Jessica Cox stormed to a 7 – ride maximum in the E-bike class at round 2 of the 2022 H & N supplies Formula Grasstrack championship.
Report and Feature image by Ross Wharton
The Runcorn youngster rode smooth a consistently on her new power unit to head home Kingswinford’s Lily Bence who was competing in her first meeting. Bence would improve as the day progressed, closing the gap to Cox in the latter races. Alfie Salisbury made his grasstrack debut to take 3rd spot.
AJ Bence would be the sole Auto Cadet and therefore took full points getting in plenty of laps.
Due to a late withdrawal in the Junior category, Both the Cub & Junior classes were mixed to form an 8-rider line up. This produced some excellent racing throughout the afternoon, with Cub Champion Ollie Binns taking 3 race victories in the join races to clinch a comfortable maximum in the cub class. Logan Price and Naythan Kukla would have their own battle at the rally site, both riders are so evenly matched and had had 28 points apiece after 4 rides. Unfortunately, Kukla was unable to make the start for the 5th heat re-run, handing 2nd place to Price on the day. Archie Whitelam was able to get in plenty of laps in only his 2nd meeting on the bigger machine. Taking an awkward tumble in his 5th ride, Whitelam was able to walk away to fight another day.
The Junior class was a much closer affair between Brierley Hill’s Joe Crewe and Bristol’s Max Derrick. Crewe would take 3 wins and 3 2nds in the heats whereas Derrick would take two 3rds in the first two rides, dropping valuable points to Crewe. Derricks 3 race wins later in the day closed the gap to 3 points at the close of play. Jack Baker continued his consistent FGA form, returning to action on his own machinery for round 2 to take 3rd overall. Jack Crewe finished 4th overall despite a mechanical problem in his 5th ride. In the Combined final, it was cub champion Binns who headed home the Juniors of Joe Crewe and Derrick.
Wayne Broadhurst added another victory to his superb FGA record. The former Telford Ice speedway champion raced to 6 wins in the heats despite having to work hard to pass Kevin Gwillam in 2 of his rides. Gwillam has continued his fantastic start to 2022 taking 3 wins and 3 2nds. Unfortunately, this was only enough to take 3rd overall. David Binns was the man to split Broadhurst and Gwillam. The hard charger from Nantwich only dropped 1 point to champion Broadhurst in his 5th ride giving him 2nd overall. What a difference two weeks makes, Local man Sam Hall was injured in a coming together at round one, leaving him down in 18th spot but he returns to The Rally Site for round 2 and showed guts and determination to race his way to 4th overall. His best result in the Senior ranks. Jake Breeze would finish 1 point behind Hall in fifth. Rider of the day would go to Telford’s Den Edwards who was competing in only his 2nd meeting on the grass. Edwards had a win and a brace of 2nds to take 6th overall ahead of good friend Nick Bull in 7th.
The Senior A final would see Broadhurst beaten for the first time this season. David Binns making a perfect start to get away at the front. Broadhurst tried his best to mount a challenge but couldn’t pass the Nantwich man. Jake Breeze finished a credible 3rd ahead of Gwillam, Edwards and Hall respectively.
Round 3 of the H & N Supplies ltd. FGA Championship takes place on 7th May at Lowe Farm, Alveley DY12 1SU. Free Admission to Spectators.
Results
Ebike – J. Cox 48, L. Bence 42, A. Salisbury 36
Auto – AJ. Bence 48
Cub – O. Binns 48, L. Price 40, N. Kukla 32
Junior – Joe Crewe 45, M Derrick 43, J. Baker 38
Senior (Top 8) – W. Broadhurst 48, D. Binns 47, K. Gwillam 45, S. Hall 40, J. Breeze 39, D. Edwards 38, N. Bull 38, C. Timms 33
