A pleasantly mild afternoon greeted the new season’s opening fixture at the United Downs Raceway.
Saloon Stock Cars
Ahead of racing, World, British and English Champion 720 Archie Brown was presented with his Track Championship award. The entry was boosted by visiting interest from 178 Kieran Bowman and 151 Levi List, and they both featured prominently in a lively opening race. Bowman got ahead of 112 Rich James, to take the lead, but Brown spun aside 677 Warren Darby on his way up the order and was perfectly placed to grab first place when List and Bowman ran wide. Brown went on to win convincingly, with 382 Corey Hunt grabbing the runner-up slot late on. Heat two was supremely untidy with multiple spills and incidents. In amongst the chaos, Brown cruised to another win, with James the runner-up – a career best result so far. The final went under caution when 111 Thomas Ruby lost a wheel guard. James led the restart, but behind him, the stars clashed, and gold top Brown was spun around, losing him almost half a lap. 382 Corey Hunt squeezed into the lead and edged away from the pack, with 577 Harry Darby doing likewise in second. List grabbed third on the final lap, with Brown making a fine recovery back to fourth. Brown completed a hat-trick of wins in the Allcomers, reeling in James who led to the halfway point.
Stock Rods
The Road To Gold for Stock Rods attracted a 26-car showing, which resulted in a two from three format. 854 Jack Sear led the formative stages of the opening heat but was hunted down by 946 Dave Taylor who took the honour of claiming the first chequered flag of the season. 617 Christina Sillifant made a good effort to sweep around the outside of 79 Brian Edmond for third. The drivers for heat two were faced with a treacherous surface, particularly on the exit of turn four, and several clipped the plating. 913 Ben Faulconbridge led the early stages, but Taylor pursued him and eased by on the inside line as Faulconbridge drifted wide. Late on, 131 Stephen Cock retired amidst clouds of steam and smoke, and 909 Justin Washer came to a halt a lap from home also. Heat three was dominated by Faulconbridge from the front of the grid. He won by a huge margin, with fellow white grader Sear a distant runner-up. Faulconbridge and Sear disputed the lead in the final, with the former coming out on top. Once ahead, Faulconbridge stormed clear and built up a commanding lead. None of the chasing pack were able to make any impression, as Faulconbridge booked an instant upgrade with his second victory, as 911 Harrison Bryant and Taylor completed the top three.
Back 2 Bangers
A packed grid set off for the first race, which only went three laps before coming to a halt when 826 Lewis Martin needed assistance from his car on the back straight. The restarted race was led off by 458 Layton Davis, but his hopes were dashed when his car lost power, and 247 Alfie Blight inherited the lead. Just nine drivers went the distance. Heat two was halted when 69 Austin James needed assistance from his stranded car in turn one. 404 Jake Curtis-Stevens had just relieved 621 Scott Kendall of the lead, and he headed away the single file restart, but with a puncture on the front of his car, he lacked traction. 823 Tyler Phillips nipped past Kendall who was otherwise delayed by the playful 18 Corey Karkeek. Phillips won, leading home just four cars. With Curtis-Stevens closing in on victory in the final, the race was halted as the car of 786 Grant Harris went on fire. Five cars took the green to resume the race, yet only 333 Craig Partridge completed the distance as Tyler Phillips tore into 549 Michael French and they were joined by Kendall. A spectacular Destruction Derby ended the afternoon in style. Full of crashes, 96 Harley Carr-Flamank and 696 Jago Carveth were each heavily involved, but the final blow was administered by 222 Cody Blight, and he took the honours.