World Championship Long Track action heads to the UK this coming weekend as the FIM World Team Long Track Championship takes place at Swingfield in Kent on Sunday 18th August.
This will be the first time that the this championship final has been staged on British shores, but having narrowly missed out on the title last year – after a cruel mechanical misfortune – Team GB will be looking to take victory on home soil.
Team GB recently met at the ACU Head Office in Rugby, along with Team Manager Mitch Godden, for a team photo-shoot in their new sponsored race suits ahead of the event. Unfortunately since the photo-shoot took place, team member David Howe suffered a broken wrist whilst competing in Poland over the weekend, and been forced to withdraw from this weekends event. Former European and British Masters Champion Andrew Appleton has been called upon as replacement for David Howe, but Andrew and his support team still face a drive through the night across central Europe to get to Swingfield in time for Sunday morning – having competed in an race meeting on Saturday night deep in the south of Germany.
Team GB – will now consist of Richard Hall, Andrew Appleton, Glen Phillips and Paul Cooper as team captain (and team reserve) will face tough competition from France, Czech Republic, Germany, Holland, Finland and Australia who will be taking part in the event for the first time.
After recently winning the FIM World Long Track Grand Prix round at Marmande in the South of France, Richard Hall is in the greatest form of his career at the moment. Also taking part at the same event was Glen Phillips who finished in 8th place after engine problems hampered his progress.
Team GB’s strongest competition is likely to come from defending champions Team Germany, with first timers Team Australia being the dark horse
Also running alongside the World Long Track event is a support class of the Nation’s best 1000cc Sidecar, including reigning British Masters Champions Mark Cossar and Carl Blyth
The Swingfield Circuit near to Folkestone in Kent can be found using the postcode CT15 7HF. Admission prices for the event are, Adults £18, OAP’s and 12 to 16 year olds are £15 with children (under 12) free. Practice will start on Sunday morning at 8:30 followed by the first race at 1pm. Camping will be available for members of the public from Tuesday onwards at the small price of just £5 with a Licensed Bar and Live Music on the Saturday night.
For more information please contact the club via 07500 939122 or by visiting www.acu.org.uk/News/Track-Racing