KINGS LYNN 02 MARCH 2013

1300 STOCK CAR REPORT BY MAN ON THE TERRACE

The season opener for the 1300 Stock Cars saw nearly 40 cars at the Norfolk Arena, including many brand new machines and a good deal of visitors to the track, notably Craig Haxton (67), Lee Buchan (337) and David Auld (63) from o'er the border. There were new cars, old cars, and borrowed cars (Clark Wells , 711, in the Lee Pearce Honda, and Danny Rainer , 235, in a borrowed car from, strangely, Clark Wells). A fine turnout of cars for this Clive Grief Memorial Meeting.

The pre-meeting race for Whites, Yellows and Blues saw Ross Fisher (344) continue his form from the previous weekend at Coventry with another win from Sam Baguley (143). With some late arrivals still in scrutineering, the race still provided plenty of action, with Kevin Thurlow (385) and Danny Rainer (235) going in hard, the latter taking out Rob Jackson(350) before getting caught on a tyre on the final bend and picking up a puncture.

Result: 344, 143, 781, 5, 377, 604, 350, 7, 385, 450.

Race two for 1300's was the Clive Grief Memorial Trophy and thirty six cars started. A lively race with early departures for Clark Wells and Richard Hampshire (447). The visiting Spedeworth top points scorer Ian Beaumont (713) was also heavily involved, as were the current Trackstar champion Dan Booth (216) and Gemma Rainer (653). Kevin Thurlow (385) and Danny Rainer resumed their earlier battle with the latter being spun out on the home straight after leaning heavily on the 385 car a lap earlier. A stewards enquiry followed the chequered flag however, with the victory initially going to Sam Baguley, but after the enquiry it was Ross Fisher who again got the trophy, demoting 143 to second. European champion Dean Moat (473) made a good effort from the back of the grid to take third, with Dad John (673) in fourth place. Gemma Rainer was 5th followed by another Honda of Luke Morphey (121) in 6th. Other places, 53, 181, 385, 67.

The first 'allcomers' race was halted early on when Danny McCluskey (316) went heavily into the barrier on turn four. Another lively race ended with Ross Fisher again first accross the line but only just this time from Dean Moat. Richard Hampshire was third followed by John Moat and an impressive 5th place from Kev Wales (569). 143 was 6th followed by 121, 9, 653 and 802.

The final race of the day for the formula was arguably the best of all. The visiting Craig Haxton (67) was an early spinner and the race was stopped a few laps in as the (704) car flipped over on turn 2. The restart was a disaster as the leaders 'went' on the backstraight and then 'stopped' again prompting much bending of metal as the pack had no where to go. But get away they did, only to be stopped a couple of laps later as Buster Ketteringham (9) was sent flying into turn one with enough force to send his bonnet flying through the air.The next restart was much better but did not include Ross Fisher, whose impressive run of wins was apparently over. Behind the leaders, Gemma Rainer and Kevin Thurlow were having a battle of their own, the former squeezing the 385 car to the fence coming out of turn two only to be spun out of the result two corners later. A 'battle royal' was developing between Luke Morphey and Dean Moat. Danny Rainer took advantage of their squabble and passed both on the home straight into what was now 4th place, only to find that Morphey's car would be 'launched' into turn one and into the 235 car. The damage put the blue grader out on the spot but also held up Morphey and Moat to allow the chasing pack to catch up. Jonathan Upchurch (5) was still in the running, sporting his new yellow grade, but it was the silver roof of Ian Beaumont that came through to victory to show everyone why he is top of the Spedeworth drivers points at the moment. A huge recovery from the earlier spin by Craig Haxton saw him come home in 2nd place with the battling Upchurch 3rd. Luke Morphey won his battle with Dean Moat and came 4th and Clark Wells resolved his earlier car problems to finish 5th. The remaining points went to 802, 181, 53 and 473.

All in all a splendid showing by the 1300 boys (and girl) in what was an amazing night of racing.

Clive will be looking on with a smile on his face.