A good crowd witnessed the 2016 British Grasstrack Championships, held by GTSA at Frittenden, Kent. A great and tough looking lineup across all classes, saw some fantastic racing across the afternoon.
The 250cc solos had 4 different heat winners, with Adam Shipp and Henry Atkins with a win a piece, with 2 wins for both Jed Collins and Luke Harris. The final saw a tight first turn, with Luke Harris initially leading, before hitting a bump on the second lap, and Jed Collins seized the initiative and roared right around the outside to hold on to take a dream first 250cc British Grasstrack title. Harris had to be content with 2nd, whilst former British Champion Adam Shipp took the final step on the podium. Henry Atkins who was also within the leading bunch in the first turn, had mechanical issue whilst well placed. 4th Dave Knowles, 5th Ben Ilsley, 6th Trevor Clarricoats, 7th Jamie Pantrey.
In the 350cc solo class, returning champion Tom Perry, making a rare grasstrack appearance this seaon, stamped his authority on the class by winning all his 3 of his qualifying heats, with Paul Hurry also winning his 3 heats. Mark Taylor, Dave Mears and Bob Dolman all tasted success by taking separate heat wins. The final saw the 2 unbeaten men of Perry and Hurry meet for the first time, however it was Tom Perry who made another electric start, and led from start to finish. Paul Hurry made a sluggish start and was in 4th into the first bend, before making his way through the field to 2nd, but by then the gap was too big to catch the fast Tom Perry. Mark Giles finished third, just ahead of Dave Mears and Bob Dolman. 6th Mark Taylor, 7th Martin French. No other finishers.
The Left Hand Sidecars saw GTSA's very own Will Penfold/Ricky pay back to defend their title, and hoping to add to their South-Eastern Centre title they won together earlier this year, and they started in fine fashion winning all 3 of their qualifying rides. Father and son team Eirwyn/Alex Balman, one of the teams expecting to make the final had 2 DNFs in the first 2 outings, meaning they had no chance of making the final. Paul Marley/Richard Webb won their opening ride. Jim Penfold/Dan Dodds and Gary Potter/William Naden, also had heat wins. In the final, Gary Potter/William Naden led the opening lap, before mechanical gremlins struck ending their race and any chance of silverware. Will Penfold/Ricky Pay pounced to lead the rest of the race, with Charlie Ridley/Harry McQuirke hunting them down in 2nd. Jim Penfold/Dan Dodds taking a surprise 3rd. Former British Champion Martin Cuff/Colin Clark finished in 4th.
The 500cc Sidecars with reigning, 3x time British Champions and former European Champions Josh Goodwin/Liam Brown, fresh off the back of winning the support class at the European Solo final the week before at Swingfield, who again went through their qualifying heats with 3 straight wins. Former multi-British Champion Shaun Harvey, partnered by Ant Goodwin was 2nd behind Josh Goodwin/Brown in their opening rides, before taking a heat win in their final ride. There was also heat wins for all girl crew Natasha Bartlett/Ciara Southgate, and former solo rider Mitch Godden/Paul Smith. The first bend of the final was close, with Harvey/Goodwin leading the opening lap, before having a slight moment into the first turn on lap 2 which allowed Goodwin/Brown past, then Godden/Smith, with Dave Carvill/Cameron Godden making their way through. The places stayed the same until the chequered flag. 1st Josh Goodwin/Liam Brown, 2nd Mitch Godden/Paul Smith, 3rd Dave Carvill/Cameron Godden, 4th Shaun Harvey/Anthony Goodwin, 5th Natasha Bartlett/Ciara Southgate and 6th Aaron Vale/Stephen Vale. All 6 crews will be entered into the European Championships in 2017.
The 1000cc Right Hand Sidecars, the support class riding for the 'Mick Steer Memorial Trophy'. Rob Wilson/Terry Saunters the only previous winners of this trophy in the field, aimed to win it again for the first time since its inception in 2009. However, it was Myles Simmons/Kevin Woodley who triumphed, with 3 heat wins before triumphing in the final. Surprise package Tom Cossar/Ryan Barker took the opening heat, before finishing a creditable 4th in the final. Gary Shearer/Sam Heath also took a heat win, however there meeting ended early when their sidecar wheel failed whilst leading their third ride, and couldn't take further part in the meeting. Rob Wilson/Terry Saunters were second in the final, with Paul Whitelam/Alan Elliott taking the final step on the podium. Neal Owen/Jason Farwell 5th and John Hiscock/Terry Madley in 6th.
Report by Luke Russell Photos By Garry Shorter