The 2025 British Grasstrack season kicks off in anger next Saturday 12th April with a weekend of racing at Ledbury MCC’s venue at Pencombe, Herefordshire.
Words by Ross Wharton – Feature Image by Mike Dyment
The Ledbury club hosts its Hereford Grand Prix on Sunday, with a selection of mainstream classes on show. However, the club has also shared its venue with the Formula Grasstrack Association for Round 1 of the H&N Supplies Ltd Formula Grasstrack championship, which takes place inside the main track on Saturday afternoon.
In the youngest Formula GT category, the E-Bikes, Birmingham mascot JJ Falconer returns for his 2nd season in the class after making his debut at the same venue in 2024. Falconer, who has just turned 5, will be hoping to start the season off with a solid performance. A newcomer to the class and making his debut in the competition is Reggie Goodwin. Following in the tyre tracks of his dad, Josh, Reggie is all too familiar with track racing and will be excited to get to the tapes.
The auto cadet class welcomes 3 Ebike graduates from 2024, Lilly Bence, Kobi Gutteridge and Noah Bakewell who join the experienced duo of Dalton Wright and Levi Collins in what will be an interesting class.
The cadet category sees Albie South and Dakota Wright take to the track. South makes his debut in the cadet category, while Wright returns to the class after dabbling in it in 2024.
In the Cub class, cadet champion Charlie Dowd moves up to challenge the established cub competitors from 2024. Lucas Astley made big improvements last season and will be hoping to continue his work towards the front, Kaylem Bourne also made his debut in the class last season and was a front runner towards the end of the year. Chloe Davis makes the trip up from Oxford and will be one to watch, whilst AJ Bence will be aiming for another championship rostrum.
Cub champion Archie Whitelam steps up with former cub contender Roman Ratcliffe to the Junior ranks. John Cox jnr makes his return to racing after some years away.
Multi-senior champion Wayne Broadhurst heads the adult lineup after releasing his grip on the title to Graham Thomas in 2024. Broadhurst will be looking to get the trophy back this year. As yet, champion Thomas isn’t in the lineup.
Broadhurst will have his work cut out, with some experienced fast competition also entered. Local man Adam Hawker will be keen to kick his FGA season off in style on his home circuit, while veteran GT140 expert Kevin Gwillam makes his return after a year on the sidelines in 2024.
Another veteran with plenty of experience who will be looking for a top-three finish is Minsterley’s Colin How. Andrew and Anthony Rowson also make the trip south from Minsterley and are both capable race winners. Another man making the trip from Minsterley is former Bantam grass track racer Elwyn Beedles, who has made a return to grass track after many years doing trials.
Marcus Crutchington, Glyn Edwards, Nathan Alder and Brandon Gutteridge will be looking for top 8 spots with veteran motocross rider Den Edwards also in the mix. Olly and Charlie Glaze are both back in the fold with Droitwich youngster Theo Copestake back for his 2nd year on the 125cc power units.
FGA newcomers Andy Denton, Archie Palmer and Steve Brook will be looking to transfer their skills from mainstream track racing to the smaller engines. Isaac Collins-Bullock moves up from the Junior class after taking victory in that class last season.
Practice is at 12pm with the first race at 1pm. Admission is free (Saturday only)
The Full venue address is Sparrington Farm, Pencombe, Herefordshire HR7 4SL. What3words Clasping.Magma.Secures
More information go to www.formulagrasstrack.com
