Masters Qualifiers
By Jon Banham (Speedway Star Magazine)
TWO former Masters Champions a reigning British Champion and an ex British Sidecar Speedway title holder will all be competing at this year’s Masters Qualifier following the ACU’s release of the rider’s list this week.
Colin Blackbourn, Gary Jackson, Dave Penfold and Matt Tyrell are just four of the big chairs on the line at Bodmin in Mid-Cornwall on Easter Sunday, all vying for a coveted place in the Masters itself at Lydden on August 14.
Blackbourn narrowly missed out on automatic qualification at Rhodes Minnis last year after blowing a tyre while leading in one of his heats, while Jackson will have to rediscover some old magic to be a candidate for a fourth crown.
Penfold, the left-hander’s champion will be having another go the opposite way around, while Yates will have the advantage of racing on home soil.
Other finalists from last year due at the tapes include Neal Owen, Robbie Wilson, Rod Winterburn, James Goudge and Matt Fumarola, while 2009 Masters Qualifier winner Richard Thomas is another leading fancy from the south-west.
With apologies to the passengers because the full list of men or women in the chair was not known at the time the Star went to press, the full drivers’ line- up is as follows: Rod Winterburn; Colin Blackbourn; James Goudge; Clive Stoneman; Paul Johnson; Andy Gribble; Robbie Wilson; John Hiscock; Stef Blyth; Joe Trewin; John Stafford; Matt Tyrrell; Joe Mogg; Richard Thomas; John Thorpe; Terry Pearn; Phil Syms; Neal Owen; Mark Warren; Dave Penfold; Gary Jackson; Fred Skinner; Matt Fumarola; Craig Smith
In addition to the above 24, Joe Sturtridge and Steve Palmer who will travel as reserves.
The governing body also confirmed British No.2 and 2007 Masters Champion Glen Phillips has been given the only wildcard awarded so far in the solos.
The Hampshire ace didn’t qualify by right at Rhodes Minnis last year, but gets his bye in recognition of his consistently good results while representing Great Britain in the World Longtrack Series over recent years.
The governing body are still awaiting replies from solo riders invited to race at Washaway, but the list of confirmed entries so far is headed by David Howe, who chose not to make an application for a wildcard, choosing to take his chances in the Qualifier.
Others confirmed as riding are: Charlie Saunders; Josh Dingle; Martyn Sturgeon;
Rod Melksham; Mark Baseby; Adam Filmer; Martin Wrathall; Jody Hodgson; James
Theobald; John Smart; Daniel Winterton; Dave Mears; Rob Mear; Mark Simmonds;
Dean Garrod; John Cox; Chris Mills; Dyfed Evans; Jason Prynne ; Dave Rowlands;
Simon Phillips; Scott Cresswell; Trevor Heath and Ricky Gregory.