The drivers from NASA Class 7, shown below, will be taking part in both the main daytime Live Action shows and the Oval Racing Spectaculars, the race meetings held in the Autosport Live Action Arena on Saturday at 6pm and Sunday at 4.15pm, for Class 8 click here and for the Juniors click here.

CLASS 7

A111 - James Winter – Chippenham, Wiltshire
Athelstan Autograss Club

James started his career as a Junior in the early 1990s and spent some time in Class 1 Minis before graduating via Class 3 to the Class 7 Super Saloons. Along the way he picked up quite a reputation as a car builder, and his work is now to be seen in a number of class leading cars in the south western clubs. He’s no mean driver either – James took his twin bike engined Fiat Seicento to sixth place at this year’s National Championships, with other 2009 successes including third at the MAP Open and runner-up at the West Midland Open.

BC59 – Simon Bentley – Craven Arms, Shropshire
Border Counties Motor Racing Club

Gently Bentley has been a leading Class 7 contender for well over twenty years, making his name in a Cosworth powered Fiesta that took him to his most famous result, runner up to Janet Ellis in the 1992 National final. From 1997 to 2008 Simon also appeared with great success in National Hot Rod racing, taking fourth in the 2007 World Final, but he’s now back full time in Autograss with an ex-Derek Poole Fiesta powered by two Suzuki V-twins – Simon’s even threatening to build a new car! Simon’s also very familiar with the voluntary work which forms the basis of Autograss racing, having served for many years as Chairman of the Border Counties club.

E7 – Lee Carlin – Evesham, Worcestershire
Evesham Autograss Club

Lee is one of the growing number of third generation racers making their mark in Autograss. His grandfather, Eric Carlin was for many years a leading light of the MAP (Midland Autograss Promotions) League and was one of the most respected organisers in the country. Father Andy was a successful Class 3 racer. After Lee graduated from the Junior Minis, Andy and Lee both flirted with National Hot Rods, but more recently Lee’s re-established himself as a leading Class 8 Specials racer, now making the switch to an ex-Rich Lee “Xtreme Mini” with Suzuki Hayabusa power.

PAC53 – Michaela Bevans – Cosheston, Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire Autograss Club

Making her third appearance in the Live Arena, 21 year old nursing graduate Michaela, another third generation racer, has enjoyed tremendous success in her third season with her WL Racefab Mini, powered by a Powertec-tuned 1585cc Suzuki Hayabusa engine. The highlight of her season was winning the Ladies’ Class 7 National Championship, which she added to her previous National titles in Class 1 and Class 6. Among her many other successes in 2009, Michaela was part of the all girl winning team at the South Somerset Grand Prix meeting.

R139 - Paul Waldron – Suckley, Worcestershire
Radford Autograss Club

One of the most experienced racers in Class 7, Paul’s been competing in the class for thirty five years. During the 1990s he came to prominence using a humble Ford Pinto engine in a Metro shell (which brought him a remarkable second place at the Nationals), before moving through Rover V8s to the now standard twin bike engines, with his current Fiat Seicento shell powered by two big bore Honda Blackbirds. As creditable as his success on track has been his contribution behind the scenes as a long time Chairman of the Radford club, taking the helm for the “challenging” 2009 National championship meeting, before moving over for Radford’s new lady chairman in 2010!

R421 - Richard Merrick – Worcester
Radford Autograss Club

Radford’s second representative among the Super Saloons is also no stranger to the Live Arena. “The Dickster”, as he is universally known, has also been active in Autograss for over twenty years, starting as a Junior and spending a while in Class 5 before joining the Class 7 ranks, where he became known as a stalwart of the Rover V8 engine. However, it was only after he succumbed to the ubiquitous twin bike engine setup that Dickster achieved his greatest success, with a very popular win in the 2007 National Championship.

SP25 – Kenny Perry – Ilkeston, Derbyshire
Spalding & District Autograss Club

A popular character in Class 7 racing, Kenny’s been conspicuous by his absence from the tracks since taking part in last year’s Live Action show. Having come into the sport with a Class 4 Mini in 2001, Kenny graduated through Class 5 to Class 7, and showed great promise through the 2007 and 2008 seasons with a Fiat Seicento powered by two Suzuki GSXR engines. After his year out of action though, don’t be surprised if Kenny appears this year with something home built and completely different!

ST307 – Tony Goodsir – Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire
Sturton & Stow Motor Sports Club

The “new boy” among the Class 7 contenders in the Live Arena, commercial vehicle engineer Tony has just completed his first full season in Autograss, his car having been the “original” Xtreme Mini previously owned by Matt Thompson and Tom Ellis. Tony was no racing novice, though, having competed in both Outlaw and National Hot Rods over the previous few seasons. Having made to switch to the grass, partly so that his wife Charlotte (whose mother was a previous Autograss champion) could also take part, Tony’s successful season included a spectacular second place in the National Championship final, and another runner-up spot in the Fastest Man on Grass meeting.

National Autograss Sports Association
www.national-autograss.co.uk