The 2023 Formula Grasstrack Association season heads to a new venue for its penultimate meeting of the season. The new Track on the outskirts of the village of Pontesbury in Shropshire looks to be a good circuit and will hopefully be on the calendar again in 2024.
Lilly Bence and Dalton Wright are the only E-Bikes entered, and both riders are currently 1st and 2nd in the championship, with Wright ahead.
The elder Wright brother, Dakota is also leading the Auto Cadet championship but will face stiff competition from the returning Alfie Shipp, whilst Lucas Astley will be aiming to continue his form to hold onto 2nd place. Kaylem Bourne has improved rapidly over the last few meetings and will also pose a threat.
2022 Auto champion Charlie Dowd moves up to the Cadet category for this meeting and will be hoping to build on his confidence on his new machine. AJ Bence is also entered and will look to close the gap on champion elect Chloe Davis.
Diss’s Finley Theobald makes a return to FGA action and will be hoping to pick up where he left off at round 7. Round 8 winner Logan Price will be looking to continue his top form and hold onto the number 1 position. Jessica Cox is currently 2nd and will be keen to use her fast gating to score more vital points. Roman Ratcliffe makes his 2nd appearance on the grass too.
6 Junior competitors make the trip to Shropshire in what is a tightly contested class, Joe Crewe currently holds a 7 point lead over Max Derrick whilst Jack Crewe is sitting comfortable in 3rd place, 1 point behind Derrick. Liam Cox gets to continue his returning year to track racing on his new machine and can be a force amongst the top 3. Isaac Collins-Bullock and Maz Alexander are both entered and will be aiming to add to their championship tally.
Wayne Broadhurst is poised to take another Senior title as he sits 23 points ahead of Sam Hall and depending on how the afternoon’s racing goes, Broadhurst could seal the title at the Pontesbury venue on Saturday.
He’ll have the usual competition from old friends Graham and Phil Thomas, for Phil, it’s his closest meeting of the year, a short 500-yard drive from his front door! The fastest farmer in Worcestershire, Kevin Gwillam will want to take victory for the 2nd time this season and hope to secure a podium spot in the championship.
Mark Scopes returns to the FGA paddock after missing the last 2 meetings due to other commitments, but will no doubt be a front-runner in the hotly contested class. Young gun Max Broadhurst will be there to mix it with the older statesmen, and 250cc stalwarts Colin How and Adam Hawker will both be there to take race wins.
Ian Gutteridge and Glyn Edwards make their returns to FGA action after both having dabbled in the class in the past, whilst Paul Dufty will be hoping for another race win after winning the D final at Lea Cross.
Practice at 12pm, First Race 1pm
Station Road, Pontesbury, Shropshire SY5 0QX – Signposted from Pontesbury Village.
Preview by Ross Wharton – Images courtesy of Daz Barnett