All roads lead to Whaddon Farm, Owslebury, Hampshire, SO21 1 JJ this coming Sunday, April 23rd as it’s time for the eagerly awaited ‘Bantasia 3’. And once again organisers Grasstrack Banter Promotions have pulled out all of the stops to assemble a top-class entry list aimed to entertain and thrill!
Preview and Images courtesy of Mike Wood
The Elite solo class contains both past and present European and British Champions along with current World Longtrack contenders. Topping the entry is Zach Wajtknecht, last years Bantasia winner and 2022 World Longtrack runner-up. In his attempt to make it a quick Bantasia double, Zach though can expect some serious competition from the exciting Dutch ace Romano Hummel the 2022 European grass-track champion, Chris Harris, double British Masters Champion, rising stars Jake Mulford, Chad Wirtzfeld and the very experienced multiple British Champion Paul Cooper. In a class which shows an intriguing mix of seasoned and younger riders, there’s also going to be the likes of Danish ace Jacob Buckhave, Charley Powell, Andrew Whitaker, Gareth Hickmott, Stephen Green and Jack Roberts on the start line. Completing the line-up, ‘Cotswold Express’ Tim Nobes makes a first appearance since 2019 whilst Kings Lynn and Redcar speedway rider Jason Edwards will be making his grass debut on a bike supplied by Bantasia club friends and sponsors RJC Autos.
Matching that Elite solo list quality is the equally exciting 1,000cc Right-Hand sidecar class which contains just about every top crew available! Going for a Bantasia hat-trick in this one are seven times British Masters Champions Mark Cossar/Gareth Williams. After finishing runners-up in the 2022 Bantasia, Terry Saunters/Liam Brown are back for another shot but there’s a whole host of other serious challengers. Former double British Masters Champions Colin Blackbourn/Carl Pugh, Trevor Heath/Sam Heath, Paul Whitelam/Richard Webb and Matt Fumarola/Andrew Wilson amongst others will be going for glory. Again, this class though shows a nice mix of the experienced, reliable crews alongside the thrilling, younger hard charging boy’s such as Billy Winterburn/Ryan Wharton and Michael Austin/Vinny Branch. Also starting on Sunday is Tom Cossar/Wayne Rickards and although they are not regular entrants at events these days, you can be sure that they will be still ultra- competitive and on the pace!
Supporting the main classes are the 500cc Solo, 250cc Solo and Old & New Sidecar events. In the 500cc Solo entry, 2022 Bantasia winner Jason Prynne defends his crown with 2022 3rd place finisher Paul Bowen also starting. This class also includes Graeme Brown, Wayne Broadhurst, Tim Curnock, Will Thurley and young Belle Vue speedway rider Jack Smith amongst others.
The top three in the 2022 250cc Bantasia contest, Kenzie Cossey, Austin Riches and Jake Breeze all start on Sunday. But once again the field looks ultra- competitive with Karl Bedingfield, top of the 2022 250cc ACU Grading lists, Cameron Taylor, Luke Harris, Graham Thomas, Tim Greig and co also on the start line.
The final class in the Bantasia programme is for Old and New Sidecars. 2022 winners Mark Courtney/Leon Torres have entered and will surely be the crew to beat! Fellow top six finishers from last year, Liam Brown/Frankie Courtney, Chris Tyrell/Neave Newton, Paul Nelson/Lewis Wharton, Brian Hatch/Lew Wharton and Herman Paul/Ash Pierce have also entered the 2023 contest.
So, the scene is set for an epic battle in the race for Bantasia honours but who will claim the glory? Why not be there in person to find out, with practice due at 11am and the first all-important race scheduled for 12.30pm. Admission costs on the day are £18 Adults with Under 16’s FREE. If you want to sample a whole weekend of the Bantasia atmosphere there’s also FREE camping available at the venue from midday on Saturday, 22nd April until midday on Monday, 24th April.
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