Who will be the Hot Dogs at Frittenden? 2024 Eastern Centre Grasstrack Championship – Preview

There’s yet more top-class Grasstrack action this coming Sunday as the GTSA holds its first meeting of the season at Dig Dog Lane, Frittenden, Kent, TN17 2AX. With the South Eastern Centre Championship titles also up for grabs, the GTSA has certainly attracted another top-class entry to entertain you. The busy programme will include racing for 250cc,350cc,500cc, Uprights, GT140’s and Unlimited solo classes as well as 500cc, Left-hand and Right-Hand Sidecars. Practice for the event is due to start at 11.00am with racing getting underway at 12.30pm.

Words and Feature Image by Mike Wood

In the 250cc solo class, Yorkshireman David Knowles, although not a regular competitor these days, is surely still going to be the man they will all have to beat! He has already won the Bantasia event earlier this year and, on Sunday, will face some of the finalists he faced that day, such as Aiden Arthur, Tim Greig, Lewis Duke, and the Knight boys’ Richie and Shane.

Showing plenty of high points scoring good form in 2024, Steve Garside will fancy his chances of another podium in the 350cc class this weekend. Main threats to his hopes of further success could come from Dave Mears, Max Broadhurst and Charlie Wood. In the 350cc battle, young Cameron Taylor is scheduled to make his racing comeback following an injury suffered in a crash at Tetrow in Germany.

In a very tasty-looking 500cc solo contest, Edward Kennett, Chad Wirtzfeld (if fit), and Charley Powell top the entry list and will also clash in an interesting and potentially entertaining stacked Unlimited class. On Modern Solo’s, the always highly competitive GT140’s feature again. Current British Champion Ian Clark looks like a favourite in that one, but look out for Connor Sargent and Steve Newsham, who joined Clark as members of the victorious Eastern Eagles at last weekend’s Team Tournament event. Other potential GT140 podium chasers could be Paul Smith, Wayne Broadhurst and Mark Chessell. The solo programme is completed by a stacked Upright class which will feature aces such as Jason Prynne, Tim Curnock, Dave Mears, David Hollingsbee, Martin Adams and co.

So, what’s happening in the Sidecars, then? Well, there will be action for the 500cc boys. Topping that entry is Josh Goodwin/Scott Goodwin. Also coming to the start line and providing part of Goodwin’s opposition will be the Grasstrack Banter crew of Ben Ilsley/Luke Russell and Paul Whitelam/Richard Webb, better known for their exploits on a 1,000cc Right-Hand sidecar outfit.

Indeed, Whitelam will also feature in that 1,000cc contest, which has again attracted a high-quality field. Led by multiple British Masters Champions Mark Cossar/Carl Blyth, just for starters, the likes of Tom Cossar/Wayne Rickards, Matt Fumarola/Andrew Wilson, Robbie Simmons/Thomas Newton, Will Offen/Rick Pay and Steve Smith/Gareth Little will join Whitelam in providing the opposition. This one looks like a very open contest and should produce yet more outstanding sidecar action!

The final class at Dig Dog Lane is for 1,000cc Left-Hand Sidecars, who will also be competing for the Hilton Woodrow Trophy. 2023 British Champions Martin Cuff/Colin Clark start in that one, where their opponents include a whole host of Penfold boys. Will Penfold will be partnered by Freddie Wood, Josh by Dan Woodbridge, and Tommy by Will Naden.

So, get along to Dig Dog Lane, where admission charges for the event will be Adults £15, Concessions £12 and programmes £2, with Under 16’s getting to see the action for FREE. And if you fancy making a full weekend of it well there’s camping available from Friday, 28th June until Monday, 1st July charged at £5 per vehicle and you do have access to water and toilets onsite.

On Saturday night, you can have a drink at Sauly Events’ beer tent while watching the Speedway GP from Gorzow in Poland. England’s next match in the European Football Championship will also be screened from 5 p.m. on Sunday!