his team to discuss specific issues and items such as injury recovery, It is a massive program that is not readily available here in the UK.”

“As I have said, we see that we need to be making some changes to how we manage the program heading into the 2026 season, we have a great management team working on the program and we will be looking over the coming weeks and months at a pathway to pushing the program forward and making a true difference.”

If you would like to know more about the NORA CRS Development make sure you head over to the team website – noracrs.co.uk or if you would like to discuss directly with a member of the management team please click here to find their contact details

 

Affiliation Terms

NORA affiliation is conditional upon compliance with NORA Rules and Regulations throughout the affiliation year, running from 1 January to 31 December.
The organisation/club is responsible for its own supplementary regulations, health and safety documentation and operational procedures. NORA affiliation, or the issuing of an RTA permit, does not mean NORA has checked, approved or accepted responsibility for those documents.
NORA reserves the right to suspend or revoke affiliation, licences and permits where an organisation fails to comply with NORA requirements or where serious concerns are identified.

1. Annual Affiliation and Compliance

Affiliation with NORA 92 Limited trading as NORA Motorsport (“NORA”) is granted on an annual basis, commencing on 1 January and expiring on 31 December of the relevant calendar year, unless suspended or terminated earlier.
Affiliation is not automatically renewed. Each organisation/club must complete the annual affiliation process and receive confirmation of acceptance from NORA.
By applying for and accepting affiliation, the organisation/club agrees to comply with all applicable NORA Rules and Regulations, policies, procedures, safety requirements and permit conditions throughout the affiliation period.
The organisation/club acknowledges that continued affiliation, the issuing of Road Traffic Act (RTA) exemption permits and access to NORA licensing and insurance arrangements are conditional upon ongoing compliance with these requirements.

2. Organisation/Club Responsibilities

The organisation/club accepts full responsibility for the planning, organisation, management and safe operation of all activities and events conducted under its authority.
This includes ensuring that appropriate documentation, procedures and safety measures are established, maintained, implemented and enforced.
In particular, but not limited to, the organisation/club is responsible for:
Preparing, maintaining and implementing its own supplementary regulations, ensuring they comply with applicable NORA Rules and Regulations.
Preparing and maintaining appropriate health and safety documentation, including risk assessments, method statements, emergency procedures and event safety plans.
Ensuring all documentation complies with applicable legislation, regulatory requirements and NORA Rules and Regulations.
Ensuring all officials, employees, volunteers, contractors and other persons acting on behalf of the organisation/club are aware of and comply with the relevant regulations and procedures.
Ensuring that appropriate safety measures are implemented and maintained throughout each event or activity.
Ensuring that circuit certificates are in place, valid and adhered to where applicable.
The organisation/club acknowledges that responsibility for the adequacy, accuracy, legality, implementation and enforcement of its own supplementary regulations, health and safety documentation and internal procedures rests with the organisation/club.

3. NORA’s Role and Limitation of Responsibility

NORA provides the regulatory framework under which affiliated organisations/clubs may organise and conduct approved motorsport activities.
Affiliation with NORA, or the issuing of an RTA permit, does not constitute confirmation, certification or approval by NORA that an organisation/club’s supplementary regulations, health and safety documentation, risk assessments or internal operating procedures are adequate, compliant or suitable for their intended purpose.
Unless expressly confirmed in writing, NORA does not undertake responsibility for preparing, reviewing, verifying or approving an organisation/club’s internal documentation.
NORA shall not be responsible for any failure by an affiliated organisation/club to prepare, maintain, implement or comply with its own supplementary regulations, health and safety documentation or internal procedures.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, NORA shall not be liable for losses, claims, damages or consequences arising from such failures by the organisation/club.
The organisation/club acknowledges that NORA affiliation does not transfer responsibility for the safe and compliant organisation of events from the organisation/club to NORA.
Nothing in this Agreement excludes or restricts any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.

 

4. Road Traffic Act (RTA) Exemption Permits

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The issuing of an RTA permit is conditional upon compliance with NORA’s regulatory framework and does not relieve the organisation/club of its responsibilities under applicable legislation or its own supplementary regulations and safety procedures.
An RTA permit must not be interpreted as confirmation that NORA has independently inspected, verified or approved all aspects of an event or the organisation/club’s internal documentation.
Where NORA becomes aware of, or has reasonable grounds to suspect, non-compliance with its Rules and Regulations, permit conditions or relevant safety requirements, NORA reserves the right to:
Refuse to issue an RTA permit.
Suspend or withdraw an RTA permit already issued, subject to applicable legal requirements.
Require corrective action or additional documentation before permitting further activities.
Suspend or terminate the organisation/club’s affiliation.
Suspend or revoke any NORA-issued licence or authorisation, subject to the applicable licensing rules and procedures.
NORA may take immediate action where it reasonably considers this necessary.

5. Non-Compliance and Withdrawal of Affiliation

Compliance with NORA Rules and Regulations is a fundamental condition of affiliation.
Where an organisation/club fails to comply with these requirements, or fails to maintain and implement appropriate supplementary regulations, health and safety documentation or operational procedures, NORA reserves the right to investigate and take appropriate action.
Such action may include suspension or termination of affiliation, refusal or withdrawal of RTA permits, and suspension or revocation of NORA-issued licences or authorisations.
NORA may request evidence of compliance, including copies of supplementary regulations, risk assessments, health and safety documentation and other relevant records.
Failure to provide satisfactory evidence of compliance may result in the suspension or withdrawal of affiliation, permits or applicable licences.
Where reasonably practicable, the organisation/club will be given an opportunity to respond to identified concerns. However, NORA reserves the right to take immediate interim action where necessary for safety or regulatory reasons.