Dover Raceway
Sunday June 26 2016
The Dick Tracey Memorial Meeting
Unlimited Bangers Dick Tracey Memorial and Kent Championship, Bangerstox Masters QF, Super Rods Masters QF and Ministox

The Unlimited Banger Kent Championship also played host to the Dick Tracey Memorial meeting and raised a very respectable and actually slightly better than expected field of 25 cars on June 26, the number boosted by six extras on the day who narrowly outnumbered those who didn’t honour their booking and given the limited notice for the meeting is was hugely pleasing to see how many had made a special effort for the day including many old faces out in memory of the long serving Kent based racer. For the second year running 145 Dave Bradley had a Volvo 740 limo while 153 Martin Charles was a welcome returnee with a series 1 XJ and 141 Gary Lee had a simply stunning looking Mk2 Granada. He wasn’t the only one to impress in the paint department with 639 Tye Williams (Supra), 222 Karl Kelly (240 estate), 34 Paul Beavis (Omega), 88 Jason Anderson (Omega estate) and 94 John Armstrong all excelling and rewarded with top car awards and it was impressive that just seven cars were used, these including a Rover P5 coupe for 924 Matt Millen and Mk1 Triumph 2000 for 384 Liam Conway.

After a parade of drivers and the presentation of the top car trophies, the entire field gathered for heat one and set a cracking tone for the afternoon. 115 Darryl Garrett (740 estate) fenced 101 Ian Norris while 222 Tricky Dicky Jnr came under fire from 746 Tony Jarvis (740 estate) and Williams combined with 148 Dean Jackson (XJ8) to bury Anderson while 141 G Man lunged at and span 383 Shane Harvey (300). G Man continued to blast Charles but was nailed in turn by the recovered Anderson who was hammered in turn by the S Type of 188 John Reeves as 502 Kayligh Dighton (740 estate) opened his account by powering into 358 Lewis Ilsey (740 estate) and he thundered him in to boot as Tricky Dicky Jnr nailed Williams and was hammered by 2 Sean Swinborn (240). 502 the Chief continued to trash Anderson on the pit bend as 271 Dean Goodearl fired 56 Fred Charles (740) into the fence and Conway then piled Martin Charles into 101 Bam Bam who copped the hit in the door but was thankfully ok with Fred Charles arriving for a revenge hit on Conway. 271 Deano then thundered 34 Beaver into the pit bend wreckage to take the lead only to then expire shortly after as 148 Deano ran in welcome returnee 20 Andy Burbridge (300). The recovered Beaver now powered into 746 Ted and span him as 2 Swizz lunged at and span Tricky Dicky Jnr before the Chief delivered a wicked front wheel hit on Ted only to take a stonking shot in turn from Beaver with the reds flying for Ted’s whose harness had undone on impact although Deano was already committed to trashing Beaver to conclude a superb opener. Williams was declared the winner from Beaver and 924 Mr P5 with the Chief the best entertainer.

Impressively 17 returned for heat two and they picked up where they left off with Williams powering into and smashing 115 Flymo into the banking while Tricky Dicky Jnr stuffed Fred Charles with Williams continuing to follow in 145 Muppet which also claimed Tricky Dickey Jnr as Deano found Fred Charles for a head-on. The Chief then buried the recovered Muppet as well as Bam Bam and 259 Dan Poole (Previa) homed in for a big hit on the limo only to take a belting hit himself from 11 James Spriggs (240 estate) who was then fenced by 583 Dan Weeks (Mk2 estate). 259 Big Dan got going and again targeted Muppet, this time with an even harder blitz as Williams renewed with Flymo, administering a head-on, Big Dan then delivering a bruising front wheel hit to the latter against the wall which earned him a disqualification from the race but not a load up. Up front and 20 Baldy attacked 94 Roly but span himself in the process leaving the Chief to end things with a package on 11 Penfold as Roly raced to the win from 583 Weeksy and Swizz, just six finishing and Williams the best entertainer.

Down to a dozen for the title and memorial race which was run to spinner’s special rules but despite the lower field there was no let up in the action. 85 Marc Anderson (740 estate) lunged at and span Big Dan with Tricky Dicky Jnr cracking the latter with a T-bone before 85 Crusher took one himself from Williams and G Man smashed the latter with a head-on as well. 188 Victor then smashed Tricky Dickey Jnr into the lurking Big Dan for a big impact before he turned 383 Chimp into the wall. Crusher was then hammered by a shot from Bam Bam with Williams administering a head-on before 583 Weeksy homed in for a wicked hit on the luckless Crusher, Tricky Dicky Jnr then trashing the 583 Mk2 with a storming before Roly stuffed Baldy into Tricky Dicky Jnr. G Man again punished Crusher before earning load up when he turned round to hit him head-on as Williams arrived to track Tricky Dicky Jnr and Chimp nailed the superbly presented Supra in turn. Swizz meanwhile buried G Man as Baldy piled into the playful Big Dan and was hammered by Chimp with the leading Roly getting caught out in the misery as Bam Bam blasted Big Dan with a big rear wheel hit. Victor came through the mayhem to win from Roly and Swizz, Baldy the only other finisher and Weeksy the best entertainer.

Nine returned for the Accumulator including Ilsey and Ted who had repaired from the opening heat and again they did not disappoint. The former came under immediate fire from Martin Charles as Fred Charles ran in Flymo and was clobbered by Martin Charles which allowed Tricky Dicky Jnr to blast the latter before he was decimated by a storming blitz from Victor which ko’d the 222 pilot on impact and brought the reds out. Thankfully he was shortly out of the car and the race resumed with Swizz blasting Fred Charles as Bam Bam fenced Victor to end the latter’s afternoon. Ted then fired Swizz into the wall to take the lead but was stopped half a lap later by the on opposite Fred Charles with Martin Charles blasting Ted in turn but he brushed it off to ram Fred Charles with a revenge head-on. Bam Bam won from Swizz, these the only to finish and we moved into the DD with everyone who was still running taking part. Flymo limped onto the track and Bam Bam cut across the infield to blitz him and earn his exclusion from the event but he continued to meet Swizz on the nose. The latter continued to also hammer Flymo as Bam Bam zeroed in for a roof bending blitz on Fred Charles. This allowed Ted to break free and he attacked Swizz before the pair enjoyed a hard head-on with Martin Charles also getting free to blast Ted as Bam Bam again weighed in on Flymo before Martin Charles rammed the latter head-on. Swizz then trashed Ted with a hard hit before setting about Martin Charles while also taking the time to smash Bam Bam in the rear wheel. Swizz weighed in for a final hit on Martin Charles but in doing so killed his Volvo and the veteran racer somehow managed to keep his XJ running to claim the win, Swizz compensated with the entertainer award.

Heat one: 639 Tye Williams, 34, 924, 583, 502, 148, 259, 2, 94, 222 Best entertainer: 502 Kayligh Dighton
Heat two: 94 John Armstrong, 583, 2, 20, 153, 639 Best entertainer: Williams
Kent Championship and Dick Tracey Memorial: 188 John Reeves, 94, 2, 20 Best entertainer: 583 Dan Weeks
Accumulator Qualifier: 101 Ian Norris, 2
Destruction Derby: 153 Martin Charles from 2 Best entertainer: 2 Sean Swinborn

The second Masters qualifier of the season raised the lowest Bangerstox entry of the year so far but even so the 50 strong entry was still mightily impressive and still included several on their first outing of the season but it was disappointing that there were eight no shows from the entry list.

The opening heat was an all white grade affair and raised 23 cars with 69 Chloe Pelling and 28 Shane Howland suffering early spins as 23 Shane Spencer blasted round the outside of 82 Gareth Garratt for the lead and 85 Alfie Hover bester 55 Ricki Barnes for third as elsewhere 99 Brad Epps, 27 Dean Thompson, 41 Aaron Club and 60 Nathan Port enjoyed a four abreast scrap with Thompson then clashing with 5 Dan Club as 86 Jason Wood blasted past 103 Paul Foreman on the outside for sixth as Thompson span. Hover now challenged Garratt for second as Wood and Epps raced over sixth before the latter retired. Port earned a two place penalty when he sent 45 Harry Marsh spinning as 76 Olly Kent crashed into the infield banking. Garratt retired from contention as Spencer raced to the win from 37 Liam Club and Hover.

A mixture of yellow, blue and red grade drivers for heat two with 17 cars and 43 Steve tangled with 91 Ben Lawrence out of the blocks, the latter going round but dropping both cars to the rear of the field as 92 Amy Harper setting the pace as 33 John Butcher went round and was collected by 53 Leigh Garratt. 4 Paul Harris moved into second and then pulled away from their nearest rivals as 9 Chris Young clashed with 11 Heather Green costing them both time and 71 George Treeby, 15 Jay Powell and 70 David Leaton battled for sixth. 46 Mark Jackson suffered a spin as 49 William Parrish moved into third and 42 Jake Moat slipped passed Garrett for fourth. Cross had not only recovered well but had charged back up the order, revelling on the freshly watered raceway and he blasted past Harris and Parrish as he climbed to second and he eased passed Harper with a lap and a half to run for an excellent win with Parrish besting Harper on the final bend for second.

Heat three was featured white and yellow grade cars and raised 14 with Aaron Club setting the pace as 100 Howard Belson passed Paul Club for second only then be passed himself by 7 Joe Marsh with Belson clashing with 77 John Kingsley as 78 Bobby Miles rocketed into third leaving 24 Neil Jones, Paul Clubb and 103 Paul Foreman to fight for fourth as Aaron Club clashed with Thompson which gifted Marsh the lead. Belson bested Foreman for sixth as Miles got the better of Aaron Club for second as the race hit half way and Belson was challenged by 21 Jake Moat while there were spins for 13 Tracey Bennett and 35 Lewis Winterbottom. Aaron Club and Miles then clashed in their first for second, the latter clobbering the wall but Club damaged his steering which allowed Miles to regain the place as Marsh raced to the win, Club hanging on for third.

A mix of white and yellow grade drivers again for heat four with 20 cars and Dan Club sent Port spinning into the fence to take the lead early but collect a two place penalty as well as the spun 89 Vicky Dash was collected by Jones and then Harris as Liam Club also picked up a penalty when he sent Harper spinning. Gareth Garratt moved into second but he then dropped down the order as Dan Club was sent spinning by 45 Harry Marsh in the race for the lead which saw the latter also handed a two place penalty and it handed 85 Alfie Hover the lead but Jackson passed him on the inside for the top spot as late incidents saw 39 Ashley Colvin and Spencer collect the spun Marsh as Lawrence span. Jackson took the win from Hover and Wood.

All the grades were represented in the final heat which fielded 14 cars, 13 Mrs B causing a fright when she failed to start but everyone avoided her and she made it to the infield as Miles set the pace while Treeby, Cross and Winterbottom battled over fifth until the latter slid into the wall. Young and 11 Heather Green were battling hard for position but a shove from 15 Powelly on the latter sent them both spinning as the lapped traffic allowed Leigh Garrett to close on Miles up front but he was unable to make a move and Miles won with Kingsley taking third.

19 qualifiers for the final with Kingsley and Liam Club battling over the lead until Jake Moat sent Belson spinning on the home straight and they were collected by Powelly which brought the reds out with all three stranded just past the start line but not in time for Cross and Leaton to avoid crashing heavily into them. Thankfully everyone was ok and the race was restarted with Alfie Hover and Paul Club racing for the lead as Harper passed Kingsley on the inside for fifth as up front Paul Club took the lead with Wood into second and Hover battling Marsh for third with Harper behind as a clash which also involved Kingsley and Liam Club sent Aaron Club spinning. The battle for second now grew between Wood, Marsh, Hover and Harper with Harper battling into third but her challenge for second ended in Wood spinning which proved critical at the end. Harper continued to slip passed Paul Club on the inside for the lead as Leaton battled onto third only to then crash out in a race for second which also starred Paul Club and Marsh, the latter moving passed Club on the inside for second in the final stages which proved vitally important as Harper took the flag but the incident with Wood cost her two places and Marsh inherited the win from Paul Club.

A B Final was again added for the non-qualifiers and was pleasingly supported with 17 cars with 72 Ryan Taylor setting the pace from Dan Club and they quickly pulled away from the race for third between Foreman and Port, the latter soon passing his rival for the place as Nathan and Jake Moat fought over fifth. Club grabbed the lead as 29 Liam Hover span and was collected by Thompson. Club led the race into the second half as 52 Paul Harris raced Treeby for fourth with the latter soon getting the spot while Harris was also passed by 88 Nick Dash as Treeby raced past Port for third and Thompson again span. Club then clashed with Green and span her into the fence earning him a two place penalty but ultimately it had little bearing on the result as he clashed with Colvin and Hover which ended his race and Taylor took the win while Dash passed Treeby in the final stages for second.

Heat one: 23 Shane Spencer, 37, 85, 86, 36, 27, 60, 89, 41, 72
Heat two: 43 Steve Cross, 49, 92, 4, 42, 15, 53, 70, 9, 33
Heat three: 7 Joe Marsh, 78, 41, 24, 36, 100, 21, 27, 103, 35
Heat four: 46 Mark Jackson, 85, 86, 33, 100, 24, 39, 60, 5, 23
Heat five: 78 Bobby Miles, 53, 77, 43, 70, 15, 71, 49, 42, 21
Grand Final: Marsh, 36, 92, 78, 24, 70, 77, 46, 53, 85
B Final: 72 Ryan Taylor, 88, 71, 9, 52, 60, 39, 57, 99, 27
Grade Awards: Marsh (white), Miles (yellow), Cross (blue), 70 David Leaton (red)

The second appearance of the season at Dover for the Ministox raised a healthy field of 12 cars, the sole visitor being 514 Abbie McGuinness who was making her track debut.

342 Freddie Crittenden led heat one away as 349 Lewis Saunders slipped passed 318 Codie Reeves for second and 383 Megan Tutt came under fire from 307 Ryan Martin as 308 Molly Smithson and the rapid 303 Jacob Bromley joined Reeves and Saunders in the race for second with Bromley firing Smithson into Saunders as elsewhere 339 Harry Atkins and Martin lunged at and span McGuinness, the latter recovering to repay the favour on Martin as Bromley challenged and took the lead from Crittenden at half way and 390 Nina Leigh charged at 350 Liam Webster which allowed Reeves and Tutt to pass, Webster responding with a wild attack at Reeves while Leigh continued to do the same to Martin as Atkins took second away from Crittenden and 331 Archie Fryatt lunged at Reeves which in turn put Webster in the wall, Atkins ending the action by spinning McGuinness into the banking as Bromley raced to the win from Atkins and Crittenden.

All 12 again for heat two and again Critteden led the way with Reeves and Smithson engaging in an early battle over third until Atkins lunged at the former to take fourth with Atkins then dumping out Smithson and Saunders to take second before Reeves slid into the fence. Bromley had bested Atkins for second by half way and soon after took the lead but Atkins showed great determination in lunging at Bromley to take the lead, the pair then enjoying an epic battle over the top spot and ultimately a big hit at the end of the penultimate lap not only earned Atkins the spot but such an advantage Bromley could not mount a comeback and he had to settle, the race for third equally competitive and a last bend hit from McGuinness not only secured her the spot from Leigh but also disabled the latter’s car meaning she ultimately finished ninth.

McGuinness sadly failed to start the final and again Crittenden was the pace setter as Saunders span before Martin fired Reeves into the wall and Leigh lunged at the former but collected Saunders in the process. Smithson reeled in Crittenden and showed no hesitation in spinning him for the lead with Reeves holding onto second as the race hit half way but she went wide shortly after and Bromley and Atkins moved through into second and third as Martin fired Webster wide for a place, the latter then spinning his attacker into the fence to earn an immediate disqualification which to his credit he acknowledge and adhered to just as quickly. Bromley then reeled in Smithson and forced his way into the lead with a lap to go and took his second win of the day with Smithson holding off Atkins for second while Martin’s efforts earned him the white grade award.

Heat one: 303 Jacob Bromley, 339, 342, 308, 390, 383, 307, 349, 318, 331
Heat two: 339 Harry Atkins, 303, 514, 308, 342, 331, 349, 350, 390, 383
Grand Final: Bromley, 308, 339, 390, 318, 331, 383, 342, 307

A disappointing drop in Super Rod entries for their second Masters qualifier and for the first time this year it was a single figure entry with all eight cars on track for heat one and 7 Nat Tutt set the pace with 87 Robin Miles quickly into second and then challenging and taking the lead with an outside line pass on Tutt for the lead, 90 Billy Perry following suite for second as 12 Dan Elliott and 85 Jack Miles fought over sixth and 35 Cyndi Bradley and 88 Stacey Reeves challenged Tutt in the race for third with 88 Doris making the move on the outside as Jack Miles finally got the better of Elliott allowing 75 Neil Parker to step up and challenge Elliott for seventh as the race hit half way. Jack Miles continued to take fourth from Tutt with an outside pass as Parker got the better of Elliott and then quickly passed Bradley and Tutt to climb to fifth with a late charge and Elliott best Bradley and Tutt in the final stages to take sixth as Robin Miles raced to the win from 90 Flippa and Doris.

All out for heat two and Parker wasted no time in beating Jack Miles in the early race for seventh as Tutt set the pace but Robin Miles was quickly into second after passing Bradley on the outside and soon challenged for the lead as Flipps challenged Bradley for third. Robin Miles used the outside to pass Tutt for the lead and Flippa did the same to Bradley for third with Doris soon in the mix and she overhauled Flippa and quickly reeled in and passed Tutt for second as Jack Miles continued to challenge Parker for sixth but the former focussed on passing Elliott for sixth with Jack Miles following example shortly after. Doris meanwhile reeled in Robin Miles and they enjoyed an excellent battle and raced into the final bend side by side but the former was able to carry a little more speed out of turn four on the outside and beat Miles in the drag race to the line in a thrilling finish of a superb race and not to be outdone, behind Flippa just held off Parker for third and Elliott just beat Tutt home for sixth.

All full field again for the final but with the grid set by the results of the heats it made for a more processional affair. Doris beat Robin Miles into the first bend and was never trouble and she raced to the win with Robin Miles holding off brother Jack to maintain second throughout the race, the latter sent spinning by Parker in the closing stages which cost the latter two places at the end of the race and Flippa subsequently inherited third.

Heat one: 87 Robin Miles, 90, 88, 85, 75, 12, 7, 35
Heat two: 88 Stacey Reeves, 87, 90, 75, 85, 12, 7, 35
Grand Final: Reeves, 87, 90, 75, 12, 35, 7

A quality afternoon of racing with a superb unlimited banger session proving that once again you don’t need the biggest of fields of unlimiteds to have a top session at the venue, every race having some superb action and hits while the Bangerstox were again most enjoyable with some good racing throughout and some fine racing from the Super Rods and Ministox, their second heats really standing out. The only drawback was the length of the meeting was perhaps half an hour longer than hoped for, the Unlimited Banger parade and wreckage from their heats combined with the need to water the raceway three times during the meeting in spite of the heavy rain earlier in the morning and other smaller delays all adding up at the end of another bumper 17 race programme.