Round 4 of the 2025 Formula Grasstrack Championship saw the return to the Hampton Old Hall venue near Malpas for the Jonathon Rogers’ Memorial meeting.
Race Report by Andy Falconer
Wayne Broadhurst was in sizzling form, taking the chequered flag in all six of his heats along with the Senior A Final, to make up some valuable ground in the overall championship standings.
The heats saw some fantastic racing, with the points scoring close throughout the day. Kevin Gwillam & Colin How were tied at the interval, both taking two wins and a second apiece, with How & Gwillam going head-to-head in Heat 18, and How coming out on top after the four laps.
Championship leader Adam Hawker took one win and two seconds in the first of the heats, putting him level on points with the returning Glyn Edwards, who also took the Senior Rider of the day award.
Elwyn Beedles suffered mechanical issues as the tapes went up in Heat 4, denting his hopes for the meeting. The fast-gating Sam Hall improved throughout the first set of heats, going into the interval with a race win and sixth place, holding off a fast-charging Andrew Rowson in Heat 10.
The returning Rowson was unfortunate not to take a heat win in Heat 15, with a coil wire coming loose whilst at the front.
Anthony Rowson’s first set of heats put him joint eighth with Birmingham Bulls Speedway rider Jack Crewe, narrowly behind the fast-gating Sam Hall & Den Edwards.
Broadhurst & How were both unbeaten in the second half of heats, clearly intent on boosting their Championship hopes. Kevin Gwillam also had a strong second half, taking two out of three wins.
Glyn Edwards form continued well throughout the afternoon, with a win in Heat 25 against Den Edwards and Anthony Rowson. Sam Hall recorded a great heat win over Glyn Edwards in Heat 33, both riders challenging each other for all four laps. Adam Hawker finished the day level on points with Hall, after some electric starts throughout the afternoon.
On to the Senior Finals, the C Final was won by series newcomer Ben Crabtree, who fought his way through the pack during an action-packed race. Nathan Alder initially made the gate, but it would be Nick Chadwick who hit the front by the end of the first lap. Charlie Glaze was unlucky to fall on at the end of the first lap, but was able to remount. Crabtree battled and passed Chadwick at the end of the third lap and held on for the win ahead of Chadwick, Nigel Bowkett & Peter Evans.
The Senior B Final saw a win for Andrew Rowson, to make amends for a somewhat frustrating day with electrical issues. Marcus Crutchington took second after a strong day of quick starts for the Telford-based rider. Battling Beedles took third, after an up-and-down day, ahead of Jack Crewe, who always looked threatening in fourth.
The E-Bikes saw just one competitor, JJ Falconer, who, despite an issue at the start of the final, took maximum championship points.
Dalton Wright continued his fantastic form in the Autos, taking all six heat wins, and even beating brother Dakota in the Cadets in Heat 28, and the win in the Final. Championship newcomer Harry Worrall had a great day, finishing second ahead of Noah Bakewell.
The elder of the Wright brothers also took maximum points throughout the day in the Cadets class ahead of Kingwinsford’s Lilly Bence. Wright’s determination and speed shone through despite being out-gated by Bence in several heats, who was using clutch & gears for the first time.
The Cubs class saw some excellent racing between Lucas Astley and AJ Bence, with both riders taking heat wins on the day. Astley battled hard throughout the day and often gained ground on Bence, but was unable find a way past. Bence looked to be oozing confidence by the end of the day, and despite a fall after the chequered flag in the Cubs final, had done more than enough to earn the Junior Rider of the Day Award.
John Cox was the only Junior rider competing, and was still suffering from the after effects of a rib injury during the British Youth Championship the previous weekend, but was able to take maximum championship points.
The Senior A final saw Wayne Broadhurst take a commanding win through the dust, ahead of Kevin Gwillam, who returned the compliment to head Colin How at the end of the four laps. Sam Hall took a hard-earned fourth place ahead of Glyn Edwards, who worked overtime throughout the final to pass Adam Hawker and catch and almost pass Hall. Den Edwards finished just ahead of Anthony Rowson in the A Final.
The FGA Championship heads back to Sparrington Farm, Ledbury on 2nd August for Round 5.
Results
Seniors (Top 10): 1. Wayne Broadhurst (48), 2. Kevin Gwillam (46), 3. Colin How (47), 4. Sam Hall (42), 5. Glyn Edwards (44), 6. Adam Hawker (42), 7. Den Edwards (40), 8. Anthony Rowson (38), 9. Andrew Rowson (35), 10. Marcus Crutchington (36).
Juniors: 1. John Cox (15).
Cubs: 1. AJ Bence (47), 2. Lucas Astley (43).
Cadets: 1. Dakota Wright (48), 2. Lilly Bence (42).
Autos: 1. Dalton Wright (48), 2. Harry Worrall (41), 3. Noah Bakewell (37).
E-Bikes: 1. JJ Falconer (48).
Championship Standings
Seniors (Top 10) : 1. Adam Hawker (146), 2. Colin How (145), 3. Wayne Broadhurst (139), 4. Elwyn Beedles (134), 5. Anthony Rowson (133), 6. Den Edwards (125), 7. Kevin Gwillam (118), 8. Andrew Rowson (109), 9. Charlie Glaze (104), 10. Nathan Alder (99).
Juniors : 1. John Cox (95), 2. Archie Whitelam (71), 3. Roman Ratcliffe (47), 4. Joe Bain (25), 5. LJ McAlinney (25), 6. Royston Totty (21).
Cubs : 1. Lucas Astley (94), 2. AJ Bence (93), 3. Kaylem Bourne (69), 4. Charlie Dowd (49), 5. Caelan Ratcliffe (46), 6. Jessica Cox (20).
Cadets : 1. Dakota Wright (98), 2. Albie South (74), 3. Lilly Bence (24), 4. D Lewis-Powell (23).
Autos : 1. Dalton Wright (98), 2. Noah Bakewell (89), 3. Kobi Gutteridge (72), 4. Lilly Bence (46), 5. Levi Collins (25), 6. Harry Worrall (24).
E-Bikes : 1. JJ Falconer (98), 2. Reggie Goodwin (74).
