Again, showing his desire and dedication to be on his bike, racing and winning, Chris Harris was to enjoy a very successful but exhausting weekend! Bagging a 15-point maximum on the shale at Glasgow on Saturday night, Chris arrived home at 3 am Sunday morning. Following a couple of hours’ rest, it was then back on the road to Herefordshire for the 2025 ACU International British Masters grass track Championship hosted by the Ledbury MCC, where he successfully defended his title. Having won in both 2021 and 2022, Bomber got the hat-trick, but it was far from plain sailing, shedding a chain during his first lap of practice, then again whilst leading two of his heats!
Race Report, Interviews and Images by Mike Wood
With a very large crowd in attendance and after some of the current 2025 ACU Youth grasstrack Champions along with Cruz Harris had led the participating riders out on the presentation parade, Bomber then displayed his intent to make it three consecutive Masters crowns by leading the opening 500cc solo heat all the way as James Shanes worked hard to pass Cameron Taylor for 2nd. In a frantic heat 2, Paul Cooper just about held off Alfie Bowtell to earn his first win of the day, as young gun Mickie Simpson, after locking up on turn one, recovered strongly to get home in 4th.
The meeting did not start too well, though, for Charlie Wood, slipping off and being relegated to last, his only outing of the day. The final heat of leg one was also to produce some great action as Masters debutant Jordan Derrick led the charge before being passed by Darryl Ritchings and Andrew Appleton. Right until the final turn, Derrick held onto 3rd place only to fall, allowing Callum Walker, John Cox, Ryan Ashcroft, Jamie Fenn-Smith and David Speight through. Jordan, though, did pick himself up before pushing his bike over the finish line for a solitary point.
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After winning his opening heat, defending Champion Harris was first past the chequered flag in his second outing and then looked to make it a hat-trick when leading his third ride. In that one, though, he shed a chain on the exit from the final turn and in the downhill run to the flag, Dane Jacob Bukhave just about pipped him to the line by the narrowest of margins. Chris was also in control of his final heat before that chain popped off again, but the Champ had still accumulated enough points to qualify for the semi-finals. Also impressing and qualifying in style were Appleton with three heat wins, Ritchings, Bowtell recording a strong quartet of second placings which included a forceful pass on Jack Roberts, Paul Cooper and James Shanes. Showing plenty of his old style, speed and determination, four-time Champion Shane was right on it with three heat wins. Local rider Martin Williams had also been right on it and had scored enough points for a semi spot despite his bike stopping on the start line before his fourth heat. Unfortunately, the stoppage was terminal, and with no spare parts available, that was to signal the end of Martin’s participation.
So, in semi-final one, Appleton led it all the way in style as Simpson, Taylor, Bowtell and Jade Mudgway followed him home. In this clash, Cooper had been chasing Appleton before being forced out with mechanical issues, thus also costing him a potential final spot. With a rider’s heat and semi points being added to determine the final line-up, Chris Harris knew that he could not afford any further chain issues if he was to ensure a place in the all-important last race Masters showdown! So, in his usual cool, calm and calculated style, Bomber stormed to victory in semi-final two ahead of Shanes, Ritchings, the always consistent Roberts, Bukhave, Derrick and Ryan Ashcroft.
With the semi’s done and points totals added, Appleton had the first gate pick in the final, followed by Shanes, Ritchings, Bowtell, Harris, Simpson, Taylor and Roberts. At the first time of asking with Harris fastest away, Taylor and Simpson appeared to get locked together on the exit to turn one, Taylor being painfully thrown off the high side with Simpson crashing heavily trying to save his bucking machine. Thankfully, both of the young lads were soon on their feet, with Simpson able to walk back to the pits as Taylor received medical attention on a shoulder injury. In the rerun, Harris got out first again, only for this time Bowtell and Shanes to crash on the exit of turn one. As Bowtell got a little out of shape, Shanes clipped his rival’s rear wheel and was thrown over his bike’s handlebars. Again, thankfully, both riders were eventually able to get back on their feet, and remarkably, the brave Shanes even decided to still appear in the rerun!
So, at the third time of asking, Bomber led the charge to turn one and there he remained for the duration as Appleton charged hard and in hot pursuit with Ritchings in 3rd, Roberts 4th and Shanes 5th. That meant it’s now three consecutive Masters wins for Chris, and with his racing desire, you can be sure that there’s probably plenty more to come! The 500cc solo class also incorporated the British Under 23 grass track title, with Simpson, Taylor, Derrick, Charlie Wood and Harrison Rogers being eligible to contest.
Taking the win in that one was Simpson, just a single point ahead of Cameron Taylor. All day long, these two young aces had matched each other’s scoring, and so it was rather disappointing that their battle would be concluded following that collision in the first running of the final!
For the first time, the 500cc Sidecars were included in a Masters meeting, with international crews also invited. Danish pair Mike Frederickson/Jorgen Qvistgard and Belgians Kenny van Eeckhout/Axelle Cannaerts made the journey to Sparrington Farm, with both giving a very good account of themselves. Frederickson was to eventually earn 3rd spot on the podiu,m whilst Eeckhout was 5th.
After defending Masters Champions Mitch Godden/Paul Smith and former six-time title winner Josh Goodwin/Scott Goodwin had won their opening heats, they then met in their second outing. Although Godden led it all the way, Goodwin was hot on his heels until almost spinning it out on the final turn. Brilliantly though Goodwin not only saved it but also quickly regained forward momentum and just about still take 2nd despite the close attention of Barrie Bennett/Rowan Lucas. In the remaining heats, Godden and Goodwin bagged a couple of wins apiece, whilst Simon Field/Joe Page should also have got a victory in the bag only to stop on the last lap of their second heat. So, the six final places were sorted with Godden, Goodwin, Bennett, Frederickson, Eeckhout and Phil Rowlands/Scott Gutteridge coming to the tapes.
Having already scored an untroubled quartet of heat wins, Godden was definitely favourite for the title, and he made a great start to lead the pack. On turn one, though, he drifted wide, and seeing the opportunity open up, Goodwin made a brilliant cut back to hit the front as Bennett also exploited the gap. The race was now on as Godden gave chase, but his title hopes were then deflated by a puncture on the sidecar wheel as Danish ace Frederickson moved past the Brits and into 3rd. From here onwards, Goodwin stylishly kept his wheels in line to earn the win and another title as Bennett got home in a great 2nd with Frederickson 3rd, Godden 4th, Eeckhout 5th and Rowlands 6th.
Unfortunately, the much-anticipated 1,000cc Right-Hand Sidecars at the Masters was abandoned after three sickening crashes early on. Firstly, multi–Masters Champions Mark Cossar/Carl Blyth overturned their outfit when going around the outside of the pack in turn one of their opening heat. In the rerun and in that same corner, Michael Austin/Wayne Rickards and Matt Fumarola/Andrew Wilson collided heavily. With Austin now also missing from the third attempt, Fumarola and Wilson then suffered a big off on the entrance to turn one. Whilst Cossar and Austin were able to eventually walk back to the pits after their collisions, later joined by Blyth following medical attention for an arm injury, it was not such good news for Rickards, Fumarola and Wilson, who required trips to the hospital. Following the incidents and with the local NHS in a code red situation and unable to supply any further emergency attendance at the event, it was decided to pull the plug on the racing in this class. In the one heat that was completed, Terry Saunters/Liam Brown led the way before being passed by Robbie Simmons/Frankie Courtney. Then, on the final turn, Saunter’s outfit stopped, forcing him to push home for a single point. Fingers crossed that all the injured riders make a fast and full recovery!
Organising any motorcycle sport event is a thankless task with club members spending hundreds of hours preparation only to then often receive no or very little recognition for their efforts whilst being under constant scrutiny. When the event has National status, that scrutiny then becomes intensified, magnified and multiplied! So, for the Ledbury MCC to throw their name into the hat as hosts for the 2025 ACU British International Masters following two aborted events in 2023 and 2024 was a very bold move. The club, though, certainly pulled it off, their promotion and presentation 100% spot on and a credit to the sport! Massive well done to them for their efforts, and many congratulations to the 2025 Champions crowned.
Results
500cc Solo Final 1 Chris Harris 2 Andrew Appleton 3 Darryl Ritchings 4 Jack Roberts 5 James Shanes Also Alfie Bowtell, Mickie Simpson and Cameron Taylor all fell.
9 Paul Cooper 10 Jacob Bukhave 11 Jade Mudgway 12 Callum Walker 13 Martin Williams 14 Ryan Ashcroft 15 Jordan Derrick 16 Liam Ashcroft 17 David Speight 18 Will Thurlby 19 John Cox 20 Jamie Fenn-Smith 21 James Laker 22 Luke Tuck 23 Luke Harris 24 Harrison Rogers.
British Under 23 Championship 1 Mickie Simpson 29 points 2 Cameron Taylor 28 3 Jordan Derrick 16 4 Harrison Rogers 2 5 Charlie Wood 0.
500cc Sidecar Final 1 Josh Goodwin/Scott Goodwin 2 Barrie Bennett/Rowan Lucas 3 Mike Frederickson/Jorgen Qvistgaard 4 Mitch Godden/Paul Smith 5 Kennith van Eeckhout/Axelle Cannaerts 6 Phil
Rowlands/Scott Gutteridge.
7 Mike Skelding/Louis Skelding 8 Shaun Hughes/Louis Bennett 9 Chris Neame/Toby Vere 10 Simon Field/Joe Page.
