FORMER world champion Malcolm Simmons is one of the many top class riders who have entered for the Malvern & District Motor Cycle & Light Car Club's Three Counties Show grass track race meeting on Sunday (June 16).

John Banner, the club's grass track competition secretary, is delighted to have attracted Malcolm, from West Kingsdown in Kent, who is one of the most successful grass track/speedway riders in the world.

A former British champion, Simmons was runner-up in the World Individual Speedway championships in Poland 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.

Officially titled the Three Counties Show 'spectacular show finale' the racing starts at 5pm following an hour -long practice session, and brings the event to a close at around 8pm.

Among the top local riders who will be out to give the Kent champion a run for his money in the Pre-75 class is former European champion Gerald Short, from Ashchurch near Tewkesbury, Pete and Nigel Newman from Worcester, Maurice Jones from Holmer near Hereford, and Cyril Jones (no relation), 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 (pictured in action right and both from Malvern) among the 12 crews (that's what they call a sidecar driver and passenger when they're racing) who are guaranteed to provide some exciting moments for the large crowd expected to witness the much awaited return.

Completing the days 36 race programme will be the unlimited cc class (solos) 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 on the Sunday 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, while anyone who prefers to visit the picturesque setting for the racing only will be allowed in to the show ground (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 and Malvern club members will be selling programmes by the public entrance to the race-track at minimal cost.

Mr Banner said: "The Three Counties Show committee have assured the Malvern club that they have every intention of making the 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."

Contact John Banner, on (01684) 569285 with any inquiries concerning any aspects of the event.

All reporters/photographers must obtain a pass from Mr Banner and sign on to be fully covered by insurance.