Whistlin Jack Smith - 11

whistlinjacksmith Hot Rod Racing ISSUE 11: SEPTEMBER 2012

Lightning Rod World Final NHR qualifying begins Championship results

Whistlinjacksmith.co.uk 1

The unique the Toyota MR2 2L Hot Rod of Mark Constable is definitely causing a stir, front engined and a different grill being used being questionable.

WJS EDITORIAL The Lightning Rod World Final was as expected a dramatic race that certainly proved action, this website/ publication is the only place that put any effort into a preview and the review of the championship. It is quite sad when several promoters are involved with having representing drivers and running the event yet still don’t feel it necessary to promote said event.

Lightning Rods are definitely on a downward slope at present, numbers are down though there is the glimmer of hope on the horizon as the formula changes for the be,er—will next year see BMW’s and Mondeo’s racing? They are a newer machine but pose many issues on FWD and converting cars in a formula that is supposedly an entry level formula. If the promoters pay as much a,ention to their World Final as the rule book the change may take several years.

PAUL BALLARD

Photos within the Ligh ng Rod pages have been supplied by mkpics.net

All pictures in this issue taken by Peter Ballard unless stated

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Contents

4

ISSUE 11: SEPTEMBER 2012

4

LIGHTNING ROD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Full preview and review from Northampton 8

NEWS AND RESULTS

10

SUPER ROD ISSUES

One of the oldest Hot Rod formulas has had many years of turmoil and recent events at Arena Essex were another sign that formula is fragmenting further 12

8

NHR QUALIFYING ROUND

Youngster Ben Taylor kept out front in the ďŹ nal whilst a crashfest occurred behind under the lights at Ipswich.

14

10

2L HOT RODS

12 14 ISSUE 11: SEPTEMBER 2012

Whistlinjacksmith.co.uk 3

Lightning Rod World Championship For some oval purists Lightning Rods is a formula that contains ba,ered cars driven by incapable drivers. That is a twisted version of the truth, the ability of the drivers should not be questioned as the drivers do not simply spin themselves out or crash into the fence; they do however get involved in racing incidents. Those racing incidents may be questionable and in reality caused by ambitious drivers who want to pass yet they all have big baulky cars.

This carnage becomes an appeal for the fan yet it blatantly contradicts the rules of hot rod racing. With the Lightning Rod World Final approaching quickly the yearbooks will show that the leader had been taken out more than once by back-markers in a deliberate act of revenge.

For those readers now contemplating on clicking on the back bu,on should remember the premier formula National Hot Rods has been dogged for years by contact.

Preview

This article works like other previews on the site, there will be no comments on who is likely to win or who to watch; the man (or woman) on the terraces can make their own decision based upon the data below.

The World Final at Northampton will be the third time it has been held at the track. For those looking for an omen all the Northampton World Championships have been won by PRI registered drivers.

The championship will contain five previous World Champions, Chas Farrer won the World title over 15 years ago and is one of the most experienced drivers in the field while at the other end of the spectrum Mark Cooper Jnr is only 16 years old and looking to follow in his father’s footsteps to take the gold roof.

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Scotsman Frankie Cunningham has raced in this championship before but the 2012 event will be the first time that Scotland’s GMP will be represented. The current National Champion Mick Walker can count himself lucky as he scrapped into the race as the final Spedeworth qualifier. Spedeworth have also taken 13 places, their original allocation was just 10.

The race does have a quality line up but there are still several drivers who will be absent. Those with World Final form include Craig Boyd who has finished third twice and Dane Ferry who has two top 10 finishes. Six drivers will represent Northern Ireland which means that European podium placemen from a few weeks previous Winston Weir and Nigel Jackson are absent likewise is Gary Beggs and Ben McKee who performed well at Hednesford during the National Championship. Noel Reynolds will be making his English debut.

Having the race at Northampton does throw up the problem that it not a track used that often for the Lightning Rods. The class has raced three times in 2012 and the last meeting was at the beginning of June. The last major title held at Northampton was the English Championship and that was won by Steve Santry after first over the line Mick Walker was removed from the result.

Like the Stock Rods the class has seen many placemen in championships fall to get through scrutineering. There has been three occasions where first across the line has later been stripped over the title (Terry Hole 1996, Jon Hoggarth 1998, Ian McReynolds 2000).

World Qualifiers Name

Promotion

Result

Track

Points

Best Lap

8 Steven Clarke

Incarace

-

-

10th

15.922

9 Ian Atkinson

Incarace

-

-

3rd

15.468

22 Mark Cooper Jnr

Incarace

-

-

4th

15.458

28 Phil Manning

Incarace

-

-

-

-

51 Andy King

Incarace

-

-

2nd

15.640

67 Chas Farrer

Incarace

1st ʹ97

Hednesford

7th

-

87 Frankie Cunningham Incarace

2nd ʹ10

Ipswich

1st

15.334

192 Anthony Lawrence PRI

9th ʹ11

Arena Essex

2nd

15.630

227 Roger Dormer

PRI

14th ʹ10

Ipswich

4th

-

240 Lee Morrow

PRI

5th ʹ07

Arena Essex

3rd

-

267 Gary Greenland

PRI

1st ʹ11

Arena Essex

1st

-

339 Ben Furness

Spedeworth

-

-

7th

15.656

342 Ben Kerry

Spedeworth

-

-

11th

15.402

346 Andy Brown

Spedeworth

18th ʹ07

Arena Essex

8th

15.519

355 Mick Walker

Spedeworth

10th ʹ06

Ipswich

15th

15.351

368 Steve Santry

Spedeworth

4th ʹ10

Ipswich

12th

15.353

416 Diggy Smith

Spedeworth

1st ʹ03

Ipswich

3rd

-

452 Adam Eyles

Spedeworth

19th ʹ10

Ipswich

2nd

-

503 Ben Murray

Spedeworth

10th ʹ08

Northampton

1st

15.429

526 Paul Strawson

Spedeworth

17th ʹ07

Arena Essex

6th

15.605

629 John Sibbald

GMP

-

15.521

633 Rob Gamble

Spedeworth

16th ʹ11

Arena Essex

4th

15.412

636 Lee Skoyles

Spedeworth

1st ʹ10

Ipswich

9th

-

730 Mike Daniels

Spedeworth

11th ʹ11

Arena Essex

10th

15.508

781 Neil Wollington

Spedeworth

8th ʹ08

Northampton

5th

15.424

846 Lindsay Wilson

GMP

-

-

-

-

917 Aaron Stewart

Tullyroan

15th ʹ09

Nu,s Corner

8th

-

923 Steve Emerson

Tullyroan

1st ʹ06

Ipswich

1st

-

1st ʹ07

Arena Essex

924 Mervyn Emerson

Tullyroan

7th ʹ09

Nu,s Corner

3rd

-

926 Davy Hearst

Tullyroan

2nd ʹ09

Nu,s Corner

5th

-

940 Noel Reynolds

Tullyroan

-

-

6th

-

947 Gordon McKee

Tullyroan

6th ʹ09

Nu,s Corner

11th

-

All points positions shown are within the promotions National points chart

Photos within the Ligh ng Rod pages have been supplied by mkpics.net

excluding Tullyroan that has a World qualifying series. Best laps are from meetings in 2012 at Northampton where the drivers transponder has been operational (1st Apr, 9th Apr, 4th Jun).

Whistlinjacksmith.co.uk 5

The Lightning Rods World Final is the third of its kind to be run this year for a hot rod class and the winner like the other two races was se,led off the race track. Winner on the track Stephen Emerson was adjusted to have used excessive force to take the lead and subsequently docked two places handing the title to Scotsman Frankie Cunningham.

Review

The grid would be decided through two reversed grids with drivers seeded through various promoters in the UK. GMP only had one representative (Lindsay Wilson) as John Sibbald cancelled, Spedeworth had an extra two drivers included: Marcus Gridley and Bre, Tillow.

Reigning World champion Gary Greenland headed up the four car PRI entrants, while six travelled from Northern Ireland. The rest of the field was made up of Incarace and Spedeworth drivers. 33 cars kicked off the opening heat.

Heat 1 Wilson led off Phil Manning (who done amazing well to qualify for the World Final considering he hadn’t scored any points all year). Manning moved inside Wilson but didn’t pull clear as Wilson got his nose inside Manning on a few occasions before he lost out to Emerson. Emerson moved into first place and Manning dropped back to fourth place.

The leading trio were spaced out so eyes were on Manning who had to fend off the likes of Diggy Smith and Gary Greenland. Diggy took several laps before he got the opportunity to dive inside entering turn 1, the pair drifted out wide as they cornered which allowed Gary

Grid

Greenland to move to the inside of the pair. Smith ended up turning Manning across the track exiting the bend, Manning was t-boned by Greenland while directly behind him Gordon McKee took to the centre green to avoid the melee. Manning freed himself but the Greenland stayed stationary on the track, there was plenty of space to avoid him and the majority of the cars did except Andy King who ploughed into the back of him.

With two cars unable to move on the track the race was red flagged and brought to an early end.

Res: 923, 730, 87, 947, 633, 339, 9, 240, 416, 386 Heat 2 King done well to get the car repaired for the second heat but Greenland was out for the day, both Chas Farrer and Ben Murray were repaired and racing this heat after both losing a wheel in the opening heat.

Pole-si,er Lee Skoyles led off Steve Santry while Hearst was slow away from the front row. Hearst moved inside Santry a few laps later for second place exiting turn 2 that caused Santry to lose another place to Aaron Stewart who followed through the gap and also collect damage to the car with body-work rubbing against the tyre.

Upfront Skoyles was being caught by Hearst but not quick enough and still had a few back-markers between them by the time the chequers fell. Emerson set the fastest lap of the race, his 16th place that was enough to give him a front row grid slot.

Res: 636, 926, 917, 368, 192, 452, 947, 355, 342, 22

947

636

87

452

368

342

416

192

339

22

781

526

8

503

923

917

926

355

730

240

9

633

227

386

846

28

51

940

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Final

The only driver to have two top ten finishes was Gordon McKee which translated to pole position followed by the heat winners Emerson and Skoyles who had both won this event before. The four drivers at the back of the grid (Steven Clark, King, Murray and Noel Reynolds) had failed to finish both heats but still gridded; Farrer and Tillow had qualified ahead of these but mechanical issues kept them out of the race.

Although Incarace tried hard to build up the atmosphere the small crowd didn’t help. The cars had 2 rolling laps with the pace car pulling off the back straight to allow the cars to build up to speed. McKee turned pole into the lead with Emerson half a car length back on his outside followed by Skoyles. Stewart lost out to Cunningham on the outside who moved up to fourth place in the early running, soon the front four edged clear. Hearst and Mick Walker went around the outside of Stewart for fifth and sixth place.

Emerson started to put the pressure on McKee and as soon as the smallest gap appeared he dived for that exiting turn four, with Emerson on the inside McKee bounced along the wall on the home straight. Loosing time and now being forced onto the outside line Skoyles and Cunningham took advantage of McKee. Within the midfield Diggy Smith was soon pointing the wrong way at turn 1, he rejoined the race. For those who wondered what caused his demise were able to find as Diggy slowed then clipped the side of Ben Kerry as he raced down the home straight, that had turned him into the wall before Diggy tried to ride him up the wall and ultimately rammed the side of him as they entered the turn. This stock car style move saw the pair slam into the outside wall at high speed to cause the first stoppage of the race. At the end of the race it was unsurprisingly announced that Diggy was disqualified from this race.

The running order at this stage was Emerson, Skoyles, Cunningham, McKee, Hearst, Walker, Stewart, Adam Eyles, Lee Morrow and Mike Daniels. On the first lap of the restart King went straight on at turn 3 bouncing around the Armco before creeping to the centre of the track. The next driver out of the race was Stewart who was turned out of seventh place by Lee Morrow as he exited turn 4. Rob Gamble spun out on turn 4, although facing the wrong way he was quickly onto the inner rumble strip and out of the way of the competitors.

Emerson started to stretch his lead as Skoyles found his second place under pressure with Cunningham and

McKee close behind, Hearst caught up and moved onto the outside of McKee before falling back into line. Cunningham eventually got himself inside Skoyles, Skoyles tried to come back inside as Cunningham exited turn 2 but he was now free to chase down leader Emerson who had established a lead of a straight as the race moved to the halfway point.

Skoyles was definately slower than the cars behind that enabled Walker and Eyles to close onto the ba,le for third place. McKee got himself inside Skoyles who found himself stuck on the outside and within a few laps was down to 7th place and dropping back from this pack. Upfront Cunningham hadn’t made much of a dent into Emerson’s lead, with two laps left to run it was the first time that there was no back-markers between the pair and the gap was close to the length of a straight.

Emerson took the flag but like the other hot rod titles this year there’s more to come! The top six cars as they finished on the road were left on the track whilst the officials viewed the DVD of the race. They decided that Emerson used unnecessary force to take the lead and he was penalised two places, Emerson however refused to take that place which saw him then removed from the result and others moved up. It will be interesting to see if he banned for a year like Malcolm Blackman who also refused a third place in the World Final.

With everyone moving up a place Frankie Cunningham became the new World Champion with two Irish drivers filled the other podium places. Although Cunningham is licensed with Incarace he is the first Sco,ish World Champion in Lightning Rods.

1st

87 Franke Cunningham

2nd

947 Gordon McKee

3rd

926 Davy Hearst

4th

355 Mick Walker

5th

452 Adam Eyles

6th

636 Lee Skoyles

7th

240 Lee Morrow

8th

730 Mike Daniels

9th

781 Neil Wollington

10th

22 Mark Cooper

11th

192 Anthony Lawrence

12th

526 Paul Strawson

13th

9 Ian Atkinson

Whistlinjacksmith.co.uk 7

News and results Tom Casey winning the British Open has proved to be one of the shocks of the year as his often criticised Mercedes SLK held o the competition for the win.

National Hot Rods - Ballymena - British Open Heat 1: 961, 960, 95, 994, 115, 940, 943, 962, 996, 977 Heat 2: 977, 962, 174, 940, 115, 996, 994, 369, 961, 960 British Open: 961, 940, 115, 962, 994, 977, 369, 960, 996, 943

Stock Rods - Lochgelly - European Championship Heat 1: 57, 25, 658, 61, 197, 232, 168, 647, 91, 51 Heat 2: 171, 755, 232, 658, 876, 15, 91, 447, 51, 168 Last Chance: 41, 255 European Championship: 658, 647, 232, 171, 91, 168, 57, 447, 25, 447

National Hot Rods - Tullyroan - Irish Open Heat 1: 9, 76, 961, 95, 977, 115, 996, 994, 174, 966 Heat 2: 174, 115, 966, 961, 996, 95, 961, 9, 977, 960 Irish Open: 9, 95, 966, 996, 174, 115, 977, 669, 980

Supporting formula: Open Hot Rods Racing alongside the Lightning Rods World Final were the Open Hot Rods, most of these meetings had been cancelled at Incarace this year and this late addition was unnecessary. Four cars were programmed but two cancelled. Leaving only 24 Roger Wright and 27 Mikey Godfrey to race in two hopeless match races, similar to pursuit riding in cycling. Their ďŹ nal race was a li,le more interesting with both cars starting next to each other that Godfrey won. The race winners were classed as Godfrey 2 Wright 1.

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FORD fundraising news The Hot Rods Big Bike Race last month organised with the help of Garry Staines - Jason Kew v Mikey Godfrey for one lap of Hednesford Hills Raceway in fetching fluorescent tutus! - raised over £1400 for FORDS.

2L World Final Spedeworth drivers flying the English flag at Spedeworth Motorsportsʹ Mahem Raceway were 43 Paul Wright, 65 Mark Willis and 745 Daniel Benne,. The Northern Ireland drivers making the trip over were- 54 Adam Hylands, 920 Derek Martin and 982 Gary Wilson.

For 2012 Spedeworth made the decision to run the World Final in South Africa, problem here being the specification is different to that run on the English and Northern Irish tracks. The race itself was won by South African Frans Joubert with the top English driver being Paul Wright who finished in fourth place. National Hot Rod driver Dick Hillard finished fifth and has spent the year flying to South Africa to qualify outright for the event.

The event has caused a lot of anger within the oval racing fraternity who believe the race was a mockery. WJS follows this train of thought; it is absurd that a different specification of car can be used for the biggest event in the 2 Litre Hot Rods regardless of the location of the track. The car that Frans used to win the World would be illegal for the next meeting at Nu,s Corner on the 19th September or the previous meeting in Northern Ireland at Tullyroan.

Dan Moth’s Bears documentary DVD is all set to top £2000 so far and eBay sales have not yet begun. More initiatives continue to come through with fantastic and diverse ideas being put forward, notably the £488 raised by marshal and Saloon Stocks 153 Ryan Wright from sales of his Steve Newman 311 stickers.

Latest new drivers Joining the Classic Hot Rods for this Saturdayʹs Classic Hot Rod meeting at Birmingham (starting at 6:30) will be Brian Starr and Richard Lowe. Richard is infact Tim Foxlowʹs mechanic and will be racing a Ford Escort mk1.

The last meeting of the year for the class will be a week later at Northampton racing alongside National Hot Rods, Historic Stock Cars and Junior Rods.

Other new drivers due out this weekend at Ipswich are Greg Moore in National Hot Rods (previously Outlaws) and Mick Ramsey Spedeworth 2 Litre (previously Ringwood 2L).

Although there are some benefits such creating a truly international event they have disregarded by the other factors such as drivers buying their way into the World Final. Dan Benne, as an example sat 23rd in the points when it was announced he would be a World finalist, that meant 20 drivers positioned above him in the points chart chose not to race or couldn’t afford to race. The negative reasons will mean that the 2012 2 Litre Hot Rod World Championship will be shown as a blank on this champion’s page.

For those that think they will never see Frans Joubert racing in the UK he has already raced a 2 Litre Hot Rod back in the 2009 Spedeweekend, that was strangely for the British Championship where he finished 17th.

Whistlinjacksmith.co.uk 9

Super Rod issues One of the oldest Hot Rod formulas has had many years of turmoil and recent events at Arena Essex were another sign that formula is fragmenting further

RTS feed-back on National Super Rod meeting, Sep 8 Arena Essex.

so he is going home after only completing one race (to Corby).

As most of you are aware, we operate the Rolling Thunder Show on very small margins, the main contributors to the purse being the drivers and the paying public, to which we owe a duty of care to both.

Second race, incident involving driver Wicks and driver Tandy for which the Race Director loaded up driver Tandy as he considered it deliberate fencing, the Race Director has but a split second to make his decision, he made the right one based on what he see, but because bravado has crept into the ma,er the real reason for the incident is not disclosed, I believe the incident was caused by the broken front discs that I see being removed from the Tandy car, lost 2 more cars.

Drivers; we provide a facility whereby they can pursue there hobby in a safe and controlled environment.

Separators; we provide them with competitive racing where it is within our powers to do so.

On Saturday we believe the public were short changed when it came to the Super Rods, as advised at the beginning of the season numbers were not necessary the main issue, being united in a common goal was and is.

Saturday the public were subject to the following, first race, we had a full grid of cars that were available, I personally watched the race, see very li,le contact did see contact between driver Wicks and driver Tandy, but that was a braking issue no advantage gained just a racing incident, further Wicks then went wide and lost 2 places, driver Featherstone gaining the advantage, thatʹs what I see.

Next, driver Tinto (the formula representative) has loaded up, and on his way out of the stadium before the second race, he advised me he is leaving because drivers are threatening each other and has no wish to be involved,

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It is clear drivers are pulling in different directions and stupidity is being fuelled by further stupidity, in the present state the formulas has no future at the RTS, whilst I am aware dates have been booked at other venues it is now fact the RTS can no longer sanction such events.

To that end should drivers wish to race at other events that is a ma,er of choice, but such events are not sanctioned by the RTS as we have no wish to export that form of racing, further should drivers wish that form of racing, that would mean the end of the RTS involvement in the formula forthwith.

We are subject to the above, happy to continue promote National Super Rod Racing but under the full control of the RTS. Your choice. Yours in racing Vince OʹConnor for the RTS

National Super Rods at the RTS The RTS would like to thank all the drivers who have email their support for the continuation of the National Super Rod formula at the RTS, apologise to those drivers who have tried to make contact on the phone, but due to work commitments i am unable to take or return your calls.

Below are the remaining dates for 2012: 13 Oct, 24 Nov, and the Expo Jan 2013.

It is now time to move on and all the previous issues laid to rest.

Kevin will brief the drivers at the next meeting with respect to over driving and how we intend to deal with such, it is not our intention to change the formula but there must be a realisation that to move forward there will be some changes that are inevitable.

Currently this is our thinking: Engines V6 no shortage of them but prone to let go if not built with the correct components, as with all engines their reaches a point when RPM and the use of becomes a major factor, that is apparent when listening to the rpm being used in the formula, you cannot use high rpm with the stock engine but you can if you fit the right bits, blow up the stock engine the word cheap no longer applies

build two and you have passed the cost of a proper engine, therefore there needs to be a way of controlling RPM to keep a level playing field, if everyone is using the same engine and diff you now have two choices, rev limiters are not the answer as clever people can use them to their advantage, and those who do not know will be left behind, Cubic inches, we can check the cubic capacity of any engine without lifting the heads off in about two mins, compression ratio can be checked very quickly to, so if you analyse above we have three controlling factors, Diffs, cubic inches, compression ratio. we believe we should use all three in some form or other.

Tyres, the only thing between the car and the race surface, currently the only tyre allowed is the Avon A10 supplied by Malcolm Forbes, whatever agreement was reached by Rob with Malcolm we will honour, but we do need to find a way to ensure as with National Hot Rods that only one new tyre is allowed per meeting as of 2013.

Space frames are the way to go with 2lt and National Hot Rods, Superstox also use specialist chassis builders, why because in the long-term they are cheaper and work, you can repair a space frame quickly and cheaper than a panelled car.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Yours in sport Vince OʹConnor for the RTS

Whistlinjacksmith.co.uk 11

Taylor-made Hot Rods Youngster Ben Taylor kept out front in the final whilst a crash-fest occurred behind under the lights at Ipswich.

With winter approaching the racing season end is upon us only a few more meetings left to enjoy the non-contact sport we love hot rod racing, unfortunately the final Ipswich of the year has the uncanny knack of becoming a crash fest – no change this year. A total of 31 cars made it to Ipswich though newcomer 287 Greg Moore didn’t race, 259 Rod Brewer was out for his second meeting in the Fiesta mk5. A slight drop on previous rounds those racing were the ones that have eyes set on the World Final in July some 9 months away. Going into the meeting 115 Chris Haird was leading the points ahead of 117 Rob McDonald; 56 points covered the top 20. Visiting drivers were 369 Tommy Maxwell in his older Peugeot 206cc and 467 Winnie Holtmanns.

Heat 1 44 Dave Garre, led away the heat with Maxwell going out on the opening lap. 555 Gavin Taber moved inside 152 Shaun Taylor for second place before trying the outside line of Garre,, this failed and he dropped back on the tricky line back to 7th place. The top 7 had already established a lead over the rest but this closed as the placemen a,acked Garre,’s lead. 39 Terry Hunn moved to the outside and he seized up Garre,, Garre,’s wide exit off turn 2 allowed 219 Russell Wilcox to dive inside the pair. The cars ran 3 abreast briefly; Wilcox had track advantage on the inside and took up the lead. Hunn and Garre, clashed the next turn as he t-boned him, which slowed the pack behind. Garre, was left on the outside of the track Hunn continued in fourth and the front three were now clear – an eventful lap and half for everyone!

Wilcox won the race from Hillard.

Res: 219, 31, 304, 39, 209, 162, 115, 555, 444, 67 Heat 2 316 Paul Frost led away from pole while 491 Colin Smith had a poor get away slowing cruising down the home straight he soon pulled off the track. There was an early stoppage for 100 Dick Burtenshaw who slammed into the wall on turn 2, the track conditions were catching out many. Once the race restarted 18 Ben Taylor bumped

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aside Frost for the lead going into turn 4, Taylor was black crossed seconds later as he crossed the line. Frost fell back on the outside with Maxwell now in second place. 209 Kym Weaver was another to pick up a black cross for bumping aside both 192 Tony Moss and 67 David Brooks.

B Taylor was never going to be caught and Maxwell’s speed had brought the whole pack together, 444 Sam Shuddall tried the outside line which didn’t work and it was left to 278 Colin Gomm (who was racing his first WQ this season) to pass – his car sounded rough with an exhaust issue but after several tours on the outside the purple car edged ahead. Taylor was docked after the flag so this became a win for Gomm; Brereton nicked second on the line from Maxwell after passing lots on the wide line.

Res: 278, 348, 18 (x-2), 369, 219, 92, 117, 209 (x-2), 27, 95 Heat 3 Frost led off from S Taylor who was displaced by Taber for second place. S Taylor spun out on the back straight; everyone avoided him and carried on. The front four of Frost, Taber, T Hunn and Moss created a gap over the rest; once Frost was off line it allowed the other three straight through and behind that 304 Danny Fiske was reeling those in. The race was stopped briefly to retrieve the 155 Lee Pepper car.

Once restarted Fiske was straight onto the outside of Frost, there was another 3 abreast moment this time 92 Jack Blood came out on top ducking inside both Frost and Fiske. Fiske eventually passed Frost who then retired. Frost’s parked car on turn 4 was almost hit by 162 Carl Waller-Barre, who spun here – CWB had already had a half spun earlier in the race when he bounced over the kerbs on turn 3.

The big ba,le during the end of the race was between Fiske and Blood for fourth place, Fiske tried the outside line and although he could easily get alongside he could-

n’t do enough to move ahead and eventually ran very Fiske carried on now second on the road but a whole lap deep into turn 2 and finished the race several cars lengths down. behind.

Res: 555, 39, 192, 92, 304, 278, 115, 95, 117, 31 Once restarted Fiske unlapped himself, B Taylor made a nice margin over Frost and S Taylor. S Taylor held a deFinal cent line but the cars gradually closed up and 3rd to 14th Before the green flag dropped Wilcox was pushed off the ran as one – always a joy to see so many Nationals rungrid with mechanical issues leaving 26 cars on the grid. B ning so closely together under the lights but it is common Taylor led the pack away though 271 Neil Stimson’s race that disaster happens. Hillard had just disposed S Taylor was ended early when Brooks was barged out wide and of third place when Weaver slammed into the back of he ran into Stimson on turn 4. Garre, spun himself out of Maxwell going into turn 3; cars went everywhere with third place as the track seemed dustier (viewing against Maxwell and Weaver both spinning. Maxwell’s car was the flood-lights) than any point of the evening. hit by Brereton and 174 Jason Kew in the melee on turn 4.

Weaver escaped with no damage and was adamant to get Godfrey was leading the star men and his good points back into the race, rubbing panels with Taber to have a scores had left him starting further back than ever be,er track position (the transponder you drivers pay for McDonald was close to his back bumper but was spun are used to sort out these squabbles). Weaver was then out by Weaver at turn 3. McDonald tapped the fence be- disqualified that raised the loudest cheer all night. fore heading back into the race 8 places further back. The big name retirement at this early stage was 115 Chris The final 9 laps were pre,y quiet, Hillard moved past Haird.

Frost for second place but it was a first win for Ben Taylor. Taylor had been docked in one heat, retired with a Then there was the first big talking point of the race. puncture in the other before claiming the final.

Fiske had all night been trying the outside line and was Res: 18, 31, 316, 162, 152, 95, 555, 304, 100, 27 quite erratic at times but a least he was giving it a good, being out wide meant when the pack was got out of Weaver’s disqualification became a load-up by the end of shape he was the one being pin-balled to the fence. Going the night but it is quite surprising how low his penalty into turn 3 Terry Hunn made contact with the back of points were coming into this meeting. This makes sense Fiske which spun him out, Hunn was also facing the when you realise black crosses are now not counted, the 6 wrong way but the pack all squeezed inside him. Brewer he has collected in 2012 then become irrelevant if they are tried to go in-between Hunn and clipped him damaging not added and will allow the contact boys to continue to both cars. cast a shadow over the sport.

The race was yellowed and cars brought to a single line restart, Fiske spun his car around and at this point gestured towards Hunn (how many fingers or fists were shown can’t be ascertained), Hunn then speed after him – it should be noted that Hunn did not ram Fiske nor did he impede him as Fiske had already stopped. Words were exchanged before Hunn was sent to the middle – for this action or as the cause of the stoppage he was out.

Unofficially in the points Haird (184) lead has been cut to 4 points with Wilcox (180) leap-frogging McDonald (174) they are followed by Murray (166) and Taber (162). Dick Hillard scored the most points during the night and moved up to 12th place after starting the night outside the top 20; Fiske and Waller-Barre, are also in the qualifying positions now.

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2L Hot Rods Racing alongside National Hot Rods – what’s going on here Spedeworth it’s normally bangers with the Nationals, wait a minute they raced as well.

Racing in 12th qualifying round of the Hoosier Tires series, only one of the top 5 drivers in the series was racing allowing the others to close in before the final at Wimbledon this winter. All grades were represented with several drivers at the back still ge,ing used to their cars. Lightning Rod convert 503 Ben Murray raced the ex-Down Tigra, the man that used to have that number 3 Chris Harvey has the ex-Collins Saxo and 86 Mick Ramsey in an unusual Steve Wills framed Corsa who had raced all year at Ringwood. Also in a new car was 135 Clinton Groom now Saxo mounted.

Dan Payne moved beyond Ashman for the lead before a caution was needed when 48 Leyton Millsom, 182 Mike Walmsley and 39 Rick Pannell crashed underneath the scoreboard – all continued in the race. From the restart Payne was not put under any pressure, the early leader Ashman put himself into the wall exiting turn 4.

Res: 22, 38, 338, 88, 745, 65, 43, 30, 543, 565

Final With no white tops the whole field was moved forward.

Dan Payne led off Constable who was bumped aside by Heat 1 338 John Payne, losing many places on the outside line, The only white grader of the night 151 Robert Ashman 745 Dan Benne, moved into second place though was led off proceeding in his Saxo (best paint job in the forput under pressure by Randell who was on the outside. mula!). A tangle over fourth place put 38 Mark Constable Benne, elbowed him wide to get himself some space. to the centre and 275 Bre, Collison out, 566 Phil Crome was able to continue. Incidents like these helped the stars Benne, moved outside Dan Payne for the lead, a mamen move up. noeuvre that was duplicated by Randell and then Willis.

Further back 11 Alex Crane and 543 Tommy Miller colAt the front 22 Dan Payne caught Ashman but didn’t lided sending Miller head first into the back straight fencmake a move so that allowed blue top 30 Martin Codling ing which bounced him back onto the track now facing into first place. Codling though was caught by 65 Mark the wrong way, Murray ran into him.

Willis and 96 Kevin Randell, on the final few laps Willis moved to the outside and ended up a bonnet behind From the restart Benne, didn’t react quick enough and when the chequers dropped.

Randell was straight through going into turn 1 with WilRes: 30, 65, 96, 43, 88, 566, 31, 338, 101, 22 lis on his rear bumper. Benne, held third for a few places before Codling and 88 Dale Atkins passed him. Just beHeat 2 fore the end Walmsley spun off on the home straight colFrom the off 31 Charlie Jowers lost a bonnet, then red liding with the marker tyres, although the damage was tops 101 Ian Su,on and 11 Alex Crane clashed in a show- light enough for him to continue these tyres have yet er of sparks – all before they had reached the start line. again caused unnecessary damage to the cars.

Crome stopped early in this heat parking his car against Res: 96, 65, 30, 88, 745, 101, 39, 565, 22, 11 the Armco, although it seemed a fairly safe place to be Groom slide out wide and ran into this car several laps later.

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