WEATHER

Overcast – Rain Showers

TRACK CONDITIONS

Muddy and Slippery 

JUNIORS

• Jack Walton draws first blood – only 2 points dropped sees him take his first win in 2012.

• Current champ Tom Davis is left cursing following a fourth race fall. But still manages second.

• Flying Ryan Ashcroft following in Phil’s tyre tracks. A superb first meeting, third place on his debut.

• Sharing the spoils in 4th Lee Griffiths from South Wales and FGA returnee Rocco Casale from Buckinghamshire.

• Rookie Connor Fletcher OK after a heavy fall scores his first points in Formula Grasstrack

 SENIORS

• Chris Moseley he’s the man, sneaking the win from the paddock, taking max league points…….. is it his year?

• Richie Guest on for the max, in front last race then dumps it with a lap to go….Gutted!

• Lee Bird was singing in the rain, he does the business on a 19″ wheel, flying all day!

• Mick Jones / Gareth Tregilgas cannot be split joint 4th. Stop press No 63 is now a member of the tractor appreciation society!

• Sam the man was on the gas, on the money to finish in the top 6.

Rider of the day                      Jack Walton

Crash of the day                     Graham Gordon

Race of the day                      Tom Crewe

                                                Sam Flowers

                                                John Jones

                                                John Potton

Hard luck story of the day     Ade Guest

The WMCC would like to thank all that contributed to the entertainment in the Wacky races trying to get of the field at the end of the meeting.

First prize went to Gareth Tregilgas who is now a fully paid up member of the Massey Ferguson fan club.

And finally….. Taxi for Nr 85- bet that was a long drive home

TEAM EVENT

Back into the FGA calendar after a 15-year absence was a 5 Team Tournament run over a 30-race format, teams being made up of both Seniors and Juniors and all points counting to the overall team scoring. Stars of the show on 151 points were Elvis Jones, Mark Evans, Andy Yates, Marcus Crutchington, Amanda Keeling and Jack Walton. With Evans returning to FGA action after a 6 year absence, he was the top scorer for his team on the day. However, Marcus Crutchington was the star for the team “Olympic”, with a healthy 25 point score. Runners up, on 143 points, were Richard Guest, Charlie Morgan, Mick Keeling, Mick Hartley and Ryan Ashcroft – who, after dad Phil burning the midnight oil, re-built his engine overnight so he could take part on day 2, had the best races of his fledgling career. Last podium spot went to pre-meeting favourites Chris Moseley, Sam Flowers, Bobby Morgan, Zoe Keeling, Gaz Dixon and Connor Fletcher, a total of 135 points securing this position. Top end fire-power was enhanced with a stunning performance by Bobby Morgan who top-scored for the team on the day only dropping 1 point to Richard Guest.

Rider of the day                      Tom Crewe

Whitchurch MCC would like to thank all those who made the weekend possible and such a success, with special thanks to Brian and Joan Crump for the BBQ and Bowling, Knutsford Scouts for the use of the marquee and Team Keeling for the Disco equipment.

Round three of the FGA 2012 Championship finally beat the weather on the North Wales track at Gresford Nr Wrexham.

A smaller than normal entry still produced some quality racing especially from the youth classes. Youngster Thierry Atkinson in his first FGA event was the lone cub (8-12 yrs) which saw him riding with the more experienced Juniors. His maiden performance was exceptional, fast starts often getting him to turn one in first position. He managed to complete his races to take all the points on offer.

“Seeing Thierry going round was a dream come true, i don’t know who was more nervous me or the lad.” 
                                                       — Terry Atkinson, commenting on son Thierry’s first meeting

Great stuff, all on a bike that cost about £200 to put together – What the Formula Grasstrack is all about! 

Normal front runner Jack Walton had a day to forget, probably having his worst meeting to date. He did not have his usual race pace and after his 2nd race all was revealed – two seized motors with blown cranks was the result. Ryan Ashcroft was the one to step up to the plate having his best performance to date. Dad Phil’s experience is really paying dividends here with this young man’s career, He only dropped a single point in his 5th race, his first of many victories i am sure. Long distance traveller Rocco Casale made his journey very worthwhile with what was also his best performance in FGA racing. Absent for a few seasons, many thought he was lost to the sport but he has come back to really start challenging for the honours. Scoring 31 pts guaranteed him the runner up spot and a chance in the sudden death trophy final. Carmarthenshire’s Lee Griffiths had a steady day by his own high standards scoring in every race he took the last podium place.Conner Fletcher continues to impress starting to look more comfortable each time out he was 4th. 

2010 champ Richard Guest certainly is a man on a mission and is really up for his 2nd title but here he was really pushed hard to win this event. A third place in his last race kept the outcome unknown right down to the last heat. Current champion Elvis Jones was only a single point behind at the final reckoning with Shrewsbury’s Ross Wharton putting in a strong run in with his last two rides, giving him third.

So to the sudden death finals, winner takes all trophy races. How the youth result was nearly oh so different. Rocco Casale was all set for a quick getaway back to Buckinghamshire, quickly changing after his last race and loading the bike into the van. After a persuasive word from one of the marshals he was tempted to get back onto his gear and made it to the start with seconds to spare. He raced from tape to flag to win the Shield Services Trophy. 

Ross Wharton got it right just when it mattered capitalising on Richie Guest’s misfortune as his no1 bike failed to start, who then had to ride an unfamiliar bike.

Pushed right till the checkered flag by last years champ he took the prestigeous Jonathon Rodgers memorial trophy by a single bike length in what must be his best performance so far. Credit to the lad who has taken the FGA to a different level in machine and rider preparation. Well done!