Two-litre Saloon Stock Cars return to the Adrian Flux Arena, King’s Lynn for the second time in a fortnight on Saturday night (14 March, 6pm) where they will be joined by three domestic formulas racing in their season openers. 1500cc National Bangers, Lady Bangers and Junior Bangers will all be racing in their first points-scoring meeting of 2015, blowing off the winter cobwebs with their usual brand of crashing and competitive racing.
Booking Lists
Two-Litre Saloon Stock Cars
The season opened on 28 February with a cracking race to kick things off when 525 Wes Starmer denied 157 Max Stott a debut win on the final bend of the white & yellow grade heat. The rain that followed made conditions tricky thereafter but the racers still provided plenty of good action. Now Spring is in the air, a packed field of Saloons should make things very lively indeed this weekend.
The Clive Grief Memorial trophy was won by 144 Daniel Bullock, his first ever win in the formula, in an impressive display. Another strong performance at Mildenhall last weekend proved that was no flash in the pan, with Bullock looking set to make a mockery of his white grade over the coming weeks.
Further winners at our opening meeting were 6 Simon Welton – the early leader of the points – 304 Martyn Parker and 350 Thomas Parrin. All will be looking to continue that sort of form.
Welton was the only man to win a race from the red grade, and there were no blue grade winners either. While big fields of cars do make it hard for the stars to find their way to the front, expect the likes of World Champion 499 David Aldous, 482 Lee Sampson and 641 Willie Skoyles Jr to take their first wins of 2015 sooner rather than later. Track championship bronze medallist 18 Jamie Clayton and the experienced 156 Darren Goudy can also be added to that list, while 349 Michael Allard and 730 Deane Mayes are settling in well to life among the stars.
Barnett brothers 511 Craig and 512 Darren are also likely to fare better on a drier track, with the latter currently graded blue. Like former English Champion 306 Daniel Parker, the advantage of starting in front of the squabbling stars could prove decisive. 570 Simon Venni, 591 Aaron Morris – who looks set to race more regularly this year – and 698 Danny Colliver are also more than capable of winning races from the blues, having previously spent time among the reds. The same can be said for 149 Jamie Sampson, making his first appearance of the season.
There is plenty of danger amongst the yellow grade. Stott has shown remarkably impressive pace on his graduation to the formula, while at the other end of the experience scale, 26 Tommy Barnes scorched to two consummate wins at Mildenhall last weekend. Teenager 217 Sid Madgwick took the final there so he is certainly a threat too.
Perhaps the most exciting talent amongst the yellows though – in terms of potential – is 344 Ross Fisher. Two years ago, Fisher had a fantastic first season in 1300cc Stock Cars that saw him win his first race and culminated in World Championship and National Points Championship glory. Fisher made his debut in two-litre Saloons last weekend and won his first race. A portent of things to come? Well, the 18-year-old almost certainly won’t be winning the gold or silver roofs this year, but he looks set to firmly establish himself in this most competitive of formulas.
action from the season opener 2 weeks ago
1500cc Bangers
The entry for the 1500s’ first “domestic” outing of the year is headed by Swaffham superstar 338 Terry Garrod. Garrod had a fantastic end to 2014, repeating his twin success of the previous year when he claimed the 1500 National Championship in early December and followed it up by clinching the National Points Championship. So his car will have a silver roof and gold cross again this year – but will that make him a target for others?
Also having a superb 2014 was 390 David Gibson. He claimed the two-litre World Championship title here and followed that up with success in the Micro Banger UK Championship and season-long Entertainers League. A true all-rounder who can “rod” and “wreck” with the best of them, ‘Gibbo’ as well as his brother 309 Liam Gibson, and Mad Hatters team-mates 247 Jon Bailey and 399 Jonny Atkin, are sure to be in the thick of the action on Saturday night.
Another driver who has had recent success at what used to be known as the Norfolk Arena is Lynn local 673 Darren Fendley who led Team Bash to victory in the Unlimited Icebreaker in January. Like former-multi champion 22 Dave Vincent, Fendley has a knack doing what’s required to be fighting at the sharp and isn’t afraid to get stuck in when required.
There will be plenty of orange cars in the pits on Saturday. Three-time Entertainers League runner-up 601 Chris Medler will be joined in the Team Starky camp by Boston-based brothers 88 Lyndon, 886 Lewis and 888 Lloyd Stark as well as their cousin 878 Luke Rowland.
Completing a strong Lincolnshire contingent are 90 Simon Chapman, 221 Jordan Storr and 256 Mark Ginders.
From slightly closer to home, father-and-son duo 77 Russell and 757 Callum Gill will look to continue the strong form they have shown in the medium-sized Bangers, while the recently named most improved driver of 2014, 271 Ashlun Woods, is also at his best in these cars. Former Reliant Robin racer 93 Lewis Godfrey likes nothing better than a good crash, and the same can be said for most of the rest of the white grade – just what we like to see!
182 Ashley Watkinson will be back in action saturday night following some heavy action in the 1500cc icebreaker back in February
Lady Bangers
The ladies open their season with a healthy entry of experienced frontrunners, rising stars, returnees and newcomers. Heading the list is Gold Roof Champion 4 Steph Street. Two more former winners of that title come in the shape of 3 Danielle Hewitt, who returns form maternity leave, and 477 Amy Brown.
The fourth current superstar on the early booking list is 67 Charlotte Whitaker. ‘Shimmy’ is not always the most consistent, but a very good year in 2014 has seen her fly up the grades. She’ll be keen to keep hold of the flashing lights on her roof this year.
Leading the local challenge are Lynn ladies 79 Stacy Lightfoot and 85 Kate Calver, ably backed up by 529 Kay Atter.
Other potential winners include 762 Kerry Thurgill, who was graded red for the first half of last season, and 95 Jade Harbord whose yellow grade belies her experience and pace on track.
But with new drivers regularly coming into the formula, white grade wins are commonplace in Lady Bangers, so no one can be ruled out.
Junior Bangers
The Juniors had an off-season meeting in January when they supported the Unlimited Icebreaker. A heat winner on that day was 186 Brett Gedney, one of many second generation racers in the formula. Having only made his debut last September, Gedney retains his white grade status, but could prove tough to beat from the front of the grid.
Other second – or even third – generation racers starting in the front group of cars include 608 Lennie Murkin, 61 John Klyn and 77 Lewis Ivatt. There’s some big East Anglian Banger Racing history in those families. Ivatt makes his debut this weekend so may be seeking some tips from grandad Mick.
Further back, the yellow grade includes White & Yellow Series Champion 72 Breeze Atkin, the experienced (by Junior Banger standards) 123 Kieran Gray and the latest from the Mad Hatters’ production line, 308 Adam Richardson.
They will all be looking to hold off 834 Ben Green, 69 Brad Bartrum and 78 Kieran Bowman who finished last year fifth, sixth and seventh in the points and will be aiming to challenge for the major honours in 2015.
For 2L Saloon Stock Cars please visit the official website here
Wisbech