Mildenhall Stadium Saturday May 7 2016
National Bangers British QF, Saloon Stockcars, Stoxkarts and Junior Stoxkarts

A shade over 50 National Bangers gathered for the final British Championship qualifier, the field more than swelled by a double figure entry of Kent based RDC drivers with a surprising amount of drivers on their first outings of the year at Mildenhall in what was a largely RDC based entry, just a couple of visitors, mostly from TSR but Spedeworth was also represented and it was good to see a little variety as well with a lone X Type, a trio of Vectras and a FWD Volvo estate as well.

With the track in near perfect conditions 25 cars gathered for heat one which started with a bang as livewire 51 James Licquorice followed 162 Rob Wheatley (Cougar) in hard which also claimed 352 Ben Mynott (Vectra) and 317 Callum Jacobs then span 913 Brett Osborne into the fence while brother 817 Kurt Jacobs clobbered the spun 212 Jack Maryon. 78 Lee Macey then grabbed hold of 308 Alec Hannay and planted him into 913 Brett Osborne with 270 Eddie Holland (Vectra) then stuffing the luckless Hannay into the spun 220 Tom Pavitt (estate), the former then spinning and hit head-on by 746 Tony Jarvis which brought the reds out for Holland who wished to exit his car. A lap sheet order restart was needed and a big push at the start saw 107 Michael Seex bundle 551 Stu Franklin into Osborne before 841 Stu Carmen delivered a hard hit to the spun 77 Nathan Mace. The race then turned quiet until 328 Dan Lathan span 746 Ted into the infield blocks and 317 Stress lunged at and span Mynott with 326 Shane Lynn racing to the win from Lathan and 730 Brandon Mayes

One more for heat two which started fairly quietly until 526 Tony Gates squeezed 19 Joe Mullarkey into the wall which took the former in as well and he copped a hard hit from 459 Todd Archer with 604 Ross Cooper nailing the latter in turn with a solid hit. Archer battled on but span and was clobbered by 508 Harry Bradbury and 623 Ricky Hutton as 188 John Reeves ran in 119 Davey Cox before Cooper delivered a wicked rear wheel hit on damage magnet Archer which brought the reds out instantly to check on the latter. Another lap sheet order restart was needed and a big push into the first bend saw 508 Led Head attack 527 Michael Norman which in turn stuffed 144 Jordan Godfrey into Archer’s wreck hard, Godfrey bouncing out to bury Norman by the start line with 339 Jack Garrod then leaning 26 Robin Ash (estate) through the side of Norman. 9 Ben Cox (Vectra) took a swipe at 623 Tricky in the race for second but Tricky held on for the spot behind the victorious 599 Matty Butcher with 119 Cruncher ending things by burying 592 Mark Marchant.

25 again for the consolation with Osborne lunging at Norman which in turn fenced 10 Ben Collins from the off and Godfrey fired into Ted and they crashed into the latter which allowed Cooper to weigh in on Godfrey. 81 Lewis Greenwood then followed 78 Lee Macey in hard with Mullarkey cracking the latter with a T-bone before Gates butted heads with the spun 160 Perry Willings (estate) and Cooper found the spun Collins for a bruising head-on on the home straight, the two trading several more head-ons as the race continued. Norman turned round to fire into Greenwood which caused a pit bend pile-up and this allowed Hannay to nail Osborne with Tricky hammering the former in turn before he took one himself from Gates as 313 Craig Osborne (Cougar) dumped 212 Mario Kart into the infield blocks. Cooper arrived back to the heap to drill Hannay with a belting hit as Ted added 267 Richard Butcher (Cougar) to the mess and Tricky evened the score on Gates, the latter taking further punishment from the on former Cooper who copped it from Mario Kart who was then pasted by 592 Mad Mark as Trick followed in the X Type of 323 Steve Leeper and continued to thunder in the determined Hannay a treat as Butcher ended things by blasting the stricken 323 Morph. 337 Ashley Garrod came through to win a quality affair from 204 Charlie King and 220 Lurch.

24 qualifiers for the final with 316 Sam Dace (estate) stuffing Mynott with a wild lunge the sole action of the opening laps. Things stepped up when Ash followed in Ted hard and Tricky attacked Cox who grabbed hold of and ran in Dace, this allowing Cox to gather his thoughts and absolutely drill Tricky into the wall a lap later. A big push among the pace saw 730 Brandon Mayes spat into the fence as Dace turned round and Mynott happily met him in a big head-on while Stress ran in 107 Seexy. 592 Mad Mark span Cruncher who was able to reverse his attacker into Tricky, the former pair recovering with Osborne running in Cruncher but this also claimed Mad Mark and Cruncher recovered quicker to smash the TMT man with a couple of hits before returning to the pit bend to nail the long since stationary Tricky but this left him open to a savage hit in turn from Richard Butcher as 337 Pretty Boy claimed his second win from Lathan and long-time leader 599 Matty who span from contention in the closing laps.

A rather disappointing field of just 13 made it back for the Accumulator qualifier which proved quiet save Pretty Boy spinning Matty into the infield blocks before Lathan barged Matty out of the way on the final bend to snatch the win with 370 John Cobbold third. Most pleasingly most of those still running contested the DD and this was a fine end to the evening. It began with Cobbold stuffing Matty on the back straight before Craig Osborne fired into and span Butcher, Godfrey nailing the latter with a head-on which left him open to a stonking hit from Brett Osborne and he was leathered in turn by a rated shot from 164 Jack Turner (estate) who was pasted in turn by Ash. Craig Osborne then fired into and span the latter and Cobbold zeroed in for a savage head-on to Ash with Craig Osborne turning round to deliver an almighty hit on Ash as well and he continued to blast 164 JT before they shared some head-ons. Brett Osborne limped back into life to attack JT and Matty also found a second lease of life to assault Brett Osborne with brother Craig nailing him in turn. Matty then enjoyed several head-ons with both Osborne brothers before Craig found some space to deliver a big hit on Matty and after a couple of more head-ons the 599 car caught fire and Craig Osborne took the win as well as the entertainer award with Cobbold, Godfrey and Brett Osborne collecting entertainer points for their efforts.

Heat one: 326 Shane Lynn, 328, 730, 107, 317, 817, 841, 370, 352, 551
Heat two: 599 Matty Butcher, 623, 9, 592, 119, 339, 204, 508, 26, 164
Consolation: 337 Ashley Garrod, 204, 220, 313, 592, 623, 316, 746, 267, 604, 323
Grand Final: Garrod, 328, 599, 339, 26, 164, 841, 317, 730, 913
Accumulator qualifier: 328 Dan Lathan, 599, 370, 326, 313, 144, 164, 913, 26
Destruction Derby: 313 Craig Osborne from 599

Round four of the Saloon Stockcar track championship was the first of the season to not raise 30 cars but being the second meeting at Mildenhall in as many weekends and a week before the British Championship weekend it was still a respectable entry, the field including a welcome visit from Irishman 811 Kieran McIvor and the first visit of the year for 232 Gavin Anderson, these being two of the right drivers who weren’t present the previous weekend and it was also pleasing to report that the final entry list was 100 per cent accurate but only after a disappointing amount of cancellations during the week which touched on double figures.

Just nine for the white and yellow grade heat which for the first time this year did not double up as heat one, the entry including 811 Motorhead on some practise laps and 800 Scott Greenslade instantly span 270 Matt Fuller with 26 Tommy Barnes then barging past the former as 232 Diggy span 386 Daniel Petters and he was struck by 473 Dean Moat. 610 Trent Artherton led as Greenslade barged past 22 Karl Petters for fourth and 386 the Joker lunged at Moat which caused them both to spin. The second half of the race passed without incident and Artherton kept a struggling Barnes at bay for the win with Greenslade third.

All in for the remaining races and all but one for heat one which yet another storming affair. Artherton span immediately as 682 Paul Sparrow had 888 Shane Emerson around and 157 Max Stott, 321 Marcus Skeels and 220 Casey Englestone all went out on the top bend in a heap and Motorhead came under fire from 389 Ryan Santry with the Joker setting the pace from father Karl, Moat, Fuller and Barnes as 157 Stotty went round again, this time claiming 214 Tom Yould as well while 6 Simon Welton was another to spin. The recovered 220 Philo Jnr had 360 Carl Waterfield out and 217 Sid Madgwick charged at 499 David Aldous and Philo Jnr to pass them as the recovered 888 Shin came under fire from 321 the Frog. Fuller then barged past Moat for third as Petters span handing Fuller second with 349 Michael Allard and 730 Deane Mayes already up to third and fourth, 730 Deano then lunging at and clearing 124 Ollie Skeels as Motorhead attacked the leading Joker and Barnes went round. Santry charged at Sparrow by which point Allard had moved into second with 641 Willie Skoyles Jnr now fifth. Waterfield fired Fuller into Shin and Motorhead removed Petters who was collected by 6 Welly as Barnes was dumped out again at the hands of Shin. The Joker led the cars to half way with Deano now second from Allard and 306 Daniel Parker fourth as Aldous hooked out Greenslade and Stotty span Philo Jnr while Skoyles Jnr was dive bombed by 304 Martyn Parker. Petters came back to deliver a revenge fencing on Motorhead and the Frog span brother Ollie before Aldous lunged at Sparrow. With five to run the Joker still lead as Waterfield lunged at Moat and 218 Jacob Downey did the same to Skoyles Jnr before Waterfield attacked Stotty which span the Frog and almost span the Joker but the latter managed to hang on to his lead but Deano had closed in and swiftly span the Joker for the lead as Skoyles Jnr had 218 Cracker and 214 Tucker out for fourth place. Waterfield now went for the recovered Joker which in turn fenced Moat as Deano motored to the win from Allard and Daniel Parker, a last bend lunge from Martyn Parker on Skoyles Jnr seeing him snatch fourth.

With the revised meeting format offering an extra race for repairs ahead of heat two, 23 cars made it back out but it suffered a false start when Cracker failed to get moving and in the confusion another car was lost for the restart. The race officially began with Moat dive bombing Greenslade before Aldous did the same to Martyn Parker and Santry as Artherton set the race pace an further back Deano charged at Waterfield and Martyn Parker which sent Welly spinning, Waterfield rallying back to dump out Moat before Philo Jnr rattled Welly into a half spin and Skeels charged at Petters before Stotty sent Diggy crashing into the infield blocks on the home straight in alarming fashion leaving the latter beached on the concrete. Deano span Welly as the Joker lunged at and took the lead from Artherton just as the caution flags flew for Diggy. Waterfield immediately lunged at Petters on the restart in the race for sixth before Deano charged at the former and Aldous as they squabbled over the places. The Joker led the field to half way with Skeels second, Artherton third and Daniel Parker and Allard locked in battle for fourth. Parker barged passed Artherton for third as Waterfield hooked out Deano which in turn fenced Petters as Skeels grabbed the lead with six to run but the Joker put up a fight and this allowed Daniel Parker to close in and he lunged at Deano which in turn bundled the Joker wide and he took second and with three and a half to run he eased past Skeels for the lead. The Joker charged at Deano as he tried to hang on to second but he came under fire Skeels with Allard moving in to barge past the latter as Aldous dumped the Joker out of contention. Daniel Parker meanwhile was clear and raced to the win from Allard and Aldous and Skeels nailed a last bend lunge on Artherton to claim fourth.

Impressively the final raised a bigger grid than the previous heat with 24 making it out and again it was a superb affair. The Frog was an early spinner as Welly was removed by Skoyles Jnr and Allard dumped out Shin, Philo Jnr and Stotty in a heap and Waterfield continued the frantic early action by spinning Cracker as Artherton again set the pace, Barnes quickly into second ahead of Fuller, Moat, Petters, Skeels and Allard before Aldous barged past Waterfield for a spot and Skeels did the same to Moat to move up the order and Skoyles Jnr did the same to Martyn Parker as the recovered Welly had Cracker out. Artherton still led from Barnes with Skeels now third as Allard lunged at Philo Jnr which in turn fenced and span Moat and Skoykes Jnr had Motorhead out before going round himself with the waved yellows then flying for the stricken Moat on the home straight. Barnes had grabbed the lead just before the stoppage with 14 of the 18 survivors still on the lead lap but the restart was short lived as Allard lunged at and fenced Artherton to take third and the Frog span Philo Jnr but he was dumped out in turn by Deano with the Frog instantly signalling that all was not well and the red flags were deployed. Barnes led the restart with Skeels and Allard right on his bumper and Artherton, Waterfield and Tucker close behind. Waterfield wasted no time in barging past Artherton as Welly attacked Daniel Parker and Petters removed Motorhead. Skeels moved into the lead but Barnes fought back and regained the top spot within a lap as Waterfield now bundled into the back marking Cracker as Deano did the same to Stotty. The race finally hit half with Barnes out front from Skeels, Waterfield, Allard, Aldous, Artherton, Tucker and Deano but the latter was sent spinning by a revenge seeking Stotty as Skeels shot Barnes into the wall but the latter was undeterred and in fact Skeels lost the most ground. Martyn Parker came under fire from Philo Jnr as Aldous lunged at Allard to climb to fourth and Waterfield fired Skeels into the wall to take second as Artherton fell by the way side. With five to run Barnes led from Waterfield and Aldous with Welly now fourth as Tucker removed Allard and Daniel Parker fired Tucker into the wall. Allard now lunged at Philo Jnr which sent Skeels into the wall as Barnes barged past Fuller as he tried to maintain his lead and Philo Jnr came back at Allard. Barnes took the flag as behind Aldous landed a perfectly placed last bend hit to grab second from Waterfield in another majestic race.

With the revised meeting format also offering extra time between the final and Allcomers it was most pleasing to see exactly two thirds of the original entry return for the final race of the night with all but three of them from the blue and red grade and the Joker led from the front as Skeels, Daniel Parker and Tucker were all dumped out by Motorhead on the road bend which caused a brief pile-up as Aldous and Stotty suffered spins and Allard charged at Moat while the badly damaged Philo Jnr drilled Martyn Parker into the wall with a massive hit but it didn’t stop the latter who was then spun by Waterfield. Allard was into second as Aldous lunged at and span Tucker and Santry barged into Greenslade while the Joker administered a score evening fencing on Allard only to then spin from contention and Allard inherited the lead from Santry as Aldous attacked Skeels and Waterfield dive bombed and fenced Moat. Allard now forced his way past Stotty as Greenslade span from contention but he recovered to give the leading Allard a hard time, the latter having to force his way through the lapped traffic to break away as the Joker removed Cracker before he came under fire from Waterfield which caused the latter to spin. Allard took the win from Santry but the latter was docked two places for jumping the start and so the Joker and Welly took the podium spots.

White and Yellow Grade Heat: 610 Trent Artherton, 26, 800, 270, 232, 22, 473
Heat One: 730 Deane Mayes, 349, 306, 304, 641, 499, 389, 217, 360, 6
Heat Two: 306 Daniel Parker, 349, 499, 124, 610, 217, 360, 386, 220, 389
Grand Final: 26 Tommy Barnes, 499, 360, 6, 306, 214, 389, 304, 730, 349
Allcomers: 349 Michael Allard, 386, 6, 389, 730, 306, 218, 499, 360, 473

The annual visit of the Stoxkarts to Mildenhall raised an excellent entry of 44 drivers with 12 of them in the Junior class who were making their debut at Mildenhall and contested their heat races during the afternoon.

257 Kelvin Limb suffered a spin in the first heat as 33 Luke Woodhull set the pace and 304 Nathan Topliffe eased passed 34 Ben Woodhull for second while further back 24 Harley Thackra gave 238 Kayne Morgan a rough time. 21 Alex Butcher passed 53 Megan Charlesworth for fourth only to then spin shortly after as Thackra attacked 380 Ella Powell in the race for fifth and they were soon joined by Morgan who grabbed the spot while Thackra sent Powell spinning as Luke Woodhull held his nerve to take the win from Topliffe and Morgan.

59 Connor Bedsted failed to make the start of heat two with 90 Joseph Sheldon suffering an early spin as Luke Woodhull nudged brother Ben wide for the lead as Morgan fired into Charlesworth but went wide and tangled with Topliffe as Sheldon again span and did Thackra. Powell was up to second as Morgan moved Butcher wide to take fourth and at the half way mark Powell muscled into the lead as Morgan climbed to third and got the better of Luke Woodhull in the final laps for second but there was no catching Powell who won with Thackra besting Topliffe in the final stages for fifth, 429 Jordan Wildman claiming ninth in only her second race on shale.

A full field again for the third heat with Luke Woodhull immediately moving Sheldon wide for the lead as further back Powell, Charlesworth and Morgan all traded hits and places before Charlesworth span and Morgan continued to shove Ben Woodhull wide for third as Powell attacked Thackra in the race for fifth and this soon became a scrap for fourth when they caught Topliffe. Morgan now moved into second and reeled in Luke Woodhull and landed a perfectly placed last bend hit which sent Woodhull spinning and Morgan took the win with Thackra inheriting second and Powell third.

The Juniors Final was the first race of the main programme and again fielded all 12 cars with the Woodhull brothers battling for the lead from the off as Sheldon went round and Morgan, Topliffe and Thackra were again locked in battle, this time over fifth but a hit on Morgan caused Topliffe to go around with Thackra then slipping passed Morgan for fourth and he then passed Butcher for third with Morgan lunging at the latter to gain a place. Thackra moved into second and with three to run punted Luke Woodhull wide for the lead with Morgan hot on his heels and Thackra then suddenly lost pace on the last bend and Morgan grabbed the lead. Thackra regained full power and managed to make contact to Morgan exiting the last bend causing them both to get out of shape but Thackra found a little more in the drag race to the line to claim an exciting win with Luke Woodhull third.

The focus then switched to the seniors and their Gold Roof Final and Grand Prix qualifier and all 32 contested heat one with 222 Richard Grieg tangling with 902 Steve Vine from the off as 27 Chris Butcher landed a blow on 471 Alistair Houghton and 8 Matthew Lloyd set the pace as 443 Kevin Atkins attacked 810 Aimee Havercroftt only to come under fire himself from 528 Rob Key. Lloyd had now opened a lead with 778 Kurt Pearce in second but the race for third, headed by 35 Graham Wheat, was typically manic. 265 Carl Nunn landed a blow on 567 Peter Savage as 132 James Hall-Morton and 59 Andy Yull suffered spins. Nunn battled his way to third as Atkins clashed with 804 Jamie Milne and 229 Joe Higgins charged at Wheat before Pearce cruelly span from contention leaving Lloyd to fire Houghten wide and claim a comfortable win from Nunn and 324 Jordan Thackra who’d worked hard from towards the rear of the field.

All but one for heat two and 249 Jack Morgan quickly attacked Wheat and Havercroft as he made a flying start but he struggled to control the momentum and went wide and lost many of the places he had gained. Hall-Mortan span 67 Andy Passey and he was struck by 4 Andrew Duddy before Morgan collected the spun Vine and Lloyd again set the pace with Nunn making a great start and quickly up to fourth. Higgins charged at Savage as 84 Josh Rogers and Thackra suffered spins. Nunn was now into second ahead of Pearce. 71 Thomas Grey and 31 Paul Higgins battling Key and Joe Higgins over fifth, Thomas then pushing Pearce wide to take a place as Nunn eased into the lead before 257 Kelvin Limb span Havercoft who was collected by 199 Rob Whittaker the latter then losing a rear wheel guard to bring the caution flag out with the guard left on the track. The restart was short lived as a big push into the pit bend resulted in Passey rolling onto his roof and the reds were flown and despite just one lap remaining the race restarted and while it was a frantic sprint to the win Nunn held his nerve to win from Gray and Key.

Just shy of 30 for the final and there was a huge push into the first bend which saw Grieg spin and Wheat emerge as the early leader from Vine and Key but Wheat then retired and Vine span and it was the rapid Nunn who emerged as the leader having made another electric start, Key second and Thackra already into third ahead of Paul Higgins before Morgan and Gray barged past the latter in a fierce battle for fourth with Grey then slipping up the inside of Morgan but this battle saw them all lose ground on the top three as Milne span. Whittaker fired into Atkins as Lloyd struck the wall and came to a halt which brought the waved yellow flags out. Nunn had two back markers between him and the second placed Key who had one back marker between him and the race for third between Thackra, Grey and Morgan and again the restart was wide as Hall-Morton sent Butcher spinning and they were collected by Passey, 84 Josh Rogers and Grieg with Vine then also spinning. Morgan punted Gray wide in the race for third but the latter came back as Nunn claimed his second win from Thackra with Gray besting Morgan in the final lap for third and in a photo finish for seventh Joe Higgins just Whittaker to the line.

The field crept back past the 30 car mark with all but one again from the Grand National and Havercroft immediately attacked Savage as Grieg set the early pace but was soon overhauled by Wheat and behind Morgan moved Savage wide to take third as Yull span and Grey fired Havercroft wide to gain a spot and Vine managed an impressive 720 degree spin on the pit bend before 247 Craig Faultless went round and was clobbered by the pack. Morgan now emerged in the lead with Key and Grieg in pursuit as Lloyd, Rogers and Gray battled over fourth but up front the top two had broken away and enjoyed a great battle until Key took the top spot but Morgan stayed in the fight and landed a last bend hit but span himself in the process and Key claimed the win with Nunn inheriting second and Houghten third.

Juniors Heat One: 33 Luke Woodhull, 304, 238, 34, 24, 53, 59, 380, 21, 90
Juniors Heat Two: 380 Ella Powell, 238, 33, 21, 24, 304, 34, 53, 429, 90
Juniors Heat Three: 238 Kayne Morgan, 24, 380, 21, 34, 33, 59, 304, 53, 429
Juniors Grand Final: 24 Harley Thackra, 238, 33, 34, 21, 59, 380, 429, 304, 53
Heat One: 8 Matthew Lloyd, 265, 324, 229, 528, 84, 199, 35, 471, 804
Heat Two: 265 Carl Nunn, 71, 528, 31, 471, 27, 229, 8, 4, 295
Grand Final: Nunn, 324, 71, 249, 528, 471, 229, 199, 22, 4
Grand National: 528 Rob Key, 265, 471, 324, 295, 84, 31, 132, 4, 8

For a meeting which on paper didn’t have the greatest of promise this turned into a hugely enjoyable and entertaining evening of racing, made all the more enjoyable by the lovely weather. For the second week in a row the Saloon Stockcars stole the show, not because of the other formulas not being on form but because they were simply THAT good as the formula on shale in East Anglia continues to provide arguably the best racing in the sport. A most impressive night from the National Bangers with every race delivering some hard hits, the consolation being the pick of the races while the DD produced some of the hardest hits and another hugely enjoyable visit from the Stoxkarts who provide the kind of competitive and close fought racing that only they can produce and for the second week in a row it was most pleasing to report a good turn around with the 15 races of the main programme completed within curfew.

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