It was Plymouthian Elkie Brooks, who originally sang "Sunshine after the Rain", and the Cornish track of St Day always seems to provide me with either hypothermia or sunburn. As the rest of the country it seemed to be struggling under torrents of flood water, United Downs wasn't one of them, as 27 cars turned up to play.
Topping the bill was World Champ Mark Simpson (871) who professed that the last time he was there he was about 5. A raised eyebrow came from Mr Skegness once he looked at the track. Maybe in shock, maybe in glee! Also travelling down was Danny Ward (180) and Paul Ford (888) all the way from Scotland.
However, much trumpeted appearances from legend Rob Speak (218) and Barford boy Dave Pannett (836) were ruined by engine troubles incurred at Buxton the night before. After the minis had their fancy dress parade, the F2 drivers got a commemorative mug from meeting sponsor, ex F2 driver Neil Truran. The sun was out, life couldn't be better! Sadly, with only 27 cars, a 2/3rds format was approved, disappointing as the traditional QR format was dispensed with, highlighting the worrying trend across the country.
Heat one was led away by only white, Liam Deeble (785), but it wasn't long before the weary traveller Dan Moss (797) took up running, and then took the win. It had looked like returning naughty boy Neil Hooper (676) was going to take the flag, only engine troubles which meant a rapid engine swap between heats.
Heat 2 saw Moss once again speed away and got the better of his fellow yellows but the improving Ryan Wadling (476) tagged along too. However, it was Chris Mikkula (522) who took the win - only win of the day for the reds, despite nearly half the field being red tops of some kind.
Heat 3 started under spitting rain. Track conditions got progressively worse, as the shower got heavier, it was down to who could handle the conditions, and avoid the traffic and battles. Deeble sped away to a good lead, but it was wily old Veteran and TART, Paul Butcher (189) who was the first to break away from the gaggle of scrapping blues and red. Indeed he took over the lead in and took a well deserved victory.
Despite the track turning incredibly damp at the end of Heat 3, come final time the track was bone dry. A field of red tops (12!) not seen in Cornwall for a long long time. Again, the pacemakers were Deeble and Moss, who again had Ryan Wadling along side him, but this time Butcher caught up and took the running. Behind was a wholehearted scrap between the resurgent OAP to be, Bill Batten (167) and 2 drivers almost 50 years his junior, Liam Rowe (605) and Jack Aldridge (921). The 921 came out on top and the Novice of the Year set about catching the Gloucestershire based blue top. With 2 to go, Aldridge was in glancing distance of the 189 Higman car, but as the cars entered the last corner, a lunge from Aldridge, was rode out by Butcher, who took the St Day qualifying round for the second time. Race of the season so far for me, exactly what stock car is about!
2 years ago, Butcher won the final at the very same meeting, and following a heavy session on Rattler at the Moss pre qualifier barbecue. This time, after laying off the apple abuse, Butch had a clear head! And yet another Westcountry red top!
The national was a brutal race, grades bit more bunched up and as a result, more incidents occurred including a nasty looking one for Justin Fisher (315) and Paul Ford (888)...
Ollie Skeels (124) was the lead blue and took with him Richard Beere (254) for company. However, gremlins befell the former Ministox champ and Beere took over. Neil Hooper (676) then started to catch his fellow Devonian, and again a last bend hit, but Beere snuck the win on the line.
Topping the bill was World Champ Mark Simpson (871) who professed that the last time he was there he was about 5. A raised eyebrow came from Mr Skegness once he looked at the track. Maybe in shock, maybe in glee! Also travelling down was Danny Ward (180) and Paul Ford (888) all the way from Scotland.
However, much trumpeted appearances from legend Rob Speak (218) and Barford boy Dave Pannett (836) were ruined by engine troubles incurred at Buxton the night before. After the minis had their fancy dress parade, the F2 drivers got a commemorative mug from meeting sponsor, ex F2 driver Neil Truran. The sun was out, life couldn't be better! Sadly, with only 27 cars, a 2/3rds format was approved, disappointing as the traditional QR format was dispensed with, highlighting the worrying trend across the country.
Heat one was led away by only white, Liam Deeble (785), but it wasn't long before the weary traveller Dan Moss (797) took up running, and then took the win. It had looked like returning naughty boy Neil Hooper (676) was going to take the flag, only engine troubles which meant a rapid engine swap between heats.
Heat 2 saw Moss once again speed away and got the better of his fellow yellows but the improving Ryan Wadling (476) tagged along too. However, it was Chris Mikkula (522) who took the win - only win of the day for the reds, despite nearly half the field being red tops of some kind.
Heat 3 started under spitting rain. Track conditions got progressively worse, as the shower got heavier, it was down to who could handle the conditions, and avoid the traffic and battles. Deeble sped away to a good lead, but it was wily old Veteran and TART, Paul Butcher (189) who was the first to break away from the gaggle of scrapping blues and red. Indeed he took over the lead in and took a well deserved victory.
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| Knock next time |
2 years ago, Butcher won the final at the very same meeting, and following a heavy session on Rattler at the Moss pre qualifier barbecue. This time, after laying off the apple abuse, Butch had a clear head! And yet another Westcountry red top!
The national was a brutal race, grades bit more bunched up and as a result, more incidents occurred including a nasty looking one for Justin Fisher (315) and Paul Ford (888)...
Ollie Skeels (124) was the lead blue and took with him Richard Beere (254) for company. However, gremlins befell the former Ministox champ and Beere took over. Neil Hooper (676) then started to catch his fellow Devonian, and again a last bend hit, but Beere snuck the win on the line.
A great days racing with changing winners and a good hard but fair racing, and yeah the sun shone, and everyone went home happy.
POINTS OF ORDER....
A few drivers cemented their semi places today, pushing themselves over the 30 point mark which signifies a semi place....
The PA has been replaced, great quality sound, still not required for banger man Brian Goldsworthy. Can't do nothing about the awful Jon Wyatt though...
And finally, after a teasy display following a fancy dress win for the Mystery Machine and Scooby Doo, 5 Ministox drivers received a telling off following a spot of naughtiness. They would have gotten away if it wasn't that meddling Wadge!!
So, Smeatharpe on a school night, yes please!
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