Here is the new link for the 2024 BANTASIA meeting, as i was asked at the request of Gareth Hickmott's family to remove his accident as his condition is not good. I was unaware of this at the time of publishing the original draft of the meeting, so apologies to all his family. I have never intended to cause any upset to any rider, or their families in situations like this, but i hope you all still enjoy the meeting. I have unlisted the original draft until such time that it i am told it is ok to put it back in the public domain by his family.
All was set for a superb 2024 Bantasia grasstrack, with a top line-up in all classes. The day started with 1000cc RH Sidecars out first, and the mouth watering clash in heat 2 of multi British Masters champions Mark Cossar/Carl Blyth against Terry Saunters/Liam Brown. Saunters already having a couple of victories over Cossar in 2023. Could he follow that up here? Some fabulous racing from the chairs through the day, even when the conditions got tricky after several showers putting the remainder of the meeting at risk, but the club and riders ploughed on through the slippery conditions, and once the showers stopped, the track started to dry out, and by the time the finals arrived, the track was again pretty grippy and fast. With Paul Whitelam/Richard Webb out for only the second time on their new Honda powered machine, they were absolutely flying. Could they be the crew to come between the Cossar and Saunters clash? Matt Fumarola/Andi Wilson are another crew in scintillating form, and could also take the spoils, along with returning Cornish crew of Kieran Hicks/Frankie Courtney who looked so promising a couple of season ago, so would the change of handlebars make a difference? Just wait and see. With a final right out the top draw, it was certainly worth the wait. The spectators were screaming with excitement at the thrilling spectacle.
In the 500cc Solo class, it looked wide open, with Paul Cooper back from his Ice racing exploits still looking a major force in the class. But he would have to contend with the young guns in spectacular Chad Wirtzfeld, Charlie Powell now making his mark in Europe, and top prospect Cameron Taylor now stepping up from the 350cc class to try and make his mark in the 500cc class. Also in attendance was young Mickie Simpson, improving in leaps and bounds. Jack Roberts should also be in the shake-up, along with Luke Harris, now concentrating on the 500cc class. A very dramatic Final at the end of the day.
David Knowles looked almost unstoppable in the 250cc class, but with so many talented youngsters in the line-up, it would only take one mistake from Knowles, and the likes of Charlie Wood, Aidan Arthur, Shane Knight, Austin Riches, and Max Derrick, and not forgetting 65 year old Richie Knight, who can still mix it with the best of them, plus Karl Bedingfield who's always in the mix and rarely misses a final place.
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