The fifth round of the 2025 Formula Grasstrack Association Championship saw the series head back to Sparrington Farm for the Geoff Adams Memorial, as part of the British Masters weekend, producing some excellent racing, which now sees just two points separating the top three in the Seniors Championship.
Race Report by Andy Falconer – Images courtesy of DSM Photos
The ever-spectacular Wayne Broadhurst reeled off another maximum, remaining unbeaten by an opponent in three straight championship rounds. Broadhurst saw competition from 2024 Champion Graham Thomas, who threatened to end the unbeaten streak, but was unable to get the edge over Broadhurst.
Colin How pressed on with his excellent form, doing enough to draw joint first in the overall championship with Ledbury’s Adam Hawker, with Broadhurst just two points behind the pair. Hawker had another strong performance, taking five second places and a race win in the heats.
At the halfway point, Broadhurst was chased by Graham Thomas just a point behind, with Phil Thomas, Colin How, Adam Hawker & Kevin Gwillam all tied on 22 points. The top eight was rounded out by Brierley Hill’s Jack Crewe and Andrew Rowson.
Elsewhere in the standings, Den Edwards looked to improve on his position in the overall standings, followed closely by Glyn Edwards after the first three legs of heats.
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In the Youth classes, John Cox was the sole rider in the Juniors, and despite a heavy fall in heat 13 with Lucas Astley, Cox went on to record maximum championship points to solidify his lead at the top of the table.
The Cubs class saw some excellent battles between Lucas Astley, Kaylem Bourne & AJ Bence. Astley was quick out of the gate throughout the day, and proved to be just a little too quick out front. Bourne worked hard throughout the day to try to find a way past, but was unable to make a pass stick.
The Cadets saw a master class from Albie South, who recorded six straight heat wins, ahead of Dakota Wright & Lilly Bence. South carried this form and confidence forward in to the Cubs final to round off the day with an unbeaten performance.
A bumper entry in the Autos class saw six riders line up at the tapes. Youth rider of the day, Dalton Wright, stormed to a flawless maximum in the heats and never looked troubled at the head of the pack. Levi Collins took second on his return to the series, with Kobi Gutteridge placing third to gain some important championship points.
The E-Bikes saw British Youth Champion Kody Pay take the win on his FGA debut, ahead of JJ Falconer and Reggie Goodwin, the latter suffering an unfortunate bike issue in the second E-Bike heat, costing him second place overall.
After the interval, Broadhurst remained unbeaten, with Graham Thomas hot on his heels, only dropping one point all day. Phil Thomas enjoyed a strong performance, taking two out of three heat wins to end just three points off the top. Kevin Gwillam rounded off his day just behind the Thomas pairing, to lead Championship hopefuls How & Hawker at the end of the qualifying heats.
Senior rider of the day Jack Crewe finished the heats in seventh, looking up for the challenge in each of his races. Den Edwards rounded out the top eight before the finals.
The Senior D final was won by Chris Chadwick, with Nick Chadwick, Sam Crabtree & Ben Crabtree not making it to the tapes.
Nathan Alder emerged the victor in the Senior C final, taking the flag ahead of Oliver Glaze and Paul Farley. Theo Copestake took fourth ahead of Sue Dowling.
The initial running of the Senior B final was stopped following a heavy fall for Andy Denton, who walked away after being checked over by the event paramedics, but was later found to have three broken ribs. The re-run saw Marcus Crutchington ride an excellent four laps to win, beating Glyn Edwards & Brandon Gutteridge to the top spot. Elwyn Beedles was unlucky in the re-run, after making a great start in the first running, he was unable to repeat the gate in the second attempt and had to battle through the field to take fourth from Isaac Collins-Bullock and Peter Evans. Andrew Rowson missed the
B Final ,unfortunately, putting an end to his hopes of a points haul for his championship campaign.
Wayne Broadhurst made it seven wins from seven in the Senior A Final, with Graham Thomas keeping him honest throughout the four laps. Thomas headed Kevin Gwillam who took a strong third place from Phil Tomas. Colin How was able to take the joint lead of the FGA Championship with Adam Hawker, by heading Hawker to fifth in the A final with Den Edwards & Jack Crewe rounding off the top eight.
The championship resumes on 16th August for the John Madeley Memorial, returning to the Hampton Farm Shop venue.
Results
E-Bikes
1. Kody Pay – 25, 2. JJ Falconer – 24, 3. Reggie Goodwin – 23.
Autos
1. Dalton Wright – 25, 2. Levi Collins – 24, 3. Kobi Gutteridge – 23, 4. Harry Worrall – 22, 5. Noah Bakewell – 21, 6. Arlo Bourne – 20.
Cadets
1. Albie South – 25, 2. Dakota Wright – 24, 3. Lilly Bence – 23.
Cubs
1. Lucas Astley – 25, 2. AJ Bence – 24, 3. Kaylem Bourne – 23.
Juniors
1. John Cox – 25.
Seniors (Top 10)
1. Wayne Broadhurst – 40, 2. Graham Thomas – 39, 3. Kevin Gwillam – 38, 4. Phil Thomas – 37, 5. Colin How – 36, 6. Adam Hawker – 35, 7. Den Edwards – 34, 8. Jack Crewe – 33, 9. Marcus Crutchington – 32, 10. Glyn Edwards – 31.
Championship Standings
E-Bikes
1. JJ Falconer – 122, 2. Reggie Goodwin – 97, 3. Kody Pay – 25.
Autos
1. Dalton Wright – 123, 2. Noah Bakewell – 110, 3. Kobi Gutteridge – 95, 4. Levi Collins – 49, 5. Harry Worrall – 46, 6. Lilly Bence – 46, 7. Arlo Bourne – 20.
Cadets
1. Dakota Wright – 122, 2. Albie South – 99, 3. Lilly Bence – 47, 4. D Lewis-Powell – 23.
Cubs
1. Lucas Astley – 119, 2. AJ Bence – 117, 3. Kaylem Bourne – 92, 4. Charlie Dowd – 49, 5. Caelan Ratcliffe – 46, 6. Jessica Cox – 20.
Juniors
1. John Cox – 120, 2. Archie Whitelam – 71, 3. Roman Ratcliffe – 47, 4. Joe Bain – 25, 5. Lj Mcalinney – 25, 6. Royston Totty – 21.
Seniors (Top 10)
1. Colin How – 181, 2. Adam Hawker – 181, 3. Wayne Broadhurst – 179, 4. Elwyn Beedles – 163, 5. Den Edwards – 159, 6. Kevin Gwillam – 156, 7. Andrew Rowson – 134, 8. Anthony Rowson – 133, 9. Marcus Crutchington – 128, 10. Nathan Alder – 123.
