The Ledbury MCC are back in action again this coming weekend, October 30th/31st with two great day’s of motorcycle grass-track racing. Their aptly named Halloween Spooktacular event will also see a Saturday night Bonfire and fireworks as well as Halloween fancy dress and games, it’s going to be fun!
With this also being the last organised event in the 2021 UK Grass-track racing calendar, the two-day programme has attracted entries from many of the sports top stars. Saturday will provide entertainment from the Youth, GT140, Pre-75, Quads, Old and New Sidecars and Left-Hand Sidecars. In the Youth classes, several of the Countries rising young stars are in action with Archie Whitelam(Cadets) and Juniors Archie Rolph and Finley Theobald certainly looking to be right in the thick of the race for glory. In a stacked Intermediates group, Max Perry, Austin Riches and British Youth Speedway Champion Ben Trigger from Plymouth top the bill.
Having recently won the ACU 250cc British Championship at Pencombe, Jake Mulford makes a return to the scene of his triumph on Saturday but will this time be competing in the GT140 competition. Initially, the Norwich based rider was also going to jump aboard his 500cc mount for Sunday’s action but due to a speedway commitment has now unfortunately been forced to withdraw.
So, onto Sunday’s racing and what great entertainment it promises to be with classes for 250cc, 350cc, 500cc, Upright Solo’s, 500cc Sidecars and the big, fast 1,000cc Sidecars. After suffering the disappointment of slipping off in the final of the 250cc ACU British Championship, young, fast Cameron Taylor will be looking to make amends in this one and is sure to be cheered on again by his local army of supporters. On the 350cc podium at the ACU British Championship, John Cox and Neil Taylor head the entry this weekend at Ledbury along with the likes of Tom Perry, Wayne Broadhurst and Dave Mears.
Danish Speedway rider and current National Longtrack Champion Jacob Bukhave becomes the first ever International rider to be involved in a Ledbury MCC event. Jacob will compete in the 500cc event alongside the likes of four times British Masters Champion James Shanes, Chad Wirtzfield, Daniel Winterton, Arran Butcher and doubling up Tom Perry.
The Sidecar entries are also totally stacked with quality. Recent British Champions Mitch Godden/Paul Smith head the 500cc field but are sure to be made to work very hard by the likes of Shaun Hughes/Louis Bennett, James Hogg/ Scott Goodwin and the rest of the pack. And what a mouth- watering prospect a full 1,000cc battle promises to be as six times British Masters Champions Mark Cossar/Gareth Williams attempt to finish off another memorable season in style. Looking to get the better of the dynamic duo at Pencombe will be a whole host of top crews such as Tom Cossar/Wayne Rickards, Kieran Hicks/Kieron Ivy, Matthew Fumarola/Andrew Wilson, Jack Pickard/Max Midgley, Paul Whitelam/Richard Webb and Trevor Heath/Sam Heath amongst others.
So head to Sparrington Farm, Pencombe, near Bromyard, HR7 4SL this weekend for some superb entertainment. Admission costs are £12 Adults, £10 Concessions with Under 16’s FREE for each day or £20 Adults, £16 Concessions and Under 16’s FREE which will gain you entry to the racing on both Saturday and Sunday. Practice will get underway at 10am with the first race due off at 12 noon.
Words and Images by Mike Wood