United Downs Raceway - Sunday 13th February 2011

The opening St Day fixture of the year, saw the pit area packed with over 100 competitors, and produced plenty of spectacular race action.  Unfortunately, safety fence damage caused a significant delay mid-afternoon, which regrettably forced the cancellation of the last two races of the day on the grounds of safety.  Essentially, it was a case of 'Bad Light Stopped Play'.

National Bangers

A most impressive showing of just under 30 2-ltire National Bangers served up some very hard-hitting action.  The entry featured a notable sprinkling of newcomers to St Day, which augurs well for other fixtures later in the season.
99 David Spooner looked on course to win the opening heat, but he was caught and overhauled by 190 Steve Bailey.  Shortly after, Spooner was then bundled into the turnstile bend fence, which brought about the damage to the fence.  With only a small proportion of the race remaining, the result was declared, with Bailey victorious from 47 Marcus A'Lee and 111 Ray Rowe.
Heat two was led for some distance by Rowe, before a thrilling pile-up developed, this time in the pits bend.  Amongst the biggest hits from a wide selection, was a thunderous blast by 55 James Ogborn and 45 Anthony Croshaw.  Bailey again got himself into the lead before the flag fell, as he won from 714 Paul Smaldon and 162 Brett Ellacott.

Stock Rods

Fifteen Stock Rods contested their first graded order start fixture of 2011, and it was the low graders who took the bulk of the honours.
The opening heat saw 181 Lindsey Jones romp to victory, once he had caught and passed pole starter 46 Shane Hector.
It was Hector who set the pace in the final.  151 Simon Vincent and Jones gamely gave chase, and closed in on Hector when he was slightly hampered by backmarkers in the closing stages.  However, Hector held on, to claim a first ever Stock Rod win.
Jones won again in the Grand National, to finish the day as the leading points scorer in the non-contact class.

Ministox

There were fifteen youngsters present to contest the trio of Ministox races.
Heat one saw 979 Paul Moss continue his excellent start to the season, as he recorded his second 2011 victory in as many meetings.  953 Sam Matthews, in his farewell meeting, fought strongly to hold on for second with 903 Adam Neville third.
In heat two, visiting star 315 Tristan Claydon hit the front, but mechanical problems forced his retirement, and 991 Ryan Hoskin benefitted greatly.
Claydon made amends in the final, as he chased down long time leader 910 Tom Cadby.  Once Claydon hit the front, Cadby showed his best form yet to steadily hold firm in second, as he secured his first ever trophy position placing, with Hoskin completing the top three.

Bangers

Over 50 Bangers contested their first meeting of the season, with a most impressive improvement in car presentation.  Five drivers were duly awarded with Best Presented prizes, although there were many more candidates for the honours.
242 Ben Ellacott quickly stamped his authority on the meeting, with a heat and final double.  The winner of the  other heat was 929 Sam Baker, whilst 654 Mark Pope took the consolation, which featured a rollover for 333 Craig Partridge.