An Interview with National Banger driver 36 Ben Hamilton
(interview published January 13 2015 in the lead up to the National Banger Winter Series Final)

Age: 32
Home Town: Southend
Occupation: Recovery driver
Family: Single
Racing career: First race was at a Non Ford Banger meeting at Arena nine years ago in a Mk2 Golf

You’ve been a keen supporter of the Winter Series meetings in recent years, what is the appeal of these meetings, especially considering they can often feature difficult track and weather conditions?
For me, I just think they are good fun and I find that most of the drivers racing think the same way, everyone is there just to have a laugh and a crash and have some fun. I suppose being the time of year it is there are a few who take the meetings a bit less seriously as well but also when you have a wet meeting most drivers just get stuck in and have fun playing the mud so it’s all a good laugh. It also suits me because the cars are those I enjoy racing. I’ve never raced a Mondeo and have no intention of ever racing one so things like Micro meetings, 1400cc meetings and non Mondeo meetings are the kind of meetings I enjoy the most. I’m no great mechanic and these kind of cars are a bit easier to build and because the three rounds are fairly spread out it’s a little easier to get a car ready each time so it’s ideal for me.

The last round of the series was a first as it marked the first ever Saturday night Winter Series meeting, what did you think of the fixture?
It was great for me personally because it was the first time in a couple of years where I’ve been able to make plans and celebrate New Year’s Eve properly. I went to a house party and went to bed around 4am so it was a great night and I really enjoyed it and it was nice to do that again after a few years of not being able to because I’d been racing the following day and I think that could have been the same for a few drivers because the turnout was pretty impressive and that was even with all the rain we had earlier in the day which much have put a few off coming. I’m sure if the weather had been a little better there would have been even more drivers racing. And I think Saturday nights are best for racing anyway, it’s what we know at Mildenhall and racing at night under the lights always makes for a better atmosphere I think.

You were the only National Banger driver out of nearly 70 at the January 3 meeting who managed to race in four races, how difficult was that and was it harder trying to fix your car in the conditions with the meeting being a night time one?
I never knew that (laughs), I’m really surprised but that is kind of cool really. To be honest we were ok working on the car because I’ve excellent floodlights on my truck so we’re ok working on cars at night and I think a lot of the drivers are the same because most are used to racing at night and therefore fixing their cars at night so they all know what they are a doing which is why the races after the hears still had plenty of cars in them.

Several drivers we have interviewed about the series have spoke of a different kind of atmosphere at the Winter Series meetings, saying it seems more laid back and fun orientated, is that something you would agree with?
No, but that’s only because I always find the meetings at Mildenhall to be like that. I always find the other drivers to be really friendly and everyone to be out for a crash and enjoying themselves and the winter meetings are no different, except sometimes we get a bit wetter but then that is part of the fun sometimes.

You are not in contention for the Winter Series title, so what are your intentions on January at the series final?
Just the same as usual for me, to have a good crash and take home a wrecked car (laughs). I know I’m far from the best driver but it’s never been about that for me, I just enjoy smashing cars up and that’s what I love about the sport. I’ve a Cavalier for this meeting and it’s not the most solid car I’ve ever raced but it’s all I have that is suitable really but it also might be ideal for a winter meeting really, either way I’m sure I’ll bring it home wrecked and that’s all that matters.

You also took part in the record breaking Micro Banger Brian Pfender Memorial meeting, what was that like?
I had a really bad day so that spoiled it a little for me but what I managed to see of the racing looked really, really good and most people seemed to really enjoy the day. Sure it was a long meeting but with that many cars I think it was always going to be and there is definitely something special racing a meeting as big as that, it’s the same with the Good Friday team meeting which is another meeting I love. Whenever the pits are that busy it’s always a big buzz, just knowing you are taking part at a meeting with so many other drivers and when there are loads and loads of cars you usually get plenty of people watching as well which is great too.

Speaking of Good Friday, are you planning on doing that meeting again this year?
Absolutely, I should be racing with Thattadoo again and I can’t wait, it’s such a good meeting especially because you get a lot of drivers and teams who you don’t see any other time of the year at Mildenhall so it’s fantastic having so many different drivers racing and most of the people there are only interested in crashing as well so it’s always a great day, I’m looking forward to that one.

Continuing with the theme of the coming season, have you any plans for 2015?
I was a little disappointed with last year because for one reason or another I couldn’t do quite as many meetings as I would have liked so I’m hoping to make up for that this year by doing as many as I can and I’m hoping to do a bit more besides just race at Mildenhall. I’d like to go back to Dover and Standlake as I’ve not been there for a couple of years and really enjoyed it when I’ve visited there before so I’d like to go back and I’d also like to try and visit some new places if I can. As for Mildenhall, I want to do as many meetings as I can really, even the National (Mondeo) meetings, I don’t race Mondeos but the great thing about a track like Mildenhall is you can race other stuff against Mondeos which you wouldn’t be able to do elsewhere so I’m hoping to do that. And I also want to try and do some more unlimited meetings as I’ve not done much of those lately and again I enjoy them when I do so hopefully I’ll get to some more of than and I’m looking forward to the unlimited van meeting at Mildenhall as well. That’s another meeting I always enjoy and that was just brilliant last year so hopefully this time will be even better.

Is there anyone else you would like to thank or mention?
Dale in particular for getting me into the sport and everything he does to help me with my cars, Big Ears for everything he does to help me, my dad for letting me use his garage, all my family for their support and everyone else whose ever helped out over the years I’ve been racing.