The Solo line up of 24 is headed up by current World Longtrack and three times European Grasstrack Champion Jannick de Jong, plus three times British Speedway Champion and current GP competitor Chris Harris. Also present will be British Masters Champion James Shanes another young star who is equally at home on the shale as he is the grass.
Add to these former European and four times Masters Champions Andrew Appleton and Paul Hurry, British number one longtracker at present Richard Hall, former Division two Speedway riders Champion James Wright and track record holder Tim Nobes.
The remainder of the field consists of Lakeside Speedway’s Rob Mear, so unlucky at last year’s Masters, Rodney McDonald, Callum Walker, James Hartley, Ben Millichap, Charley Powell, Mark Giles, Martyn Sturgeon, Gareth Hickmott, Andrew Whitaker, Adam Filmer, Mark Baseby, Matt Saul, Warren Atkinson, Jamie Fenn-Smith and Lee Bartlett. What a fantastic line-up!
If you are a speedway fan you may be unfamiliar with sidecar racing, a major part of the British and European grasstrack scene. They come in two sizes, the monster 1000cc Right Hand and the continental style 500cc. The sight of six sidecar outfits going into that first bend is one of the most exhilarating sights you will ever witness in motorsport. And what a field we have assembled for you at the Champions of Champions in both classes.
We have 24 Right Hand 1000cc Sidecars including current Masters Champions Colin Blackbourn/Carl Pugh, four times winners Mark Cossar/Carl Blyth, double winners Rob Wilson/Terry Saunters and Paul Whitelam/Alan Elliott who have also won the title. Biggest danger to these four is likely to come from youngsters Gareth Winterburn/Liam Brown though there are many other top crews including Myles Simmons/Kevin Woodley, young chargers Gary Shearer/Sam Heath, Matt Fumarola/Gareth Williams, Robbie Wilson/Bradley Steer, Simon Heal/Rowland Broomfield, Joe Mogg/Jake Cutler, Will Offen/Nicky Owen and back after injury Andy Gribble/Ben Schofield. Also included are Guernsey Sand racers Clint Blondel/Ross Young, so promising Tom Cossar/Hayden Evans, Jeff Measor/Ashley Williams, Will Penfold/Ricky Pay, Simon Beaney/Gareth Bemister, John Hiscock/Terry Madley, Trevor Heath/Kieron Bonner, Tom Marvel/Jon Miller, Matthew Huddy/Sam Quarterman, plus a warm welcome back to Trevor Colvin who will be driving Pete Colvin’s outfit with Pete’s son Steve in the chair.
Also appearing of course will be all of the countries top 500cc Sidecar crews as the ASTRA club stage the first round of this year’s Super Series. Listed to compete are European and British Champions Josh Goodwin/Liam Brown, eight times British Champions and last year’s series winners Shaun Harvey/Danny Hogg, Mitch Godden who has taken to the class like a duck to water, with new passenger Paul Smith and the often super-fast Simon Beard/Ant Goodwin. However these four won’t be able to relax with seasoned campaigners Barrie Bennett/Eifion Hughes, Dave Carvill with young Cameron Godden in the chair, Scott Dunn/TBA and Paul Moorcock/TBA. Watch out too for Dan Berwick/Mark Hopkins who had some good results last year likewise all female crew Natasha Bartlett/Ciara Southgate and finally solo convert Aaron and Steve Vale plus more or less complete newcomers Jamie Hogg (son of Danny) with Connor Penhaligan.
So if you’re a grasstrack fan we’ll be sure to see you. If you’re a speedway fan then you shouldn’t miss it. If you just want a great day out for all the family, then look no further than the Champions of Champions!