Mega Grasstrack

MEGA Grasstrack AGM
Saturday 30th November, 5pm
Newlands, Drakes Lane, Chelmsford, CM3 3ND

MEGA REBRAND FOR THE 500cc SIDECAR ASSOCIATION

The 500cc Sidecar Association is looking to the 2025 season with a fresh sense of optimism and a brand-new club name. The club that is based in the City of Chelmsford has been rebranded as Mid-Essex Grasstrack Association (MEGA). The club has been dormant this season after facing issues securing a suitable date at the home venue but have confirmed that they will be active once again in 2025.
Club Chairman Andy Driver commented “We felt that the club’s name was no longer relevant and that has really been the case for a few years. The 500cc Sidecar Association was launched in the early 80’s as a club to promote the class which was new to these shores. That was the objective right up until the demise of the very successful Super Series. The highlight was the 2014 European Sidecar Final, a brilliant day of racing which culminated in Josh Goodwin/Liam Brown becoming the UK’s first European Champions in the class”.
Multiple British Champion Shaun Harvey took over the helm at the club in 2013 from Geoff Moorcock, a stalwart who had been a mainstay of the club since its creation right up until his passing in 2017. Harvey stepped down last year due to other commitments but remained on the committee.
“Geoff was a legend, and he loved the club” stated Driver “We would have changed the club’s name earlier, but we refrained from doing so knowing that fact. But things moved on, and although we will continue to support the 500cc sidecar class, we felt we needed a more territorial title. I’m sure Geoff would understand because would want the best for his club and the sport.”
The club are still in talks with the landowner but are looking at either September 25th or October 4th for their first MEGA meeting under the new banner.

500cc SIDECAR ASSOCIATION CANCEL JULY RACE MEETING

The 500cc Sidecar Association have made the tough decision to cancel their meeting that was due to take place at their Kings Farm Venue on July 14th. All rider entry money will obviously be refunded as the club have also confirmed that they won’t be running any events this season.
Our intention was to run a small club meeting in 2024 on a new field, but with a very narrow time frame to work with between other pre-arranged events at the venue very near to our date unfortunately time to prepare and plan is not on our side we’ve decided to make this early decision.
The committee are now looking to plan ahead to 2025!

Club membership is open and still only £5 for the year, to renew membership please follow the link, it should take you direct to the club membership page, any issues contact me an I will sort any issues out.

Sport:80 | Investing in Sport

AGM THIS SUNDAY!

A DARK DAY FOR OUR CLASS - RIP FLORAIN
Sunday was a dark day for our sport, especially the 500cc Sidecar Class.
Sadly passenger Florain Niedermayer passed away after a crash in Eenrum. An accident that also left Marco Hundsracker hospitalised with serious injuries.
At the same meeting Team 77 also crashed heavily. Shaun Hughes and Louis Bennett were both taken to hospital. Louis has injuries but has been released to return home. Shaun remains in hospital in Holland awaiting an assessment.
Back on home soil Chris Hay and Karl Hokaniuk had a big off at Fenland. Karl was released from Peterborough Hospital, in which Chris still remains for further treatment.
The 500cc Sidecar Association would like to send our condolences to Florain's family, friends and fellow competitors for your loss.

Get Well Soon Marco, Shaun, Louis, Chris and Karl.

Our thoughts also go out to the members and volunteers at MC Eenrum & Omstreken.

Now that we've had a few days to recuperate, a few important points and thank-yous from the Club:
First and most importantly, we want to wish Tim Nobes a full and speedy recovery, and our thoughts go to his family in what is likely a distressing time. We're pleased to hear that he's looking to be on the mend and we've posted a link to a fundraiser below if you'd like to donate to help support him and his family throughout his recovery.
We all understand the risks that racing imposes but that doesn't make it any easier to see an incident such as his play out, especially at our home track. Words can't express how grateful we are to the Met Medical team, who have proven time and time again how important it is to have such an efficient and professional team on hand.
A huge thank you also goes to those nearby, who acted quickly to make it as easy as possible for the Medical team to do their job without interruption and to those who offered their support to Tim's friends and family. Moments like this truly bring the Grasstrack family together and it's wonderful to see our community looking out for each other.
Of course, it's the last reason any club wants to see their meeting abandoned for but rider safety is and always will take priority, we would like to thank you all: riders, spectators and everyone in between for your patience and understanding.
On the subject of patience, we ought to address the situation on Sunday morning! The weather was very much against us on Saturday and while we had no worries about the track itself, it was already becoming difficult for the team to keep morale up in the pouring rain and mud. It then became clear very early Sunday morning that getting riders onto the field in the first place was going to be a whole other issue in itself. Thankfully, we're blessed with (what we like to think of as) some of the best tractor drivers around on our team, who dropped everything to pull 60+ race vehicles through to the pits, as well as multiple others onto the track field. It was nothing short of a military operation- the fact that it only delayed practice by 30 mins is a credit to them and their hard work and organisation. This again couldn't have happened without the patience, support and cooperation (plus many borrowed towing eyes!) of those of you who kept in good spirits and allowed them to get the job done. Thank you!
Of course, we can't forget the Landowner, Andy, who not only helps out every year while the bikes tear his field apart, but this year also watched his gateways become mudslides and yet still stepped up and helped tow everyone in amongst various other jobs. Thank you!

Lastly a heartfelt thank you to every single person who helped us on and in the lead up to the big day.
The committee itself is a very small team and we simply couldn't do it without the generosity, blood, sweat and (only occasional) tears of the countless volunteers who give up their time and energy to make meetings like this happen. Marshalls, Officials, Pit Crew, Track Team, Car Parkers, ACU Officials, Signing On, Starters, Lap Scorers, Pay Gate Attendees, Toilet Cleaners and everyone in between putting your hand to anything and everything that gets thrown your way. You may not always be at the forefront of the meeting but you're the cogs that keep the event ticking over as it should and we simply can't thank you enough, your efforts certainly don't go unnoticed!
As a committee we've worked tirelessly for over 8 months to present the 2023 British Masters at the highest possible standard. We've faced multiple hurdles in the lead up and although it wasn't the ending anyone would have wanted, we're proud of what we achieved under the circumstances. We hope that you enjoyed your weekend and managed to watch some top class racing, which was provided as expected by some of the UKs best riders- they certainly didn't disappoint!

You can donate to Tim's fundraiser here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/funding-to-help-the-family-of-tim-nobes

THE MASTERS IS VERY MUCH ON TODAY!!