Grasbahn EM Finale in Swingfield GB
16.09.2007

GERD RISS COMES TO SWINGFIELD

6 X World Long Track Champion Gerd Riss will race at this year's European Grass Track Championship Final on Sunday September 16 th at Swingfield near Folkestone, Kent, England. Gerd will compete in the supporting event against 2005 European Grass Track Champion Paul Hurry and Ex World Under 21 Speedway Champion Joe Screen and other top stars who are not competing in the European Championships. The top three from the support event will meet the top three from the European Championships for a Grand Finale, “The Supercars UK World Challenge” worth 750 euros to the winner.

THE ASTRA GRASS TRACK CLUB celebrate their tenth anniversary in 2007 and are delighted to be chosen by the A.C.U. the organising body of British motorcycle sport, to stage this year's U.E.M. European Solo Grass Track Championship Final at SWINGFIELD (SAT NAV CT15 7HF) on September 16 th. Over the past ten years, Astra have run two European Championship semi finals and have staged the British Masters Championship on two occasions. SWINGFIELD is a very fast 650 meter circuit, used last year for the European semi final won by Germany's Stephan Katt.

Former International rider, Graham Hurry and his wife June (Father and mother of Paul Hurry), started the Astra club in 1997 and for the past 10 years have organised some of the best grass track events held in Britain.

Whilst Paul has gone on to become a top international speedway and grass track star, winning the European title in 2005, Graham and the team at Astra, have become England's premier grass track promoters and promise that this year's European final will be the biggest and best ever.
We are confident of attracting over 5000 spectators and soon we will be able to announce some special price reductions on ferry crossings and hotel accommodation for fans who want to travel from mainland Europe.
There will be FREE CAMPING at the track from Thursday to Monday and special features will include flush toilets, hot and cold food, funfair, beer marquee, and a disco on Saturday night, with the opportunity to meet the European finalists. There will be racing on Saturday, the British Youth Championship Finals and Sunday's European final will start at 13.00hrs. with training from 09.00hrs and the support racing features 1000cc sidecar with 18 of Britain's top sidecars racing at speeds over 100kph.

SWINGFIELD is only 20 km from the ferry port of Dover and 8 km from the channel tunnel at Folkestone.

About Graham Hurry

1975 - Winner of the South Eastern Championship	2004 - Paul with the same Trophy	Paul in the age of 16. He started his 1st senior meeting on Grasstrack

Graham started racing in the mid 60's and soon became a great favourite with grass track supporters all over Europe. He qualified for two European Championship finals and raced at circuits including Ravensberg, Bielefeld, Ludinghausen, Schwarme, Werlte and Oldenberg in Germany, Stadkanaal, Roden, and Balkbrug in Holland and the French circuits of Langon, Marmande and Artiqes de Lussac. He formally worked for engine manufacturer Don Godden and was one of the first riders to use the Godden designed and built GR500 motor.

1984 - Collier Street	On 500 Godden GR	On 500 Lucky Weslake

Graham's successes at home included winning the South East Region Championship twice, in 1975 and 1979, the Berks Bonanza, Sussex Super, Wimborne Whoppa and the British Best Pairs Championship with Brian Webb and finished second in the British 500cc Championships in 1977. Graham retired from racing in 1984 to concentrate on developing son Paul's racing career. Like his father, Paul has gone on to win the Berks Bonanza, Sussex Super, Wimborne Whoppa and has won the South Eastern Championship three times.

Graham Hurry with the first of the GR 500 engines manufactured by ex racer Don Godden