GRASSTRACK racing returned for its new season with Ledbury Motorcycle Club holding their ‘Ledbury Leader’ event.

The organisers decided to add some extra spice to the event by announcing that all classes would enjoy the same race format of three points scoring heats followed by a final clash, writes Mike Wood.

Most competitors displayed very few signs of any race rustiness following the winter break, they were to produce plenty of great entertainment and thus send the crowd home happy.

For some though the day did not go quite to plan, frustrated by early season niggling mechanical gremlins which need further attention in the workshop, but overall this 2022 season opener should be considered a success.

Youngster Cameron Taylor was to be a very worthy winner in the 250cc solo class whilst other victors were John Cox(350cc solo), James Shanes(500cc solo), Ian Clark(GT140 solo), Malvern based Darren Phillips in the Upright solo and John Priest(Pre-75 solo).

Returning to the venue of their 2021 500cc Sidecar British Championship win, Mitch Godden/Paul Smith were again in fantastic form on Sunday, reeling off three classy heat wins before then storming to success in the final.

With the impressive Tony Brown Challenge Cups on offer along with some very nice prize money increased on the day by an anonymous donation of £350, it was certainly all to play for in the big 1000cc Sidecar class. Matt Fumerola/Andrew Wilson and Will Offen/Ricky Pay both went through the qualifying card unbeaten whilst Peter Lloyd/Terry Madley, Terry Saunters/Liam Brown and Trevor Heath/Sam Heath also picked up a race win each.

Those qualifying races included a three-way battle between Offen, Heath and Saunters.

But in the final it was to be Saunters and Brown who was to take home the silverware.