Mildenhall Saturday July 15 
RDC's Big Night Out
Unlimited Bangers Suffolk Open Championship and Ministox Suffolk Open Championship

Unlimited Banger pictures by Stu Bishop

Mental Metal
9 Paul Brown Chevy Concours*
24 Lee Hughes Chevy Caprice Classic estate
33! Simon Reed Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Flower Car*
39 Steve Moore Daimler DS420 limo
65 Shaun Randall Jaguar XJ-S*
78 Lee Macey Ford Meteor
85 James Ellis Rover P5
88 Ashley Burton Rover P4
117 Karl Dack Chevy Caprice Classic*
118 Pete Waite Ford Granada limo Mk3
133 Karl Day Datsun 300C estate
148 Ian Redden Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
156 Michael Maskall Ford Granada coupe
158 Shane Davies Cadillac Fleetwood limo
178 Brian Anderson Ford Mk4 Zephyr
191 Shaun McMillan Humber Imperial
211 Barry Franklin Jaguar 420G
272 Garry Murrell Chrysler Newport
273 Kevin McClagisg Rolls Royce Silver Shadow
274 Frank Cunningham Rover P4
285 Sean Dyer Rover P5 Coupe
303 Brian Cope Datsun 300C
313 John Cullingford Toyota Crown
323 Steve Anderson Daimler DS420 hearse
363 Brian Jarvis Rover P5
384 John Golden Vanden Plas 3litre Princess
401 Steve Hemmings Ford Granada limo Mk2*
426 Paul Horwood Jaguar XJ-S*
472 Mike Wood Volvo 262
503 Daniel Hollinsworth Rover P5 coupe
520 Derek Caton Ford Granada hearse
525 Jason Elvin Datsun 300C estate
553 Justin Garman Vanden Plas 3Litre Princess
557 Paul Bowen Rover P4*
751 Michael Carroll Rover P5
752 Sam Cunningham Rover P5 Coupe
753 Billy Cunningham Cadillac Fleetwood 75 limo
768 Calvyn Girling Vauxhall Cresta PC
779 Dean Watson Rover P4
814 Mark Millen Austin Westminster
853 Jason Barnard Humber Super Snipe
877 Adam Perrin Rover P5 coupe
899 Andy Dodge Rover P5 coupe
924 Matt Millen Rover P5 Coupe*
*=used car

A stunning entry of just under 140 unlimited bangers gathered for the Suffolk Open on a boiling hot July 15 with visitors from far and wide while once again the selection of material on show was simply stunning as shown by the above selection of Mental Metal, the epic Fleetwood 75 limo of 753 Young Gun arguably car of the meeting. Elsewhere the Granada raised 50 with 22 Dave Vincent returning a Mk1 while 262 Buddy James, 551 Stuart Franklin and 417 Dan Davey having fresh ones, the latter's just one of many immaculate motors on show. There were 26 big Volvos including the aforementioned 472 Mike Wood in a well rare 262 while there was a total of 19 XJ including a used coupe for 23 Bernie French and used series 1 for 397 Stu Sandall. Other motors worth of a mention are the Laurel and Mazda 929 estate of 748 Graham Kiddle and 379 Adrian Clifton respectively while 856 Lee Basham had the lone Mercedes with a 280. 

The Gypsy Crew made an incredible effort with the tin and paint, here is 85 James Ellis' P5, 273 Mad Mouse's Silver Shadow and 753 Young Gun's epic Cadillac Fleetwood 75 limo

The Luniz also impressed with some superbly turned out cars including the stunning Granada from 587 Humps

158 Shane Davies' Fleetwood limo was another of the night's top cars

34 cars for the first heat with 877 Perrin quick to show with a hit on 207 Michael Woodward as 879 Red Redd (Volvo 240 estate) stuffed 251 Mark Webb. 63 Steve Wheeler nailed the spun 178 Anderson head-on as 198 Steve Pyle (Volvo 240 estate) fired into 879 Wrecked Reg only to take a big package from 363 Jarvis' P5 in turn. 118 Smiler was then pummelled by 156 Micky Boy and 148 Shorty with 23 Roughneck weighing into the latter's Cutlass as 198 Wildcat took more stick thanks a head-on from 417 Dan the Man. Jarvis now fired into Shorty as Wrecked Reg buried 324 Mark Latham (Volvo 240) into Perrin and 384 Goldie further abused Smiler only to take one in turn from 401 Psycho. 539 Danny Allen (Mk3 Granada) then stuffed 274 Fearless Frank leaving the Rude Boy open to a hit from Wheeler as 520 the Undertake landed a T-bone on 396 Graham Hyla. Wrecked Reg then hammered 853 the Verger's Snipe as the first wrecking train of the night took place 191 Mucker blasting Wheeler only to take one from 559 Neil Payne (Volvo 240 estate) who was blasted by 37 Dave Lewis' XJ with 776 Ady Groom (Volvo 240) landing a hard hit on the latter. Micky Boy then blasted 311 Lee Bradbury and dumped him into the massive blockage by the start line as Perrin hammered the Undertaker. Jarvis now nailed 776 Groomy and Wheeler pounded Micky Boy as Goldie splintered the Undertaker's hearse only to take one in turn from the impressive Perrin. The Verger now attacked 121 Dave Wright (Volvo 240 estate) but was hit in turn by Mucker in an all Humber encounter with 234 Darryl Edwards doing the Mad Mob man in turn. 311 Helm blasted 121 Dee Dee as the Verger continued for a shot on Micky Boy and 88 Burton powered into Goldie. Helm then stuffed both Wheeler and Mucker in one move before Jarvis continued his fine showing with a hit on the Verger' Helm attacked Dee Dee once more this time with a head-on and Mucker and Jarvis met in the same way with Wheeler T-boning the former as Micky Boy buried the Undertaker. He paid dearly though as Perrin slaughtered the coupe with a stunning hit. Jarvis then flattened Perrin but was jacked in turn big time by Helm with Edwards in there immediately with a roof bender on the Motley Krew man with Wheeler then powering in over the rear wheel of Perrin who was compensated with the entertainer award. Lewis nursed his battered XJ over the line first with 131 Barry Wade (Volvo 240 estate) seemingly content to take second and Wheeler the only other finisher. 

From the epic first heat. 877 Adam Perrin leathered 156 Micky Boy only to be nailed in turn by 363 Brian Jarvis whose P5 was jacked a treat by 311 Helm with 234 Darryl Edwards wasting the Motley Krew man seconds later

A couple more for heat two and there was no let up in the action. Welcome Autospeed guest 190 Steve Bailey hammered 107 John Seex from the off as 210 Steve Hayward belted 80 Gavin Wood on the nose and Young Gun used his epic Yank to T-bone 209 Ben Hayward with 31 Ian Holland (Volvo 240 estate) firing into the Gypsy Crew man in turn as Seex was T-boned by 285 Dyer. Young Gun continued with a hit on 425 Martin Stopher (XJ40) as 311 Gary Lown (Volvo 240 estate) stuffed the lovely Granada of 278 Tom Hills. 08 Steve Arnold (XJ) hit the luckless Ben Hayward on the nose and 899 Dodge T-boned Hills as Mike Wood also had a pop at Young Gun only to take one from 60 Steve Laybourn in turn. 587 Alex Humphrey buried 137 Lee Turner (XJ) but took similar stick from Vincent in turn with 446 Lee Greer hammering the latter as 550 Craig Farrow (XJ) and Ellis met on the nose. 35 Peter Lewis (Volvo 240 estate) hit 525 Elvin as Young Gun turned round to T-bone 550 Bungle with Laybourn also hitting the latter before Turner buried Peter Lewis only to take one from Elvin in turn. 294 Steve Martindale (Volvo 240) belted Laybourn but was done seconds later by 436 Matt Arnold as Elvin continued with a T-bone on Pete Lewis as once again the track became completely blocked by the start line. Matt Arnold and 397 Boo enjoyed a head-on as Dyer turned round and dangerously came inside out at Greer earning him a load up but not before Greer gave him a revenge hit. Matt Arnold and 169 Len Brinkley (XJ) went head to head as Vincent attacked Pete Lewis and a fired up Greer hit Elvin. 190 Pikey motored to the win and T-bone Vincent by way of celebration with 917 John Millen and Pete Lewis the placemen, Young Gun taking the entertainer award. 

33 for the third heat with Bashman scoring on Franklin and 183 Bobby Wilmer from the off as 117 Kamikaze hammered 502 Kayleigh Dighton and 886 Adrian French (Volvo 740) zeroed in on 814 Millen only to take one from 193 Steve Roberts in turn as 752 Mad Sam blasted Kamikaze. 179 Jamie Phillips (Volvo 240) then fired into Basham and buried him into Mad Sam as 192 Jon Warby blasted Kamikaze. 19 Joe Mullarkey (XJ) then nailed 133 Karly as 158 Davies powered his Yank hard into 272 Martin Vella (Volvo 240 estate) only to take one from Kiddle in turn. 105 Billy Standing (Mk3 Granada) managed to fence 39 Peanut's DS420 but took one from 211 Bazza's 420 in turn as Davies weighed in on Peanut before he returned the favour on Kiddle after the Startrax man met Mark Millen on the nose with 19 Dove Toe Joe then T-boning the latter's Westy. 221 Michael Whitelock (Volvo 740) T-boned 179 the Leg-End as Mark Millen came back for a head-on with 886 Shades. The Leg-End then took hits from the lively Davies and 229 Ritchie Holmes (Volvo 240 estate) as Mad Sam belted Mullarkey and 924 Millen fired into Standing as a big pile-up formed on top bend. Kamikaze turned round and T-boned 8 Dale Woolnough (Volvo 240 estate) as Davies now blasted 779 Watson. Mad Sam ran Woolnough into the growing heap as 188 Matt Fuller (XJ) pounded the Leg-End on the home straight but the World Champ received a load up when he continued attacking on the infield. Mad Sam joined the list of load ups when he came inside out and hit Mullarkey over the front wheel but Karly administered his own justice with a big hit on the P5 only to get trashed in turn by Mark Millen who continued to attack the leading 221 Mad Mickey. The latter battled on but was then stopped by a savage T-bone from Kamikaze leaving just him and Mark Millen and they met head-on stopping them both to end the race in a dead heat with Davies taking the entertainer award. 

33 as well for the final heat with 384 Liam Conway the first to show with an attack on James as Brown's Chevy was fired in by the pack hard before he came under attack from 272 Gazza while the luckless James took a stiff hit from 175 Karl Corsby. 242 Ricky Korpiela then T-boned 750 Nigel Gray's smart XJ as 188 John Reeves hit 301 Peter Smith (Volvo 740 estate) on the nose leaving the former prone to a T-bone from 119 Davey Cox (Volvo 960). 82 Wayne Quinn buried 460 Lewis Barber (XJ) and 364 Sean Winchester hit 445 Mark Dorrill (XJ40) on the nose before James came back to bury 82 Quinny. 379 the Worm then attacked 751 Mad Mikey and Dorrill hammered Corsby as Winchester followed in 328 Mark Hughes' smart Volvo 240 on the top bend. The Dover champion was then trashed by a wicked hit from James who was flattened in turn by 33! the Legend's flower car in another rated train. 24 Stuntman then stuck it to the Worm first burying him into Smith before landing a head-on the next time around as the Legend feuded with 750 Big G. 119 Cruncher then blasted 557 Paranoid en route to taking the flag but the latter sought his revenge and they continued trading blows after the reds causing them both to be disqualified and so 204 Andy Bailey won from 462 Lee Cambell (XJ40) and 553 Garmo with James taking the entertainer award. 

364 Sean Winchester got this back out for more after 262 Buddy James' rated hit

The decision was taken to run just one consolation and a massive field of 50 lined up for it. 15 Weeks buried Roughneck early on and Shorty did the same to 273 Mad Mouse before Hills fired into 207 Compo while Barber delivered one of the hits of the meeting with a massive blitz to Helm on the home straight. Watson blasted Shorty and the lively Roughneck scored on Roberts as Psycho pounded the Undertaker and Boo hit the Verger on the nose. 715 Mick Prince blasted Goldie and continued with a shot on Psycho only to take one from Bungle in turn as 197 Andy Ashman scored on Psycho's limo. Boo went on to hammer Mad Mouse as Corsby attacked the luckless Undertaker and Boo again stuck it Mouse's Roller. Laybourn blasted Korsby and Wrecked Reg fired into the Undertaker as 99 Ritchie Ahern pounded Mucker and Goldie came back for a package on Psycho. 768 Girling then used his Cresta to T-bone Shorty as Dorrill fired into Ashman and buried his man into Woolnough. 331 Jason Jackson hammered Boo with the latter then hit on the nose by Mike Wood as 331 Boxer T-boned the Verger only to take a pay back hit from Boo. Mike Wood then came inside out at Dorrill earning the rest of the night off as Cruncher and Paranoid continued to feud on the top bend. Boo then met Mouse on the nose with the latter hit by Lown after the reds meaning he joined the load up list as 99 the Cheat powered his Granada to a fine win from Dorrill and Boo, Dodge and Boxer the only other finishers and Barber taking the entertainer award for his killer hit on Helm. 

311 Helm was on the wrong end of a massive hit from 460 Lewis Barber in the Consolation

Rather unsurprisingly just 18 cars made it out for the qualifiers only final which was very quiet indeed. Kamikaze fired up the back of Garmo from the off while Davies attacked 140 Mark Lee (XJ). Stuntman then buried Kamikaze as the leading Greer was spun by Pikey. Vincent scored on a spinning Dorrill as Stuntman treated Kamikaze to a pair of head-ons and Davies fenced the luckless Dorrill. A close finish saw Pete Lewis take the win, keeping the title in his family for the third year in a row while Greer got past 131 Wadey on the last lap for second, Stuntman taking the entertainer award. 

A fine field of 32 repaired for the Accumulator qualifier which was another stunner. Hills got things rolling with a shot on 303 Copey as Gazza buried 874 Curtis Rathbone (Volvo 740 estate) allowing Standing to bravely fire up the back of the Chrysler only to take one in turn from 559 Ug. Cruncher then followed Psycho flat out through the back of 809 Dominic Marsh with Groomy arriving bang on time to decimate Cruncher. Ug then nailed Groomy as Steve Arnold T-boned Cruncher in a series of massive hits. Winchester then stuffed the Worm as Roberts was leathered by a wicked hit from Turner before Dave Lewis buried Shades and Pete Lewis was run into the pit bend blockage by Bazza. Dave Lewis came back for a shot on Copey who fired back to hit the new champion on the nose as on the home straight Victor thundered Standing into Winchester in another fierce crash. Peanut then powered into Bazza and buried him into Shades only to take one from Copey in turn who came under fire from 78 Mad Mace's massive Yank as Vincent fired into Peter Lewis. The Worm then turned round for a big T-bone on Peanut as Mad Mace assaulted Bazza. 115 Gary Rose picked a way through for the win with Vincent and Dave Lewis the only other finishers, Groomy taking the entertainer award. 

809 Dominic Marsh was decimated in the Accumulator when 119 Cruncher thundered 401 Psycho into him with Cruncher then wasted himself by a stonking hit from 776 Groomy

The DD didn't start until nearly 11.30 and it was little surprise just nine cars returned for it given what had gone on earlier but they still performed. Ellis hammered the Worm early on leaving him prone to a package from Victor as Boo attacked Davies. 31 Geordie then scored on the Worm as Davies gave Wildcat a savage hit with Mouse also firing into the latter. Davies continued with a shot on the Worm only to come under attack from Ellis in turn as Mouse dished one out to Victor. Geordie then hit Davies on the nose with Ellis piling into the latter only to a big hit over the rear wheel from Victor who was silenced by Mouse. Geordie was then black flagged for twice taking to the grass but as he pulled of Mouse followed and hit him earning a black flag too. The latter rejoined the track to meet the Worm on the nose before he blasted Davies as did Ellis. Geordie then continued but the Worm got him first as Mouse attacked Davies before the Roller sparked up, the event awarded to the Worm from Davies with those two collecting the hardest trier and most devastating driver of the night awards respectively while Victor took the most entertaining award in the demo.

Heat one: 37 Dave Lewis, 131, 63 Best entertainer: 877 Adam Perrin
Heat two: 190 Steve Bailey, 917, 35, 446, 169, 22 Best entertainer: 753 Billy Cunningham
Heat three: 814 Mark Millen and 117 Karl Dack Best entertainer: 158 Shane Davies
Heat four: 204 Andy Bailey, 462, 553, 82, 24 Best entertainer: 262 Buddy James
Consolation: 99 Ritchie Ahern, 445, 397, 899, 331 Best entertainer: 460 Lewis Barber
Suffolk Open Championship: 35 Pete Lewis, 446, 131, 22, 99, 917, 37, 190, 158 Best entertainer: 24 Lee Hughes
Accumulator: 115 Gary Rose, 22, 37 Best entertainer: 776 Ady Groom
Destruction Derby: 379 Adrian Clifton from 158 Best entertainer: 188 John Reeves
Most Devastating Driver: Davies
Hardest Trier: Clifton

An excellent field of 40 Ministox assembled for their Suffolk Open including visitors from PRI, Spedeworth and even GMP in the shape of 668 Fraser Clark.

19 cars for heat one led away by 381 Craig Upson as behind him 320 Ben Burbridge spun 372 Kyle Tuppen in the first for second while 541 George Heath also spun. Defending champion 340 Wesley Freestone was making fine progress as they were further spin outs from 301 Tom Wenham and 386 George Turricki as Burbridge hooked out 347 Sarah Gould as they battled over second which allowed 325 Charlie Overy top nip past with Freestone close behind. 387 Olly Ovenden and 351 Lewis Byron were the next to go out, the latter at the hands of Heath as Overy grabbed the lead on lap 10 when Upson got caught among the back markers, Freestone second and Upson hanging on for third while Burbridge just beat 369 James Clements on the line for eighth.

21 for heat two which suffered an early red flag for 308 Alec Hannay who spun and was collected by 377 Alfie Lee. The race resumed with 134 Joe Annison finding the wall as did 307 Jack Tuffen and 584 Brad Bailey while up front 391 George Chambers got passed 330 Jack Thompson for the lead. 303 Ben Murray and 335 Lorna Annison tangled and spun as did 310 Chas Lee elsewhere before Tuffen removed the second placed Lee promoting 362 Liam Friel but he was unable to catch Chambers who recorded his maiden win while 199 Scott Bourne spun 527 Roy Laybourn on the final bend to snatch third and Clark spun 342 Lauren French en route to a fine sixth on his track debut. 

19 contested the consolation with Gould setting the pace from Lee and Tuppen as Ovendon removed Byron who was collected by 318 Emma Powell as a result before Clements hooked out Lorna Annison before he spun the recovered Byron into French. Up front a fantastic battle developed as Lee took the lead on lap eight, Gould reclaiming it on lap nine. At the start of lap 10 Lee was back in front but Gould reclaimed it once more a lap later and a back marker delayed Lee preventing a last bend attack and Gould won with Tuffen taking third.

All 28 qualifiers returned for the final with early action seeing Laybourn spin 133 Rob Gamble as Upson led from pole ahead of Chambers and Lee and 313 Timmy Barnes had a pop at French as he began to work up the order. 331 Jack Garrod spun from contention while Heath had a go at Overy and Bourne removed 594 Alex Guitini. 334 Adrian Court moved up to third as Friel stuck the bumper in on Laybourn while Barnes moved into the top three and soon took second as 370 Kyle Overy was able to move himself to third when Lee and 550 TJ Power battled each other. French then spun Garrod causing a very brief pile-up on the home straight and she removed Burbridge a lap or so later as Barnes took out 303 Ben Murray but there was no catching Upson who held his nerve for a flag to flag win ahead of Barnes and Kyle Overy. 

It was past 11 when the Allcomers started but more than half the field contested it. Joe Annison spun Barnes from the off while Bourne also spun and Kyle Overy removed Byron as up front Thompson led from Court and Upson. Turricki spun and hit the inner wall as Court moved into the top spot but behind Freestone and Kyle Overy were making fine progress with the latter soon taking the lead and motoring to a trouble free win from Freestone and Laybourn while Court withstood a last bend hit from Barnes to take fifth.

Heat one: 325 Charlie Overy, 340, 381, 313, 331, 550, 370, 320, 369, 372
Heat two: 391 George Chambers, 362, 199, 527, 334, 668, 396, 133, 342, 307
Consolation: 347 Sarah Gould , 377, 307, 372, 369, 335, 594, 302, 342, 303, 387, 541
Suffolk Open Championship: 381 Craig Upson, 313, 370, 541, 334, 362, 325, 391, 369, 335
Allcomers: 370 Kyle Overy, 340, 527, 325, 334, 133, 313, 381, 362, 396

A storming night's action with one of the heaviest unlimited banger meetings yet, only the final didn't deliver with every other race having some epic hits and almost all the drivers being more than willing to put on a great wrecking display. The Ministox also didn't disappoint with some excellent racing, especially the final. The only downside was the late finish but with so many cars and so much carnage it was inevitable and the amount of load ups in the bangers for drivers breaking the rules, the amount of inside out attacks being rather concerning. 

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