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| Ben Hur leads from Colin Higman and Roy Goodman, Bill Battenus Maximus. Steve Rees says this could replace Coventry... |
Like the Greatest Story Ever Told and Ben Hur, movies often seen at this time of year, this blog entry is an epic.
WORLD CHAMP CRUCIFIES RIVALS
As the sun shone in the Northamptonshire skyline was adorned by brilliant early spring sunshine, that befitting a lovely Good Friday. 47 cars took part a few down on previous years, indeed there were 47 Saloons in the pits, and they put on a good show too.
Heat 1 saw the usual white top tear away, but it turned into a battle between Jamie Avery (126) and James Rygor (783) which the gold roof took a perfectly timed win.The second heat went the way of Ryan Wadling (476) however, yoink, went Steward Wadge, and the win went to the remarkably blue topped Daz Kitson (732). Class they say is permanent.
The consolation looked as though it was never in doubt and for the 2 meeting in 3, dear old PJ Moss (979) is now finding this winning lark easy. There was a firey moment for Andy Brewin (860) as flames erupted from his car after tangling with Ben Bate (242) in the first start of the the consolation. However it looked as though it was never in doubt and for the 2 meeting in 3, dear old PJ Moss (979) is now finding this winning lark easy.
The Final took two attempts to get going, such was eagerness to get on the road to Skegness as many tried to find the Horton Bend Monorail, as Neil Hooper(676) rolled over and then Steve Gilbert (542) and Pete McCullum (187). After this happened the question was whether it was going to be Moodie or Bradbury, but it was world champ Rygor that took to the front as forced his way through and passed the multi champs and left them standing, signalling a real intent!
JACK IN THE BOX AND ON THE WAGON
And a quick cross country dash saw some holiday action on the Fun Coast saw a disappointing 29 cars turn out. After the non Northampton'ers had heat 1, which was won by James Riggall (527), the stars came out to play, with Dave Polley (38) finally getting the Fruit Salad inspired car on the pace, taking heat 2 after Jack Aldridge (921) earnt the steward's ire by having a cheeky jump start! Heat 3 went to Aaron Williamson (411) who spent the rest of the weekend on the big tracks. The final went the way of the Gloucestershire based youngster, who was followed home by Polley and Sam Wagner (823). Polley rounded off a good day with victory in the National.
COMOTOSED AT COWDIE AS MOODIE WINS AGAIN
2 heats and the final, as Moodie marvels again at the wall. Mad Mini Mossy (979) and Dave Polley (38) the visitors, with the new GeoMac machine being unveiled also, to make up for the shortfall of those who had gone down south. John Broatch (722) took the National - perhaps this is one of the meetings that they can afford to drop next season - too many distractions elsewhere!
BARRY STOKES ANOTHER SHALE WIN
BRADBURY MAXES OUT
With the doom merchants proclaiming a monsoon apocalypse due to befell the Easter skies, I arrived at Mendips Raceway, with traditional Mendips weather. Wet with mist and visibility down to 100 yards, which was a bonus! Despite this, the track was relatively dry, if not a bit greasy for heat 1, won by Bradbury at a canter, and then the heavens opened with some slight drizzle making the track slippery, and with it, a far amount of drivers struggled with the conditions. However James Rygor certainly splashed his way through the rapidly forming puddles to takes the win. The consolation was a brutal race, with the conditions getting worse, the amount of inexperience on show meant more action. Sadly as result of the over eagerness on bumpers Paul Rice (890) suffered an injury which meant he had to be extracted out of the car. During the delay, more rain came, making the track trecherous for some Matt Brewer (206) almost spun on the restart, which allowed Richard Beere (254) to go past. He crossed the line first, but was docked, falling foul of the new rule as he was past Brewer on the restart! This promoted Nathan Maidment (935) to take the win.
Final time and again, a hasty couple of starts put pay to some drivers hopes, and again the rain came to change track conditions. This only played into Bradbury's hands, and he reeled in white tops Pat Lines (156) and Danny Withers (437) and took over. He then went through the field, with an impressive display of race craft, lapping all the way up to 3rd position, as only Maidment and Chris Mikulla (522) failed to be lapped by Bradders
listen to ‘Stoxcast#6 Bristol QR winner Chris Bradbury (886)’ on Audioboo
All eyes were on the road ahead, as many slid and spun in the opening laps of the GN, which saw Neil Hooper and Wullie Draeger collect each other half way down the straight which wiped out most of the field and on the restart, Mr Bradbury was 3rd on the road. Needless to say, despite losing the lead briefly to Rygor, it was a maximum day for Bradbury. First of the season and surprisingly only his 2nd.
And then the heavens opened in true monsoon fashion, as the final chequered fell. Fortunately, I was in race control acting as security for Alana to get Bradders prize money!
MOODIE WINS FORGETTABLE BARFORD All eyes were on the road ahead, as many slid and spun in the opening laps of the GN, which saw Neil Hooper and Wullie Draeger collect each other half way down the straight which wiped out most of the field and on the restart, Mr Bradbury was 3rd on the road. Needless to say, despite losing the lead briefly to Rygor, it was a maximum day for Bradbury. First of the season and surprisingly only his 2nd.
And then the heavens opened in true monsoon fashion, as the final chequered fell. Fortunately, I was in race control acting as security for Alana to get Bradders prize money!
Andrew Hingley reports....
"Full results from today. Only 16 cars there today. Heat 1. 7,647,301,749,722,38,16,960,766,233 Heat 2. 647,7,301,38,722,16,233,960,652,64 Final. 7,647,722,16,38,960,64,233,652,749 GN. 637,301,722,16,38,7,652,64,643,749 Nothing much happened, but it is much easier to win the final if you are past half of the field by the time you pass the start line. I can't actually say he jumped the start though"
KYLE WINS BELLE VUE IN STYLE
KELVYN FEELS A WHALLEY AS BUXTON JUMP COSTS HIM FINAL
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| This is the final winner from May 5th 2014! He's started already... |
Over to the High Peak Raceway as it was once called, and with altitude on a Bank Holiday, I would say that one could get lost in the views surrounding. Richard Bowyer (761) took the first heat, the second going the way of Kelvyn Whalley (101). Astonishing as he is once again dropping to blue, with plenty of race wins from red under his belt already. However the 2013 "King of the Pringle" Champion Whalley fell foul of again an "enthusiastic" start after romping the final, seeing him docked to third and Adam Rubery (700) taking the final and Richard Stott (169) inheriting 2nd. However the 101 took the national rounding off a good day out.
TOYTOWN ANNIVERSARY SEES YELLOW WADLING OFF IN STYLE
With an air of nostalgia and some bright sunshine, a stark contrast to the meeting up the M5 the day before, Taunton held its 400th meeting in its 40th Anniversary. A commerative programme complete with the details of all the 398 final winners (there wasn't a final during the 2 day British weekend in 2005). But after a teasy day at Mendips, the talk in the pits was mostly about the events of yesterday (see PoO) but with some new cars out for the Monday, but a number heading north to Buxton and some the damage too much for the following day.
Heat 1 saw Nathan Maidment (935) continue his rich form which has seen him become the Westcountry's top blue top. The second heat saw a nice little scrap between Chris's Mikulla (522) and Bradbury (886), which the latter got the better.
The consolation was a brutal affair. As Tyla Keveth (428) and Marc Rowe (526) sped away into the distance, the blue tops fought amongst themselves which allowed the whites to drive away. A better Taunton meeting for Keveth, who wrote off his Matt Westaway car when a throttle stuck at a previous Taunton, and he came out with one of those cars Jason Phillips (395) starts a season with, and is never seen again!
All eyes on the final and again, the white tops sped away. Again it was Rowe, and Danny Withers (437) who led away. The reds were trading blows and scrapping amongst themselves, and again, the whites pulled away. What became clear was Ryan Wadling (476) had broken from the yellows and the returning Liam Rowe (605) had broken from the blues. With spinning cars and crashes everywhere, it was an incredibly hectic race. Long time leader Withers got caught up, and this allowed Wadling through, with Ryan Hoskin (991) pursuing after him. A bit further back Liam Rowe (605) clipped a backmarker and curtailed his race, and Hooper had broken clear of the red top scrap, which was a stellar battle. As the laps dropped down, every spin and crash seemed to be an opportunity, but Wadling negotiated the traffic, and avoided the dreaded yellow, and took a superb win to sign off his days as a yellow top, as he heads back to red...
Liam Rowe (605) made up for the final mishap and with his brother Ross (105) as his wingman, held off Hooper to take the GN.
Another cracking Taunton meeting - proof furthermore that it is one of the best stock car tracks in the country!
MOODIE TAKES A TRIPLE AT SKEG
And finally.... as dear old Trev used to say, McDonald, not Redmond... it was back over to anothe bumper bank holiday crowd at Skegvegas. The kind of crowd that has Paul Brown fending off silly questions on a daily basis. Poor old Paul, you can't educate pork my friend so keep it cool.... It was another Scotsman though who frustrated everyone, as his Moodiness took 2 heats and another final, taking, unlike Europe his final count up to 3. Kevin Dunne (171) took the national.
POINTS OF ORDER
Good Friday.... Maybe a 12 noon start for Northampton and 7pm start for Skegness might be beneficial to both promotions to stop the mad rush across. I know years ago that there were Taunton/Newton Abbot and Skeggy/Boston dashes, but surely, to maximise the potential amount of cars
Nutters.... The trio of Wullie Draeger (102) Pete McCullum (187) and Wee Den (641) coming down for their religious pilgramage to the south, and then there's Paul Moss (979). Serious amount of miles.
Starts - Bristol tried something a little different giving the drivers clear parameters, as Starter/Race Manager/Marshall/Presenter/Pit Marshall Andy Chant explains why....
Pringles... It's like an American Golf clothing section this weekend as no less than 9 Pringles were recorded, including 3 in the consolation, and even some that weren't even docked. How can someone overtake a pace car and not get done!
Get Well Soon.... to Paul Rice (890) who during the consolation was extracted out of his car, and was taken to Weston General... Our best wishes and a speedy recovery from all at the Blog...
In the apres stox drinking session in Taunton overnight, Jack Aldridge (921) and Jay Tomkins (290) were a little worse for wear come the Monday morning. Turbo Shandys the way forwards, soon went too messy...
Trash talking has started in F2. The handbags were out following Sy Harraway (83) and Steve Gilbert's (542) coming together. Following the remonstration of the 83 pilot about the youngsters actions - young Stevie G said it was payback for earlier misdemeanours. However a full and frank discussion between Harraway and Gilbert Snr, means we could see the comeback of the Undertaker, to which the Weston driver retorted that he was a has been....Just shows how both drivers are a little inexperienced at the moment, and with time, you'll learn not to be brash and in your face, and remember to settle scores on the track.
Both parties need to simmer down a bit - not worth a month off now is it lads...Makes Froch/Groves look like a WI Meeting
Hung out to dry.... as another engine went bang for PJ, team TART set about a swift engine at Bristol. They asked promoter Graham Bunter if they could start at the back of the grid, however the Steward pulled rank and said that no one asked him. Better radio communications and common sense required all round methinks...
And also... another shot across the bows in the phoney war, as Autospeed were left without a pace car, some marshalls and
Michael Ball named dropped 2 saloon drivers on the way upto Northampton on Good Friday. Whilst the singer turned DJ back filled his time to 10:30 and the immortal Pop Master quiz that is a key component of the Ken Bruce Radio 2 show he was covering, he did so with Swinging Safari, by the Kraut Konduktor himself, Bert Kamperfert. It was a shout out to Saloons 149 and 220 as took place. In the Popmaster battle in our car, another convincing win for Jho, 33 points to Lampy's 27...
Grades - some talk in the pits that the grades are considered unfair in their present format. Which reminds me - must look at the dominator! I think thats fairly fair all round!
Flags - One thing thats is clear and apparent, the crossed flag for a technical disqualification SIMPLY DOES NOT WORK! Drivers know what a black flag does, and if it is worthy of a chat, then send them up to race control
Annndd breathe......!!!
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