Video: Press Conference On Motorcross Event
[Updated] Minister of Public Works Lt/Col David Burch and the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Senator Owen Darrell are holding a press conference this morning [Dec 12] to discuss the “Pink Sand Scrambling” motocross event that will be held there Sunday, 15 December. We will have additional coverage later on and in the meantime the live video is below.
Overseas riders will join some of the island’s best competitors at the Coney Island Motocross event on Sunday [December 15]..
Update 2.20pm: Minister Burch’s remarks:
Good morning, everyone and welcome to Coney Island.
Today, we are highlighting an exciting event occurring this coming Sunday, the 15th of December here at Coney Island—the “Pink Sand Scrambling” motocross race. This event is historic and marks the return of motocross to the place where it all started, a sport that has been part of Bermuda’s history but has not taken place at this venue in many years.
I am joined this morning by the Minister of Tourism, Culture & Sport – Senator the Honourable Owen K. Darrell, JP, the Honourable Zane Desilva, JP, MP in a dual capacity as Chairman of the National Parks Commission & CEO of Island Construction – a sponsor of this event, Mr. Larry Simons mentor and chief assistant to the man of the hour and creator of this event Mr. Jyire Mitchell.
This young man is an outstanding example of a bright, committed, focused and visionary young Bermudian.
I know there has been significant interest and some debate surrounding this event, and I want to take this opportunity to address why I made the decision to approve it and what the public can expect.
First, let me be clear, as Minister of Public Works, I receive recommendations from the National Parks Commission on a regular basis. It is my responsibility to carefully evaluate every proposal that comes across my desk. In this case, the event was reviewed in accordance with the Bermuda National Parks Act of 1986, and it received input from the National Parks Commission.
While I consider those concerns, I also must view the broader context of balance in the community. So, I met with Jyire and his team to seek their response to the NPC concerns – to say that their response was comprehensive would be an understatement. They had satisfactory answers to each point raised by the Commission. Additionally, I subsequently met the team at Coney Island to walk the course and learn what plans they had for the site.
This event offers a unique opportunity for community engagement, youth empowerment, and sports tourism while posing no long-term harm to the environment. Oftentimes leadership requires making decisions that might not please everyone but are in the best interests of the island as a whole.
This is a young Bermudian with international experience in professional motocross racing and event planning. His proposal was thorough and professional and clearly demonstrated a commitment to making this event a success—not just for himself but for the community.
It is time we as a country stopped being the country of “NO” – our people – young and old will never reach their full potential if not given the opportunity to shine.
In fact, supporting our youth has always been a cornerstone of my work. This event isn’t just about a motocross race; it’s about showcasing what Bermudian talent can achieve on a global stage.
This young organiser, Mr. Jyire Mitchell, represents the innovation, determination, and professionalism we should all be eager to encourage and support. He deserves a chance to succeed, and I am proud to stand with him in this effort.
The track features will be temporary, including the soil and mulch jumps. They will be dismantled and removed immediately after the event, leaving no lasting changes to the landscape.
Additionally, the walking trails, which have been incorporated into the track design, will be fully restored to their original condition. No trees will be removed as part of this event, and the track will adhere to existing pathways to avoid further disrupting the environment.
The organisers have worked closely with my Ministry to ensure that all preparations respect the local ecosystem.
For example, track production will strictly follow existing trails, and no additional clearing of vegetation beyond essential brush trimming will occur. Temporary features, such as portable facilities and fencing, will be carefully removed, ensuring that the site is left in its natural state as quickly as possible after the event.
Moreover, we are treating this as a controlled, one-off pilot project. This allows us to assess not only the success of the event but also the effectiveness of our environmental safeguards.
The Planning Department has twice confirmed that no planning permissions are required for the work being carried out, underscoring that this is a temporary, low-impact public land use.
We will carry out a postmortem after the event and consider any feedback or lessons learned before deciding on any possible future actions.
Finally, I want to emphasise that events like this are about more than just the sport. They are about creating opportunities for Bermudians, bringing together different generations, and attracting positive international attention to our island.
I hope to see many of you at Coney Island this Sunday. This is an opportunity to enjoy an exciting day of motocross, camaraderie and to support the efforts of a talented young Bermudian who is positively impacting our community.
I now call on Minister Darrell to share some words. Thank you.
Minister Darrell’s remarks:
Good morning, everyone,
Today is an exciting day for Bermuda as we celebrate the return of motocross to Coney Island after more than two decades. Pink Sand Scrambling is putting the thrill of motocross back on the map, with our island’s best riders and international talent coming together to compete, including the 2024 Canadian Women’s Champion.
This $10,000 Dash 4 Cash is a game-changer for the sport in Bermuda, and I know we’re in for some incredible action.
I want to especially highlight the young Bermudians who had the vision to bring this event to life. It takes courage and creativity to step forward with something bold, and their effort is exactly what we need to keep pushing Bermuda ahead in sports and tourism.
While we know there have been some mixed feelings about the event, what’s happening here today is proof of what can be achieved when passion and determination come together. Events like this don’t just entertain—they inspire. They bring our community together and show the world that Bermuda is a place of talent, energy, and unforgettable experiences.
To those that have pulled together to make this happen, all the riders and to the spectators that will be coming out—thank you for being part of this moment. Let’s cheer each other on and continue to think big for sports in Bermuda.
Thank you and I’ll see you all on the track.
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