Stellar Despatch will once again provide the title sponsorship for Grasstrack Banter Promotion’s Bantasia 2, set to take place on Sunday 10th April. The event, the promotion’s second under the ‘Bantasia’ brand, will look to build on the success of the ‘behind closed doors’ event which proved so popular at the beginning of 2021. With the support of Stellar Despatch, giant steps towards the promotion’s ultimate goal are once again achievable.
Feature Image courtesy of Tracy Habgood/Dogsbody Photography
The promotion has made no secret as to what they wish to achieve.
“We want to build an event that the whole sport can be proud of,” announced Grasstrack Banter Promotions Chairman Gareth Bemister.
“We, the four of us, grew up going to meetings like the Wimborne Whoppa, Bonfire Burnup, Berks Bonanza and, of course, the world-renowned Ace of Aces. We want to bring those days back. Big crowds, big stars and a venue that isn’t just a farmer’s field with a few stakes and roping. We have put great thought into how we want our venue to look so that from the moment you come into the field, you know you are at a racing arena.”
In 2021, there were plans for an elite solo class, sponsored by Stellar Despatch. The vision for attracting European standard riders is being continued for 2022. Contracts have already been sent out to several top-class solo riders, including some riders from abroad. With the support of Stellar Despatch, and several other key partners, the promotion are able to offer comparatively high prize money, meaning that the top performers will go home with a decent financial start to their 2022 season.
Stellar Despatch is a well respected same day courier company based just outside of Portsmouth and also in Bristol, but also operating in Southampton, Winchester, Basingstoke, Chichester, Farnham, Trowbridge, Bath, Weston-Super-Mare, Gloucester, Newport and Guildford, delivering to locations all over the UK. Growing in stature year on year, Stellar have a large fleet of vehicles ranging from small to extra-long wheelbase vans able to carry 3 x 1 metre square pallets up to 1.2 tonnes.
Club Treasurer Ben Ilsley is thrilled with the continued backing, “This is wonderful news for the club and we are delighted to welcome back Paul Munter and his team back on board for 2022.
“For many years Paul has been a loyal supporter of the sport through various arms of his business and we owe him a massive debt of gratitude. Sponsorship is such a vital part of sport at all levels and here at Grasstrack Banter Promotions we count ourselves extremely fortunate to have the backing of such a successful business as Stellar Despatch and Paul thanks to his passion for this wonderful sport and this backing really helps us accelerate our ambitious plans of putting on a truly first class grasstrack racing event.”
As well as the ‘Elite’ Solo class, a separate ‘open’ entry solo class will be included in the event. Rider numbers will be very limited, but the hope is that anyone wishing to ride has at least an opportunity through the clubman ‘open’ class. Similarly, a 250cc solo class will be invited to ride. The quarter-litre class put on some of the best racing at Bantasia 1, and announced arrival in adult racing of Cameron Taylor. This year’s 250cc class will see several other youngsters making their bow into the adult sport, whilst attracting some of the nation’s top 250cc riders.
The exciting 1000cc sidecars will also be present, with the promotion offering good prize money to tempt the country’s top riders to come and put on a show for the crowd. Finally, the old and new sidecar class will be in attendance. The cheap, alternative sidecar class put on several outstanding races at Bantasia 1. It also gives our hardworking, dedicated track crew a chance to race on the venue that they have prepared.
Grasstrack Banter Promotions are eternally grateful to Paul Munter of Stellar Despatch for his continued support, and are equally thankful to all of our partners.
