United Downs Raceway - Sunday 3rd July 2011

In hot summer sunshine, racegoers enjoyed the first of two race meetings at the United Downs Raceway, St Day during the month of July.

BriSCA F2 Stock Cars

The annual BriSCA F2 World qualifying round brought a sprinkling of visiting drivers to Cornwall, including newly crowned British Champion 401 Barry Goldin and former World Champion 218 Rob Speak.  However, it was the local drivers who picked up the lion's share of the points.  The top names certainly did not have things their own way, with ninth and tenth for Goldin and Speak in the feature final being the best placed star grade finishers.
Speak inherited victory in the opening heat, when first over the line 990 Paul Rice was docked two places for a jumped start.  Heat two was won by 302 Dale Moon.  In the consolation, East Anglian visitor 798 Mark Sargent scored a career first St Day victory.
The final began with a big opening lap crash in the pits bend, which forced a complete re-run.  126 Jamie Avery made an excellent break from the front of the yellow grade, and moved into a good lead, chased by Moon and 116 Ashley Rundle.  Blue tops Rice and 315 Justin Fisher joined in the pursuit, but such was Avery's pace that he was barely challenged.  Further back, Goldin and Speak crossed swords and then got involved in the incident which saw 835 Matt Westaway clobber the infield tyres on the home straight, after he had been hooked up with 522 Chris Mikulla.  As Avery sealed victory, from Rice, Moon, Fisher, Rundle and 270 Mark Gibbs, Speak endured a frustrating last couple of laps, as his car was running out of fuel.  He stuttered to the line, and lost ninth to Goldin on the last lap.
935 Nathan Maidment overcame an afternoon of engine problems to find form and speed in the Grand National, as he led home Rice and Speak.

National Bangers (under 1800cc)

Despite the lure of World Championship points, there was a very low car count in the National Bangers.
Nonetheless, the drivers who were present significantly enhanced their chances of progressing to the Championship of the World at Smeatharpe on Sunday 11 September.
There were wins for 908 David Brown, 133 Terry Hill and 452 Anthony Sleeman - who duly celebrated his victory by blasting the stationary car of 239 Steve Carter, who had earlier elimiinated 451 Nigel Belfield and trashed 141 Toby Tiddy.  Carter was also a Best Presented award winner, as was 45 Anthony Croshaw.

Stock Rods

Another fractious day from the Stock Rods did little to further their reputation.  The three Stock Rod races was littered with poor driving and a lack of respect amongst competitors, which in turn resulted in far too much damage.  54 John Tait and 30 Rob Peters, in particular, had heavy front end damage.
In contrast, 193 Chris Drake had a joyous afternoon, as he swept to a heat and final double.  He was followed home in the feature race by 222 Mike Belcher, which was his best result to date.
565 Andy Giles finished off the meeting with a win in the Grand Naitonal.

Ministox

The youngsters produced a very lively set of races, which included rollovers for 942 Steven Gilbert and 986 Sophie Fasey.
991 Ryan Hoskin was a heat and final double winner, whilst the day's other race was won by 936 Alfie Whitelegg - his maiden victory.