Sunday 20th July 2008 (Smeatharpe Stadium)

Smeatharpe Stadium - Sunday 20th July 2008
The sun shone, and the crowds flocked in good numbers to Smeatharpe for the annual Caravan Chaos event, which saw eight caravans trashed and obliterated beyond all recognition, with 369 Gary Holmes winning The Colander Trophy.
Big Banger Teams The inaugural Big Banger Teams raised a slightly disappointing showing of entries, although seven teams were represented. The drivers duly produced two very exciting heats, even if the final was a slightly quieter race. Pick of the action was the back straight jacking train in heat two when 298 Sam Wyatt blitzed 460 Cliff Friend, and was then clobbered himself by 718 Adie Brown, who was duly blasted by 341 Andrew Jones. In the same race, 55 James Ogborn sent 333 Steve Randell flying into the pits bend fence. Posh Wash ran out the winners, with their score boosted by two heat wins for 199 Jamie Wyatt. The DD started with a huge t-bone from 186 Mike Pullen on 249 Darren Brock, who was briefly winded. The event was restarted, and 279 Colin Hurt scored on 341 Andrew Jones. 158 Sean McCarthy took Hurt into the pits bend, and Jones blasted McCarthy at speed. That left Hurt to finish off Jones for the victory. Saloon Stock Cars There was a hat-trick in the Saloon Stock Cars, as 30 Barry Hollett swept to a trio of wins. The 21-car entry again maintained the recent improved car count for Saloon Stock Cars at Smeatharpe. A late charge by British Champion 219 Luke Grief took him through for second in the opening heat. Heat two was another hard fought battle behind Hollett, and World Champion 401 Steve Webster made it to the line first for the runner-up place. Whilst Hollett was in command of the final, there was another fine battle for second place, which was only resolved on the last bend, when 720 Shane Brown ousted 499 David Aldous with a crisp final bend hit. Hot Rods The lone outing of the year for the Hot Rods mustered eight cars, but did produce some very close racing. The heats were won by 742 Graham Luscombe and 758 Derek Palmer. In the final, 718 Colin White made good progress, but spun out of second place and fell to the back of the order. Thereafter, White made a tremendous surge back into contention, and got alongside race leader Luscombe. However, on the final lap, his overtaking hopes were dashed by backmarking 798 Derek Mardles and White had to settle for second place. Results - see also Saloon Stock Cars Heat1 30, 219, 176, 720, 401, 328, 186, 489, 964, 48 Heat2 30, 401, 720, 11, 219, 834, 186, 499, 305, 489 Final 30, 720, 499, 219, 834, 401, 489, 186, 114, 199 Hot Rods Heat1 742, 718, 758, 734, 205, 34, nof Heat2 758, 742, 734, 34, 205, 798, 718 Final 742, 718, 758, 734, 205, 798, nof Bangers Heat1 199, 381, 321, 341, 537, 714, 158, 133, nof Heat2 199, 133, 381, 714, nof Heat3 381, 199, 158, 186, 133, nof King of Crash/DD 279 Best Presented Steam Team Caravan Chaos 369, 88, 8, 145, nof Points Posh Wash Yellow 47 Posh Wash South 34 Posh Wash West 19 Cheese & Tomato 12 Steam Team A 8 Steam Team B 6 Autospares Allstars 0