YOUTH champions joined Cruz Harris to lead the riders out onto the presentation parade at a very well attended 2025 ACU International British Masters grasstrack championship, hosted by Ledbury MCC at Sparrington Farm in Pencombe, reports MIKE WOOD.

The day started with the 500cc solo class which produced heat wins for Andrew Appleton (3), James Shanes (3), Chris Harris (2), Paul Cooper (1), Darryl Ritchings (1) and Danish rider Jacob Bukhave (1).

Appleton and Harris were victorious again in the semis, before at the third time of asking following stoppages due to fallen riders, the latter led the final to turn one.

And there he remained holding off a hard-charging Appleton in hot pursuit for a third consecutive Masters title, with Ritchings third, Roberts fourth and Shanes fifth.

The 500cc solo class also incorporated the British U23 grass track championship featuring Mickie Simpson, Cameron Taylor, Jordan Derrick, Charlie Wood and Harrison Rogers, with Simpson pipping Taylor by a single point.

For the first time, the 500cc Sidecars were included in a Masters meeting with international crews also invited.

Danish pair Mike Frederickson/Jorgen Qvistgard and Belgians Kenny van Eeckhout/Axelle Cannaerts made the journey to Sparrington Farm, Frederickson earning third spot on the podium whilst Eeckhout was fifth.

Having already scored an untroubled quartet of heat wins, Mitch Godden/Paul Smith were definitely favourites and made a great start to lead the pack.

On turn one though Godden drifted wide and seeing the opportunity, Josh Goodwin/Scott Goodwin made a brilliant cut back to hit the front followed by Barrie Bennett/Rowan Lucas.

The race was now on as Godden gave chase, but his title hopes were then deflated by a puncture on the sidecar wheel as Frederickson moved past into third.

From here onwards Goodwin stylishly kept his wheels in line to earn the win and another title as Bennett got home in second with Frederickson third, Godden fourth, Eeckhout fifth and Rowlands sixth.

When you promote an event with national status the scrutiny then becomes intensified, magnified and multiplied.

So, for the Ledbury MCC to throw their name into the hat as hosts for the 2025 ACU British International Masters following two aborted events in 2023 and 2024 was a very bold move.

The club certainly pulled it off though, their promotion and presentation 100 per cent spot on and a credit to the sport.

A massive well done to them for their efforts and many congratulations to the 2025 champions

RESULTS

500cc Solo Final: 1 Chris Harris 2 Andrew Appleton 3 Darryl Ritchings 4 Jack Roberts 5 James Shanes. Also Alfie Bowtell, Mickie Simpson and Cameron Taylor all fell.

9 Paul Cooper 10 Jacob Bukhave 11 Jade Mudgway 12 Callum Walker 13 Martin Williams 14 Ryan Ashcroft 15 Jordan Derrick 16 Liam Ashcroft 17 David Speight 18 Will Thurlby 19 John Cox 20 Jamie Fenn-Smith 21 James Laker 22 Luke Tuck 23 Luke Harris 24 Harrison Rogers.

British Under 23 Championship: 1 Mickie Simpson 29 points, 2 Cameron Taylor 28, 3 Jordan Derrick 16, 4 Harrison Rogers 2, 5 Charlie Wood 0.

500cc Sidecar Final: 1 Josh Goodwin/Scott Goodwin 2 Barrie Bennett/Rowan Lucas 3 Mike Frederickson/Jorgen Qvistgaard 4 Mitch Godden/Paul Smith 5 Kennith van Eeckhout/Axelle Cannaerts 6 Phil Rowlands/Scott Gutteridge.

7 Mike Skelding/Louis Skelding 8 Shaun Hughes/Louis Bennett 9 Chris Neame/Toby Vere 10 Simon Field/Joe Page.