United Downs Raceway - Sunday 25th August 2013

Report by Jon Wyatt

After watching a decidedly average Match of the Day on Saturday night I was woken in the early hours of Sunday morning by the sound of heavy rain beating down on the roof of the squat - fortunately though some hours later when I arrived at United Downs for the annual Blockbuster meeting the clouds had been replaced by warm Cornish sunshine and it was this that greeted the good size Bank Holiday crowd that descended on St Day. However If the crowd was good the entry of Unlimited National Bangers certainly wasn't. Of the 34 that had booked in for this only a dismal 23 cars actually arrived in the pit area to battle for the generous prize fund on offer. Taking nothing away from the guys that did make the effort - and total respect to ALL those that turned up, particularly the few long-distance travellers, but it really was a shame to see such a poor entry as regards numbers. There were the excuses of course: 'forgot I was booked in for re-hab that day.....' and 'I didn't realise I couldn't use a Ford KA.......' and 'I thought St Day was in Hampshire........' but in reality, even with the incentive of £50 'start money', it was a pretty poor show. When promotions decide to ditch unlimited Banger racing because of lack of support and there is no longer anywhere to race I cannot help thinking it will be the regular 'no-shows' that will be the first to moan - and I DON'T mean Paul Smaldon...............

BriSCA F2 Stock Cars

Thankfully some forward thinking by Autospeed saw BriSCA F2 Stock Cars added to the 12 race programme replacing the usual traditional Ministox support. Not that the youngsters have produced anything but excellent racing this season but with poor numbers in the Bangers the paying public needed/deserved some serious high-speed action to take their minds off things before nostalgic depression could set in - and as always the mega-quick F2s failed to disappoint. A fairly healthy 28 cars graced the pit area - including long-distance traveller 102 Wullie Draeger who had left Cowdenbeath shortly after mid-night after racing there on Saturday, travelling through the night to make the St Day fixture. Superb effort from the likeable Scotsman and although I couldn't understand a word he said all day (!) he certainly deserved far better luck than he had, bending his rear-axle to the shape of a banana after a big crash in pre-race practise, in which 522 Chris Mikulla recorded the quickest time. Making his debut in this formula was ex' Ministock/ex' Stock Rod man Phil Chapman in the 996 car - and quite an impression he made too, in one way or another. Running to a 2-from-3 heat format 16 cars exited the pit area for heat 1, but this number was cut to 14 after a bizarre accident saw an over enthusiastic arrival onto the raceway by 430 Simon Edwards, surely the unluckiest man in the F2 at the moment, hitting the rear of the lined-up 890 Paul Rice car bending the bumper and seeing both cars recovered back to the pits. There were just  two red grades in the race in the shape of 676 Neil Hooper and current St Day points leader 783 James Rygor but neither got a look in as the win went to none other than the 'ladies favourite' himself and sole Cornish F2 World Final qualifier 302 Dale Moon after 526 Marc Rowe had led up until half-distance. Although quick Moon's cause was helped more than a little after a stoppage when new-boy 996 Chapman had spectacularly got in wrong on turn 3, clipping the inner curb and launching himself, with the aftermath seeing a big pile-up which saw 979 Paul Moss, 950 Lewis Holden, 605 Liam Rowe and star men 676 Neil Hooper and 783 Rygor among the casualties and retirements. 116 Ashley Rundle and 575 Tom Clark were the place men. A super effort by himself and his mechanic saw Wullie Draeger among the starters for heat 2 after changing the rear axle of the 102 car but it was the man who is currently laying second in the St Day points, 605 Liam Rowe, who took the victory in this one after crashing out of heat 1 - closing the gap to just 2 points to 783 James Rygor. 830 Andrew Bennett was good value for 2nd after a spirited drive, with red-grader 676 Neil Hooper 3rd. Also going well had been fellow red 522 Chris Mikulla but he tangled shortly after half-distance with who else but 430 Simon Edwards, though still managing to finish 5th. 20 lined up for heat 2 which began spectacularly with the unfortunate 991 Ryan Hoskin spinning on the exit of turn 4, clipping the passing 302 Dale Moon car - ripping off a rear wheel - and sending the ladies favourite into, you guessed it, 430 Simon Edwards. Also sustaining damage in this incident was 522 Chris Mikulla. With only a lap completed the remaining 17 starters lined up behind 526 Marc Rowe, but at the green it was yellow grader 290 Jay Tomkins that made the best start from 5th, quickly on the pace and barging his way toward the front of the pack, taking the lead shortly before half-distance and going on to take a comfortable win from 890 Paul Rice and 254 Richard Beere. After his earlier adventures it was encouraging to see 430 Edwards actually finish - and finishing in the points in 4th - just ahead of 783 Rygor who had followed the 430 car for several laps, obviously a little reluctant to attempt a pass, just in case......... 22 starters lined up for the 'St Austell Bay Motor Auction' sponsored grand final which saw an early stoppage after 686 Jay Scott had spun on turn 4, coming to rest in a dangerous position in the centre of the track - and with 430 Simon Edwards still in the race the Steward thought it far too risky to leave him parked there.......... 526 Marc Rowe led away the re-start but it was short lived as he got it all wrong going round turn 2, almost collecting 528 Shane Hector who in turn tangled with the unfortunate 102 Draeger - who then almost ran over the Clerk-of-the-Course on the centre ! Meanwhile at the other end of the track 783 Rygor and 522 Mikulla had had a big coming together, with the latter collecting heavy front and rear damage which brought about another stoppage. It was 830 Andrew Bennett's turn to lead the cars away for the re-start with 18 laps still remaining - and 430 Simon Edwards still among the entry - there was yet plenty of time for more action. At the green it was clear that 676 Neil Hooper was on a mission as the Exmouth red grader made a blistering start and as 430 Edwards slotted in behind leader 830 Bennett, 676 Hooper was not far behind him in 3rd and going like a train. Next lap and Hooper has taken over 2nd and looks in no mood to stop there, 116 Ashley Rundle meanwhile has passed both 254 Richard Beere and 430 Edwards in one move through turn 4 to move into 3rd. At first it looks like 830 Bennett is pulling away at the front from chaser 676 Hooper and at half-distance has a several car advantage, with 116 Rundle still looking handy in 3rd. As the lap boards are readied, 830 Bennett goes wide through turns 3 and 4 and like a coiled spring 676 Hooper sees his chance and hits the front but as things really begin to hot up 627 Gary Sillifant and 950 Lewis Holden tangle and the yellow flags make an appearance once more. So, 676 Hooper it is who leads away the remaining 10 cars for the final few laps with the likely battle now looking to be who will take that 2nd place currently held by 830 Bennett. Surprisingly though at the green 676 Hooper's mind is on other things and he's caught napping and taking full advantage of the situation 116 Rundle clears him and 830 Bennett to lead through turns 3 and 4 but by the time they reach this part of the raceway again he has been lined up by 676 Hooper who fires him in hard, bouncing the 116 car off the turn 3 plating to re-take the lead of the race - with 5 to go. Thankfully 116 Rundle recovers and without any further drama the distance is completed with a good win for 676 Hooper, back after time off for an appendix operation, and an excellent 2nd place for 116 Ashley Rundle - but for me the driver of the day was Simon Edwards, the popular 'Flying Jockey' not letting his appalling luck, and numerous jibes from me (!) beat him and bringing the battered and bruised 430 car home in 3rd. The Grand National saw handicap man 676 Hooper start at the front, no doubt hoping for at least one race stoppage to help his cause - and on earlier form that certainly seemed likely - it almost happened too early doors as 229 Jon Kind and 627 Gary Sillifant had a coming together at the start but managed to un-tangle themselves. Marc Rowe was again the early leader in the 526 car but before long he had the racey 830 Andrew Bennett eyeing up his rear, whilst a little way behind a good battle was developing between 605 Liam Rowe and 783 James Rygor for bragging rites in the battle for the Track Points Championship. 830 Bennett lost little time cleanly passing 526 Rowe, with 575 Tom Clark also getting in on the act and moving into 2nd, with 890 Paul Rice then relagating Rowe to 4th - and toward the clutches of 783 Rygor as the race reaches half-distance. Little changed between then and the flag and it was a good win for the 'Flying Farmer' from Hewaswater, and 575 Clark making it a Cornish 1-2 - with 890 Paul Rice 3rd. 783 Rygor pipped 605 Liam Rowe to finish 5th - leaving the points race still wide open - with 676 Hooper finishing 10th for a point or two. Certainly a good days racing then from the ever-popular F2s - and a firm pat on the back for the man/men who decided to add them to the days programme of events.

Saloon Stock Cars

Traditionally the Saloons have been the main support at this fixture and again much was expected from this hard-hitting formula. With 1 Eddie Darby suspended and 120 Shane Brown away karting with his young lad it was always going to be interesting to see who would become the new man-to-beat among the 11 car entry for the 2013 Cornish Championship. With new World Champion Stuart Shevill choosing to take his crew to the beach at Weston-Super-Mare for ice cream and kiss-me-quick hats, maintaining the good name of the Scottish was left to welcome visitor from North-of-the-border 620 Aaryn Triggs, but with hindsight he would probably have been better donning the Speedo's and joining his fellow countrymen on the sands as he was definitely out of favour with lady luck - well he was today anyway - seemingly spinning out at every opportunity. The same could definitely not be said for the ever cheerful 2 Paul Tuppen, the popular Essex Boy eventually breaking clear to a convincing win in heat 1. Although not racing in person, 1 Eddie Darby had decided to go down the rent-a-stock road, made popular by 460 Cliff Friend, (!) this week loaning the purple and green Sierra to current West of England Champion 916 Luke Thomas, but although all four con-rods in the engine sounded sweet-as-a-nut and perfectly balanced there must have been something wrong as the usually quick driver could only manage 8th. Highlight of the race for me was the original three-way battle for the lead between 2 Tuppen, 199 Phil Powell and 911 Ian Harris and then for 2nd with 30 Barry Hollett, with no quarter given or expected by all, with the latter eventually resolved in favour of Hollett, with 199 Powell 3rd - and 911 Harris losing out to 460 Cliff Friend towards the end finishing in 5th. All 11 out again for heat 2 which eventually got under way after a false-start and which was almost a re-run of heat 1, with an early battle for the lead again between 2 Tuppen and 199 Powell. 620 Triggs' luck was almost a re-run of heat 1 too as just as he worked his way up into 3rd a mechanical problem sidelined the Scottish traveller, with 995 Ben Goddard replacing him behind the now 2nd place 199 Powell. At half-distance it was still 2 Tuppen, from 199 Powell and 995 Goddard - and this is how it remained to the chequered flag, two-from-two for Rainham resident Tuppen. The 'South-West Sweepers' sponsored 'Cornish Championship' final won last year by 995 Ben Goddard was the last race of the day for the mighty saloons. A betting man might have put a shilling or two on 2 Paul Tuppen to do the treble but having been interviewed after his 2nd race win and the commentator's curse being legendary around these parts an each-way bet was probably the better option. After another false start the race eventually got under way with defending Champion 995 Goddard very quick out the blocks - rather too quick it seems as he collected a black-cross from the Steward for what looked like a jump-start - but that didn't stop him bumpering his way passed 460 Cliff Friend before turning his attention to 158 Shane Davies, if he was going out he was going out in style it seemed ! At the front sole white grader 911 Ian Harris was leading the field from former British Champion 199 Phil Powell, with 620 Aaryn Trigg's luck continuing to desert him as he spun out of turn 2 with a puncture. It wasn't long before 199 Powell had moved to the front, with 2 Tuppen soon a car behind him in 3rd and at half-distance this was still the order but then 2 Tuppen took over 2nd and 995 Goddard found himself in 3rd - with 911 Harris slipping down to 4th. As the lap boards came out, Tuppen did look to be closing the gap a little but 199 Powell had already began to recognise that sweet smell of success and the veteran Taunton driver, long overdue a win, went on to take the 'Cornish' title, with 2 Paul Tuppen adding a 2nd to his earlier brace of race wins - with the always battling 30 Barry Hollett promoted to 3rd after 995 Goddard was dropped 2 places for the jump-start. At the presentation 199 Phil Powell dedicated his fine win to old friend and fellow ex' Banger driver 366 Colin 'Curly' Palmer who had tragically died last Saturday, a fine sentiment to a damn good bloke who will be sadly missed by many of the Cornish oval racing 'family'. RIP mate.

Unlimimited CC National Bangers - Blockbuster/Mark Hobday Memorial

After the traditional Grand Parade the 'oldest and rarest' awards were handed out (see 'results' below) the cars lined up for this presentation consisted of a pair of Mk2 Granada Estates and four various series' of Jaguar XJ's. Sadly, there were not one stretch limo, hearse or even a single vehicle from the US of A among the rest of the entry of mainly Volvo 240s and Ford Scorpios - but there was a Triumph 2000 for 891 Darren Wade, an unpainted Toyota Supra for 341 Andrew Jones, two more Mk2 Granadas for 528 'Jethro' and 104 Lee Mitchell  and a Jaguar or two. The 'Blockbuster' title race was the first event for the Bangers and all 23 cars lined up, with Blockbuster regular 202 Mike 'Kilf' Kilford in his immaculate XJ and 226 Roger Deer in the equally smart 'Mark Hobday' memorial Mk 2 Granada Estate making up the front row. At the green it was the yellow Granada of 226 Deer that hit the front first unaware of the action going on behind him. 528 Alan 'Jethro' Hunt in a well-used but super-quick Mk 2 Granada Saloon was an early spinner on the start/finish straight, with 99 David Spooner also coming a cropper there too, as did the smart XJ of another Blockbuster regular 384 John Golden - with 341 'Jonesy' making a nuisance of himself in the vicinity as well. Taking more than his fair share of punishment here though was 841 Tom 'Tommo' Perkins in his Volvo Estate, and after a couple more big hits on the popular Gunnislake publican it was clear he was in some distress and the waved yellow flags brought about a race stoppage. After a lengthy delay the remaining 15 cars were led away by 226 Deer, the veteran driver really putting the big estate car through its paces before having to give way to the rapid Ford Scorpio of 239 Steven 'Nemesis' Carter but if you thought that was that you were wrong as when 239 Carter went wide through turns 1 and 2 Deer in the yellow Estate re-took the lead ! 514 Marty Eighteen also took advantage of the drifting 239 Carter and slotted nicely into 2nd in his un-painted Scorpio Estate. Leader 226 Deer was now really getting the hang of throwing the Mk 2 Estate around, using every inch of track as he powered the car around the bends in fine style but spectacular as it was this just allowed 514 Eighteen in the later, tighter-cornering Ford to close the gap. When you have prabably the best Banger team in the country, as Autospeed have with that merry band DWO, you invariably get the 'coathangers', and indeed at Blockbuster there was certainly a rail-ful but one who is very much a clothes-strewn-all-over-the-floor type of guy is 648 Jamie Smith but before he had a chance to stamp his mark on things - or a DWO car - his ripe XJ got destroyed by the similar car of 74 Adam 'Scratchy' Hitchcock on turn 2. Meanwhile at the front 514 Eighteen had taken over the lead, with 226 Deer then getting spun by 190 Steve 'Pikey' Bailey on the start/finish straight to move into 2nd with 452 Anthony 'Lurch' Sleeman following at a safe distance now up into 3rd - after 239 Carter pulls off with a steering problem. 190 Bailey's chances of catching the flying 514 Eighteen Ford were somewhat hampered when the clutch cable of his Scorpio Estate snapped 5 laps from the end but 226 Deer's problems were vastly more serious as he got completely trashed by leader 514 Eighteen on turn 2 after a fine display in his classic Ford, joining 'team-mate' and grandson 97 Craig Deer in the not exclusive severely wrecked Granada Estate club. 196 Joey Palmer in another smart XJ had problems of his own as he got followed-in on turn 4 by the Vauxhall Omega of 278 Shaun Brokenshire - which was to begin a feud which would continue throughout the next 2 races. That was it as far as the action went and 514 Marty Eighteen went on to take the flag and the Blockbuster title, with the right-pain-in-the-clutch 190 'Pikey' runner-up this time and 452 'Lurch' 3rd - making it a Ford Scorpio 1-2-3. Whilst not to be remembered as an epic 'Blockbuster' by any stretch of the imagination, the 2013 race could well be remembered as perhaps one of the last - as without a lot more support from drivers this once prestigious 'title' could shortly become just another part of Banger history.

After all the action in the title race 17 runners-and-riders still managed to get out on track for allcomers race 1 which began with a fair amount of pushing-and-shoving, with the Granada Estate of 104 Lee Mitchell finding the fence early, 528 'Jethro' spinning his Granada and 99 David Spooner having his rear axle re-arranged as 239 'Nemesis' took over at the front. 393 Nick Digweed was the next casualty in his Volvo 240, coming to rest in the middle of the track half-way along the main straight - bringing out the red flags. 13 made the complete re-start with 239 Carter again making the early running as 384 John Golden spins 452 'Lurch' on the main straight. There was little in the way of action after this but the crowd were kept entertained with a superb display of driving by both 190 'Pikey' and 528 'Jethro' as they used every inch of the track, power-sliding around the bends in their RWD motors - excellent stuff. The new 'slim-line' 239 Carter indeed took the win, with DWO team-mate 190 'Pikey' 2nd - and 45 Anthony 'Lips' Croshaw 3rd making it another Ford Scorpio 1-2-3. Just 13 made it out for allcomers race 2, including the 97 Granada Estate of Craig Deer that had taken a severe pounding in the earlier title race, which began with 47 Marcus A'Lee's attempt to bury 452 'Lurch' into the fence on turn 3, but the move was slightly mis-timed and although contact was made 47 A'Lee just failed to dislodge the coat-hanger - well the one that was attached to the back of the roof of the 452 Scorpio anyway.......... 988 was the early leader but he was soon caught and cleanly passed by 239 Carter, on turn 3 'cleanly passing' was the last thing on the mind of Jag powered 99 Spooner who buried the orange version of 74 'Scratchy' hard into the fence - before taking a sizeable portion himself from 190 'Pikey' in the Scorp' Estate. With that the 'action' from the Unlimited Bangers was over, with 239 Carter going on to take his second win of the day, from DWO team mates 162 Brett Ellacott, who was having a surprisingly quiet day for a change, and the ever-lively 190 Steve 'Pikey' Bailey, making it yet another Scorpio 1-2-3. For the first time in Blockbuster history the King of Crash/DD was cancelled through lack of interest as only Romford's 196 Joey Palmer was up for the challenge, which was a big shame, so it was decided to give the winning trophy - and prize money - to 'Peoples Champion' Palmer anyway, who then showed why he is thoroughly worthy of that title by handing his trophy to a very surprised little boy in the very disappointed crowd. Normally this meeting brings a certain famous glam-rock tune by The Sweet to mind, but today a certain song by the Kaiser Chiefs was nearly the anthem we all went home to............ (That's 'Blockbuster' and 'I predict a Riot' if you're beyond a certain age.....!!)