Awesome Archie! Formula Grasstrack Championship Round 2 – Race Report & Results

Archie Whitelam Stormed to a 6 Ride maximum at the Formula Grasstrack Association’s 1^st meeting of 2021.

Report by Ross Wharton – Images courtesy of Linda Mulvey

In perfect racing conditions, the Auto Cadet Rider from Nottingham dominated the class and continued his great form for this season. Bilbrook’s Charlie Fletcher rode to a consistent 2^nd place whilst John Cox Junior took 3^rd in his first ever meeting despite a nasty tumble in his 2^nd ride. Lily Childe showed improvement as the day progressed to take 4^th place.

Crewe’s Ollie Binns was the comfortable winner of the cub class, Binns rival for several years, Harry Fletcher was plagued with mechanical gremlins and didn’t manage a race. 2^nd place went to Winsford’s smooth riding Naythan Kukla, who improved as the racing unfolded and will be one to look out for as the season goes on.

Gino Casale joined Archie Whitelam as the only maximum men across the 4 classes. Casale’s fast starting combined with his smooth riding style was enough to secure a perfect 7 ride maximum. William Childe rode consistently to take 2^nd place, winning 4 of his rides whilst Brierley Hill’s Joe Crewe took 3^rd place with a win and a string of 2^nd places. Ethan Childe was comfortable in 4^th place and Debutant Dylan Wassall showed a good account of himself to finish 5^th, despite a couple of non-finishes, the Great Barr rider managed a race win in his 3^rd ride.

350cc Ace Wayne Broadhurst only dropped a single point in his return to FGA action. The Shrewsbury veteran was only beaten by hard charging Phil Thomas, who finished 2^nd. Broadhurst was involve in the race of the afternoon when he was out gated by current champion Martin Adams. The two Shropshire protagonists rode side by side for three laps, Broadhurst edging Adams out on the final lap. Adams was to rue a 5^th place finish in race one that would leave him down in 5^th place at the end of the day. Crewe’s David Binns showed he was still a contender for the title with a triplet of wins and 2^nd places to take 3^rd place, finishing one point adrift of Phil Thomas. Steve Mace’s return from retirement proved to be a good decision as the Shrewsbury man secured 4^th place ahead of Adams. Minsterley’s Andrew Rowson consistently scored to take 6^th.

Andrew Binns was tied on points with the returning Tommy Astbury for 7^th and 8^th places. The A final would be the decider for them. In the final, it was Thomas who made a lightning start to head the field into turn one, chased hard by Dave Binns and Martin Adams, Broadhurst was left towards the back after a bad start, but he passed Adams on the 2^nd bend to chase after the front two, passing David Binns to take 2^nd place behind Thomas. The 7^th place on the day was handed to Astbury who beat Andrew Binns into 6^th place in the final.

Astbury would take Rider of the Day. Several year’s away from the sport and making his Senior debut, 7^th place was a fantastic achievement.

Worth mentioning is the two former junior front runners Jake Breeze and Sam Hall, both making their Senior debuts, tying on points for 9^th and 10^th, with Breeze winning the B final, he took 9^th overall. Hall was involved in an awkward looking tumble in leg 2 when Nick Bull fell in front of him, Hall collided with the stricken Bull to bring the two machines together. Both men walked away to race again. Wallasey’s Mike Flynn came to the tapes to race in leg 1 despite having 2 years added to his age by the secretary of the meeting! The 89-year-old continues his impressive running of motorcycle competition.

Round 3 takes place on Saturday 24^th July at Hampton Hall near Malpas. This will also be the Jonathan Rodgers Memorial Meeting. More information can be obtained via Facebook or email office@formulagrasstrack.com.

Results

Autos – 1^st A. Whitelam 40pts, 2^nd C. Fletcher 35, 3^rd J. Cox 30, 4^th L. Childe 25.

Cubs – 1^st O.Binns 48, 2^nd N. Kukla 46.

Juniors – 1^st G. Casale 48, 2^nd W. Childe 45, 3^rd J. Crewe 43, 4^th E. Childe 40, 5^th D. Wassall 27.

Seniors (top 10) – 1^st W. Broadhurst 47, 2^nd P. Thomas 46, 3^rd D. Binns 45, 4^th S. Mace 43, 5^th M. Adams 39, 6^th A. Rowson 36, 7^th T. Astbury 33, 8^th A. Binns 33, 9^th J. Breeze 31, 10^th S. Hall 31.