Sunday, 25 December 2016

BANTER's GUIDE TO SCB CHAMPIONSHIP GRASSTRACKERS 2017



The second and third tier of the British speedway league system is packed full of past and present Grasstrack talent. So let’s have a look at some of the members of the Grasstrack family who have earned themselves team spots in the second tier of team speedway- The SCB Championship.

THE SCB Championship
We’ll start off by mentioning riders who are expected to compete on the Grasstrack scene in 2017 who will also be competing in the the Speedway League Championship. Current and two-time British 350cc Champion Tom Perry has become a household name in the speedway world, and this year comes to the tapes in Glasgow Tigers colours. He was scarcely seen on the grass in 2016, but a warm up at Bridgwater was followed up by successfully defending his 350 crown at Dig Dog Lane. Will he return once again in 2017 to add a third title? Let’s hope so.

Two more riders expected to feature heavily in the 2017 Grasstrack season both line up for the Redcar Bears. Cornish rider Benjamin Barker made a surprise return to the Grasstrack scene last season. After winning the Westcountry Winner with ease in his home county, he then put in a tremendous performance at the Whoppa and looks keen to follow it up with a full season of Grasstrack racing in 2017. Ben has never had a ‘proper’ campaign on the grass. Having started his career in the 350 class, he then turned his attention fully to speedway. It’s going to be fantastic to have Barker back on the Grass for 2017 and we wish him luck with the Bears. His Redcar teammate is the more established Grass and Longtrack rider Richard Hall. He once again will compete on the continent on the World Longtrack scene and may be seen in some top Grasstrack events also. Joining these two is young racer Ellis Perks, who doubles up with Premiership side Rye House and holds plenty of Grasstrack pedigree also.



Lining up for the Workington Comets, having had several successful seasons with Berwick is Danish racer Thomas Jorgensen. Sponsored by Grasstracker Steve Tideswell, Jorgensen made a big impression on the Grasstrack circuits throughout 2015 and looked to begin a hugely successful Grasstrack racing career, but other commitments have meant that the Dane was not seen on the Grass throughout 2016. Let’s hope that Thomas can find some space in his diary to get back onto the Grass in 2017 and add a little Scandinavian flair.
 

The league is full of former Youth Grasstrackers who now ply their trade on the shale as Grasstrack continues to supply British speedway with a plethora of track racing talent. Danny King, Robert Lambert and Paul Starke all double up with Premiership and Championship teams, having learnt their trade on the grass. The same can be said for several other key members of the league. Former youth racer Connor Coles competed in the auto-cadet and cadet class, attending meetings with father (and Exeter Falcons legend) Michael, before turning full time to the shale. In 2017, he lines up for Newcastle. Yorkshireman Josh Auty is now a well-established middle-tier rider, but he once was one of the hottest Grasstrack prospects we had seen for years. As soon as adulthood came, he took to speedway full time and we have yet to see Auty race in adult classes on the grass. He fills the Scunthorpe team and has done for several seasons. It would be fantastic to one day see Josh return to his roots and of course he would be welcomed back we are sure.

Finally, several high profile continental grassers compete in this league in 2017. Most notable of all is two-time (and current) World Longtrack champion Erik Riss. We have yet to see Riss Jnr compete on a British Grasstrack but surely it’s only a matter of time? The sensational German races for Edinburgh, along with his brother Mark. Both Riss brothers have competed in Grasstracks and Longtracks, following in the footsteps of their legendary father Gerd.

Another young Longtrack star to have emerged in the last few years is French ace Dimitri Berge. Another son of a legend (Phillipe), Dimitri has been seen racing on British Grasstracks, putting in a stunning performance at Swingfield in 2014 for the World Team Championships. He races for Berwick this season.

Well done to these lads for their speedway endeavours and we, your Grasstrack family, wish you the best of luck for your 2017 speedway campaigns. Remember, the door is always open!

Full list of Championship Grasstrackers
Dimitri Berge (Berwick)
Erik Riss (Edinburgh)
Mark Riss (Edinburgh)
Tom Perry (Glasgow)
Danny King (Ipswich)
Robert Lambert (Newcastle)
Connor Coles (Newcastle)
Paul Starke (Peterborough)
Benjamin Barker (Redcar)
Richard Hall (Redcar)
Ellis Perks (Redcar)
Josh Auty (Scunthorpe)
Thomas Jorgensen (Workington)


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