After suffering the disappointment of having to cancel their season opening Ledbury Leader event back in April due to wet weather, the Ledbury MCC are back this coming Sunday, 10th September. This time it’s the ‘Ledbury Flyer’ and in a very busy programme, there’s racing for both solo and sidecar machines, with Youth riders also in action.
Starting with those stars of tomorrow, the Autos/Cadets class as thrown together a nice mix of boy’s v girls. Representing the girls will be Chloe Davis, Amellia Cross and Daisy Torres whilst potential winner could be Dakota Wright whose joined by fellow lads Luces Astley, Kaylem Bourne, Alfie Shipp and Darcy Powell. The other Youth class on duty at the ‘Flyer’ will be the Juniors with Oliver Bovingdon topping the list and taking on the likes of Kayden Mundy, Finlay Theobald, Kane Newby, Brayden Blyth, Ollie Binns and Archie Whitelam.
Over in the Adults and after finishing 3rd in the recent ACU British Championship, Luke Harris goes for glory in Sunday’s stacked 250cc solo class. There’s plenty of names though who could also be right in the hunt for the podium top slot including the likes of Tim Greig, Graham Thomas, the ever popular Karl Beddingfield and young guns Austin Riches and Jordan Derrick. Also 3rd in his ACU British Championship class, young Cameron Taylor will be making the relatively short journey to Pencombe as he tops the 350cc solo entry. In this one Taylor will face an entry in which Dave Mears and Jamie Fenn-Smith are the most possible main challengers.
Spectacular Southern based Chad Wirtzfeld is the 500c solo stand out name with hard charging Jack Roberts, John Cox and Ryan Ashcroft also expected to be right in the mix. Again proving just how popular the GT140 class is, there’s going to be a fantastic 23 pilots coming under starters orders on Sunday. And with the British Championship top three of Ian Clark, Kevin Gwillam and Wayne Broadhurst all entered, it’s sure to be interesting. Completing the very busy solo programme, the Upright and Pre-75 lads get some laps at Pencombe to, so look out for the likes of Tony Atkin, Tim Curnock, Jason Prynne, Mike Dowling, John Priest and Kenny Blain.
So,what about the Sidecars, well the 1,000cc Right-Hand boy’s certainly have plenty to race for with big prize money and the Tony Brown Challenge cup up for grabs. In an impressive 17 strong entry, multiple British Masters Champions Mark Cossar/Carl Blyth top the list but there’s plenty of other potential winners in this one! Tom Cossar/Wayne Rickards, Terry Saunters/Liam Brown, Colin Blackbourn/Carl Pugh, Paul Whitelam/Richard Webb, Matt Fumarola/Andrew Wilson, Michael Austin/Vinny Branch and Steve Smith/Gareth Little form just part of what promises to be a very exciting battle!
Recent runners-up in the ACU British Championship , Josh Goodwin/Liam Brown top the 500cc Sidecar entry at Ledbury whilst in the Old and New Sidecars it should be Mark Courtney/Lean Torres and Liam Brown/Frankie Courtney who prove to be the crews to beat!
So get along to the Ledbury MCC’s usual venue of Sparrington Farm, Pencombe, HR7 4SL, it’s the place to be this coming Sunday! With practice due for 10.00am and the first race scheduled to go off at 11.30am, it’s going to be good! Admission charges for the event are Adults £12, Concessions £10 and Under 16’s FREE.
Words and Images by Mike Wood