THE thrills and spills of grass track racing returned to the Three Counties Showground after a 13-year gap with a bang at the weekend.

Competitors from across the country took part in a 36 race programme including one of the world's top riders Malcolm Simmons from Kent.

Malvern & District Motor Cycle & Light Car Club is now hoping the event will once again become a regular closing attraction of the Three Counties Show which it did from 1959-1989.

Grass track competition secretary John Banner branded the day a huge success and with more than 3,000 spectators was delighted with the turnout.

"It was a good day, excellent in fact and the only thing which could have made it better was some sun," he said.

"I think everyone was pleased with the crowd which was around 3,000.

"Three Counties have definitely told us they would like it to become a regular feature of the show and after yesterday's highly successful day I'm sure it will be."

Among the highlights were Malvern riders Tony Starke and Darren Wood in the sidecar event, hurling themselves around bends in spectacular fashion at speeds of up to 60mph.

There were three classes which were the 1975 unlimited cc solos, the 500cc sidecars and lastly the unlimited cc solos.

Results were as follows: Pre-1975: 1 Gerald Short, 2 Malcolm Simmons, 3 Dave Norris, 4 Maurice Jones, 5 Eddie Rouse.

For 500cc side cars: 1 Chris Salisbury/Gary Hughes, 2 Tony Cook/Dan Crawford, 3 Tony Starke/Darren Wood, 4 Clive Willis/Michael Sampson, 5 Andy Kerrison/Steve Ashby.

Unlimited solos: 1 Jason Handley, 2 Tony Atkin, 3 Scott Wilson, 4 Dave Rumsey, 5 Scott Broad.