Photograph courtesy of Ron Hinsley.

The sun shone brightly on Shawbury, Shropshire,United Kingdom as the 2006 Formula Grasstrack Association Championship got underway when Wrekin GTC hosted Round One at this popular venue.

The meeting saw the introduction of the Auto Cadet Class to proceedings, and the club are keen to see the participation in this section grow over the next few meetings. The victor on the day was Jackie Casale who was chased hard all day by Sam Conway.

In the Cub Class, first place was taken by Rocco Casale who made it a family double and Callum Roberts, who travelled all the way from Kent, took second on his competitive debut, and improved with each of his heats.

After six heats of super track action, it was “Old Hand” Tom Perry who took overall victory  in the Juniors with maximum points. However Clare Frays pushed Perry hard, all through the meeting and really does seem to have taken her riding skills to the next level after a winter of hard training.

Also looking like they mean business this year were James Williams and
Richard Guest who scored superbly on his FGA debut, and all three of the above named riders shared equal second place. It was business as usual in the Seniors for defending champion Len Sanders from Telford who took victory by winning the crucial last heat of the day.

His last lap overtake of Mark Evans gave him the points he needed to pip “Rider of the Day” Paul Timms for overall victory. Timms entertained the spectators all day with some spectacular rides through the field when required to do so and fully deserved his accolade. Sam Flowers produced a solid performance to take third.

The top eight Junior and Senior riders thereafter qualified for the Mary
Dudgeon and Sheila Reece Trophy Finals. Both races produced great finales to the days racing and it was Perry and Sanders who took the respective chequered flags and in doing so completed fine doubles on the day.

The series moves to Chetton near Bridgnorth on the 20th May for Round 2 of the Championship.

Auto Cadets - 1st Jackie Casale, 2nd Sam Conway
Cubs - 1st Rocco Casale, 2nd Callum Roberts
Juniors - 1st Tom Perry, Equal 2nd Clare Frays , James Williams, Richard
Guest, 5th Chris Timms, 6th equal Steve Frays, Sam Carvill
Seniors - 1st Len Sanders, 2nd Paul Timms, 3rd Sam Flowers, 4th Steve
Carvill, 5th Mark Evans, 6th Chris Moseley