Essex-based Concord Autograss Club are hoping get their racing season underway on Sunday at their track at Stonehams Lock, Boreham.

Autograss racing is divided into ten classes, ranging from standard and modified saloons to unlimited 'specials.'

Class 1 will be as closely fought as ever, and among the top of the leader board are expected to be last year's champion, Roxwell's Tom Bell and runner-up Alan Spires from Chelmsford in their Minis.

Ones to keep an eye on will be the top two from the 1998 Junior class; Lowestoft's Glenn Doddington and Steven Lodge from Dunmow, who both graduate from the Juniors.

With the absence of 1998 champion Freddie Carpenter, Class 2 looks to be open this year and battling for the honours will be Steve Hathaway and Antony Jackson, both from Bicknacre.

The first of the fully modified unlimited formulas, Class 3, provides some fast and entertaining racing.

Thetford's Micheal Thurley's Toyota Starlet is expected to be up front along with Chelmsford's Ray Harrison and Allan Crowther from Chigwell.

Class 4 is one of the fastest growing classes in Essex. Unlimited modifications are allowed, so long as the engine originally intended for that make of car is used.

Woodford Green's Dave Furguson will be up front with the flying Mini and others hoping to make an impression will be ex Class One multiple champion Keith Saunders from Dunmow.

Braintree's Roger Chapman will be hoping for better luck in 1999 after several engine blows last year.

In Class 5, Dunmow's Andy Lodge has been another to dominate the class. However, it took time in '98 to get the best out of the Citroen AX hybrid, but he will be hoping to build on last year's success.

Brian Taylor has been another to impress in his Metro, while ex Class 1 hopefuls include South Woodham Ferrers man Trevor Martin, and Alan Spires, from Chelmsford.

The big Class 6's are always popular at Concord. Those expected to be near the front are Gerald Sapsford from Hatfield Heath and Chris Earl, coming up from Kent to race.

Others hoping for success will be Everton Bookall from London, and Lynton Turner, also from Hatfield Heath.

Class 7 is always a real crowd pleaser. The spectacular father and son battles of Martin and Lee Holt from Thaxted are set to continue, albeit in different cars this year.

Another rapidly increasing formula is the first of the 'specials' that of Class 8.

Those hoping to be near the front will be Barry Hathaway, from Broomfield, Concord Club chairman Chris Lodge and son Darren from Dunmow with Lee Holt, the Class 7 man branching out from his usual Rover V8 powered Escort for a first stab at open wheeled racing.

The Class 9 sees Jason Ross with his new home-built machine. Others hoping for victory will be John Bashford from High Ongar.

Class 10 caters for 'specials' with unlimited power and modifications. Bocking's Steve Clark looks set to wow the crowds with reports of impressive showings at other clubs already this season.

Pushing him hard will be established racer Arthur Bales from Nazeing and former Class 9 man Paul Hassell.

The Juniors are perhaps the most unknown of all the classes, as every year new stars are born.

However, Lewis Shelley dominated the class for much of last season and is currently rated among the top ten in the country in the 12 to 16 year old category.

Those hoping to put a stop to that this year will be the South Woodham Ferrers' Steven Cumbers, who made an impressive debut last year.

Making his debut is another of the Lodge family, Daniel, who will be hoping to follow in his fathers and three brothers footsteps.

Finally, the ladies can produce some of the finest racing seen at the Essex track.

Those that have proved equally as proficient as men include Chelmsford's Cathy Harrison in her Class 7 Renault 5, Tracy Holt who this year will be in father Martin's Class 7, while Misha Carr from Thaxted has opted for Class 8 this year.

One to keep an eye on will be Cressing's Helen Lawrence who is relishing the challenge in Class 9.

The Concord track is situated near the A12 Boreham interchange, admission is £3.50 for adults, under 12's free, and the first race, weather permitting, is at 12 noon.

Other dates for racing at Boreham are May 16, 30 & 31; June 20; July 4, 18; August 1, 15 & 28, September 12 & 26; October 10.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.