THE Malvern and District Motor Cycle and Light Car Club's third annual 'Malvern Magic' motor cycle grass track races for solo's and 500cc sidecars takes place at Earls Croome, near Upton-upon-Severn on Sunday.

The action commences with practice on the 400 yard oval track, which club members have been busy preparing over the last week or so, at noon, with racing proper getting under way at 2pm.

The club's grass track competition secretary, John Banner, has assembled some of the country's top competitors to provide the action, including Gerald Short, from Ashchurch near Tewkes-bury, who is making his final appearance this year before starting to prepare for a permanent move to Australia next year.

Also in the list of solos is former Worcester motorcycle dealer Pete Newman and his car-dealing son Nigel, who's premises are at Holt Heath. Rob Fortune, a former Worcester resident now living in Hampshire, Matthew Klassen from Woolhope in Herefordshire and popular veteran Cyril Jones from Broseley Wood in Shropshire.

Locally-based Tony Starke and Darren Wood both from Malvern are included in the small but exclusive sidecar line-up. Worcester's Chris Salisbury, passengered by Gary Hughes, is likely to be Starke's main challenger on the day, with Brian Canning (Stafford) and Steven George (Kidderminster) plus Roger and Kevin Tomes from Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire providing serious opposition!

The track will be well signposted off the A38 between Worcester and Tewkesbury, and also off junctions seven and eight of the M5 and junction one of the M50. There is ample free trackside parking, admission is £7 (£5 for concessions), and the Malvern club's Howsell Road premises will be open after the event to everyone wishing to wind down after what is always a thrilling day's action.