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No brakes, no gears, no fear – Grasstrack racing is the fastest off-road sport in the world, and the UK’s leading housebuilder is lending its support.

The Team HG 500cc Sidecar Team has received a £1,000 boost after being named a Persimmon Homes South East Community Champion. The national match-funding programme seeks to support groups and charities working to improve the quality of life or environment for local people.

Bike rider James Hogg, from Essex, and sidecar passenger Scott Goodwin, from Maidstone, applied for the funding to help buy new parts for the bike and new kit for the team, which is manged by 10x British Championship winner Shaun Harvey.

James said: “We are factory riders for ACE Frames which is a new outfit in the Grasstrack world. We race up and down the country as well as at invitationals overseas in Holland and Germany. For the first time this year we are part of the Dutch Championship.

“The season starts around March and runs until October during which we can compete in up to 30 events. Our preparation is well underway and we are really grateful to Persimmon Homes for their support which will help finance work to the bike and new suits for the team.”

Grasstrack bikes have single cylinder 500cc engines and two speed gearboxes which reach speeds of up to 100mph. Team HG honours to date include 3rd in the 2017 British Championships; sidecar Speedway Championship winners in 2017 and semi finalists in the 2018 and 2019 European Championship.

James added: “We currently compete at a good standard of racing but our ambition is to become the best – something we hope to achieve with support and sponsorship from businesses like Persimmon.”

Martin Crick, sales director for Persimmon Homes South East, said: “James and Scott are certainly raising the profile of Grasstrack racing, and it is good to be able to support such an exciting sport.

“We have experienced a fantastic response to our Community Champions initiative, and it is always a difficult task to pick our winners each month. If applicants were unsuccessful last month, we urge them to try again.”

For more information on the Persimmon Homes Community Champions initiative and to apply please visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity and fill in the short form.