Engines rev

Press, 23 September 1988, Page 40

Engines rev

A new class adding variety to the programme at Ellesmere Raceway this season has been that for flat track motor cycles. After some hard work by the instigator of the class, Shane Scanlon, the category is proving its worth with some large fields and good racing. Scanlon says that he was initially motivated to start a class for non speedway machinery after finding that most other classes required up to date machinery and consequently a large budget to remain competitive. After racing at the long track meeting at Forbury Park and training with some speedway competitors during the off season, at Ellesmere, Scanlon embarked on a publicity campaign placing newspaper advertisements and using posters to promote the new class and attract competitors. His reward was reaped with an initial turn out of 15 competitors and numbers have grown until around 50 bikes are expected to turn out for their next meeting. To date four practice

meetings and two combined with the cars at Ellesmere Raceway have been held and Scanlon along with Steve and Robert Cameron have provided some close tussles at the head of the field. The fledgling club, known as the Ellesmere Flat Track Motor Cycle Club, is soon to hold an election of officers to put the club on an official basis. The basic rules for machinery state that the class is open to any motor cycle with two or more forward gears and brakes. The 500 cu cm single bikes have proven most successful in the early competition, but Scanlon says that there have been some impressive performances turned in by good riders on small and antiquated machinery. The club hopes to extend its activities by racing at different venues, particularly in the field of long track and grass track racing and perhaps miniature T.T.s. JOHN HAWKINS