United Downs Raceway - Sunday 10th April 2016

A day of winter weather greeted the meagre showing of spectators who braved the elements at the United Downs Raceway.

BriSCA F2 Stock Cars

A very disappointing number of no-shows from the original booking list left the final entry at 29 cars, yet three of those encountered problems between the end of pre-meeting practice and when the first heat gridded.  418 Ben Borthwick led heat one from green flag to chequered, as he secured his maiden victory.  Seemingly inspired by the success of his fellow white grader, teenager 689 Joe Marquand did likewise in heat two, to notch up his first win – poignantly on the fifth anniversary of the death of his illustrious grandfather, Johnny Marquand (the 1965 World Champion).  The consolation looked like it was going to bring a third white top winner, as 920 Wayne Wadge led and led.  However, in a dramatic last lap, 740 Neil Langworthy’s challenge on Wadge saw the two cars lock bumpers, and 979 Paul Moss managed to push both cars wide in the final bend.  Moss grabbed the lead with only a few metres to spare, relegating Wadge to second, whilst Langworthy was destined to finish directly behind Wadge, as he was still hooked on the back bumper.  An enthralling final saw Marquand hit the front early on.  He was pursued by 828 Julian Coombes, who took over just before the midway point.  As the race edged towards the final quarter, 111 Lewis Geach emerged as the strongest threat to Coombes, and with five laps to go, Geach’s second attempt to shift Coombes succeeded.  With Coombes knocked out of his rhythm, 522 Chris Mikulla and 542 Steven Gilbert also nipped by to grab second and third, but it was Geach who laid claim to the Voice of Autospeed Trophy.  The Grand National began with a spectacular turnstile bend clash amongst the quartet of white grade drivers, which resulted in Wadge bouncing off the plating, and to a halt on the back straight.  The yellow flags looked to have offered Geach a perfect chance to lose his compulsory one lap handicap, but later on in the race, he spun after having made good progress.  Up front, Coombes again relieved Marquand of the lead, and late on Mikulla hunted Coombes down.  Defiantly, Coombes resisted Mikulla’s first attack, which had a negative effect on Mikulla, who actually lost ground.  Over the closing four laps, Mikulla again closed, but his last bend charge was from just out of range, and Coombes held on to win.

Old Skool unlimited cc Bangers

A packed grid of Old Skool unlimited cc Bangers contested their first race, but after 120 Mark Ashley had led initially, 185 Richard Coaker took up the running, and he went on to record a convincing win.  Heat two was a fast race, although there was little in the way of action.  247 Richard Sparks was the race winner.  A depleted field contested the Final, which saw 362 Johnny James lead home 246 Ryan Sparks and 114 Nick Courtier.

Ministox

Numbers continued to be very good in the junior class.  The first heat had to be halted when newcomer 983 Jamie-Lee Thomson ran aground in turn four, and was regrettably collected by the pack as the race was brought under caution.  When the race resumed, 943 Hannah Esau, 987 Ethan Pope and 677 Warren Darby disputed the lead, but it was 911 Harrison Bryant who timed his run to perfection.  Bryant grabbed the inside line on the very last bend when Pope rode around the wide outside, and that led to Bryant’s first win of the year.  In heat two, Pope again led into the final bend, but despite a challenge from 907 Cameron Lawrence, Pope blocked off his run in the scramble to the flag.  Thus, Pope won at his home track for the first time this season.  The Final was suspended twice, firstly for the stricken 917 Gemma Robbins, and secondly when 915 Max Langmaid was clattered around the pits bend fence by 931 Jack Manhire.  Regrettably Langmaid was shook up in the incident and had to be extricated from his car.  After a lengthy delay, the race resumed, and 907 Cameron Lawrence landed the Mini Mayhem Trophy, courtesy of Lindsay Motorsport, whilst Bryant and Pope filled the other trophy positions.

BriSCA Micro F2s

A handful of drivers from the youngest group of racers, contested their first Cornish fixture of the season.  167 Alfie Adams and 826 Lewis Martin won the two heats, but whilst Martin looked on course to win the final, too, he spun in a tangle with 290 Alfie Tomkins, and that allowed Adams to pounce for a second victory.  Martin recovered for second, whilst 475 Leah Sealy splashed home for third place.