Dover Raceway Sunday April 10 2016
2016 season opener
National Bangers British QF, Bangerstox Masters QF, Super Rods Masters QF and Ministox

Following the unfortunate cancellation of the Easter Monday, the new season at Dover Raceway got underway on April 10 with a decent, if unspectacular field of 22 National Bangers for the season’s second British Qualifier, the field boosted by three Mildenhall regulars with an all Ford entry save a used X Type, a pair of Cougars and a Focus for variety.

All 22 gathered for the opener which saw a savage affair 148 Dean Jackson (Cougar) attacking and burying the X Type of 165 George Sedgwick to trigger an immediate pile-up with 152 Rob Broughton (Focus) then lunging at 383 Shane Harvey to add him to the heap while 81 Lewis Greenwood (Cougar) did the same to 78 Lee Macey, the latter’s afternoon ended with a massive front wheel shot from 623 Ricky Hutton with 108 Lewis Jefcote finding 623 Tricky for a head-on as 209 Tom Waller turned 200 Ashley Grieson into the fence. 141 Gary Lee met the on opposite 108 Squeaky on the nose with Grieson turning round to attack the latter which allowed 592 Mark Marchant to home in for a big head-on to Squeaky. 248 Mark Taylor lunged at and buried 148 Deano as 141 G Man turned round to lay into the determined Squeaky before 53 Dave Palmer turned 2 Sean Swinbourn into the fence and Scarrow met Deano on the nose. Swinborn now blasted damage magnet Squeaky with a T-bone before Taylor thundered 354 Tom Clarke in heavily, Swinborn ending things with a pair of hard on opposite hits to Squeaky with Taylor meeting Deano on the nose just as the reds flew, 209 Tom Waller winning from 188 John Reeves and 164 Jack Turner.

14 repaired for heat two and 152 Bones lunged at and buried 191 Simon Davies from the off with 623 Tricky smashing the latter in the rear wheel before 592 Mad Mark lunged at and span 570 Dino Jnr. Bones continued to nail the stricken Tricky but he was wrecked in turn by hits from G Man and 271 Dean Goodearl as the leading 164 JT collected the spun G Man allowing Waller to bury them both with 271 Deano taking out Waller to take the lead and he claimed the win from Mad Mark and 327 Mick Maskall Jnr.

14 again for the final with Palmer fencing G Man who rallied back only to be fenced again by JT with Palmer then cracking him in the front wheel. Taylor then turned round and ploughed into both Palmer and 271 Deano in a big impact with 383 Shane Harvey then hitting Palmer on the nose but the latter battled on to trade hits with Taylor until the end of the race as JT maintained the lead throughout for the win from 327 Little Legs and Deano, the latter celebrating with a stiff hit on Palmer, just five finishing.

10 returned for the Accumulator but sadly two failed to make the start including Tricky and JT stuffed G Man into him before JT picked up the recovered G Man and followed him in on the pit bend with Swinborn blasting JT in turn but the latter continued in the lead although it was only briefly as Swinborn turned round with JT happy to meet him head-on which left him open to a shot from 271 Deano, JT continuing to even the score on Swinborn with a front wheel hit. Waller raced to the win from Little Legs and Deano and we moved into the DD with Waller blasting G Man before withdrawing from the event as JT blasted Swinborn with a big hit. Mad Mark fired into the game Tricky before Deano stuffed JT and Mad Mark arrived for a solid head-on to the latter before G Man buried Tricky into JT who was then finished by a bruising T-bone from Deano. Mad Mark turned round to smash G Man in similar fashion before he met Deano on the nose but the latter bounced back to again T-bone G Man before meeting Mad Mark on the nose and then silencing G Man with a hard hit and Deano celebrated his win with a shot to the still game for a crash Tricky, JT named the best entertainer.

Heat One: 209 Tom Waller, 188, 164, 570, 53, 327, 191, 200, 248
Heat Two: 271 Dean Goodearl, 592, 327, 570, 164, 383, 53, 148, 141
Grand Final: 164 Jack Turner, 327, 271, 592, 383
Accumulator Qualifier: Waller, 327, 271, 570, 592, 164
Destruction Derby: Goodearl from 141/592 Best entertainer: Turner

The first Masters Qualifier of the season raised a quite incredible field of 63 Bangerstox which was the biggest entry in the formula for a few years, if not the biggest ever seen at the raceway and included a number of new drivers for the season.

Such was the entry that not only were the white grade split from the higher grades for the heat races but the white grade were also split meaning six heats and 18 white tops for heat one and early drama saw 27 Dean Thompson spin after a clash with 422 Lee Hutton in the frantic start which saw him collected by 48 Michael Saunders as an early pile-up claimed 31 Darren Sutton, 97 Jay Thomas, 53 Leigh Garratt and 59 Adam Port while 21 Nathan Moat made the early running before 89 Vicky Dash span into the infield banking. Newcomer 91 Ben Lawrence raced into second as 73 Andy Taylor clashed wheels with the recovered Port and 85 Alfie Hover sent the former around to earn a two place penalty before Moat cruelly expired from the lead handing Lawrence the lead with Hutton and 32 Glyn Butcher on his tail and Hutton pushed Lawrence wide to take the lead and withstood a comeback attack on the final bend to win with 29 Liam Hover taking third only to spin on the final bend allowing Butcher to reclaim the spot.

One more for the second heat which was the other half of the white grade entry and started with a somewhat over enthusiastic 46 Mark Jackson sending 58 Owen Charles spinning before the reds flew with concern for the fenced 14 Mark Williams and a complete restart was ordered. This began with 370 Bill Parrish spinning as 60 Nathan Port led leading 84 Nathan Hogbin to battle with 12 Darren Worriner and 86 Jason Wood for second, the latter claiming the spot with a fine outside line pass before Jackson moved through on the inside to climb to third and he quickly overhauled Wood and Port to take the lead by half way. Wood and Port then clashed in the race for second which allowed 42 Jake Moat to nip through but the race ended controversially as Jackson was delayed, seemingly deliberately by Parrish which allowed 49 Will Parrish to take the lead and the flag. However the stewards saw fit to disqualify Bill Parrish and dock Will Parrish places and it was 76 Olly Evans who claimed the win from Charles and William Parrish after Moat had slowed and expired in the final laps.

It was the turn of the graded drivers to contest heat three which raced 22 cars before 43 Steve Cross was sent spinning by 70 David Leaon which earned the latter a two place penalty leaving 92 Amy Harper to set the pace as 44 Jordan Godfrey went round and was collected by 20 Andy Burbridge as 94 John Armstrong eased into the lead and 492 Roy Harper bested 206 Neil Boden and 47 Levi Parish in the race for fourth before 71 George Treeby slipped passed Amy Harper for second. 15 Jay Powell and 9 Chris Young were making excellent progress and were both into the top six by half way before Amy Harper fell by the wayside on the exit of turn four which proved an issue for the remainder of the field by which point 94 Rolly was clear and took a comfortable win, 15 Powelly an excellent second while Treeby narrowly beat Young to the line for third.

The white grade again took to the grid for heat four with 17 cars and Thomas and 11 Heather Green enjoyed the early scrap for the lead and behind Liam Hover battled with Thompson for third as Buther went round as did 99 Brad Epps while Thomas edged away in the lead. Dash got sideways exiting turn four and subsequently clashed with Will Parrish which saw her the fence before Lawrence tangled with Alfie Hover causing the latter to smack the infield banking and a further altercation between 39 Ashley Colvin and Alfie Hover saw the latter hit the wall where he was collected by 48 Mitchel Saunders, the former losing two race places as a result. Green grabbed the lead as Parrish eased past Thomas for second but there was no catching Green who took the win with Liam Hover besting Thomas in the final laps for third, the latter holding off 4 Paul Harris on the line for fourth while 100 Howard Belson picked up a two place penalty when he sent 81 Darren Garratt spinning.

Again one more for the fifth heat with 74 Jay Gilbey an early spinner as 72 Ryan Taylor set the pace before 53 Leigh Garratt smacked the banking heavily as did 28 Shane Howland and 7 Joe Marsh tangled with the struggling 69 Chloe Pelling and they crashed into the stricken Andy Taylor as Bill Parrish moved into the lead with Jackson second but the latter lost places when he got caught up with Hogbin, the race coming to an early end with concern for 62 Phil Cook on the back straight and Parrish was named the winner from Sutton and Ryan Taylor.

Just shy of 20 graded drivers contested the final heat with 17 Guy Payne and Roy Harper battling for the early lead before Godfrey shoved 206 Mr Bling wide for third and Young nipped past Powelly further down the field. Payne edged away at the front of the field as Leaton battled through into second and they reeled in Payne, passing him on the outside just after the half way mark as 16 Garrie Martin squeezed through on the inside of 20 Andy Burbridge for third. Godfrey then sent Payne spinning to become the latest driver to collect a two place penalty as Leaton raced to the win from 16 Gizmo with Young inheriting third thanks to Godfrey’s penalty.

22 qualifiers contested the final which started disastrously as Ryan Taylor tangled with Nathan Port causing the latter to spin which triggered a pile-up on the pit bend and even through the majority were able to get running again, spun cars remained a feature on the pit bend throughout the race. Lawrence made the running but Charles squeezed by him on the inside with Will Parrish moving into second as Leaton, Thomas and Gizmo made their fight for third a three abreast affair, this allowing Young to close and pass the latter duo to move into fifth as Leaton leapfrogged Mr Bling for third. Gizmo then span and was hit by Baldy and Powelly as Charles span from contention and Leaton inherited the lead as Hutton was disqualified for his part in spinning Liam Hover. Leaton held on for the win from Mr Bling and Young with Green getting the better of Lawrence in the final stages for fourth.

Owing to the size of the entry a B Final was added for the non-qualifiers for the main event and 13 drivers returned for it with Gilby and Belson as Jackson grabbed the early lead. 79 Jamie Walker sent Garratt spinning in the race for third and when he sent 2 Keith Merryweather around a few laps later he was disqualified and a similar fate befell 35 Lewis Winterbottom later in the race when he sent Payne around as Jackson motored to the win from 78 Bobby Miles and Cross.

Heat One: 422 Lee Hutton, 91, 32, 29, 7, 39, 85, 53, 48, 97
Heat Two: 76 Olly Evans, 58, 49, 60, 11, 46, 100, 74, 72, 62
Heat Three: 94 John Armstrong, 15, 71, 9, 206, 16, 70, 492, 33, 78
Heat Four: 11 Heather Green, 49, 29, 97, 4, 422, 27, 99, 100, 76
Heat Five: 370 Bill Parrish, 31, 72, 58, 46, 35, 2, 12, 60, 52
Heat Six: 70 David Leaton, 16, 9, 20, 44, 94, 47, 492, 206, 15
Grand Final: Leaton, 206, 9, 11, 91, 94, 15, 97, 32, 370
B Final: 46 Mark Jackson, 78, 43, 2, 84, 74, 17, 100, 54, 53
Grade Awards: Green, 206 Neil Boden, Leaton, 9 Chris Young

Even with a handful of drivers racing elsewhere the first Ministox meeting of the season at Dover raised a very respectable field of 13 cars including 342 Freddie Crittenden and 349 Lewis Saunders on their track debuts.

Heat one began with 350 Liam Webster sending 307 Ryan Martin around as 342 Little Critter made the running, Saunders trying to pass on the outside but he went very wide and dropped some places as towards the rear of the field 303 Jacob Bromley fired 399 Cole Atkins wide which also allowed 339 Harry Atkins and 328 Ben Nichols to pass the latter. Bromley subsequently stormed to the front of the field by half way as Nichols slid into the fence and was clobbered by Cole Atkins but the latter came through and into third leaving Nichols to battle Harry Atkins over fourth. Saunders span in the final laps as Bromley motored to the win from Cole Atkins with Harry Atkins getting the better of Little Critter for third.

All 12 again for heat two and this time Saunders set the pace from Little Critter as Cole Atkins fired into Bromley but the latter was able to catch and overhaul his rival as 308 Molly Smithson muscled passed 331 Archie Fryett for third and by half way she passed Little Critter for second before inheriting the lead when Saunders found the fence. Harry Atkins and Nichols were now scrapping for second as Bromley again battled past Cole Atkins for fourth. Smithson raced to a comfortable win with Harry Atkins getting the better of Nichols for second and behind Bromley landed a last bend attack on Cole Atkins which saw the latter collect the stricken 383 Megan Tutt and Bromley claimed fourth.

One less for the final with the recently watered track catching Saunders out who hit the fence from the off leaving Little Critter to lead as Fryatt bested 318 Codie Reeves for second, the latter then coming under pressure from Webster and 307 Shorty as Cole Atkins lunged at the latter which fenced him along with Harry Atkins before Bromley moved Fryatt wide to take third with Cole Atkins taking the lead from Little Critter with fourth to win before he barged passed Reeves and Webster as he tried to extend his advantage which then saw him spin Smithson. Bromley moved into second but was not able to catch Cole Atkins who won this one with Little Critter taking a maiden podium in third while Reeves won the white grade award.

Heat One: 303 Jacob Bromley, 399, 339, 342, 328, 350, 318, 307, 383, 331
Heat Two: 308 Molly Smithson, 339, 328, 303, 399, 342, 307, 318, 350, 331
Grand Final: 399 Cole Atkins, 303, 342, 331, 339, 328, 350, 318, 308
White Grade Award: 318 Codie Reeves

The first meeting of the season, which was also a Masters qualifier, raised a good field of 10 Super Rods, six of which were new from last year including a superb looking effort from 35 Cyndi Bradley while 75 Neil Parker’s was also an eye catcher.

A full field for heat one although 7 Nat Tutt was an early retirement leaving 66 Adrian Walker and 88 Stacey Reeves to battle for the early lead while 85 Jack and 87 Robin Miles slipped passed 12 Dan Elliott. 88 Doris grabbed the lead with Robin Miles also passing Walker to move into second as 72 Dean Worriner retired with a flat tyre. Jack Miles then went round after the bottom bend while scrapping with Parker who went on to battle 34 Lisa Powell for fourth. Robin Miles reeled in Doris but she managed to keep the Southern Champion at bay despite a close encounter where they went opposite sides of the back marking Elliott with Doris keeping her lead to win her maiden Super Rod race, Walker in third.

One missing for heat two with Powell setting the pace leading Elliott, Tutt and Walker to scrap for second and behind Robin Miles and Parker fought for eighth before they looked to pass Worriner on opposite sides in the race for sixth which resulted in Miles spinning on turn three. Doris reeled in Walker in the race for second as Parker passed Jack Miles on the outside for fourth and he then reeled in Walker and Doris who delayed each other in their battle for second. Parker was briefly able to pass Doris but the group caught the leading Powell bunching them up again in the run to the flag and Powell held her nerve for the win, Walker crossing the line second but disqualified from the results for persistent contact meaning Doris’ last bend overtake on the outside of Parker was in fact sufficient for second.

Nine again for the final and Robin Miles wasted no time in besting Doris for the early lead while Parker got the battle of Powell and quickly joined the lead two as Walker and Elliott duked it out over sixth and Jack Miles reeled in Powell to challenge her for fourth. Robin Miles continued to lead at half way as Walker clocked the wall before Parker picked up a flat tyre and dropped back from the lead two. Doris continued to shadow Robin Miles but was unable to make a move and the latter won this time while Parker’s battled on but ultimately had to settle for fifth with Jack Miles completing the podium positions.

Heat One: 88 Stacey Reeves, 87, 66, 75, 34, 85, 12, 35
Heat Two: 34 Lisa Powell, 88, 75, 87, 85, 12, 72, 7
Grand Final: 87 Robin Miles, 88, 85, 12, 75, 34, 66, 72, 7

After the disappointment of the Easter Monday cancellation, the 2016 season at Dover Raceway opened in encouraging fashion with much to be positive off. The incredible entry of Bangerstox was perhaps the biggest and they provided some enjoyable racing throughout although it was a shame that almost every race saw a penalty administered and while the National Banger entry wasn’t quite as encouraging the standard of racing was, the first heat and DD being fine affairs and even with less cars the races in between had their moments while the Super Rods enjoyed their best start to a season in recent times and the Ministox once again shone on a track which has a habit of producing good racing from the formula and it was pleasing as well to report that despite the Bangerstox entry boosting the race programme to a whopping 18 race affair that things were concluded within five hours of start time.

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