The Chaddesley Corbett grass track club are hosting the first of their two planned meetings this coming Sunday, 15th June, which will also incorporate the ACU Midland Centre Championship. And, what a very hectic event it promises to be as the club has decided to cater for just about every class on the spectrum, ranging from Auto/Cadets right through all of the solo classes and up to the big 1,000cc Right Hand Sidecars!
Words and Images by Mike Wood
Both Albie South (Cadets) and Archie Whitelam (Juniors), who were class winners last weekend at Dalton, will be in action again in the Youth section. The Chaddesley event will cater for Autos, Cadets, Juniors and Inters. Other riders on duty and possibly in the mix for honours in these Youth classes include Levi Collins, Alfie Shipp, Finley Theobald, Ollie Binns, Brayden Blyth and Harry Little.
There are six Adult solo classes on the programme, and starting with the GT140, could it possibly produce a repeat of the super battles witnessed at the Ledbury event, which saw Tony Atkin and Ian Clark really go at it? In a class which is always well supported, there are plenty of other serious contenders to threaten Atkin and Clark in the race for top honours, including Mark Scopes, Paul Smith and Kevin Gwillam.
On the Dalton 250cc podium with a hard-earned, strong 2nd overall, Austin Riches will be hoping to go one place better at Chaddesley, but it’s certainly going to be tough! This entry includes regular winners, the very experienced, fast Ricky Scarboro, Graham Thomas, Jake Breeze, Karl Beddingfield, Shane Knight and Steve Garside amongst others. Garside also goes in the 350cc class, and that one certainly looks interesting! Derbyshire’s Jack Roberts should start as favourite, but also coming to the tapes will be Liam Ashcroft, Barry Powell, Max Broadhurst and co.
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Both Roberts and Ashcroft have double-entered and are named in the 500cc entry, which is led by Edward Kennett. In his last outing at Ledbury, Kennett simply stormed to victory and is certainly the man they will all have to beat in the 500cc class. Cameron Taylor 4th at Dalton and Jordan Derrick, who was very impressive and quick off the start last Sunday, are ready to go again. In total, there are 12 riders going for 500cc glory, and the list also includes Martin Williams and Luke Harris.
The Pre-75s and Uprights in the Chaddesley programme certainly looks likely to create some very interesting racing. In the Pre 75’s, Ricky Scarboro could well be the main man, whilst Tony Atkin, Darren Phillips, and John Cox must be considered very possible podium takers in the Uprights. That Uprights class also sees a return to the track of Mark Taylor, father of young Cameron.
In the Sidecar classes at Chaddesley, there’s going to be action for Old and New, 500cc and 1,000cc Right Hand. All three podium crews at Dalton, Mark Courtney/Leon Torres, Luca Whitelam/Michael Day and Brian Hatch/Lewis Wharton will be coming to the tapes in the Old and New contest. Over in the 500cc class, Shaun Hughes/Louis Bennett look like the crew to beat.
Once again, the 1,000cc sidecars have attracted an absolutely cracking entry. The Dalton top three of Mark Cossar/Carl Blyth, Terry Saunters/Liam Brown and Matt Fumarola/Andy Wilson are all starting at Chaddesley along with fellow finalists Will Offen/Ricky Pay and Michael Austin/Wayne Rickards. Along with most of the other crews who were in action last Sunday, this class also sees some quality crews who were not able to make Dalton. Those additions include the likes of Neal Owen/Jason Farwell, Billy Winterburn/Bradley Shields and Paul Whitelam/ Richard Webb. This promises to be another thriller!
The Chaddesley action will get underway with practice at 10.30am with the first race due off at 12.45pm. The circuit is at Lodgeford Hill, Chaddesley Corbett, DY10 4QX with admission prices of Adults £15, Concessions £12, Under 16’s FREE and programmes at £3.
