Mildenhall Stadium Saturday July 3 2010
Unlimited Bangers Suffolk Open Championship and Ministox Suffolk Open Championship

MENTAL METAL
17 Kyle Overy Cadillac Fleetwood limo
33! Simon Reed Austin 3Litre
46 Wayne Pecker Daimler DS420 limo
67 Mark Whittaker Ford LTD estate
67 Rickie Beasley Ford Granada hearse Mk3
90 Joe Harboard Ford Granada limo Mk3
120 Steve Anderson Rover P5*
125 Roy Preece Ford Galaxie 500 fastback
152 Jim Dillon Austin A135 Princess limo
168 Calyn Girling Rover P5 coupe
170 Darren Teal Ford Granada Mk1*
207 Darren Bradford Datsun 300C
209 Ben Hayward Rover P5
210 Steve Hayward Rover P5 coupe
266 Callum Hall Lincoln Contintal*
275 Joe Morgan Rover P5
282 Bobby Daniel Ford Granada limo Mk3
303 Brian Cope Plymouth Signet 200
311 Lee Bradbury Daimler DS420 limo
320 Darryl Wall Ford Granada limo Mk2
362 Matt Godden Wolseley 6/110
384 John Golden Toyota Crown*
395 Joe Donworth Wolseley 6/110
425 Martin Stopher Pontiac Firebird*
474 Matt Threlkeld Chrysler Imperial
476 Rosco Coleman Austin 3Litre
508 Harry Bradbury Jaguar 420
538 Jake Swan Ford Granada hearse Mk2
830 Lee White Rover P5*
*=used car

The 2010 staging of the unlimited banger Suffolk Open raised a strong, albeit well down on previous years, field of just under 90 cars with travellers from the west country and Scotland once again in attendance. That lack of cars was compensated by the quality of machinery and there was also some awesome paint work on display. Topping the bill was 474 Matty’s epic Chrysler from 1951, closely followed by 152 Mr Grumpy’s A135 limo while the Yanks of 125 Roy Preece and 303 Copey. On top of the tin listed in the Mental Metal section with an outbreak of Lexus’ with examples from 134 Scott Hanby, 196 Ben Harrison and 360 Jack Reynolds, 196 Ginner’s being a unusual GS300 version while 273 Kevin McClagish returned a Supra and 336 Nigel White and 617 Jack Overy also turned some heads with Series 1 XJs. All cars are Volvos unless otherwise stated.

Following the traditional grand parade, 25 cars assembled for the opening heat with 538 Swanny Jnr the first to show as he run in 701 Ryan Atkins’ XJ40 as on the back straight 328 Daniel Latham (240 estate) into the spun 170 Darren Teal, Latham recovering only for 90 Joe Ninety to fire into him, the latter then taking a big lunge at Swanny Jnr only to fence himself in the process as Teal gave 476 Rosco Coleman a hard T-bone on the back straight before 169 James Rushton (240 estate) weighed in for a big shot on the wide Joe Ninety. 120 Tufty attacked the fleeing Rushton as 282 Mr Mad hit the spun 587 Alex Humphrey (240) while the recovered Coleman blotted his copybook by jacking the empty Westy of 362 Matt Godden which had broken down on the rolling lap. Mr Mad assaulted 27 Terry King (Mk2 Granada estate) with the race turning quiet for the final laps as 148 Ian Redden (240 estate) motored from the back from the win from 22 Dave Vincent (Mk2 Granada estate) and 267 Martin French (740), Joe Ninety named the best entertainer.

Up to 30 for the second heat which was a marked improvement. A lively start saw 266 Odd Job burying 19 Joe Mullarkey (740 estate), Matty blasting the former in turn to also claim 152 Mr Grumpy and form an early pile-up. 598 John Mills (240 estate) stuffed the well smart Mk2 Granada of 158 Mark Morgan and 132 Rob James (240 estate). 837 Martin Wesby (Mk2 Granada estate) leaned 76 Ryan Scott’s immaculate Mk2 Granada in hard by the start line and 97 Dave Allen (XJ) nailed the latter hard as Mullarkey delivered a shot on Matty’s awesome Yank. This left the former open for a head-on from 830 Stretch as 998 Wayne Cotterill Jnr (XJ) blasted the luckless 158 Mad Mark. 303 Wayne Linsdale (XJ) connected with a T-bone on 425 Mr Vauxhall’s cool Firebird. 209 Minge homed in for a head-on to 579 Gary Beecham (Mk3 Granada estate) before enjoying one of the same with 134 Toady. Mr Grumpy then powered his rated A135 into Minge only to take an equally hard hit from 508 Led Head’s vintage Jaguar before 67 Sparky used his LTD to blast Toady. 79 Ricky Twell (240 estate) fenced 598 Millsy before Mr Grumpy was mauled by 925 Aaron Preece (240 estate) and 277 Des Owen. Millsy powered into Owen and Sparky crashed into the latter pair, Sparky carrying on to follow-in Stretch. 97 Alge meanwhile reeled in Owen and dumped him into Minge before Sparky blasted Wesby hard. 273 Mad Mouse now assaulted 207 Darren Bradford which allowed Overy to blast his long running Gypsy Crew rival as Sparky turned round to attack the leading 673 Darren Fendley (740), the latter surviving this and a much harder hit from the World Cup champ on the last bend to take the win from Overy and Alge, Sparky taking the entertaining award this time.

With a handful of cars not making it out it was a slightly smaller field of 26 cars for the third heat. 384 Goldie set the ball rolling by burying 275 Rusty’s smart P5 which allowed 46 Pecker to stuff the former while 278 Tom Hills dished out a roof bending hit on 210 John Ellison in an all Mk2 Granada affair. 17 the Little Chief then blasted the spun 265 Stewart Foster (240 estate) as the lively 278 Sex Pest stuffed 303 Wayne Linsdale (XJ) into the spun Ginner. 67 Sonny Black then bundled 70 Ant Long (240 estate) into the stricken motor of 114 Adam Jackson (240 estate) as 395 the West Howe Warrior used his stunning Westy buried 325 Craig Preece (240 estate) before 311 Helm powered his stunning DS420 into the latter. The leading Sonny Black was stuffed by 119 Davey Cox (240 estate) which allowed 265 Disco Stu to home in for a shot over the rear wheel of the latter. Helm continued to follow in 508 Led Head as Long blasted the spun Pecker with a T-bone. The lively Helm fenced Disco Stu as 360 Jackstar lunged at and buried Ginner. Sonny Black recovered well to take the win from 237 Gary Nash (240 estate) and Jackstar. The race ended in epic fashion as Long gave Disco Stu a storming hit on the road bend with Helm then picking up Jackstar and thundering him into the former before 262 Jason Barnard (240 estate) treated Sex Pest to wicked head-on by the pit gate. Helm was named the best entertainer.

26 returned for the consolation and it started in manic fashion. 132 Bubbles attacked Matty from the off as Swanny Jnr stuffed the Little Chief into the concrete blocks which also claimed Mullarkey as Mad Mark was leaned into the fence hard by 382 Jack Foster Jnr (240 estate) which allowed Mr Vauxhall to administer a thumping T-bone to the Mob man. This triggered a pile-up on the home straight as 286 Kev Ling (740 estate) blasted 217 Dave Truman with Millsy picking up and following the latter in on the pit bend which also claimed 286 Limgo. Joe Ninety blasted the luckless Truman as 60 Kyle Stevenson (240 estate) blasted Millsy hard and buried the Cowboy to boot. Atkinson then wasted Mad Mark with an almighty hit as 60 Shakey Jnr stuffed Latham while 837 Pete Nash (Mk2 Granada) gave Joe Ninety a stiff hit. The reds then came out for Mad Mark who was eventually able to climb from his wreck and walk away. Just 11 for the restart but they still entertained, Mullarkey starting by burying 383 Matt Friess (Mk2 Granada estate) into the spun Linsdale with Swanny Jnr blasting the former in turn. Truman then nailed Mullarkey with a head-on which saw them spill onto the centre as Swanny Jnr rattled 310 Chas Lee (XJ40) into the fence on the top bend. Cotty Jnr turned round to trade blows with Truman as Mullarkey rejoined to trash the reversing Swanny Jnr with a wicked hit. 587 Humps meanwhile held off Bradford for the win, 511 Helen Licquorice (Mk3 Granada estate) third and Linsdale the only other finisher while Swanny Jnr was named the best entertainer.

24 qualifiers made it out for the final with 160 Perry Willings using his immaculate XJ to fence Helm while 33! The Legend did the same to Licquorice while 79 Twelly buried 237 Nasha. Up front 267 Frenchy removed 27 Terry King (Mk2 Granada estate) for the lead while 160 Pez leant a hand to Tufty into fencing the Omega of 898 Andy Battle. Sonny Black then fenced Twelly which allowed 384 Goldie to hammer the lone Predator as Humps put away the Legend which allowed Frenchy to nail the WI man. Nasha then rammed Humps on opposite as Sonny Black used his rapid hearse to fence Linsdale before Vincent eased past Frenchy to take the lead and he duly removed Pez. Sonny Black now hammered Battle as Overy turned round to T-bone Mad Mouse hard, Alge and Overy again piling into the latter which brought the reds out for the shaken Mouse with Vincent declared the winner from Frenchy and Sparky’s insanely quick Yank, Sonny Black named the best entertainer.

With the lower than usual entry, combined with sufficient time the decision was made to run the Accumulator qualifier and DD as separate events. A fine field of 35 cars for the former event which produced the best action of the night. 700 Tony Cartwright (Mk2 Granada estate) buried Odd Job which saw them collected by Licquorice, the Legend then blasting the latter as Aaron Preece joined up with Teal to bury 210 Slim. 262 the Verger then blasted Aaron Preece and duly took one from Goldie as Led Head stuffed Battle, the latter then getting blasted by Mr Mad which in turn claimed Millsy. Disco Stu homed in for a big hit on the Cowboy as Pecker dished out a head-on to Led Head, the latter bouncing back to meet Sex Pest in a head-on, which was delivered from the inside out. The luckless Sex Pest then copped a package from the Little Chief who was nailed in turn by Ginner and Licquorice blasted him in turn. 702 James Dodge (240 estate) weighed in on Sparky and he was nailed hard by 148 Shorty as the pile-up grew by the start line. Linsdale nailed Goldie with Team Black revenge administered by 312 Tom Reynolds (240 estate) and Jackstar gave Aaron Preece a wicked hit. Shakey Jnr now weighed in hard on Sparky which left the track completely blocked. The West Howe Warrior turned round and blast Shakey Jnr with Battle following in to blast the Westy and he took a portion from 312 Turbo in turn. 702 Jimbo treated the luckless Aaron Preece to a savage T-bone before Pecker hammered 321 Andy Newton (240 estate). The impressive Jackstar blasted Licquorice as Mr Mad hit Shakey Jnr on opposite. Sonny Black now hammered Teal with Jimbo laying into the hearse in turn. Battle hit Pecker on opposite as Jimbo continued to entertain with a shot on the Legend. Mr Mad now went head to head with Sparky and Jimbo connected with a T-bone Battle as Newton also turned round to assault Mr Mad. The Little Chief now blew up Latham with a pair of hits before Millsy treated Pecker to a T-bone with Jackstar continuing his rampage with a shot on the Cowboy. Jimbo trashed Sex Pest with a hard hit before the former T-boned Millsy. Slim turned round and destroyed Teal with a hard hit as Sparky hit Newton on the nose, 312 Turbo then blasting the latter. The Legend then turned round to T-bone Sonny Black before he rammed Sparky on the nose only to come under fire from Mr Mad. Turbo also weighed into the Legend as Linsdale picked out for a head-on. Sonny Black took hits from Jimbo and Jackstar, Jimbo then meeting Linsdale on the nose. The reds then came out under the belief that a driver was in trouble but this proved to be a false alarm, Goldie taking the win with Jackstar named the best entertainer in a quite stunning crash fest.

Despite the carnage of before, a fine field of 20 returned for the demo. 837 Mr Happy began by blasted Latham hard as Disco Stu scored on Bradford as Pecker connected with a hard T-bone on the Little Chief. The Verger blasted Long superbly to start a wrecking train with Licquorice blasting the former only to be trashed by Jimbo who took a big package from Bradford. Rusty weighed in hard on Pecker as Shakey Jnr came against the flow to destroy Latham with a savage shot. Disco Stu laid into Humps with a shot over the rear wheel as Overy hit Teal. Jackstar laid in hard with a big hit on Disco Stu only to take a package in turn from Bradford. Shakey Jnr laid into Rusty as Goldie hammered Bradford, Shakey Jnr also scoring on the latter only to take one in turn from Disco Stu. Overy blew up the Team Extreme man with a savage hit as Mr Happy hit Shakey Jnr head-on. The Little Chief hit Teal on opposite as Alge trashed Mr Happy with a roof bending hit and Overy again blasted Disco Stu hard. Shakey Jnr then leathered Jimbo and he was nailed in turn by Goldie. Shakey Jnr was finished by hits from Bradford, Overy and Alge which left the Team Black pilots to settle it. Overy started with a hard hit on Bradford, The latter then took a run of punishing hits from Goldie and Alge. Bradford hit back with head-ons to Goldie and Overy with Alge then blasting Goldie. Bradford also blasted Goldie as Alge hammered the Little Chief’s limping Fleetwood before he blasted Goldie which only served to finish his XJ leaving Bradford to seal the win with a couple of a couple of Goldie. Shakey Jnr was named best entertainer this time while Jackstar took the most devastating driver of the night award and Latham was named hardest trier.

Heat one: 148 Ian Redden, 22, 267, 898, 53, 120, 33, 27, 168, 587 Best entertainer: 90 Joe Harboard
Heat two: 673 Darren Fendley, 617, 97, 273, 277, 67, 79 Best entertainer: 67 Mark Whittaker
Heat three: 67 Rickie Beasley, 237, 360, 160, 384, 196, 311, 278, 262, 70 Best entertainer: 311 Lee Bradbury
Consolation: 587 Alex Humphrey, 207, 511, 303 Best entertainer: 538 Jake Swan
Suffolk Open Championship: 22 Dave Vincent, 267, 67, 97, 898, 33, 384, 53, 27, 196 Best entertainer: 67 Mark Whittaker
Accumulator Qualifier: 384 John Golden Best entertainer: 360 Jack Reynolds
Destruction Derby: 207 Darren Bradford from 384 Best entertainer: 60 Kyle Stevenson
Most Devastating Driver: 360 Jack Reynolds
Hardest Trier: 328 Daniel Latham

The 2010 staging of the Ministox Suffolk Open Championship saw 23 of the 27 invited drivers gather for battle, the entire field being RDC registered although a couple did race under numbers from other promotions.

The title race was first and the entire field contested what would be a cracking race. 309 Ray Petty fired the first shot as he hit 166 Matt Noughton while 382 Tom Foster crashed out with an early spin and 316 Sam Dace became an early retirement. 362 Andrew Milner set the pace as 340 Shaun Cohn stuck the bumper in on 320 Charley Streeton and Petty now attacked 315 Triston Clayton. Dace rejoined only to find the wall along with 390 Karl Morris on the road bend as Milner continued to lead from Cohn, Streeton, 349 Todd Payne and 391 Jake Banwell. 344 Ross Fisher was the next to spin as in the race for second Cohn span Payne relegating the latter to seventh. Payne swiftly recovered and squeezed Morris into the wall as Noughton had 355 Sid Magewick around. 300 Casey Englestone then earned a black flag when he fenced 383 Shane Harvey on the pit bend before sending the latter spinning as up front 376 Stephen Hackett moved into third with Banwell and Payne next. Englestone was leaned into the wall by 356 George Boult Jnr and 392 Reid Murray had Fisher out. At half way Milner still led with Hackett now second ahead of Payne, the recovered Morris, Clayton, Cohn, Banwell, Magewick and Boult Jnr. Hackett then reeled in and span Milner for the top spot with Clayton now elevating himself to third only to lose time when he came under attack from the recovered Milner. More drama followed as some debris appeared on turn four which was struck by 328 Craig Banwell and the leading Payne but the latter survived with Clayton now into third. A big push further behind saw 352 Connor Spall fence Cohn and Noughton as Clayton used the bumper to move Hackett wide for second. But there was no catching Payne who took the win, the closing Clayton having to settle for second. Magewick and Petty got the better of Clayton in the final laps for the remaining podium spots and Boult Jnr span Jake Banwell in the battle for sixth.

Down to 20 cars for the first Allcomers with 552 Georgie Lee attacking Milner early on as Payne ran head-on into the spun Harvey. Lee finally had Milner around but by now Streeton had taken the lead as the luckless Foster was removed by Jake Banwell. Payne was then spun and subsequently collected by Noughton as 306 Daniel Parker removed Magewick and he was hit by Milner. Craig Banwell collected the stricken Harvey on the pit bend as Morris raced into the lead from Lee and Fox as behind Petty tangled with Cohn and Noughton spun Foster who was hit by Lee. This caused the traffic to try and avoid the latter two and as a result Payne and Morris ran heavily into the still stationary Harvey which brought the reds out to assist the latter. Lee was declared the winner with Fox and Petty next home.

Two less for the second Allcomers and Hackett had Fisher out early on leaving Morris to set the pace until he was spun by Streeton which handed control to Lee. Clayton fired into Englestone as Morris recovered only to again be removed by Streeton and elsewhere Dace went around and was clobbered by Payne. Hackett span Clayton and Fox stuck the bumper in on Petty as Lee raced to the flag. However having failed to start at the back of his grade he was dropped two places and Foster took the win from Boult Jnr. In a photo finish Magewick beat Fox on the line for fifth.

An added third Allcomers saw 17 cars make it back out once again with Harvey under early attack from Payne as Streeton enjoyed another spell at the front. Fox removed Jake Banwell as Lee sent Streeton spinning to take the lead with Murray and Fox in chase. Magewick gave Englestone a hit as Boult Jnr span Petty into the blocks but again Lee was clear and took his second win of the night from Murray. Meanwhile a close battle for third saw Boult Jnr just beat Clayton and Fox for the final podium spot.

Suffolk Open Championship: 349 Todd Payne, 315, 355, 309, 376, 356, 391, 328, 306, 322
Allcomers One: 552 Georgie Lee, 322, 309, 352, 306, 344, 376, 356, 340, 320
Allcomers Two: 382 Tom Foster, 356, 552, 309, 355, 322, 306, 320, 352, 300
Allcomers Three: Lee, 392, 356, 315, 322, 306, 355, 376, 352, 166

While the unlimited bangers didn’t measure up to previous Suffolk Opens this was still a fine session for the big cars with the final two events in particular serving up some rated action for the mightily impressive crowd which also got to enjoy some of the best cars to ever grace the Suffolk shale. Furthermore the young guns in the Ministox gave a great account of themselves, their title race in particular being a cracker.

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