The Grasstrack Banter Promotions team return to action this coming Sunday, 23rd July as they host the 2023 Southern Centre Championship event. Following the massive disappointment earlier this year when they were forced to cancel their ‘Bantasia 3’ meeting due to wet weather, it certainly looks like it will be all systems go this time around! The venue for this weekend’s excitement is Whaddon Farm, Owslebury near Winchester, SO21 1JJ.
Preview and Images by Mike Wood
Last Sunday at the ‘Battle of Britian event hosted by the Frittenden Club, it was the very much in-form Tom Cossar/Wayne Rickards who took a thrilling win in the 1,000cc Right-hand sidecar class with elder brother Mark Cossar/Carl Blyth the runners-up and fast Terry Saunters/Liam Brown in 3rd. Following several years out of the sport, it was great to see Blyth back in action and all of the above mentioned crews will be going for it again this weekend at Owslebury. Joining them in the Southern Centre Championship is another quality entry featuring the likes of Dale Fish/Jordan Fish, Michael Austin/Vinny Branch, Trevor Heath/Sam Heath, Paul Whitelam/Richard Webb, the hard charging Billy Winterburn/Ryan Wharton and a whole host of others.
After partnering Saunters in the big 1,000cc clash, Liam Brown also competes in an Old and New Sidecars battle which also includes the ‘Gold Cup’ event. For this class, Liam is actually the pilot in control of the outfit with Frankie Courtney taking the seat in the chair. Regular winners in this class are Mark Courtney/Leon Torres and they will probably start as favourites with Chris Tyrell/Neave Newton, Herman Paul/Ash Pierce and Cornwall lads Dillon Newton/Thomas Newton the likely challengers. Completing the three-wheeled action at Owslebury there’s also going to be some 500cc racing. The main competition for top honours in that class looks like being provided by Shaun Hughes/Louis Bennett, Richard Jenner/Adrian North and Josh Goodwin/Scott Goodwin.
Bagging a great win in the ‘Battle of Britain’, Edward Kennett will be looking to make it a quick 500cc solo victory double at Owslebury on Sunday. Arran Butcher, Alfie Bowtell and Gareth Hickmott who finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th in Kent will also be at the tapes this weekend to renew their rivalry with Kennett along with Chad Wirtzfeld who fell in the final when in contention. This class certainly looks to be very competitive and exciting as also entered and surely a major contender is former New Zealand speedway Champion Bradley Wilson-Dean along with a rider returning to the grass, Tim Nobes. The ‘Cotswold Express’ Nobes will be on a bike supplied by Ben Ilsley of the Grasstrack Banter team.
Having took the 350cc solo win in Kent, Cameron Taylor goes in that class again this weekend, also doubling up with a 250cc entry. In the 350cc contest, the challenge looks like it will probably come from the likes of Luke Harris, Dave Mears, Will Thurlby and Wayne Broadhurst. Over in a strong looking 250cc clash, look out for Tim Greig, Karl Bedingfield, Austin Riches, Kevin Gwillam, Hayden Watts and Zak Batey.
Completing what promises to be a day of super race action is the Upright solo’s. Podium finishers at the ‘Battle of Britain’, Jason Prynne and Tim Mount top the entry this Sunday along with the very consistent Dave Hammond, Tim Curnock, Martin Adams, Luke Tuck, Mike Dowling and co. So, the scene is set for what should be a super event. Admission charges are Adults £15, Concessions £13, Under-16’s FREE and a programme £2 with practice starting at 11am and the first race due to go off at 12.30pm.
