United Downs Raceway - Sunday 19th June 2022

Perhaps otherwise engaged, or possibly dissuaded by the poor weather forecast, there was a low crowd at the United Downs Raceway for a distinctly domestic fixture, but the majority of those drivers who were present had an enjoyable afternoon.

Old Skool Unlimited Bangers

Another decent showing of Unlimited cc Bangers, racing to the Old Skool format in the third round of the Lorry Breaker Series, produced plenty of fast racing.  Heat one produced a thrilling scrap for the lead involving 114 Nick Courtier, 282 Steve Hunt and 739 Jason Moore, with Hunt coming out on top in the closing stages.  There was a flag to flag win in heat two for pole sitter 186 Lewis Fasey, but the feature of the race was the duel for second place between 185 Richard Coaker and 362 Johnny James.  Having swapped positions a number of times, James got the verdict at the flag.  The first half of the final was led by 452 Anthony Sleeman, but he was eventually reeled in by 954 Jamie Beere.  Hunt came charging through from the rear of the grid and got the better of an exciting contest with Moore for second place.  11 Grubby Frankson livened up the Allcomers race with a mischievous performance.  With his car crabbing violently, hardly a soul had any idea which direction it would veer off to next, and that caused mayhem as the race leaders came to lap him.  Veteran 252 Lib James found a way past, to stay at the head of the field, and then 59 Mike Hamley did the decent thing and spun Frankson out of his way.  James won, and perhaps fittingly on Father’s Day, he was followed home by his son 362 Johnny James.

Back 2 Basics Bangers

Despite the modest car count, the Back 2 Bangers served up some typical fun, and ended the day with a short-sharp-shock of a Destruction Derby.  196 Phil Chapman swiftly turned pole position into a winning lead in heat one.  He left behind 837 Barnabie Carlton-Barnes, 617 Reece Rixon and 22 Harvey Doherty to dispute second place, but when Carlton-Barnes was spun in the pits bend, he completely lost his rear axle, which was carried the length of the back straight by 330 Michael Williams, which brought about a stoppage.  Chapman made short work of the restart.  In heat two, 562 Jayden James blasted 200 Jai Simmons, who trundled around for the next half a lap before bailing into Doherty.  Chapman made a superfast start, to win convincingly from 459 Michael Brooks and 184 Brad Eddy.  In truth, the final was especially ordinary, as Chapman completed his hat-trick, to win from 102 Tom Sandercock and James.  In contrast, the Destruction Derby was spectacular, and almost ended as soon as it had begun.  Doherty and Simmons were sitting ducks on the back straight.  James thundered into Simmons and Eddy did likewise to Doherty.  That left Eddy exposed and the was clobbered by Brooks, and in turn, Carlton-Barnes landed the final blow as he roared into Brooks.  It was swift, but it was hugely entertaining.

Ministox

The 21-car entry included 497 Peyton Cockerill, who acquitted herself well on her debut.  Running to a two from three format, 911 Alex Thomas showed well in the opening heat.  He led from 922 Kaydi Butcher, but it was 954 Bobbie Beere-Rees who took command in the final third of the race to win from 617 Christina Sillifant and Thomas.  In heat two, Thomas again shone brightly, as the lead group of white graders held sway early on.  242 Amy Williams, 236 Alfie Brimble and 902 Reagan Davies crashed out together, as 917 Troy Hemmins advanced up the order.  Hemmins took the win, with Thomas the runner-up and 207 Alfie Flecken completed the top three.  There were assorted incidents in heat three, notably when 567 Mia Batten headbutted the home straight fence and 966 James Payne tangled with 920 Wayne Wadge on the back straight.  Sillifant held firm at the front to take the win from 907 Cadan Davies and 870 Bert Farrell just pipped his brother, 770 Austin Farrell, on the last bend.  The final was led by 742 Kacey Williams and Thomas, but when the tangled in turn four, 290 Alfie Tomkins was ideally placed to pick up the pieces and he proceeded to win his second consecutive final at St Day.  Hemmins and Flecken completed the top three.