Masters Programme 2023

THE DEFENDING CHAMPIONS

500cc Solo Masters Champion 2022 - Chris ‘Bomber’ Harris

1000cc Sidecar Masters Champion 2022 - Mark Cossar, now back with passenger Carl Blyth in 2023

©TTL Photography

©TTL Photography

AtKing’s Farm, Writtle, Chelmsford, CM1 3PJ

By kind permission of the landowner, Andy Green

The meeting will be held under the National Sporting code of the ACU The Standing Regulations for Grass Track, the following supplementary Regulations and any final instructions issued to the drivers

Permit: ACU201573/ACU201578

OFFICIALS OF THE MEETING

National Steward .............................................................................................................................Matthew Wear

Clerk of the Course ...............................................................................................................................Adrian Croft

Assistant Clerk of the Course ......................................................................................................... Chris Durno

Club Steward .......................................................................................................... Andy Driver/Shaun Harvey

Track Curators ................................................................................................................ Arnie Fenner/San Cook

Technical Official ................................................................................................................................. Colin Martin

Technical Team .............................................................................................................. Dave Field/Chris Cook

Rider Liason ................................................................................................................................... Gareth Bemister

Signing-on ........................................................................Andy Driver, Tracey Fenner, Sharon Gardiner

Chief Marshal ..................................................................................................................................Mark Spearman

Starters .................................................................................................................. Chris Dellow and Start Team

Lap Scorers .................................................. Juliet Collins, Kerry Lloyd, Emma Shanes, Joanne Fox

Finish Flag ................................................................................................................................................ Nobby Clark

Commentator .......................................................................................................................................... Colin Martin

Secretary of the Meeting: Trevor Steward, 144 Sachfield Drive, Chafford Hundred, Grays RM16 6QW Acknowledgements

MANY THANKS TO THE LANDOWNER ANDY GREEN FOR THE USE OF LAND AND EQUIPMENT PLUS ALL OUR SPONSORS AND HELPERS CHILD PROTECTION

The point of contact on child protection issues is the Secretary of the meeting.

Abandonment or cancellation - The club reserve the right to postpone, abandon or cancel the meeting, or any part thereof should circumstances warrant such action

MOTORSPORT CAN BE DANGEROUS

Despite the organisers taking all reasonable precautions, unavoidable accidents can happen. Please comply with all instructions of marshalls and notices and remain in permitted areas only. THEY ARE CONCERNED WITH YOUR SAFETY

WELCOME

On behalf of the 500cc Sidecar Association and the ACU, I’d like to welcome you to the 2023 ACU British Masters Grasstrack Final.

It’s been a tough few weeks to say the least for everyone at both the ACU and the 500cc Sidecar Association. As most of you know we’ve made a few changes to dates etc. over the past few weeks and we thank you for sticking with us. We were so desperate to run both the Masters and the Bracey meeting in 2023, but unfortuately our window of opportunity is just too short to achieve both. So with that in mind the club would like to dedicate this meeting to Bracey. We hope he’s looking down proudly as his club, that he was very much part of, has the honour of running the most prestigious meeting in the domestic grasstrack calender.

I would like to thank both the ACU Track Racing Committee and Kirsty Telford for their help in getting everything together. And I obviously would like to thank our committee, sub-committee and other volunteers that have assisted us in getting this venue ready for racing over the past few weeks. Everyone has worked tirelessly for the past few weeks and months preparing for today. We’ve all been involved in running British Championships and European Championships in previous years. But when the word “Masters” is mentioned for some reason the pressure is heightened. Any other organiser I’m sure will tell you the same thing.

I would like to say a massive thanks to landowner Andy Green who has been kind enough to allow us to use this alternative field for today’s meeting. Another event (sadly not grasstrack) is being held at this venue in a couple of weeks so please keep it clean.

Now down to the racing. We have a brilliant line-up in both the Masters and support classes. The support classes have been chosen by us. Firstly we’ve always wanted the 500cc Sidecars to be included in the Masters. And I guess in a way we’ve achieved it, even if it is for only a year. If only my former Chairman, Geoff Moorcock was here to be part of it. If you’re looking down Geoff, just to let you know your tractor’s still going strong. The other support class is the Youth Intermediates. We felt it was important not only to showcase our youth, but to give a lucky handful the taste of being part of the biggest meeting of the year. I hope they have a great day and will hopefully return in future years in the main Masters 500cc Solo Event.

Good luck to all the competitors today, ride hard but ride safe

Thank You to all the Volunteers, Officials, the Landowners and Sponsors. And last but by no means least, thank you to you, the fans who travel up and down the country every week to follow the sport that we love

Shaun Harvey Chairman

Hi everyone and welcome to the 2023 staging of the ACU British Masters Grass Track Championship.

It is a great pleasure and a considerable relief that courtesy of the 500cc Sidecar Association we can look forward to seeing the best of our homegrown talent racing for what has always been regarded as the highest level of British Grass Track Racing.

Just a few short weeks ago, the ability to stage the meeting was in doubt. The past few seasons have thrown up endless challenges to our sport (and indeed others), the post Covid recovery, and a significant period of economic uncertainty took its toll on the viability of many of our Track Racing clubs to continue.

More directly in recent weeks today’s hosts have had to face a multitude of issues. Initial problems caused by the cancellation of the British Masters Qualifier were followed by doubts over the availability of the circuit, rider retirements, rider injuries, and the serious effects of the recent unusual weather patterns that threatened the ability to deliver a quality racing surface.

Due to the sterling work of the club officials and members of the 500cc Sidecar Association, we are now ready to race. It is impossible to put into words how fortunate we are to have such dedicated and caring volunteers whom we sincerely thank, with specific mention of Shaun Harvey and Trevor Steward, who must have had many sleepless nights in the lead up to today.

We can only hope that all the hard work and stress will be rewarded with some fine weather and good close racing.

To sign off as always, I wish all competitors a safe and successful days racing, and finally a big thank you to all you fans and enthusiasts for supporting today’s event.

Enjoy yourselves and have a safe trip home.

Kindest Regards

Tony Steele – ACU Track Racing Committee Chairman

EVENT SCHEDULE

SIGNING ON 9.00 - 10.00

MACHINE EXAMINATION 9.30 - 10.30

OFFICIALS MEETING 1 9.00

RIDERS BRIEFING 10.45

PRACTICE 11.00 - 12.00

PRESENTATIONS OF RIDERS 12.45

FIRST RACE 13.00

WINNER’S PRESENTATION WITHIN 10 MINUTES FROM THE LAST RACE OF THE DAY

OFFICIALS MEETING 2 WITHIN 30 MINUTES AFTER FINAL

PRIZE MONEY APPROX 20 MINUTES IN THE RACE SECRETARY’S CARAVAN FOLLOWING CONFIRMATION OF RESULTS BY THE ACU OFFICIALS

TIES

INTERMEDIATE/ SEMI FINAL STANDINGS:

a) Count back: Defined by the highest number of 1st places, 2nd places etc. NOTE: a finish is considered better than a non-finish.

b) Position in the last race where the riders met.

c) Last race result (where there has been a differential).

d) A ballot (in the presence of the Steward).

FINAL:

a) The finishing position in the Final race will solve all ties.

b) In the event of the Final race being unable to run, the winner will be decided by the Intermediate/ Semi Finals standings.

MASTERS SCORING

SOLO POINTS 9-7-6-5-4-3-2-1TOP 16 QUALIFY FOR THE SEMI-FINALS - TOP 8 QUALIFY FOR THE FINAL.

SIDECAR POINTS 7-5-4-3-2-1TOP 12 QUALIFY FOR THE SEMI-FINALS - TOP 6 QUALIFY FOR THE FINAL.

BOTH SUPPORT CLASSES ARE DECIDED ON POINTS IN THE HEATS

PLEASE REMEMBER

This event is held on private property and you are requested not to cause damage in any way. Spectators are forbidden on the course or in the paddock during racing. We would ask you to keep the field LITTER FREE.

RACE AND TRACK MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

AFTER THE FINALS PLEASE STAY TO CONGRATULATE THE 2023

BRITISH MASTERS CHAMPIONS AT THE PODIUM PRESENTATION

BRITISH MASTERS 500cc SOLO

BRITISH MASTERS 1000cc SIDECAR

©TTL Photography

BRITISH MASTERS SUPPORT 500cc SIDECARS

Paul Cooper ‘Cooperman”

2023 ACU BRITISH MASTERS 1st LEG

BRITISH MASTERS SUPPORT RACES

2023 ACU BRITISH MASTERS 2nd LEG

BRITISH MASTERS SUPPORT RACES

2023 ACU BRITISH MASTERS 3rd LEG

BRITISH MASTERS SUPPORT RACES

2023 ACU BRITISH MASTERS 4th LEG

BRITISH MASTERS SUPPORT RACES

2023 ACU BRITISH MASTERS SEMI FINALS

SCORE CHARTS 1000cc SIDECARS

2 Steve Smith/Gareth Little

10 Clint Blondell/Stephen Russell

12 Neal Owen/Jason Farwell

15 Matt Fumarola/Andi Wilson

18 Mick Stace/Terry Madley

20 Dale Fish/Jordan Fish

24 Terry Saunters/Liam Brown

25 Colin Blackbourn/Carl Pugh

27 Jack Pickard/ Max Midgeley

29 Tom Cossar/Wayne Rickards

37 Mark Cossar/Carl Blyth

68 Dan Berwick/Mark Hopkins

78 Kieran Hicks/Frankie Courtney

80 Will Offen/Ricky Pay

87 Rob Bradley/Robbie Simmons

92 Paul Whitelam/Richard Webb

191 Trevor Heath/Sam Heath

991 Michael Austin/Vinny Branch

Reserves

30 Stef Blyth/Morgan Blyth

SIDECAR POINTS 7-5-4-3-2-1 - TOP 12 QUALIFY FOR THE SEMI-FINALS - TOP 6 QUALIFY FOR THE FINAL.

SCORE CHARTS SUPPORT RACES

5OOcc SIDECARS

INTERMEDIATES