Tapes Up – Finally! 2024 Formula Grasstrack championship Round 3 – Preview
The 2024 Formula Grasstrack season finally gets under way on Saturday with round 3 of the championship at Ledbury’s Pencombe venue.
Words by Ross Wharton – Images by Kevin Haughton
After suffering 2 rain offs in April and May, rider’s will get their first taste of Formula Grasstrack racing at the Herefordshire circuit the day before the Ledbury Leader thanks to a tie up between the Ledbury Motorcycle club and the Formula Grasstrack Association.
Once again, H&N Supplies Ltd are the title sponsors of the 2024 championship, continuing for a 3rd year in supporting the grass roots level of the sport.
In the youngest category, for 4–7-year-olds, the E-bike class welcomes some familiar faces. Kobi Gutteridge and Levi Collins are no strangers to the 1.5kw class, and Birmingham Speedway mascot JJ Falconer makes his FGA debut. Double champ Lilly Bence is hoping to be at the tapes as well.
In the Auto Cadets, Levi Collins doubles up with the e-bike category and will have a busy day with 14 races! Dalton Wright moves up to the 50cc machines after beginning his racing career in the e-bikes last year. Alfie Shipp returns to the class he did so well in last season and will be one to watch.
Dakota Wright moves up to the Cadet category after winning the Auto Cadet class last season. Charlie Dowd continues in the class he joined halfway through 2023 and will be keen to stamp his authority on the class.
The cub class benefits from a surge of auto cadet graduates for 2024 as well as some returnees to the 9-12 class. Jessica Cox and Roman Ratcliffe will be keen to use their experience on the 125cc machines against the newcomers to the class, Chloe Davis, Kaylem Bourne and Lucas Astley. Bourne and Astley had some close battles on their 50cc machines last season whilst Davis has benefitted from riding her cadet machine in 2023.
Finley Theobald steps up to the Junior class following an impressive year in the Cubs. The youngster from Diss will be battling with the more experienced riders of the Junior class: Max Derrick, Liam Cox, Charlotte Arthur, and Isaac Collins-Bullock. Cox and Derrick will be looking to get their FGA season off to a winning start after beginning their mainstream Grasstrack seasons off in good form. Collins-Bullock and Arthur both improved greatly in 2023 and will be keen for this to continue.
Triple champion Wayne Broadhurst heads the lineup for the Seniors. The former Ice Speedway expert will have his work cut out though, His Son Max has started the season off with some impressive speedway performances and is now a force in the GT140 class. Double 250cc champion Graham Thomas will be at the tapes joined by younger brother, Phil who has won the Senior title before. Local man Adam Hawker will be keen to impress on his home circuit and get his FGA campaign off to a decent start. Kevin Gwillam will be one to watch as well as Colin How and The Rowson Brothers, Ant and Andrew. Marcus Crutchington, Den Edwards and Ian Gutteridge are also entered and have plenty of experience between them, whilst FGA newcomers Gary Holtham and Chris Chadwick join a 23-strong rider list.
Practice is at 12pm, with the first race getting underway at 1pm. Free admission to spectators (Saturday only).
Venue – Sparrington Farm, Pencombe, Herefordshire HR7 4SL
