introducing 
jed rolph

The term 'Legend' is often used, however in this sport there's no legend bigger than Jed Rolph. Jed is the brainchild behind the GT140 class. He was the one that thought outside the box, had an idea, implemented it, got some mates together and took it on the road. 

Jed, a seasoned Grass Tracker, with the help of his wonderful wife Lorriane, organised events that they affectionally call 'Mopeds'. These took place on a Saturday where a bunch of like minded mates would, and still do hurl small bikes around a little grass track circuit in Sudbury, nothing serious, just a whole heap of fun.  

Jed had a lightbulb moment. 'What if we put one of these cheap little Chinese engines in a full size grass track bike'?  They set about installing  basic YX140 engines into the bikes and tested them at their little circuit. A few of Jeds' freinds did the same and had heaps of fun on their little track.

In the April of 2016, after one of their Moped meetings in Sudbury, Jed had a chat with fellow local grass tracker Arnie Fenner about a forthcoming Grass Track in Writtle, Essex and Arnie had stated that the meeting was in doubt as the entries were very poor and it may be called off! Jed had been trying to get the GT140's into a meeting previously but had never had the opportunity. No clubs seemed keen. 

Jed asked Arnie if he thought the 500 Sidecar Club who incidentally ran the Writtle event would let him try the bikes at the meeting. Arnie mentioned that there was actually a committee meeting that night and he would put the suggestion forward.

Jed got a phone call that night from Shaun Harvey, the chairman of the club who asked 'how many 140's could you get on the line?'... Jed replied, '10 definitely!' They agreed and Jed and his pals put on the very first GT140 race on 3rd May 2016.

Take a look at the photo of the very first GT140 race. There's Jed, Darren Rolf, Carl Hard, Phil Martin and Tom Meakins. 

Due to the fantastic success of this brand new class, Jed was approached by another two clubs who wanted them at their meetings later in the season... the rest as they say is history.  Fast forward 10 years It has now become the biggest class in grass track, it's affordable, it's relatively safe and available to anyone to try.  

OFTR is proud to honour Jed Rolph as our BRAND AMBASSADOR