Top Ten Promising Grasstrackers Lost to Speedway

Words: Gareth Bemister
Images: Alan Whale

Grasstrack Banter, along with Alan Whale Photography, take a trip down memory lane with this Grasstrack Banter Top Ten List...

Top 10 Promising Grasstrack Riders Lost to Speedway

Right or wrong, for many years now, Grasstrack has been seen as Speedway’s little brother, constantly feeding the sport with precious track racing talent. Whether that is due to the money involved, the lure of permanent purpose built venues or, more recently TV exposure, it is hard to say. But time and again Grasstrack has seen some of its most promising sons fly the nest and enter into the dog-eat-dog world of speedway racing...and in some of these cases, to great success!

Here is Grasstrack Banter’s Top 10 racers who began their careers as fantastic Grasstrackers, but spent the majority of their career plying their trade on the shale...if only we could have kept them a bit longer!

Who have we missed? Let us know either in the comments or on Grasstrack Banter Facebook group.

10. Tom Perry

For a time, Tom was the youngest competitor of the British Masters, competing in the 2009 event in Cornwall and finishing 5^th. Since then, Perry has gone on to become a very good speedway rider and this year lines up for Glasgow Tigers in the newly formed SCB Championship. He does still keep his hand in, however, and proved once again that he is a fine solo Grasstrack rider in 2016. After a ‘warm-up’ meeting in Bridgwater the week before, Perry managed to retain his British 350cc title. However, Grasstrack appearances are rare for the Midlander as he carves a career in speedway. Hopefully, we will see a little more of Perry in 2017, perhaps on board a 500cc machine when time allows.

9. Leigh Lanham

Lanham launches at the start during the 1995 Ace of Aces

The Suffolk racer has only just announced his retirement from speedway racing where he became a Premier League legend. But before turning his full attention to speedway, Lanham was an excellent Grasstrack rider. Several British Masters appearances led to a European Solo Semi Final appearance in 1996, but not long after, he placed his full attention on his speedway career. We wish Leigh all the best with his retirement, and hope that he may consider a return ‘home’ to the Grasstrack world. As always, he will be greeted with open arms!
 

8. Paul Fry

Fry leads at the 1997 Burn-up

This Herefordshire legend was a tremendous Grasstrack racer during the early 90’s and duly made a very good speedway rider. ‘Fryer’ raced at the very top level in Grasstrack before turning full-time to speedway. Sadly, we lost Paul in 2010, but he left a huge mark on both the Grasstrack and Speedway worlds in a career that spanned nearly 30 years. Rest peacefully, Paul.

7. Jason Bunyan

Bunyan actually looked like he was going to go to speedway full time but made a return to Grasstrack in the late-nineties, and this decision gave Grasstrack fans a real treat. Clad with high-visibility, fluorescent racing leathers, Bunyan was a Grasstrack mainstay during the 1999 season, winning at both club and national level. But Grasstrack appearances became rarer and rarer as Bunyan’s speedway profile grew. As a frequent visitor to New Zealand (and 10x National Champion), Bunyan was to be selected as a Wild Card for the inaugural New Zealand Speedway Grand Prix. Jason has made several one-off appearances back on the Grass, including a low-key appearance at Wimborne in 2014, but who knows what he might have achieved on the Grass if he was able to continue in both disciplines.

6. Lee Complin

This Yorkshireman burst onto the Grasstrack scene having won nearly everything through his Youth racing career. His much anticipated adult Grasstrack career began in 2000, and he put a stamp on his potential with some memorable rides at the Inter Centre Championships in Bridgwater that year. The following season, however, Complin really began to make in-roads in the sport. It was at the 2001 Bonfire Burn-up that he showed his full potential with a breath-taking ride from the back to get himself on the rostrum, and against world class opposition. It wasn’t long before speedway clubs recognised the potential of this absolute natural. However, not long after, personal issues led to Lee retiring from all racing and he was lost to the sport for several seasons. He has since returned, but has only ever appeared on the speedway circuits. Wouldn’t it be fantastic to see Complin, once marked as a potential World Longtrack champion, back on the Grass once again?

5. Chris Harris

Before winning multiple British Speedway championships, becoming a regular Speedway Grand Prix rider, representing his country in the Speedway World Cup, and of course, THAT win at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, Chris ‘Bomber’ Harris was a sensational Grasstrack rider. Harris, from Cornwall, rose through the youth ranks of both Grasstrack and Speedway. At a time when his local team, the Trelawny Tigers, were competing regularly in the Premier League, Harris was able to balance both Grasstrack and Speedway. Bomber’s Grasstrack career had it’s most successful season in 2003, where he competed up and down the country in meetings, and took the British Under 21 Championships at Rhodes Minnis. Whenever tracks got rough and choppy (some would say a ‘real’ Grasstrack), Bomber seemed to prosper. So it was a surprise that his style was so equally suited to smooth speedway circuits. Anyone who has seen Bomber on TV will know that when the track gets tough, his Grasstrack roots come to the fore. Since that 2003 season, Chris has gone on to achieve great things in world speedway, and to the excitement of many, he returned to Grasstrack in 2015 and looked like he’d never been away. Let’s hope for more from the Cornishman.

4. Joe Screen

Throughout the early 90’s, Joe Screen was the hottest prospect on the Grasstrack circuits. He burst into adult Grasstrack racing as a fearless 16-year-old in 1988 and by 1992, he was already a British Masters champion. He followed this up with two more British Masters titles in 1995 and 2003 and always ‘dabbled’ with a bit of Grasstrack racing when time allowed. But very early in his career, his talent on a speedway machine was clear, and Polish Speedway soon replaced Sunday Grasstrack racing. Many believe that if Joe had competed regularly on Grasstrack and Longtrack, he would be a multiple World Longtrack champion. However, Grasstrack appearances since the mid-nineties were rare and Joe became something of a special attraction for Grasstrack fans. No doubt though, this hugely popular, crowd-pleasing rider left his mark in the Grasstrack world.

3.  Scott Nicholls

Nicholls lead during the 1995 British Championships

Another Grasstrack talent that has gone on to great things in the speedway world, Scott Nicholls began his Grasstrack adult career in the 250cc class before moving up to the 500cc class. Nicholls never actually won a big Grasstrack title, but came so close so many times. During his 250cc career, he very nearly won the British Championships in 1995, only to be defeated by Carl Wilkes in a tremendous day’s racing. And again in 1999, he looked set to win the British Masters title, only to have victory snatched from him due to mechanical problems. He actually won the final that day, beating Kelvin Tatum convincingly. With today’s winner-take-all final rules, Nicholls could call himself British Masters champion, but in 1999, dropping a heat (it was actually in the semi-final, whilst leading where he suffered mechanical problems) was enough to lose the title. Since then, Grasstrack appearances have been limited to very rare occasions as Nicholls has gone on to become one of the finest speedway riders in the world, not to mention a TV analyst and pundit. Such was Nicholls’ legend, that when it was announced in 2016 that he would be racing at the British Masters Championships, social media lit up. Lack of time with his machine meant that he couldn’t mix it with the world class riders, but surely with more track time, we could see him back on the top of the Grasstrack world again? It would be a great sight to see.

2. Mark Loram

Mark Loram began his career on the Grasstrack circuits. And the reason he features so high on our list is due to what he went onto do, that none of the others did; Mark Loram is a World Champion. Before that memorable win in 2000, Loram made a world class Grasstrack and Longtrack rider. As a young man, in 1991, Loram won his first of two British Masters titles. A crash in 1992 lost him the title, but he managed to regain it again for the 1993 season. Whilst competing in the National and International Grasstracks (he is a 5 time World Longtrack Final competitor) of the time, Loram was beginning to make waves in the speedway world. He’d already earned himself a regular slot in the Kings Lynn team, and was gaining interest in Poland. The next stage of his career was inevitable. Loramski was lost to the sport. Grasstrack’s loss really was Speedway’s gain as he went on to win the World title, captain Team GB and win 3 British Speedway crowns. Many cite him as the culmination of the last ‘golden generation’ of track racing stars. But always remember, before he did any of that, he did so much on the Grasstrack scene. Loram made a strong appearance at the 1998 Bonfire Burnup and was due to appear as World Champion at the event in 2000, but rain forced the meeting to be cancelled. This was the very last time that the World Speedway champion was to appear at a British Grasstrack event (as champion). Loram’s career was cut short due to a horror crash at Ipswich in 2007, but his name continues to conjure up fond memories of a golden class of young British riders.

1. Tony Atkin

Tony may not have gone on to achieve some of the world-beating feats that Harris, Nicholls, Screen and Loram have, but his Grasstrack pedigree secures him at the top of this list. The 2000 British Championships proved to be Tony’s final British Grasstrack title, in a career that saw him collect 4 British 350 crowns. His memorable battles with fellow 350 legend Jason Handley became Grasstrack folklore and are still talked about today as one of the greatest rivalries ever seen. Atkin had a unique, natural style on a Grasstrack bike. His tough, no-nonsense racing style earned him fans across the country. Atkin was a dedicated Grasstrack racer, and was fundamental in the success of the world-renowned Nu-Trak frames. Tony didn’t just limit himself to 350 racing as he was a tremendous 500cc rider also, with highlights included a sensational rostrum spot at the 1996 Bonfire Burn-up in treacherous conditions. But it was aboard his 350 machine that he is best remembered. Between 1993 and 2002, Atkin was only off of the British Championship rostrum twice. Throughout this time, Atkin had been competing in speedway at National League level and speedway appearances became more and more frequent until he almost disappeared from Grasstrack altogether. For a rider with such club racing pedigree, this came as quite a shock. In the last 10 years, Atkin has been seen on the Grasstrack very rarely. One can only speculate on how many more British Championships (and perhaps even a Masters title) Tony Atkin might have won if he had been able to continue his highly successful Grasstrack career.

So there you have it...Grasstrack Banter's Top Ten Riders who left the Grasstrack world to go on to glittering speedway careers. Don't forget to add your comments, telling us who we've missed. Before we go, here's another image from Alan Whale showing three of the greatest of all time, two of which are included in this article, and the other always made sure Grasstrack and Longtrack stayed part of his calendar.

Top Ten Grasstrack Sidecar Brother Rivalries

Words: Gareth Bemister
Images: Alan Whale

Grasstrack Banter, along with Alan Whale Photography, take a trip down memory lane with this Grasstrack Banter Top Ten List...
Top 10 Sidecar Brother Racing Rivalries

Ahhhhh, Grasstrack...the family sport. And in this list it’s that brotherly love can be demonstrated in no better way than piling a grasstrack sidecar outfit into your sibling at top speed. These are all sidecar drivers who drove different outfits...not brothers who teamed together, although some of these did that too! This list compiles our Grasstrack Banter top 10 brothers who raced against one another in one of the sidecar classes...

Who have we missed? Let us know either in the comments or on Grasstrack Banter Facebook group by commenting on your most memorable duelling sidecar brothers.

10. Justin and Wayne Westaway

Perhaps these Cornish brothers’s father Ken and his brother, the late Dave Westway, should be the siblings focused on here. They were tremendous racers and legendary in the Cornwall Centre. But Justin and Wayne sit in the more recent memory. Older brother Justin started his racing career as passenger to his step-brother, the late- great Phil Pitman. After several successful seasons as passenger, Justin turned to the bars with younger brother Wayne as passenger. And it wasn’t too long before Wayne was lining up against Justin. From there, Westaway-the-younger went from strength to strength, once again taking the Westaway name to the national sidecar racing scene. Of all of the results of Westcourt Racing (an amalgamation of Westaway and long-serving passenger Mark Courtney’s name), the most memorable must surely be a tremendous 4^th place at the International Grand Slam at the famous Rhodes Minnis. Sadly now none of the Westaway family are in action, but Mark Courtney still competes in the fledgling ‘old and new’ sidecar class.

Phil Pitman and Justin Westaway

9. Pete, Rick and Eric Colvin

Pete Colvin with son Steve in the chair (Image: Methanol Moments)

Another famous Grasstracking name, though this time in the South Eastern centre. Rick and Eric’s racing careers are now over, although they are still heavily involved in the running of Frittenden club, as is younger brother Pete. Rick and Eric made good club racers throughout the 70s, 80s and early 90s, including two South Eastern centre championships for Rick,  but Pete really has taken the name to new levels. Having made a return to racing in the early 2000s after a fairly innocuous run in the 80s, this second incarnation of Pete Colvin has grown into one of the best sidecar racers in the country. Passengered by his son Steve, Pete’s greatest achievement must surely be his fine top 8 placing in a memorable Masters performance in 2014. Pete is now also considered one of the finest engineers on the sidecar circuit, with his PCR Engineering being used by several top riders.

8. John and Vic Hiscock

John Hiscock pictured with Symon Wall in the chair.

These southern centre brothers also spent some time racing as driver and passenger, with elder brother Vic driving. But it is during the mid 80s that racing fans will remember John and Vic lining up against one another. At the end of the 80s, Vic rarely raced, whereas John went on to become something of a sidecar Grasstrack legend. South Eastern Centre Championships and national wins, including a Champion of Champions victory at Swingfield, are some of John’s most illustrious accolades of a career which spans 6 decades. It wasn’t until 2013, at Wimborne, that John picked up his first top 6 British Masters placing. Other notable successes include two rostrum spots at the International Ace of Aces and two at the Bonfire Burnup. Sadly we lost Vic last year. John has been threatening retirement for several seasons now, but promises racing fans that if he has an outfit in his garage, he will still race it. He still mixes it with the best!

7. Steve and Gary Wright

Steve and Gary with Battle of Britain spoils

This is a unique choice because these two technically didn’t go up against each other, but were both top drivers at the same time, throughout the nineties. And this is because they did something really special; they swapped driver and passenger throughout the season. One week Steve would drive whilst Gary passengered, and the other week Gary would drive and Steve would passenger. Neither of the Nottinghamshire brothers looked any worse or better than the other. Steve drove the pairing to a tremendous Masters Qualifier win in 1996 whilst Gary raced to a superb victory in a memorable final at the Battle of Britain at Collier Street.

 6. Martin and Shane Baker

The Somerset brothers were at the top of the sport in the early nineties. They both possessed fast, aggressive racing styles and were both always considered exciting underdogs.

Both Shane and Martin seemed to just vanish from the sport in 1992, but have left an impressionable mark on this racing fans memory with their exploits in the early 90s.

Martin Baker/Shayne Cann leading at the Masters '92

5. Dave and Mick Steer

These brothers are unique to sidecar racing in that only one of them competed. Dave and Mick’s son  Jason raced at the same time during the nineties, with Dave going on to really establish himself as a top Grasstrack racer throughout the decade. Although he didn’t race, older brother, the late (and very much missed) Mick Steer must be mentioned on this list as he is a Grasstrack sidecar legend. Mick’s interest in sidecar racing was first ignited by a 16-year-old younger brother Dave bringing home a sidecar Grasstrack outfit. Fast forward twenty years and Mick became one of the greatest sidecar frame manufacturers of all time. It’s hard to measure the impact that Mick had on the sport, but around the time of the millennium, it was hard to find a sidecar outfit that was not a Steer frame. 

Jason Steer and Ian Whale

Team Steer at the peak of Steer Frames success. Dave is 2nd left and Mick is far right.

4. Mark and Tom Cossar

We come to modern day racing for these brothers. Older brother Mark has now firmly established himself as one of the finest sidecar drivers of all time, with four Masters titles to his name, and he is still only 31. And his first Masters title was won memorable in 2009 with his younger brother Tom in the chair. Since then, Tom has gone on to dabble with driving an outfit himself. In 2016, he began to put some results together, winning meetings at Ledbury and at Chelmsford. Now planning a good run at a racing season, Tom looks set to burst into the upper echelon of the sport, joining his brother. Presently, Tom would admit that he is not quite ready to challenge the sheer speed of his older brother...but he has time on his side and it is definitely an interesting brotherly rivalry to keep an eye on the coming seasons.

Tom Cossar pictured with Adam Cowper-Smith (Image: Les Rumsey)

3. Rod and Chris Winterburn

Chris Winterburn

The spectacular Rod Winterburn (Image: Lawrence Hammonds)

These Yorkshire brothers raced together for many years, with Rod as driver and Chris as passenger. After a relatively successful solo career, Rod turned to three wheels fairly easily, but it wasn’t until the mid 00s that he really got into his stride. By this time, brother Chris was racing his own outfit and was also very quick. In truth, Chris perhaps never reached his full potential for one reason or another, and hasn’t been seen driving for a few years- a shame for a driver with clear talent. But Rod has become one of the best ever. His three British Masters titles have been hard fought and gutsy- a true reflection of Winterburn’s racing style.

                                                                             

2. Roger and Jeff Measor

Roger and Jeff at the first British Masters in '82

Roger Measor in action in 1994.

These two Oxfordshire brothers raced together, most notably aboard the Hughenden BMW through the late 70’s. This was monumental in bringing a new, professional edge to Grasstrack sidecar racing. The image of Roger and Jeff racing the Hughenden BMW outfit is etched in the minds of many hundreds of seventies Grasstrack fans. Jeff turned to racing his own outfit throughout the eighties and had some success. Roger became a racing legend, winning two British Masters titles and countless other championships and meetings. He made sidecar racers seem like superstars, with immaculate presentation and ingenious technical knowhow. After retiring, Roger went on to become a top clerk of the course. Jeff made a surprise comeback to racing in 2014, and has been getting faster ever since.

Jeff on the bars with Dave Pope in the chair.

  .                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
   1. Mal and Lester Goodwin

Mal/Gary Rockell leads William Mattihjssen

A good day for the Goodwins at the 1998 British Championships

It is remarkable that Mal Goodwin is not in amongst the list of British Grasstrack Champions as a driver (He was champion passenger in 1983). Since he began driving in the 500cc sidecar class in 1990, with younger brother Lester in the chair, he went on to become one of the country’s (and indeed Europe’s) top sidecar stars. But the British Championship always eluded him. He actually came 2^nd four times, and the last time was to his younger brother, the late, great, Lester Goodwin. It’s fair to say that Lester had the lion’s share of British titles. His first was won in 1998, beating brother Mal to the championship spot. He went on to cement his name in Grasstrack folklore by winning a record equalling six British titles (seven including a title as passenger in 1995). Lester was cruelly taken from us in 2007, but his legend lives on. The Goodwin brothers’ (including Clive, who passengered Lester to three British titles, and Martin, a fine solo/speedway rider) legacy has continued with Lester’s son Josh the current and 4x British Champion. Add to this Mal’s son Ant and Clive’s son Scott, it is safe to safe that the Goodwin name will continue to reap success in the future.

A wonderful Alan Whale tribute to a great man; Lester Goodwin

Unless otherwise stated, all images provided by Alan Whale. Huge thanks to Alan, not only for support of this article, but of all of his images throughout the years.