KENT'S Malcolm Simmons is one of the many top class riders who have entered Malvern & District Motor Cycle & Light Car Club's Three Counties Show Grass Track race meeting tomorrow.

John Banner, the club's grass track competition secretary, is delighted to have attracted Simmon, who is one of the most successful grasstrack/speedway riders in the world.

A former British champion, Simmons was runner-up in the World Individual Speedway Championships in 1976, three times a world pairs champion and five times a world team champion.

Captain of England's international speedway team for five consecutive years, Simmons will be taking part in the pre-75 solo class, where all the bikes have to be manufactured before 1975.

Racing starts at 5pm, following an hour-long practise session, and brings the three-day extravaganza to a close at approximately 8pm.

Among the top local riders who will be out to give Simmons a run for his money in the pre-75 class is former European champion Gerald Short, from Ashchurch near Tewkesbury; Pete & Nigel Newman from Worcester; Maurice Jones, from Holmer near Hereford and Cyril Jones from Broseley in Shropshire.

Sidecars will be making their first ever racing appearance at the show, with local ace Tony Starke and his passenger Darren Wood from Malvern among the twelve crews who are guaranteed to provide some exciting moments for the expected large crowd.

Completing the day's 36-race programme will be the unlimited cc class in which Hereford's Paul Fry, who rides speedway for Swindon, is likely to start one of the favourites.

Strong opposition is likely to come from Jason Handley, from Cumbria; Tony Atkin, from Deeside; Phil Ashcroft from Tividale in the West Midlands and a host of other top class performers.

Anyone already planning to be at the prestigious three day show tomorrow will be able to go into the Grass Track Arena (it's close to the Yellow Gate entrance) at no extra cost using their normal show admission ticket.

Anyone who prefers to visit the picturesque setting for the racing only will be allowed into the showground (normal entrances) after 3.30pm, for a charge of just £3.

All parking at the showground is free, children aged five and under are free.

The Three Counties show committee have assured the Malvern club that they have every intention of making grass track a major feature of the show once again. It was last run at the venue in 1989, and everything is in place for a successful and nostalgic return.