The United Downs Raceway, St Day staged its first race meeting since the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, and once a heavy shower in the morning had passed, there was predominantly dry weather for the event. Regrettably, the gremlins attacked the PA system, which was only operational for some of the afternoon.
Saloon Stock Cars
The nation’s first fixture for Saloon Stock Cars attracted fourteen cars to the Cornish outpost, which showed once more that large grids are not always necessary to produce lively action. The first heat saw 00 Bradley Morgan and track debutant 558 Donald Stewart in the thick of things. Morgan spun Stewart in their battle for the lead, but when Stewart rejoined, he removed Morgan from first place. That opened the door for 902 Junior Buster who duly charged to an emphatic victory. The entertaining Stewart was involved in heat two, also, as he crossed swords with 161 Billy Smith. 277 Jack Grandon led for much of the race but relinquished first place to 730 Deane Mayes who then survived a little bit of last bend mischief from backmarker Smith, to secure the win. The final saw a clash involving 980 Charlie Lobb and 276 Ben King, whilst Stewart took a wayward trip up the inner banking. Scottish visitor 14 Colin Savage was a long time leader, but Junior Buster caught him late on to grab the lead and ultimately the win. Savage dropped down the order, as Smith charged at Mayes on the last bend. As the order was shuffled, Smith grabbed second and 199 Phil Powell found the door wide open for him to steal third in the run to the line.
Stock Rods
The non-contact Stock Rods made their second appearance of the week. 32 James Horwell made much of the running in the opening race, but a strong late run by 909 Justin Washer saw him get the better of 351 Rhys Langdown and 441 Tom Major to land a hard fought success. In the final, a race suspension was imposed when 770 Archie Farrell and 14 Ross Montgomery tangled. Major found a way past Horwell to hit the front, and he held off another late run by Washer to take the win. Washer’s day ended with a prang in the Grand National, after he clipped 204 Georgie Biggs in turn one. Langdown relieved Horwell of the lead, and scored a convincing win.
B2B Bangers
A good showing of almost 30 Back 2 Basics Bangers caused mayhem in their races – exactly what they are expected to do. Early on in the first heat, 776 Terry Senford and 242 Ben Ellacott contested the lead, but chaos in the turnstile bend proved to be their undoing. That left 196 Phil Chapman out front, but he was overhauled by 37 Danny Carlton-Barnes who held on for the win. Heat two began with 687 Rhys Julian dribbling down the back straight, and Senford could not resist the invitation, and in the subsequent pile-up in the turnstile bend, 129 Kieran Allison rolled over which forced a complete re-run. Ellacott led, but was then passed by 854 Jack Sear who stayed clear of Carlton-Barnes to score a maiden win. Sear’s luck did not hold in the final, as he was part of a big first lap crash in the pits bend. 777 Troy Holley proceeded to be an entertaining nuisance, until late on when 53 Chris James silenced him. Just six cars went the distance, with Ellacott a clear winner from Chapman and 29 Jamie Jones. 161 Anton Ferris was in top form in the Destruction Derby, as he outlasted the rest and landed the winning hits to claim victory.