THE Motorcycle Grass Track racing that once used to bring the Three Counties Show to its spectacular finale on the final day is set to make a return to Malvern.

Sadly, it's not at the Showground, well not this year anyway, but at a venue just off the A4103 Worcester to Hereford Road at Storridge, on August Bank Holiday Sunday (August 27), with practice due to commence at noon and racing at 2pm.

Malvern Motor Cycle and Light Car Club Club Club spokesman John Banner said: "I've had hundreds, and I do mean hundreds, of people over the years who have told me they no longer visit the show because there is no longer any motor cycle racing to watch.

"The Three Counties Committee, for whatever reason, chose to make a break from tradition some years ago and eventually decided to stop inviting us to run the races on their behalf," continued John. Who incidentally has been the secretary of the meeting (basically the chief organiser) for virtually all of the grass track races that the club, who own their own premises in Howsell Road opposite the old fire station (now Malvern Blinds) has run over the last couple of decades.

Club spokesman John Banner said "I think it is time for a Three Counties Show return. Certainly, from the amount of enquiries that I still get the current show committee should give it some serious thought.

We carried on running meetings, the most popular of which was the Mick Burton Memorial event, at various local venues (Earl's Croome, Guarlford, Bastonford etc) until 1993 when the last one we organised took place in April at Suckley".

For various reasons any plans to run further grass tracks eventually came to nought, until this year that is!

Planning for this years event, initiated by John, began originally at the latter end of 1996, and mainly due to the not inconsiderable costs involved, plus the amount of work required and some now solved insurance problems, have taken until the year 2000 to come to fruition.

John added: "We have every intention of making this a regular August Bank Holiday happening and the success of this years efforts will encourage everyone and go a long way to making sure that happens".

John pointed out that the club are keen to hear from any potential rider, sponsor, spectator or just an inquisitive Malvern Gazette reader and anyone who is interested can contact him direct and he will be more than happy to deal with any enquiries that may result from this article. Phone him on (01684) 569285 anytime.