Fixtures - reviews of recent meetings

Fixtures - Review of recent meetings



Monday, 6 May - Rookie Bangers BLUE CAR DAY plus Lightning Rods Dave Meningen Memorial and Ministox
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A gloriously sunny Bank Holiday Monday here at our last meeting brought out the best, or should that be the worst, in the Rookie Banger drivers, as a huge grid of cars set about destroying each other throughout the course of the meeting. The first heat seemed lively enough, but in the context of the rest of the afternoon, it was quite tame, although Sam Watson might contest otherwise, his first ever race seeing him bashed around on the first lap, although he was able to continue. Paul Chapman won the race before heat two stepped up the pace with Danny Allen getting heavy damage on turn two whilst Daniel Mann joined Chapman in the first time winners club. A large entry in the consolation was decimated in the early laps and we then saw a spectacular incident as Kenny Young launched Jen Garrett off the spun car of Jake Sheldon into a large rollover. Jen had been driving well up to that point, she didn't look like a raw novice which was testament to her having previously raced on the circuits in Caterhams and instructing at a racing school at Bedford. The rollover was to prove her last action of the day though with a swelling on the arm persuading her to give best. Thankfully there was no fracture and Jen has already indicated she would like another go, although the hire cars provided by Ricky Korpiela are very popular and get booked up pretty quickly. The race resumed with some heavy hitting on the back straight, which included Danny Londors going in on the lively John Chambers. Tony Smith took up the running but found a lurking Jason Jackson on the exit of turn four on the last lap. Jackson held him up, but Smith was able to just get past and get the flag just moments before the arrival of the second placed runner. The final carried on the devastation with Matthew Lewis nearly rolling on the back straight as Ron Hammond held up Smith allowing Alfie Rye to weigh in with a large hit. Hammond then went on to seriously blot his copybook by attacking Lewis on the shale in the wrong direction, earning himself a load up for the day. Another driver incurring the wrath of the steward was Jason "Boxer Jack" Jackson, loaded for an OTT follow in. Daniel Mann took damage to his car which caused his wheel to buckle under him and the lightest of contacts from Darren Mouser was enough to send him for a high speed roll into the pit gate. A day that started with his first ever win, ended with his first ever rollover! A quieter restart allowed Dave Cheeseman to motor to the win. The Destruction Derby started with a big head on between Antoni Colby and Daniel Nichols, which left the formers car completely warped, but shortly after there was a huge train of crashes as car after car piled in, the train started by a head on between Harry Stevens and Shaun Gillitt, whereupon Gillit was crashed by Craig Hook, then Mouser, Young, Charlie Cook, John Avery and Chambers all piled in before the crowd could gain their breath. The event was stopped as a car began leaking fuel which caused a bit of concern and delay. A handful of cars contested the restart with Darryl Theedom, back at Arena after a short ban earned at a Spedeworth track, giving a big head on to Chambers. Cheeseman finished off Londors to take the win although he looked anything but pleased when he climbed from his car, taking exception to one of the earlier crashes which was a little close to his drivers door. Thankfully he calmed down by the time he was shepherded onto the pace car for the victory lap. The Lightning Rods provided some great sport, and a little controversy. A battle between Peter Waite and Andy Reeve in the first heat saw the two clash and the stationary car of Reeve was then collected by Ashley Birkin which resulted in significant damage for both, although Birkin was able to effect repairs for heat two. Heat two saw a good battle for the lead with Keireen Thomas staunchly defending his position, which resulted in Gary Greenland getting on two wheels at one point. Whilst Greenland and Thomas recovered, Richard Warner made it round the outside to make it two out of two. Warners third win came in the final. Greenland and Thomas again clashed in this one, resulting in a spin for Thomas. Thomas rejoined a lap down and braked in front of Greenland to delay him. Greenland spun him out and again went up on two wheels, but this time knocking a wheel askew as he did so, Thomas unsurprisingly attracted a black disqualification flag. The best race of the day was the allcomers event with Chris Reeve fending off Warner for pretty much the whole distance. Warner did get past at one stage, thanks to a little bit of contact, but Reeve just managed to fend off Greenland and then repaid the compliment to Warner a corner later. The tit-for-tat exchange being viewed as just that by the steward and Reeve kept the win. The Mini Stox saw Ryan Polley on top form. In his wheeltracks for most of the meeting were Dan Newman and Harry Steward, the three finishing the final in that order. Marcus Reeve and Jay Page-Fuller managed a win apiece in the other races on the day, just staying sufficiently clear of the star graders. The National Banger 2L World Final takes place at Hednesford this afternoon, which may well affect our numbers slightly here at home. Phil Milner and Danny Oliver are our seeds in the main race with other members of the Gladiators team all attempting to qualify via the last chance races, although in more likelihood they'll be out for a crash, preferably with any Cream Team drivers who make the trip up. But there are plenty of names missing from the entry list up there, so hopefully we'll still get a good grid today. Captions: Daniel Mann followed up his first ever win, with his first ever rollover! Jason "Boxer Jack" Jackson tries to prevent Tony Smith from taking the consolation win, he narrowly failed. "Loopy" Jen Garrett performed well in her first Banger outing until a big rollover ended her day The wrecking "train" that kicked off the Destruction Derby in style. Gary Greenland gets up on two wheels as he gets up the inside of Keireen Thomas. The twos battling would allow Richard Warner (outside) to take three wins. Dan Newman was rarely far away from the Ryan Polley bumper in the Mini Stox


Monday, 6 May	Rookie Bangers BLUE CAR DAY plus Lightning Rods Dave Meningen Memorial and Ministox
Sunday, 14 April	National Bangers plus Super Bangers and Stock Rods
Monday, 1 April	Rookie Bangers plus Lightning Rods Supreme Q/R 1 and Ministox
Sunday, 31 March	ational Bangers plus Super Bangers and Stock Rods Supreme Q/R 1
Sunday, 17 March	National Bangers plus Lightning Rods and Ministox
Sunday, 3 March	Shakedown VIII featuring National Bangers Unlimited Overs and 2L Unders plus Stock Rods
Sunday, 4 November	FIRECRACKER XXI - Unlimited Open Banger Meeting plus Reliant Robins
Sunday, 21 October	National Bangers Olly Moran Memorial plus Lightning Rods Supreme Championship, Super Bangers & Ministox Essex Championship
Sunday, 7 October	Rookie Bangers ORANGE CAR DAY Skeefy Memorial plus Supreme Championships for both 1300 Stock Cars, Stock Rods/Group A Hot-Rods & Ministox
Sunday, 23 September	42nd O.R.C. National Bangers World Championship Finals plus Super Bangers & 1300 Stock Cars

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