A cracking 2023 Ledbury Flyer put on by the Ledbury MCC at Sparrington Farm, Pencombe, Herefordshire. Not their usual track, but it proved just as good for some great racing, and the best was saved for last, with the 1000cc RH Sidecars racing for the Tony Brown Trophy.
After a torrential downpour in the early heats, the meeting was halted for almost an hour in the hope the rain would stop and the sun would come out to dry the track, which it did, and as the racing went on the track conditions became better and better. By the time it got to the finals, the track was in almost perfect order for some terrific finals.
The 250cc Solo class is so wide open now, and there was a great entry, so we knew everyone would be in for a treat. Who would win? With Ben Phillips, Karl Bedingfield, Luke Harris, Charlie Wood, and veteran and former British Champion Graham Thomas all looking really quick through the heats, the 250cc final could almost be anyone's, and what a final it was.
The 350cc class saw some great races between Cameron Taylor, Barry Powell, Luke Clifton, and Steve Garside, and Taylor had to be the favourite on current form. Chad Wirtfeld looked a class apart in the 500cc class, but he was worth watching with his flat out, leg trailing style, and he rode the track no different in the very wet conditions, absolutely amazing, where others feared the slippery surface, Chad just attacked the track. There was a 3 way battle in the Upright Solo class, with Tony Atkin, Jason Prynne, and the ever classy Tim Curnock, and it would all come down to who could take the win in the final 4th leg as to who would take the win. The Youth Juniors also saw some close battles, with Oliver Bovingdon, Kane Newby, Ollie Binns, and Finley Theobald all in the mix and showing a lot of racing skills for one's so young.
Ian Clark has swept all before him in the GT140 class this season, although Max Broadhurst managed a win over the former Peterborough Panther Speedway man at the Donut meeting only 7 days ago. Plenty of others to consider though, as this is a very competitive class, none more so than Kevin Gwillam. Kevin seems to be improving with experience and looks the most likely to take over from Ian Clark, but the there is Wayne Broadhurst as well, although he does seem not to have the best of luck, could today be different?
The usual suspects in the Old & New Sidecars did battle, and another terrific final between Mark Courtney/Leon Torres, Brian Hatch/Lewis Wharton, and top RH Sidecar passenger Liam Brown/Frankie Courtney. There's always great racing when these 3 teams meet, and Liam Brown seems to take great pleasure in checking Mark Courtney's paintwork on his bike. Who's day would it be today?
What can we say about the 1000cc RH Sidecars that hasn't already been said? Neal Owen/Jason Farwell must have done a rain dance in the morning, and were jumping for joy when track conditions become so wet, and took a win over multi British Masters champions Mark Cossar/Carl Blyth in their first heat. But they weren't the only crew in form, Tom Cossar/Wayne Rickards looked very fast as well, and looked like they would be the crew to take the win in the final, but the crew who have set the Sidecars alight in this 2023 season are Terry Saunters/Liam Brown. Saunters the former passenger to Rob Wilson, has taken to being on the bars like a duck to water, looking all over a natural race, and has already made the transition with ease. Matt Fumarola/Andi Wilson were also in with a shout in the final after some great results in the heats, but with the track drying out would Owen/Farwell still be able to do what they did in the early heats, in the mud, or would it come down to a straight battle between the Cossar's, Fumarola, and Saunters. One thing's for sure, it would be fast and furious.
A super days racing, with some brilliant races to finish the day off and hopefully, the Ledbury Club will be back again next season with more terrific Grasstrack.

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