2017 Peter Maddison Master of Midshires Grasstrack was held in front of a huge crowd on a glorious hot day in Ashorne Warwickshire.
The racing matched the day, Red Hot. All classes providing wheel to wheel action. With all this heat on and off the track it was difficult to keep the track free from dust. 1000’s of gallons of water had been put on the track in the week leading up to the meeting. The Midshires Club did everything they could on the day to keep it down but it became a losing battle. After over 40 races it was deemed to be to dangerous for the riders to see through the dust. Only the 250cc Solo Class Final was able to be run, all the other classes were awarded on the points gained from the heats.
The 250cc Solo Final was won in fine style by Henry Atkins, the youngster was unbeaten in all his races. 2
nd was David Knowles always a favourite with the Midshires crowd. 3rd was Charlie Brooks but he was seen to have taken advantage by course cutting, so was put back a place by the officials, promoting Graham Thomas to 3
rd place.
350cc Solo was won by Belle Vue Colts Speedway star Andy Mellish who again was unbeaten winning all his heats from the front or the back. 2
nd was Dave Mears who had travelled all the way from France to be at the meeting. 3
rd Mark Giles for the second year in a row.
Upright Solo class was a battle between former speedway star Peter Carr & former British Champion Stephen Green. Carr took the title with 2 heat wins to Greens one. Not far behind in third place was former winner Mike Dowling.
500cc Solo Championship class was won by Speedway Ace Edward Kennett riding for the first time at Midshires. He showed the field his class by winning all his heats, even losing his steel shoe in one heat didn’t seem to hold him back. 2
nd for the second year in a row Zack Wajtknecht, 3
rd James Wright. A special mention for Cotswold Express Tim Nobes, 4
th overall with two heat wins.
1000cc Sidecars was taken by Mark Cossar and Carl Blyth untouchable in the heats. 2
nd Paul Whitelam & Alan Elliott with Rob Wilson & Bradley Steer 3
rd. It was a shame we did not get to see the big final. Having their best meeting in the UK, Guernsey crew of Clint Blondel and Kevin Bennett, who were in the thick of the action all day, picked up the Paul Pinfold Trophy and the Peter Maddison trophy for best sidecar crew of the day.
500cc Sidecar Super Series. It was a waiting game to see if all the crews would make it back from the European Final in France travelling through the night. To there great credit they all made it back and gave a great show. 1
st Mitch Godden & Paul Smith, 2
nd Shaun Harvey & Danny Hogg, 3
rd Josh Goodwin & Liam Brown. I bet they did not get much done at work on Monday.
Midshires Grasstrack Club would like to thank the ACU Track Racing committee for all their help with the meeting and to all who made it a great day. Sorry the meeting had to be cut short but the rider safety comes first.
Report and Photos by Lawrence Hammonds