Dover Raceway
Sunday July 31 2016
Rookie Bangers, Bangerstox, Super Rods and Ministox

The first regulation Rookie Banger fixture of the season at Dover raised a most respectable field of 43 cars on July 31, an entry made all the more impressive given the fixture was an addition to the original fixture list.

The decision to run an all in format meant for a bumper field of 42 cars in heat one which was a very lively affair and a manic start saw 270 Mark Hutton fence 200 Ash Grieson as a massive pile-up engulfed the pit bend in which 141 Gary Lee hit 731 Callum Anderson on the nose and 88 Jayden Anderson met 696 Steve Dadswel in similar fashion while Hutton was buried by 197 Shane Spencer and 312 Jodie Cheeseman powered into and fenced 73 Karl Taylor which helped cause a pile-up on the bottom bend. 2 Sean Swinborn span 188 John Reeves into the infield banking and 63 Shane Bullen span 206 Neil Boden into the wall as 8 Sean Cooper added 103 Paul Foreman to the pit bend wreckage while Jayden Anderson cracked 197 Shane Spencer in the rear wheel and Chapman span 144 Jordan Godfrey into the infield banking. 92 George Drake stuffed 141 G Man as 199 Darren Mouse fenced 218 Shane Sandy and Cooper scored on G Man only to take one in turn from 734 as 587 Alex Humphrey added Mouser to the growing mess on the pit bend. 94 John Armstrong stuffed Chapman as G Man landed a revenge hit on Cooper while 60 Nathan Port turned 4 Harvey Cowhill into the wall. 587 Humps now buried 165 Charlie Barwell with Mouser climbing up the side of the latter and tipping onto his side to bring the reds out and the race to an early conclusion with 101 Ian Norris the winner from Humps and 188 Victor.

Impressively 34 returned for heat two which was just as lively, 536 Harry Barwell setting things going with a head-on to the spun Port as Cheeseman span G Man into the banking and another big pile-up formed early doors, this time on the bottom bend with Charlie Barwell adding 12 Dan Elliott to the mess as 2 Swizz attacked 697 Chris Reeves and 101 Bam Bam smashed Drake into the infield banking before 206 Mr Bling piled Cooper into the wreckage on the bottom bend. Jayden Anderson met Reeves on the nose as Victor dumped Humps into the heap and 94 Rolly stuffed 72 Dean Worriner into Reeves before Mouser hammered 144 Bungle and G Man assaulted 26 Dom Boden. Bam Bam then stuffed Dadswell into Mouser and continued to stuff Charlie Barwell into the growing heap on the bottom bend while Mouser again pounded Bungle as Victor took the win and celebrated with a shot on 68, Bam Bam and 349 Lee Saunders the placemen.

A drop to 23 cars for the final and another first bend push, in which 349 Finbarr buried Sandy, resulted in another pile-up as the battered Bungle took more punishment from Foreman while the luckless Sandy was dumped into the pit bend wreckage by Mr Bling and 63 Shane Bullen then stuffed both Cowell and 22 Curtis Spriggs before Jayden Anderson buried 88 Nick Dash into the heap. Bam Bam fired into Finbarr which turn put away the recovered Cowell and Sandy as 3 George Forbes met 68 on the nose while Mr Bling laid into Bungle and Spriggs was piled into the banking by Bullen with Bam Bam collecting the latter which allowed Victor to nail him and this handed the lead to Victor. Elliot also attacked the determined Bungle as Bullen turned Grieson into the fence and the recovered Victor fired Finbarr into the wall to take the lead, Humps then spinning Finbarr into a dead car to take second and Victor raced to the win from Humps with Bam Bam third.

Some impressive work in the pits saw 21 return for the Allcomers with Dash zeroing in for a hit on Elliot which span the later as Rolly hammered Boden and another pit bend pile-up formed in which Cooper was hammered by hits from Mr Bling and Boden, the latter then nailed by Foreman. Bullen span Victor into the infield banking as Mr Bling now rammed Cooper head-on and continued for a shot on Foreman which left him open to a package from Elliott with Bullen then stuffing Humps into the latter. Humps picked himself up but was again buried into Elliott, this time by Mouser as Victor hammered Callum Anderson before Mouser weighed in on the limping Dadswell and was wrecked in turn by a hit from Forbes who was nailed himself by Cowell as Bam Bam came through for his second win from Victor and Anderson, just six finishing.

Heat One: 101 Ian Norris, 587, 188, 349, 218, 2, 88, 63, 197, 8
Heat Two: 188 John Reeves, 101, 349, 197, 63, 12, 587, 118, 199
Grand Final: Reeves, 587, 101, 63, 12, 536, 731, 218, 8
Allcomers: Norris, 188, 731, 63, 218, 4

Despite being the smallest entry of Bangerstox so far this season, the 43 strong field was far from a disappointing entry although it was a little disappointing that there were five no shows among the entry, these more than replaced by eight extras on the day with credit to 88 Nick Dash and 60 Nathan Port who also raised in the Rookie Bangers.

16 cars for heat one with Port setting the pace as 48 Mitchel Saunders and 29 Liam Hover both slipped past 21 Nathan Moat while 99 Brad Epps slid into the fence and was collected by 85 Alfie Hover before the recovered Liam Hover sent 62 Phil Cook spinning, earning him a penalty, the latter collected by Saunders as 41 Aaron Clubb moved into the lead and 15 Jay Powell retired with busted steering. Clubb then suddenly slowed and Port and 14 Callum Merryweather leap frogged him with these two traded the lead a couple of times just before the race hit half way with Moat then dropping off the pace and out of contention. The recovered Clubb moved Merryweather wide for the lead with five to run but 49 William Parrish was on the move and shoved Merryweather and ort wide for second and then eased into the lead with four to run and continued for the win, Clubb was second and a late charge earned 70 David Leaton third with Port just beating Alfie Hover home for fourth.

A couple more for heat two with 59 Adam Port easing past Saunders for the early lead as 7 Joe Marsh earned a penalty when he sent 170 Travis Parker and 52 Justin Harris spinning and they were collected by 27 Dean Thompson. Newcomer 64 Jake Clubb now raced into the lead and 45 Harry Marsh jumped 13 Tracey Gilbert for second when she switched lanes to avoid the recovering Parker. Joe Marsh then span and was hit by 43 Steve Cross while 383 Shane Harvey went round and sent 9 Chris Young around as he tried to recover which would earn him a penalty. There were further spins for 37 Liam Clubb and 39 Ashley Colvin as Parker became the next to earn a penalty when he sent Thompson around. 383 Chimp span again and was collected by 13 Mrs B as Jake Clubb started to struggle in the final stages and Cross just beat him to the line to snatch the victory with Harry Marsh third.

A smaller field of 13 for heat three with 58 Owen Charles registering a flawless flag to flag win, taking the flag by a comfortable distance come the end. Meanwhile there was much to enjoy behind with 20 Andy Burbridge eventually claiming second after a very hard fought battle with numerous drivers who challenged him, and some who at one point took the place including 15 Powelly but he was ultimately distracted by a fight with 46 Mark Jackson which allowed 20 Baldy to edge away for second with Powelly getting the better of Jackson for third.

17 cars for heat four with Moat earning an immediate penalty when he sent Adam Port spinning, the latter collected by Cook as 17 Guy Payne battled and took the lead from Merryweather with Mrs B climbing to third as further down Dash blasted past Liam Hover as he raced into the top six and then he moved past Harry Marsh for fifth as Colvin jumped past 4 Paul Harris and Hover to gain two spots with Leaton then blasting round the outside of Dash to rocket into fifth. Mrs B meanwhile took the lead from Payne with two to run and raced to the win with Leaton again in third.

14 for the last heat with Charles setting the pace again as 20 Baldy shoved Parker wide for fourth and Jake Clubb bested Charles for the lead on lap two but Charles came back to regain the place while Justin Harris sent Jackson around, the latter retaliating in similar fashion to earn them both penalties. Young moved Thompson wide to climb to seventh as Baldy, Clubb and Joe Marsh fought for second, the latter shoving Baldy wide to take the spot as the race reached half way, Baldy then clouting the wall as he tried to make up ground as Marsh reeled in and took the lead from Charles and that was how they stayed with Cross just holding Young at bay for third while 69 Chloe Pelling earned a penalty when she sent Chimp spinning.

23 qualifiers gathered for the final with Payne and Moat squabbling for the lead from the green as Baldy and Jake Clubb suffered spins, the latter then retiring along with Saunders as Mrs B hit the fence and Cross went round forcing Harry Marsh and Liam Hover onto the infield. Aaron Clubb raced into third with Charles in fourth as Dash suffered a spin and Joe Marsh moved into fifth ahead of Parrish and Leaton and Hover collected the stricken Dash. Moat then clashed with Harry Marsh which allowed Payne to close and he tried to shove Moat wide which in turn sent Harry Marsh spinning as Leaton span from contention. The race hit half way with Moat, Payne, Charles and Aaron Clubb locked in the fight for the lead before the former slowed suddenly and Payne inherited the lead. Further back and Young and Powelly blasted either side of Joe Marsh to relegate him two places but the latter fought back to get in front with 53 Leigh Garratt and Parrish joining them in their scrap which ended dramatically as Marsh was rattled sideways and crashed over the infield banking, nearly rolling in spectacular fashion but clouting the wall and the reds were thrown to check on the driver with the result declared as a win for Payne from Charles and Aaron Clubb.

Heat One: 49 William Parrish, 41, 70, 60, 85, 78, 14, 100, 17, 99
Heat Two: 43 Steve Cross, 64, 45, 9, 53, 48, 31, 7, 4, 52
Heat Three: 58 Owen Charles, 20, 15, 46, 91, 92, 41, 5, 78, 74
Heat Four: 13 Tracey Gilbert, 17, 70, 88, 21, 14, 39, 53, 31, 45
Heat Five: 7 Joe Marsh, 58, 43, 9, 20, 74, 64, 92, 170, 383
Grand Final: 17 Guy Payne, 58, 41, 21, 9, 15, 53, 49, 78, 70
Grade Awards: Charles (white), Parrish (yellow), Cross (blue), 9 Chris Young (red)

The Super Rod entries slipped back into single figures with nine cars on hand and 35 Cyndi Bradley and 7 Natt Tutt battled for the lead at the start of heat one before the latter broke away as 87 Robin Miles passed 90 Billy Perry and then Tutt on the outside to climb to second and he reeled in Bradley and performed a similar overtake to take the lead just before the race hit half way. Perry bested Tutt for third and the latter was soon passed as well by 88 Stacey Reeves as 85 Jack Miles hit the wall on turn four to end his afternoon leaving Tutt, 86 Jason Wood and 75 Neil Parker to fight over fifth, a battle ultimately won by the latter as Perry made a late pass on Bradley to take third with Robin Miles winning from 88 Doris.

Eight cars for heat two and Robin Miles made the first move, passing Perry on the outside for third before stepping up to challenge Tutt for the lead while Bradley and Perry raced for third. Parker used the outside as well in order to pass Wood and Doris did the same to take fourth from Bradley as Miles moved into the lead Bradley expired which would end her afternoon. Doris continued on the outside to pass Perry and Tutt to climb to second as Parker waited patiently behind the battle between Tutt and Perry for third and when they separated he nipped up the inside of Perry and round the outside of Tutt to take the spot, Perry’s afternoon ending when he slammed into the wall exiting turn four wrecking his steering as Miles raced to the win from Doris and Parker and Tutt held off Wood for fourth.

Just six for the final and Robin Miles beat Doris for the early lead before the latter expired to hammer her points championship campaign. Parker moved into second and enjoyed a superb battle with Miles for the top spot, the pair racing side by side for many laps but Miles kept his cool and didn’t make a mistake and managed to hold off Parker for a hard fought win while behind 30 Wayne Powell worked passed Wood and Tutt to claim third.

Heat One: 87 Robin Miles, 88, 90, 35, 75, 7, 86, 30
Heat Two: Miles, 88, 75, 7, 86, 30
Grand Final: Miles, 75, 30, 86, 7

Nine Ministox gathered for their final appearance of the season at Dover with 308 Molly Smithson wasting no time in moving 349 Lewis Saunders wide for third place in heat one before 303 Jacob Bromley fired 339 Harry Atkins into 331 Archie Fryatt and Smithson now moved 318 Codie Reeves wide for second as Bromley and Atkins helped bundle 383 Megan Tutt into the wall. The latter recovered but came under fire from Smithson which in turn delayed Reeves and allowed Saunders to pass the latter but she came back to pass him a lap or so later with Bromley on her tail and he duly dumped her out for the position. Bromley then eased passed Smithson who fought back again the Kent Open winner but it allowed Atkins to move her aside for third. All the while 342 Freddie Crittenden had led the way and despite being delayed by the recovering Reeves on the final lap he made it home for his elusive maiden win with Bromley and Atkins next.

All nine again for heat two and Smithson moved Reeves wide to take the lead as Atkins dumped out Tutt and Crittenden and Saunders tangled costing them time. Bromley meanwhile had rocketed into second as Atkins slipped passed Fryatt to move into third and with two to run Bromley span aside Smithson for the lead and raced to the win. Reeves inherited second and claimed her maiden podium finish with Atkins again in third.

A full grid again for the final with Reeves slipping up the inside of Saunders for the lead while Crittenden attacked Smithson which allowed Bromley to move into third but by this point Reeves and Saunders were clear at the front. 514 Abbie McGuinness bested Crittenden for fourth and Fryatt wrestled eighth away from Tutt while a big lunge saw Atkins take sixth away from Smithson but at the front Reeves did not put a wheel out of place and motored to her maiden win, Saunders taking his first podium in second and Bromley third, Tutt’s efforts earning her the grade award.

Heat One: 342 Freddie Crittenden, 303, 339, 308, 514, 331, 318, 383
Heat Two: 303 Jacob Bromley, 318, 339, 342, 514, 331, 308, 383
Grand Final: 318 Codie Reeves, 349, 303, 514, 342, 339, 308, 331, 383

Yet another very enjoyable afternoon of racing at Dover Raceway, the decision to run the Rookie Bangers ‘all in’ more than vindicated with a very action packed session with all the racing sufficiently subscribed, the Bangerstox were again most enjoyable, the format having a few less cars in the heats maybe helping this a little while despite the modest grids the Super Rods and Ministox again produced some fine racing.