Hosted by Ledbury MCC, it’s the ‘Ledbury Leader’ grasstrack this coming Sunday, 19th April and what a cracking entry it has attracted! Topping the bill will be the 1,000cc Right-Hand Sidecar action as they lock horns and go into battle after some big prize money and the stunning Tony Brown Challenge Cups on offer.
Words and Images by Mike Wood
Leading the big chair entry is the 2025 British Masters Champion, Gareth Winterburn, who’s going to have Frankie Courtney in the chair for this one. Winterburn will face defending Tony Brown Challenge Cup winners Terry Saunters/Liam Brown, Mark Cossar/Carl Blyth and Paul Whitelam/Richard Webb, just for starters and with a total of 13 crews entered, this will surely be a very tasty contest!
Joshua Goodwin/Scott Goodwin and Barrie Bennett/Rowan Lucas, the top two in the 2025 500cc Sidecar Masters at the same venue, will be hoping for a repeat performance this coming Sunday when they clash again. However, there is the small business of first getting the better of a certain Mitch Godden/Paul Smith, the four-time British Champions and regular European Championship contenders! Last year at Ledbury, Godden missed out on bagging another title when suffering a sidecar wheel puncture in the final, so the dynamic duo will certainly want some redemption this time around!
The 500cc Sidecars at the ‘Ledbury Leader’ certainly looks to be a very interesting contest when you also throw into the mix the likes of Richard Webb/Ant Goodwin, Shane Freeman/Tobi Vere, Michael Skelding/Louis Skelding and Nick Bull/Sam Hall, with Nick also racing in the 1,000cc Right-Hand Sidecars.
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Having finished 3rd at the recent Tallington event, Steve Brook will have another outing in the 250cc solo class this weekend, where he will face the likes of Ben Phillips, Aiden Arthur, Steve Garside, Shane Knight and Ledbury MCC secretary Adam Hawker. This class also features young Thomas Vining from the Channel Islands and Simon Hammersley, 3rd in the 2025 ACU British Championship. Both of these riders should be considered major 250cc class podium contenders, and they are in for a very busy day, also competing in the 500cc solo class.
Also doubling up after racing in the 250cc contest is that popular Welshman Steve Garside. Although he’s only recently returned to racing following an injury sustained in 2025, Steve should still be right in the mix throughout Sunday’s 350cc class. Young Oxford speedway star and current ACU GT140 British Champion Max Broadhurst could well be the man though that everyone will need to beat at Ledbury. This class also features Luke Tuck, Tim Curnock and Karl Miles, amongst others.
Darryl Ritchings returns to the venue of his 2025 British Masters 3rd place finish to go for more 500cc solo spoils. In what looks like a very intriguing entry, Darryl can expect some tasty, serious opposition led by Dorset’s very finest, James Shanes. Local aces, the supremely talented Cameron Taylor and experienced Martin Williams, are also considered as big, podium contenders along with a host of talented youngsters. In the entry are Thomas Vining, Jordan Derrick and Dylan Huthwaite, along with the likes of Jake Breeze, Austin Riches, Liam Cox and Simon Hammersley.
In a very strong GT140 class, Wayne Broadhurst, Ian Clark, Mark Sopes, Kevin Gwillam, Tony Atkin, Lee Harding and Duncan Burton look to be the standout names. There’s plenty of other quality in the line-up and you know that the GT140’s will also produce plenty of close, ultra-competitive action throughout the day!
The final class is for Classic solos, and that too is simply stacked with potential podium takers. Just for starters, you can surely expect Tony Atkin, Dave Mears, Jason Prynne, Eddie Rouse, Luke Tuck, Michael Dowling and John Priest to be knocking on the door, with John Shipley, Michael Toplis, John Weeks and Kevin Beer also starting.
So, get along to Sparrington Farm, Pencombe, HR7 4SL this coming Sunday, 19th April and enjoy some great grasstrack action. Admission charges are £15 Adults, £12 Concessions, with Under 16’s FREE, with practice starting at 10 am and racing due off at 11.30 am. For you grasstrack fans, you can also camp onsite from Friday 17th until Monday 20th with some action to watch on the Saturday when the FGR hold the first round of their own series.
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