There’s only one place to be on Sunday, 6th July, and that’s the Bantasia Arena at Whaddon Farm, Owslebury, SO21 1JJ, as those good guys from Grasstrack Banter Promotions host the 2025 ACU British Grasstrack Championships. This year’s event also sees a change in format as it now includes the popular GT140’s class with the 500cc Sidecars now moving over and set to feature as part of the British International Masters meeting.
Starting with the 250cc solo class, and 2024 winner Luke Harris will be there to defend his title despite so far not enjoying the best of fortunes in his 2025 grasstrack outings. Going back twelve months and David Knowles and Kenzie Cossy joined Luke on the British Championship podium. This time around, although Cossey is a non-starter, the very experienced Knowles will be contesting the event, and he is a rider who certainly knows what it takes to enjoy the spoils of glory, having himself been crowned 250cc Champion back in 2004. Talking of experience, Tim Greig and Rick Scarboro will also be on the starting line along with a whole host of other quality riders including the fast-starting Karl Beddingfield, Max Derrick, Ben Phillips, Simon Hammersley, Jake Breeze, Austin Riches, Adam Hawker, Thomas Vining, Aidan Arthur, Ashton Vale and Shane Knight. In recent weeks, both Riches and Vale have been in fine form, with Oxford Speedway teamster Vale having won at both Dalton and DR Events.
Having taken the 350cc title in 2024 to add to his previous crowns in 2003, 2021 and 2022, Paul Cooper will be looking to include yet another inscription to his already very impressive career roll of honour this coming Sunday! In 2024, Jack Roberts finished as runner-up in the ACU British Championship with Barry Powell in 3rd, and both riders are entered in this year’s event, so they must be considered yet again as serious contenders! Roberts, in particular, is a very consistent podium taker, regularly displaying the speed and results which suggest that the big podium top step is comfortably within his touching distance! Another serious challenger for the 350cc title should be Cameron Taylor, a rider who certainly has so far not enjoyed the ACU British Championship results his talent richly deserves! Could this finally be the year when the stars align for Cameron and he brings it home as David Hollingsbee, Dave Mears, George Pardoe, Jamie Fenn-Smith, Ryan Ashcroft, Will Thurlby, Jody Hodgson, Luke Clifton, Luke Tuck, Karl Miles and Tim Curnock also come under starter orders?
Having won both of the GT140’s titles contested to date, Ian Clark will be going for the hat-trick at Owslebury. Last year, Wayne Broadhurst, Mark Chessell, Max Broadhurst and Luke Wicks chased Clark home in the final. With the exception of the very unfortunate Chessell, all of the remaining lads are ready to challenge Clark again, with Wayne Broadhurst in recent fantastic form and possibly the main threat to Clark’s hat-trick dreams! Recently, Wayne has defeated Clark at both the Chaddesley and DR Events, whilst Tony Atkin has also got the better of the double champion at Ledbury. Having already earned four ACU titles in other classes, Atkin certainly knows how to win big meetings, so this should be an ultra-competitive battle in the race for GT 140’s title gold! Darren Sargent, Connor Sargent, both Paul Smith’s, Mark Scopes, Kevin Gwillam, Lee Harding, Ron Steward, Duncan Burton, Mark Collins and Steve Newsham complete the quality line-up.
Incredibly, six former winners of the ACU British Championship Left-hand sidecars come to the tapes at Owslebury. That includes 2024 victors Danny Hill/Callum Ray, along with Josh Penfold/Dan Woodbridge and Rob Heath/Kyle Fish, who were also on the podium and former Champions themselves. Whilst Josh is yet to taste British Championship success, the Penfold name certainly figures strongly in the roll of honour. Will Penfold was the 2013,2015, and 2016 winner, Tony Penfold the victor in 2004, 2005 and Tommy Penfold the Champion right back in 1992. For the 2025 edition, Josh, Will, Tony and Tommy will all be going for glory, their respective passengers being Dan Woodbridge, Freddie Wood, Karl Beddingfield and Will Naden. The Left-Hand sidecar line-up is completed by Darren Morris/Chad Williams and Michael Phillips, the 2022 Champion, with on this occasion Connor Measor in the chair.
Always looking to promote the stars of tomorrow, youth racing will provide the support action at Whaddon Farm. In the Autos/Cadets, recent winner at both Dalton and Chaddesley, Albie South, goes again along with 2024 ACU Champion Dakota Wright, Alfie Shipp, Freya White, Dalton Wright, Levi Collins and Kobi Gutteridge.
Having won the 2024 ACU Youth Cadets title, Charlie Dowd now competes in the Juniors. At Whaddon Farm he will be facing the likes of Luton James McAlinney and Archie Whitelam the winners at Chaddesley and Dalton respectively. Also in the Juniors mix are Digby Cleal, Brayden Blyth and Harry Little.
The very entertaining and rapid Intermediates complete the Youth classes on Sunday and will include Ollie Binns, Dylan Huthwaite, Finley Theobald, Jacob Phillips and William Offen.
So, with the scene set for what should be an absolute thriller, make sure you are at Whaddon Farm, Owslebury, SO21 1JJ as the action unfolds. Admission charges are £15 Adults with Under 16’s FREE. Practice starts at 10am and the first all-important race is due off at 12.15pm.
Words and Images by Mike Wood