This Easter weekend marked the return of the ‘Neo’, not just in name, but in spirit.

Once more, the most famous dirt in all of RC was moulded, manicured and mastered, this time by Miguelo Izquierdo Rodriguez and his very able Buggyland team.

Once more legends were made and lap times etched into history.

I couldn’t be prouder of what they achieved. Delivering a temporary track for a single race weekend; complete with facilities, services, and all the finer details that elevate an event from, ‘another good race’ to something truly exceptional, is a monumental task. The build-up is exhausting before the first car even leaves pitlane, and the financial commitment alone is a gamble.

The reward is as brief as it is brutal, with little time to enjoy the moment; just as the crescendo of anticipation spills over on racers' first look, the race is over in a flash and the tear-down of the venue starts as soon as the chequered flag falls a final time. Banners coming down whilst podiums are being celebrated, the driver’s stand dismantled, all that hard-work and preparation gone in a matter of hours… a fleeting ghost-like existence which only added to the mystique.

The appeal of the Neo grew as word spread of ‘the best dirt in the world’. Combine that with truly three dimensional track design, no home track advantage, slick race management, the world’s top drivers and accommodation on-site and you have the ingredients for an unforgettable long-weekend of racing. Harper Adams became a mecca, racers descending from all over the globe to make the pilgrimage to race the Neo.

The Neo would never have been success it was without the DXR boys; Lewis Millman, Wes Myles, Andy Conroy, Anthony Conroy, Rick Kong Mckenzie, Mark Beattie, Paul Moggy Morris, Elliot Taylor, Ben Turner, Chaz Godwin, Ricky, Gurdeep... on the race control side, Suzanne Griffin, Kevin, Rob Nelson, Stefan Svensson, the Jones family, and not least on the creative & media side Nick Daman, Mat McCallum, Arnaud, Jason Moller, Riccardo Acciari, Chris Circus and of course Adam Lewis for his part in the story. There are many more who thanks are owed to, not least the racers themselves and their families.

To leave a legacy of an event that’s part of the folklore of nitro off-road is heartwarming and to see it come back to life to the same standard and bring enjoyment to so many has made me very proud. Miguelo gambled and won - he stands on the shoulders of what the DXR boys built with myself - he should stand proud & tall.

It is with regret having not been able to be there this past weekend to support and see old friends and faces but equally with such pride and affection towards the quality of the event, I tip my hat, bravo - see you next Easter. 
/ Phil

Long live Neoland!
Here are some wonderful memories over the years.