Grasstrack Banter Promotions may be only staging one event in 2026, but what a very special affair it promises to be! The Sylvie Pattison Celebration meeting in memory of a truly, lovely Lady who simply adored the sport of grasstrack takes place at Whaddon Farm, Owslebury, SO21 1JJ this coming Sunday, 3rd May. And, Sylvie’s popularity within the grasstrack world as certainly be recognised, the event attracting a top-class entry who are all ready and willing to celebrate her life in style!
Words by Mike Wood
Starting with the Youth classes and Alfie Shipp, Grayson Rickards, Kody Pay, Levi Collings and Dalton Wright go in the Autos/Cadets, Brayden Blyth, Harry Little, Dakota Wright, Albie South and Diasy Torres in the Juniors and Finley Theobald and Archie Whitelam in the Intermediates.
In the GT140’s, the action was simply red hot at Ledbury, and the top three from that event, Ian Clark, Wayne Broadhurst and Mark Scopes, go head-to-head again at Whaddon Farm. With the likes of Kevin Gwillam, Lee Harding and Luke Wicks also in the mix, this class should be well worth watching again. Tony Atkin is also entered and hopefully following his Ledbury final crash will be fit to take his place on the start line!
The 250cc solo’s line-up entered just oozes with quality as the likes of 2025 ACU British Champion return to the scene of his victory to take on the likes of Luke Harris, Karl Beddingfield, Luke Wicks, Jake Breeze, Adam Hawker and Ledbury maximum winner Thomas Vining. Vale has also entered the 350cc class, where he faces fellow youngsters Cameron Taylor and Max Broadhurst. The man though they may all have to beat is Tim Curnock, who was simply superb when winning at Ledbury with a maximum points score. With the likes of Steve Garside, Will Thurlby and Luke Clifton also on the 350cc start line, this could well be a very interesting contest!
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Just like the other solo classes, the 500cc battle is stacked with quality, having attracted a brilliant 16-rider entry list. Having his first UK grasstrack outing in 2026, young Max Perry will be there but he faces some seriously strong opposition! The exciting Mickie Simpson, Darryl Ritchings, Alfie Bowtell, fast-starting Jordan Derrick, Austin Riches, Thomas Vining, Will Thurlby and Dylan Huthwaite are all locked and ready to challenge Perry!
Thirteen riders have entered the Upright Solos, and again, if fit, Tony Atkin will be on the start line and probably the man they will all have to beat! Also going for glory are the likes of Dave Mears the recent Ledbury runner-up, Jason Prynne, Luke Tuck and Mike Dowling. Interestingly, this Upright solo’s class also includes Nickolaj Kennett, son of former top speedway rider, the late Gordon Kennett.
Not only is Karl Beddingfield racing in the 250cc solo’s, but he’s also going to be mixing it in the Pre-75 solo’s on a Yamaha DT 250cc! Indeed, looking at the entry, there’s certainly a very intriguing mix of men and machines in this one! Dave Hammond will be there and could be right in contention for the top spot, as should Martin Adams and Giles Dismore.
There’s racing for three sidecar classes at the Sylvie Pattison Celebration meeting as 500cc, Clubman and 1,000cc Right-Hand outfits will all feature. The fast Richard Webb/Ant Goodwin combination and Barrie Bennett/Rowan Lucas look like the crews to beat in the 500cc sidecars. Meanwhile, the Clubman class has attracted nine crews and not satisfied with his solo racing, Beddingfield will also appear in this one as a passenger to Barry Smith. Also appearing in both the 500cc and Clubman sidecars is Ant Goodwin, this time passenger for young Luca Whitelam. Just for starters in what looks a very competitive entry, the likes of Brian Hatch/Lew Wharton, Mark Courtney/Leon Torres, Frankie Courtney/Conor Measor and Jim Penfold/Danny Hill have entered so this one could well be very entertaining!
Finally, in the 1,000cc Right-Hand sidecars, Paul Whitelam/Richard Webb, John Hand/Adrian North, Clint Blondel/Lewis Davis, Will Penfold/Ricky Pay, Simon Beaney/Brook Fowler, George Penfold/Carl Pugh, Shane Hoskin/ Alan Hoskin and Peter Lloyd/Andi Wilson are all due to start.
So, let’s hope the Sylvie Pattison memorial meeting attracts the spectator interest it truly deserves! Admission charges are £15, Concessions £13 and FREE for Under 16’s accompanied by an adult. Official practice is scheduled for 10.30am with the first race at midday. If you want to camp and enjoy the whole weekend onsite, then that’s available from Saturday 2nd May at midday until Monday 4th May at midday.
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