Mitch Godden returns to Vazon on Saturday aiming to win a third consecutive Sand Ace title. (Picture by Tony Rive, 0322944)
MITCH GODDEN is unlikely to have things his own way as the Condor Ferries Sand Ace Championship returns to the Vazon sands on Saturday.
The Guernsey Motorcycle & Car Club event has proved a big hit with both spectators and some of the UK’s top-flight riders, including Godden, the three-times British champion.
Godden returns to Guernsey seeking a hat-trick of Sand Ace Championships, but main organiser Anthony Queripel expects it to be tough for him.
‘Mitch is obviously one of the favourites, but if anyone can beat him, it will be Vince Kinchin or Phil Ashcroft,’ he said.
Kinchin finished in second place last year and will be trying hard for the top step of the podium, while strong challenges are expected from Sheffield speedway stars Gary Flint and Paul Cooper, attracted by the increasing prize pot and the super-fast Vazon track.
Both riders compete in British and European grasstrack racing and European longtrack.
They will be joined by Ashcroft and Dan Winterton, both top UK grasstrack riders.
In all, 15 will travel from the UK to compete in what is becoming a must-do meeting and is now part of the national calendar. Together with Guernsey riders, they take the field to 27.
Local competitors should not be discounted as there are some quick riders amongst them.
Look out in particular for Queripel, Anthony Bougourd, Simon Cohu and Mike Clarke.
Bougourd was the man who put the Sand Ace together and has had lots of experience of the UK grasstrack scene having won many meetings during the 80s and 90s.
Cohu and Queripel currently compete successfully in the UK and veteran Clarke has done so on both speedway and grasstrack although the 54-year-old would be the first to admit that it was a long time ago.
As well as the prestige of taking the title, total prize money is in excess of £3,000 so all the competitors will be charging hard to win some of the purse.
All the riders will be using grasstrack/longtrack bikes.
These machines have the same 500cc motors as a speedway bike and are fitted with a two-speed gearbox to cope with the longer track.
The bikes have no brakes, run on methanol and have a power output of around 75bhp.
Weighing in at only 80kg, the bikes accelerate from 0 to 60mph in less than three seconds, which is similar to an F1 car.
The top speed around the Vazon track will be approximately 90mph.
There will also be supporting car and youth motorcycle races and the Sand Ace riders will be introduced to spectators by Deputy Mike O’Hara at 2pm and racing will start at 2.30.
Article posted on 5th June, 2008 - 2.29pm
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