The ACU British Classic Solo Championships take place in Hertfordshire this Sunday. The nation’s top Upright configured machines do battle in three capacity classes, with the meeting fully supported by modern Grasstrack machines.
The 250cc Upright title was won in 2014 by Richard Warry. The Oxfordshire-based racer has been a leading light in classic 250 racing for several seasons and fully deserved his title last year in Cornwall. This year, competition comes from several solid classic bike riders. Chris Mackett competes in all three classes on the day and the Kent rider can never be underestimated, no matter what class he is competing in. The hugely experienced Geoff Urban has been known to test the mettle of Warry in the past and will want to impress, whilst Aylesbury rider Chris Bird will practically be on home soil. He will want to impress and is capable of causing an upset.
In the 350cc class, again Chris Mackett’s name stands out. He was the runner-up last year in this competition. The man that beat him to the title last year was 1979 European Grasstrack Champion Gerald Short. Shortie again competes and is more than capable of making it yet another 350cc Upright title, adding to last years and his first back in 2012. Short is also a two-time British 350cc champion, although these titles were won during the 1970’s. Current top 350cc modern-era rider Dave Mears is an entrant in the Upright 350 class. He is still a top national competitor and will certainly be hard to beat in this class, whilst Mike Dowling also joins the 350 ranks, having impressed thoroughly aboard his 500cc Upright machine.
The 500cc Classic Upright competition looks ferociously competitive. Current champion Steve Newsham shocked the sport by taking last year’s title. He will be up against some stiff competition in his title defence on Sunday.
One of the most exciting Upright riders comes in the form of Steve Daw. He suffered a nasty incident two weeks ago at Frittenden whilst fighting for the lead in the Upright final. If Daw is fit, he will take some catching. It seems remarkable the Daw has yet to win an Upright title. A rider who has impressed since returning at the beginning of the season is Stephen Green. The Essex racer has won several club events in the Upright class and is in terrific form. Another returnee this season is Nathan Morton. He too has been riding well this season, but perhaps hasn’t performed the number of laps that some of his rivals have.
Former British Best Pairs champion and long-time top rider Bob Dolman joins the title chase. Dolman still is considered one of the best modern-day 350cc riders in the country. He has never won an upright title but is more than capable of doing so.
The 24 strong line-up of solos is spattered with former and current top solo riders doing battle in this classic class.
The modern machines also should provide some excellent racing as some of the best riders in the country converge to do battle.
Former British 250cc Champion David Knowles will hope to get one over on youngster Jed Collins, who is hoping to return to racing following a nasty injury sustained at the British Championships several weeks ago. The two riders clashed in what was probably the best 250cc race of the season so far at Midshires earlier in the year. The younger rider Collins came out on top in that particular clash.
In the 350cc class, Dave Mears will have his eyes set on winning the Classic Upright title, but could be deemed favourite for the modern class also. He will have his work cut out however, as he does battle with Cradley Heathens teamster Luke Harris, whilst Kent rider Gareth Hickmott has put on some good performances this season.
In the 500cc class, James Shanes makes his first appearance on the British Grasstrack since riding to an outstanding runners-up spot in last weekend’s European Grasstrack Championship. Shanes has been in sensational form all season and will take some catching at Puttenham on Sunday.
Hoping to lower the colours of the 18-year-old will be former British 250cc and 350cc champion Harland Cook. Cook has the ability to put some serious pressure on Shanes and will be looking to get a good result before the British Masters in two months time. And a rider finding form this season is Australian ex-pat Rodney McDonald. Having qualified comfortably for the British Masters, McDonald has been fighting for the top spots in finals across the country in recent weeks.
The final support class will be the spectacular 1000cc sidecars. Several of the top crews in the country are due to race at the meeting. 4x British Masters Champion Mark Cossar leads the line up. Passengered by Gaz Williams, the Rugby-based rider has been in fine form this season and will certainly take some catching aboard his magnificent Suzuki GSX-R machine. Rob Wilson and Terry Saunters have been amongst the results all season and will want to get back on track following a break from racing in the last few weeks. A crew that began the season in fine form will is Colin Blackbourn and Carl Pugh. The 2007 British Masters champion will want to get back to the form that saw them winning several finals at the beginning of the year. Myles Simmons and Kevin Woodley have also been showing good form this season. Although they have not been winning meetings, they have been placing high in finals and will want to continue this sort of form. Paul Whitelam and Alan Elliott make another appearance aboard their new Suzuki powered machine also. With the change in power unit, they will want to get some strong laps in before September’s Masters in Wimborne.
With so many classes catered for, an exciting day’s racing is promised at Puttenham, Herts. All of the British title classes are wide open, with many seeing the 500cc Classic class as one of the most competitive in Grasstrack at present.