United Downs Raceway - Sunday 15th February 2009

National Bangers

A good showing of twenty two National Bangers took part in the season's first World Championship qualifying round, which produced plenty of spectacular action.
In heat one, 241 Liam Cracknell led for many laps, until English Champion 341 Andrew Jones bludgeoned him into the turnstile bend fence.  The chequered fell on 239 Steve Carter, whose car was resplendent in Midnight Runners colours.
Most of the crashing took place in the second heat, and included sixteen year old 99 David Spooner blasting 997 Cameron May on the back straight.  That left May in the path of 'Jonesey', and 'Moo Ran' was shaken up in the collision.  On site medical staff attended to May, and the Cornwall Air Ambulance helicopter also landed as a precaution.  However, May was checked over at the circuit, and did not go to hospital.
'Nemesis' took his second win when the race resumed, with 383 Andre McLellan his runner-up.
In the final, 190 Steve Bailey took the honours in his new-shape Mondeo.  'Pikey' had actually changed engines in the pit area, after his own motor seized in the second heat.  Carter completed an excellent day for himself, by finishing second, with third going to 747 Liam Martin.

Stock Rods

The non-contact Stock Rods took part in two reverse grid qualifying heats for their Winter Supreme Championship.
After 37 Barry Trickey had led home 181 Lindsey Jones in the first heat, it was Points Champion 125 Mike Hibberd who won heat two.  He benefitted when 565 Andy Giles clumsily barged his way past race leader 306 Neil Truran.
The results of the heats put Hibberd on pole position for the title race, and even though Giles gave gallant chase in the early stages, Hibberd eased further and further clear, and won convincingly by the time the twenty laps of the race had elapsed.

Ministox

985 Amy Deeble was first to win in the Ministox, after she overhauled long time leader 961 Gary Sillifant in the opening heat for the youngsters.
In heat two, 903 Adam Neville charged into the distance, and built up a commanding lead.  As the laps ticked by, the twelve year old coolly kept his head, and proceeded to rack up his first ever victory.
Inspired by his success in the previous race, Neville hit the front early on in the final.  A stoppage was needed when 979 Paul Moss rolled over.  When the race restarted, it was the turn of 960 Dale Moon to indulge in some back straight acrobatics, but gladly, he was unhurt in the wayward fence climbing move he pulled off.  For the re-run, Neville once more took the lead, and went on to win from 971 Jason Cox and St Day Track Champion 991 Ryan Hoskin. 

Bangers

The first outing for the Bangers saw 39 drivers in action, with a good sprinkling of smartly presented cars.
451 Mickey Reed, 117 Ollie Starr and 930 Jordan Lobb each scored heat wins, ahead of their Allcomers Final.
A packed grid saw cars heading in all directions, with lots of spinners, and several crashes.  Teenager Lobb again made the early running, but hit a parked car on the back straight.  That left 282 Steve Hunt in the perfect place to capitalise, and he took the chequered flag, from 242 Ben Ellacott and 183 Martin Horn.

This meeting was filmed by DT Videos. For further information visit the DT Videos website: www.dtvideos.co.uk