It’s round two of the 2025 ACU Midland Centre grasstrack championship this coming Sunday, September 7th, as the Chaddesley Corbett grasstrack club returns to action. At their usual Lodgeford Hill venue, DY10 4QX, this time around there’s going to be racing for 250cc, 350cc, 500cc, Pre 75’s, Upright and GT140 solo’s as well as 500cc and 1,000cc Right-Hand sidecars. The first race is due off at 12.30pm with admission costs being Adults £15, Concessions £12, Under 16’s FREE and programmes at £3.
Words and Images by Mike Wood
Going back to June and round one of the Midland Championship saw Graham Thomas take top honours in the 250cc solo class. For round two, though, Thomas is competing in the GT140 class instead, so fellow finalists Austin Riches, Max Derrick, Shane Knight, Adam Hawker, Liam Cox and Jake Breeze look to take full advantage. Joining the 250cc race on Sunday will be talented youngster Dylan Huthwaite, Dan Miller, Luke Wicks and Steve Brook.
It’s a different story in the 350cc class, though, as Jack Roberts, the winner at round one, travels down from Derbyshire to go for another victory. Indeed, all of the top six finishers from the opener will be on track again in the 350s as Tim Curnock, Barry Powell, Will Thurlby, George Pardoe and Chris Brook look set to challenge the fast Roberts. Other riders worth watching out for in this one are Liam Ashcroft and the former 250cc British Champion, Neil Taylor. Although the 500cc class is low on numbers for round two, it’s certainly very high on quality! Four-time British Masters Champion James Shanes tops the list. Providing the challenge in this one are the opening round 500cc winners Jack Roberts, Martin Williams, Ryan Ashcroft, Charlie Wood and Will Thurlby.
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Having been victorious in round one of the Pre-75 class, Rob Snow will be looking to get the business signed, sealed and delivered on Sunday. His closest challengers, though, back at round one, John Priest, John Weeks and Phil Kynman will all also be present, so it’s going to be a tough, old contest. Also entered in this one are John Shipley and Roger Taylor.
There was some super action in the 500cc sidecars at round one, and most of the protagonists will be at it again this Sunday at Chaddesley. Runners-up in the opening bash, Richard Webb/Anthony Goodwin, Phil Rowlands/Scott Gutteridge, Shane Freeman/Tobias Vere, Nick Bull/Sam Hall and Mike Skelding/Louis Skelding all start at round two.
Having won the opening round, Mark Cossar will be competing with a new passenger in the 1,000cc Right-Hand sidecar class and what a very interesting move it is! With regular chair-man Carl Blyth out of action after suffering a broken arm at the recent British Masters, the multi-Champion has acquired the services of none other than Andrew Wilson who normally partners Matt Fumarola, another rider who unfortunately suffered injuries at the Masters. Having recovered from that horrific crash himself, Andi is ready to go racing again, and his partnership with Mark Cossar certainly looks like it is producing a very formidable duo! Terry Saunters/Liam Brown, who scored victory last weekend down in Cornwall, Bradley Reynolds/Connor Measor and Clint Blondel/Lewis Davis, who all made the final during round one, are entered, but there’s plenty of other very fast, hungry crews also looking to get on that podium. Likely to be in the mix are Paul Whitelam/Richard Webb, Tom Cossar/Ryan Wharton, Will Penfold/Freddie Wood, Stef Blyth/Morgan Blyth, Billy Winterburn/Bradley Shiels and Tom Marvell/Dave Marks, amongst others. Also having an outing in this class is Rob Heath, the 2025 1,000cc left-hand sidecar champion who starts with Sam Heath in the chair.
Supporting the Midland Centre Championship event are solo classes for the GT140’s and Uprights. In the 140’s it looks like being another entertaining and highly competitive day of racing. Back in June at Chaddesley, Wayne Broadhurst, Tony Atkin, Mark Scopes, Ian Clark, Duncan Burton, Mark Collins and Luke Wicks filled the top seven places in the final. And, this Sunday they have all entered again and with the likes of Kevin Gwillam, Mark Klassen, Lee Harding, Darren Sargeant and Connor Sargeant in the mix, picking a potential winner could prove to be extremely difficult! Finally, and completing the programme it’s the Uprights with Tony Atkin topping the entry. Tony though can expect some tough opposition which looks like being provided by probably John Cox, Eddie Rouse, Luke Tuck and Rob Snow with this class also featuring an appearance by Luke Priest, son of John Priest.
So, the scene is set for round two of the ACU Midland Centre Championship at Lodgeford Hill, Chaddesley Corbett. Get along and support the club this coming Sunday, September 7th whilst witnessing who will be taking home the coveted titles on offer!
