Preparations for the Club’s first meeting of the season, The ACU North versus South Challenge on Sunday August 5th are well in advance, with work currently going on to ensure the circuit at Swingfield is in pristine condition to accommodate the very best solo and sidecar competitors in the sport.
Last used for the 2011 ACU Masters, the track has undergone extensive work during the past twelve months including reseeding and rolling and will produce an excellent racing surface as riders from the north of the country take on their rivals from the south over a series of point scoring heats and finals, the winners taking the North versus South Challenge Trophy.
The usual facilities at all Astra events will be available all weekend including free camping, flush toilets, running water, hot and cold food, trade stands, pre meeting parade of the teams, the Astra start line girls and all the normal pomp and ceremony of a top class event.
The teams have yet to be finalised but the thought of seeing the likes of Masers champion Winterburn, returning to the track where he annexed the title last season, Wilson, Cossar, Smith, Blackbourn, Bradley, Simmons and the cream of R/H chairs racing side by side at speeds in excess of 70mph is certainly a mouth watering prospect.
If the thunderous 1000cc sidecars are not enough then the 500cc solo class offers just as much excitement with a line-up equal to a Masters final. World Long Track GP riders Andrew Appleton, Glen Phillips and David Howe make a rare appearance in the UK along with Richard Hall and making a sensational comeback to grass is former teen sensation Lee Complin. Former Masters title holder Lewis Denham is another making a rare appearance and the sensational Tim Nobes can be expected to ruffle a few feathers to the established stars of the sport.
Speedway commitments allowing, Aussie Cameron Woodward and former World Under 21 Speedway Champion Joe Screen are likely to be in the line-up.