Ledbury MCC ACU British Upright Grasstrack Championship
Preview: Ben Falconer
GREAT names of the past will be on the pace to chase British grasstrack title glory on Sunday (July 28).
Ledbury MCC's ACU British championship event for upright-engine machines returns to the same banked oval track at Orlham Farm as last year, and on current form Peter Carr looks to be the best equipped to challenge title holder Chris Still. And a good number of the country's best riders of modern machinery should provide a spectacular undercard, at the Leddington track, near Ledbury.
The upright class, which features for machines which ruled the roost before modern 'laydown' engines revolutionised the sport, has attracted a big 500cc entry which also features current 350 upright and pre 75 350 and 500 British champion Gerald Short, former Poole speedway rider Wayne Barrett, Cirencester motorcycle dealer Dave Hammond, ex-Edinburgh and Sheffield speedway ace Carr, former pre 75 Champion Tim Curnock, Steve Daw, and European veteran 4 valve champion Bob Dolman.
But for a heats mix up at last year's rain-hit event, Barrett would have been at least close to toppling Still, but they may be hard-pressed to stop Carr, who lit up the track over the road from this weekend's venue at the Ledbury Spring Leader in May.
The 350cc uprights isn't being contested by reigning champion Short, so Chris Mackett, Dave Meadows and Nigel Stanford look set for a chance at getting their names on some silverware. Defending champion Antony Worrall heads a small but competitive 250cc class.
The support races for modern machines promise to be a real treat, with Somerset speedway rider Tom Perry fighting to be fit to take to the tapes with Aston Magna's Tim Nobes who also faces a fitness battle, Cricklade's Charlie Saunders, under 21 British champion Josh Dingle, Rob Finlow, Lindsey Vaughan, Ledbury rider Martin Williams, Scott Cresswell, current 250cc British champion Harland Cook, Tony Atkin, and Mark Taylor from the Eldersfield grasstrack stable making a rare appearance in the top class.
Dingle also goes in the 350s and will be looking to keep youngster James Shanes at bay. Shanes has moved up from the 250cc class for this year. Cinderford's Barry Powell should be in the mix for a podium place, along with Andy Mellish and John Jefferies.
The 250cc support class is full, as is the 1000cc sidecar field, which is sure to provide spectacular action. Practice starts at 10.30am, the presentation of championship riders takes place at noon and tapes go up at 12.30pm. Admission for adults is �10, concessions �8, under 16's free-of-charge. Camping is available on Saturday night, although there is no running water.
Rider List
Upright Championship 250cc Defending Champion Antony Worrall, Andy Humphries, Simon. Warry, Richard Warry, Steve Carvill. Phil Spencer
Upright Championship 350cc Steve Dowling, Benjamin Leeds, Chris Mackett, Luke Tuck, Dave Meadows, Nigel Stanford, Steve Pearce, Chris Malone, Phil Rowlands.
Upright Championship 500 cc
Defending Champion Chris Still, Graeme Brown, Mike Dowling, Mick Norton, Tim Mount, current 350 upright and pre 75 350 and 500 British champion Gerald Short, Barry Arthur, Steve Russell, Eddie Rouse, Ian Gutteridge, Luck Tuck, Tom Meakins, Rob Snow, Derren Harris, Colin Harris, James Childe, Ben Millichap, Adrian Vaughan, Steve Maile, Mark Chessell, Scott Ryan, Wayne Barrett, Luke Cox, Dave Hammond, ex Edinburgh and Sheffield speedway ace Peter Carr, Antony Pye, former pre 75 Champion Tim Curnock, Dave Meadows, Steve Daw, Lloyd Barrett, Chris Salisbury, European Veteran 4 valve Champion Bob Dolman, and Mike Skelding, Richard Andrews.
250cc Support Joe Stephens, Colin Bird, Adam Hawker, Andy Humphries, Megan Holtby, Barry Jukes, Graham Godwin, David Knowles, Chris Bird, Trevor Clarricoats, Jason Osborne.
350 cc Support Barry Powell, Under 21 British Champion Josh Dingle, Dave Mears, James Shanes, Steve Tideswell, Simon Phillips, Steve Pearce, Ryan Wharton, John Weekes, Andy Mellish, John Jefferies.
500 cc Support Mick Norton, Josh Dingle, Rob Finlow, Lindsey Vaughan, Steve Maile, Tim Nobes and Tom Perry (both if fit), Jason Newitt, Martin Williams, Scott Cresswell, Dave Rowlands, current 250cc British Champion Harland Cook, Jody Hodgson, Tony Atkin, Charlie Saunders, Mark Taylor.
1000cc Sidecars Ade Morris/Dan Husbands, John Hiscock/Carl Bell, Simon Heal/Terry Madley, Fred Skinner/Stephen Russell, Joe Mogg /Jake Cutler, Jeff Measor/Jason Farwell, Joseph Sturtridge/Nick Diment, Matthew Huddy/Colin Endean, Gareth Little/Sam Foley and replacing the injured Peter Lloyd/Daz Whetstone Rod Winterburn/Liam Brown.
All classes are full with the exception of 250 Uprights 3 spaces, 500 Support 2 spaces. Updates to the list of riders will be made leading up to the meeting.
If you have any queries please contact Di Goulding on 07796893493/01432850743 email minioaks1@gmail.com