Standlake 7^th November 2004 under 1800cc     -       Report by Bill

Strangely enough not all roads led to Arena Essex & the packed audience for the annual bonfire bash was rewarded with an amazing 104 bangers out of the 220 race cars in the pits. Numbers were boosted by visitors from Worthing, Mendips, Incarace & a 15 odd raiding party from Fleet. An even split with 54 unders including 4 apiece for Cortina & Capri plus a rare Mitsubishi Sapporo for Fleet’s 310 Scary. However five A60’s topped the bill including a used Cambridge for 414 Simon Scott & an ex Mayhem fintailed Oxford for 373 Wilko whilst the trio of fresh beasts were all Wolseleys belonging to 3 Woody, 799 Jeremy Dodge plus of course 313 Mick Cotton.

Heat 1 (40 cars) - A superb 37 car field for a slippery opener with 290 Andy George (Cav), 353 Eggy (Pantry estate) & Scary all failing to reach the starters rostrum in an early rush for the line, 294 Trigger ensuring 453 Matt Smith (Mk4 Escort) also didn’t make it. 126 Casey met the wall whilst 5 Herbie (Maestro) t-boned 490 Matt Sole’s Capri who was later impressively jacked down by persons unseen. 807 Greeny in a late Orion met an already fenced 6 Jamie Holdsworth (Capri) on the nose as 815 Ian Castle (Cavalier) put 98 Baldrick’s BMW boot down. Holdsworth recovered to meet Castle on the nose before falling victim to a Casey follow in. Before Holdsworth knew what was happening Casey then buried 207 Compo (Audi 80) into him a lap later, Compo’s day over early with a 588 Sharon Kerry head-on. 91 Beech (Cavvy) heaved Scott aside with the keen Greeny bravely trying to see if an Orion can jack an A60! 606 Boomer (Corolla) then slid into the 414 Farina whilst Woody fell over on the Standlake bend & credit to 2 Jon B for shielding him. Mayhem was going well until 77 Jamie Stepp (Volvo 340) wound him out as 115 Simon Kerby (Cavalier) superbly ran 76 Bam Bam in, leaving the 76 Bluebird a twisted mess. Things then went quiet due to a by now heavily depleted field but the race ended in full crescendo with Trigger attacking Herbie, the latter hitting the brakes to allow returnee 378 Gypsy Boy a free blast on the 294 Donald. Proving his win in the Metros a fortnight earlier was no fluke, Greeny repeated the feat & in full-contact mode too, 173 Ian Wells & 575 Tritt (Astra) completing the places.

Result: 807 Chris Green, 173 Ian Wells, 575 Paul Tritton, 30 Ashley Avery, 815 Ian Castle

Heat 2 (46 cars) – a massive field of 46 for the second, 103 Charlie (baby Vole) was run in early by 42 Ricky Pullen’s Golf before Eggy met Woody in a big t-bone which snapped both cars big time, a fibreglass A60 wing popping over the fence & a spot of free advertising for your local crash mag! 111 Posh Boy (Rover 213) leaned Baldrick into Bricknell as George gave 503 Tank’s Mk5 estate the accepted revamp. Scary struggling with the track spun unaided & collected a hefty bone off Gypsy Boy as Greeny attacked 219 Wayne Halls which forced the former onto the infield. He returned to the racing line without looking & straight into the path of Kerry & 817 Rich Hands (Sierra estate). Casey buried 417 Shelly (Cherry) whilst Wells wound both Mayhem & Tritt out, 313 coming under further fire from Beech. 31 Bumble (Mk5) tried running Dodge in but Wells arrived to heave the former aside though Wells steady progress took a dip when Gypsy Boy had him out. Halls neatly leaned 816 Brian Hands, who like his brother was also Sierra estate powered, into Charlie as Trigger took a suicidal lunge at Castle only to put himself away. 007 Matty Cox (Capri) ran Shelly in, Boomer doing likewise to Beech whilst Wells tossed Halls aside. 124 Orris swept 323 Andy Walker’s Civic aside en route to a fine win ahead of 576 Simon Hadland (Accord) & Castle.

Result: 124 Carl Korszewski, 576 Simon Hadland, 815 Castle, 575 Tritton, 110 Derek Tyler, 173 Ian Wells

Heat 3 (25 cars) - Wells starting the action by hooking Cox out whilst 30 Ashley Avery (Mk4 Escort) copped a brace of biggies off Walker & Kerry. Beech also received a hefty blow, Trigger his assailant though the latter was then leaned in by Posh Boy. Brian Hands then blasted Sole into Trigger as a recovered Beech jacked Charlie impressively. Cox tried heaving both 110 YoYo Man (Cavalier) & Tritt in whilst Sole bashed Posh Boy, the former spinning in the process whereupon YoYo Man met him on the nose. Mark Holdsworth (Prairie) did likewise to Rich Hands though took a shot from the other Hands, 817 taking further punishment from the lively Sole & Kelly. Cox then jacked Sole down in an all Capri affair as Gypsy Boy biffed Beech. Boomer & Sole both powered up the rapidly shortening Posh Boy Rover as Holdsworth once again located Rich Hands though paid for it with a shot from Gypsy Boy. Castle took the win from Tritt & Wells to end another blinder.

Result: 815 Castle, 575 Paul Tritton, 173 Ian Wells, 606 Liam Weedon, 110 Yo Yo, 323 Andy Walker

Final (25 cars) - 25 returned for the final with Orris on pole quickly off into the sunset & looking untouchable for a record fifth win. Baldrick spun, 573 Chris Brooks (Mk4 Escort estate) obliging with a bone whilst Wells spun Boomer. Halls fired Rich Hands in, the latter then collected by the pack & jacked down by Boomer. 17 Strach (Sunny) was making a steady debut before falling victim to a gang war whilst 77 Bass (Mk4) couldn’t resist jacking 40 Squeeky (Capri) but left himself prone to similar treatment from Halls. Orris indeed notched up another win but this will be the last time you’ll see that Bluebird as it died when he buried Boomer after crossing the line, the consistent pairing of Castle & Wells were next home.

Result: 124 Orris, 815 Castle, 173 Ian Wells, 126 David Case, 575 Paul Tritton, 323 Walker

Demolition Derby - An excellent 17 gridded for the derby with 323 now being piloted by Alistair Lowe commencing what was to be a fine display homing in on Wilko. 580 Dippy Dave (Orion) also steamed the Fintail whilst Tank turned it round & was promptly met on the nose by Casey & a further shot from Orris (in the 77 Tina) with Lowe on hand for a storming t-bone to the estate before Brian Hands delivered the coup-de-gras putting a wheel up on the 503 motor. Orris went on to meet 75 Cory DSU in a battle of the Mk4s whilst Wilko engaged Castle in a hefty head-on only to cop a shot off Brian Hands. In a Jackpots v team Farina feud, Mayhem then pinned Castle to the wall before Brian Hands once again arrived with a steam, though Wilko delivered one of his own to the latter. Mayhem was struggling with steering & he was attacked by both Jackpots on the infield which enabled Mick to return to the concrete whereupon he zoomed in on Castle. Lowe now joined in with a blast to Castle who was more interested in A60s & went off in search of Mayhem. Cory then assaulted Castle before Hands launched himself at Cory. Wilko was still looking good but not for long as he was destroyed by a screaming blitz from Casey & despite Baldrick firing back into life he was excluded for being out of it too long & Brian Hands wrapped up proceedings by stopping the game Lowe with a head on.

Result: 816 Brian Hands

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Standlake 7^th November 2004 Over 1800cc

After two disappointing unlimiteds a phenomenal fifty supported this one with plenty of top tin too! Top Granadas belonged to 251 Buster & 758 Wurzel (Mk1 saloon & limo respectively) whilst Man in Black 469 Paul Quinnell (estate) & 622 Ifor (diesel) both plumped for Mercs. There were ten jags if you include a hybrid coupe for 117 Chinny & a stunning 420G for 2 Jon Bricknell whilst 260 Keefy dug out a trademark crusty Hawk. Moving onto Rovers & P4s for 300 Richard Wheeler & 721 Tony Maconachie whilst 120 Tufty (coupe) & 750 Rock opted for P5s. This leaves just one further motor of note, a gorgeous sounding two-door PC Cresta for 133 Karly.

Heat 1 (26 cars) - The opening heats saw split grids. 36 Shaft (Volvo estate) was the first to show in the first, picking Chinny up who latched onto 113 Stuart Beavis’ Donald, the latter hitting the fence. Ifor took a biggie off 32 Podge though 536 Kev Hardie (XJ) was quick to steam the latter before being wound out by 14 Baby Face (estate). Karly too hooked Hardie out before the race was halted on lap three when a fire broke out in Podge’s Mk2. 915 Vinnie (Vole) lead them away on the restart but 54 Winnie (estate) had eased past within a lap. 273 Erny (Volvo estate) survived an attack from 364 Flumpy whilst Vinnie superbly nailed 281 Roy Thompson. 283 Webby (XJ) hooked 70 Steven Hart (Vole estate) out but copped a blast off Flumpy, the latter in turn being treated to a spot of Humber! Flumpy shrugged this off & once again set about Webby whilst 372 Stephen Stratford (Rover 820) copped a biggie off 79 Adam Simpson’s Volvo 740 estate. Thompson blew a hose & fenced himself as Ifor blasted Shaft whilst Winnie cruised to an easy win, Buster bringing the Mk1 home 2^nd with Baby face getting a rare 3^rd place trophy.

Result: 54 Alan Cartwright, 251 Ray Griffiths, 14 Colin Lacey, 101 Trevor Baker, 260 Keith Reynolds, 283 Bryan Webb

Heat 2 (27 cars) - The remainder plus a couple of quick turnarounds took part in the second, 411 Hippo (estate) a non-starter taking a shot from 911 Darren Saveall (XJ). Bricknell landed a shot on 88 Donny whilst 913 Simon Rowe dished out a head-on to 502 Kai May. Quinnell buried Tufty before joining his teammates in a Men in Black v Vigilante battle. Wurzal attempted to get 143 Chicken man (estate) in but the latter was far too street wise to fall for that! Indeed he removed Quinnell’s Merc en route to an easy win, Quinnell recovering to fence 756 Bart’s XJ. 283 Webby (XJ) blasted a limping 7 Ethan Dudley (XJ) as 301 Darren Goves & 112 Rusty brought their Jags home next to complete the home clean sweep.

Result: 143 Martin Wilkes, 301 Darren Goves, 112 Shaun Russell, 283 Webby, 133 Karly Day

Heat 3 (26 cars) - Split heats again & the third surprisingly beginning with Baby Face going up bruv Hippo though the former left himself open to a biggie from Donny. 564 Mr Splat laid into Keefy as Hardie leathered Thompson with 155 Dem (Capri) meeting the latter head-on. Dem then flicked 126 Dudley Wren (Volvo 740) in before blasting 55 Alistair Lowe’s Cavalier whilst Beavis reversed Tufty in. Goves biffed 219 Mark Fletcher (Vole 740 estate) & Wren whilst Mr Splat removed Hippo, though the latter quickly found reverse to hold his man allowing Hardie to put the roof up on 564. Keefy jacked Hippo as Winnie spun Lowe, the latter then on the receiving end of a 1^st gear Humber! Chinny blasted Tufty only to put himself in as Rock met Keefy in a battle of the vintage. Winnie secured back-to-back wins & celebrated by winding Rock out as Karly brought the flying Frothy home in 2^nd ahead of a surprised Dem for another all local result.

Result: 54 Winnie, 133 Karly, 155 Craig Boyle

Heat 4 (21 cara) - with 777 Cliff Worthington making a bee-line for Rowe but was strangely wound out by fellow Bristol racer Dudley. Wheeler swerved to avoid Hart but nicked the 70 Vole putting the Auntie round whilst in the other P4, Maconachie was run in by Dudley to end the formers day. Quinnell buried Shaft only to be blown up by Bricknell who in turn was nailed by 101 the Cobbler (Volvo). 28 Colin Quinnell (Vole) powered into the Cobbler though he took a shot from Worthington. Wurzal showed why he was Fleet’s track champ with a fine win in the limo on a very greasy surface beating Standlake’s own champ Winnie who finished 2^nd ahead of Chicken Man in 3^rd.

Result: 758 Jason Rudman, 54 Winnie, 143 Wilkes

Heat 5 (25 cars) - with Beavis bravely charging up Rock’s P5 whilst Saveall turned Ifor into the path of Wurzal for a t-bone. Saveall then impressively blew the Cobbler up with Rock too landing a shot on the Fleet man as Karly powered up Colin Quinnell. Wurzal steamed into Saveall whilst Beavis ran Colin Quinnell in with Ifor missing his attempted shot on the Worthing driver & fencing himself. Flumpy then gave Ifor one on the nose before Karly superbly wasted the Mercedes. Karly then buried Worthington as Beavis blew the Cobbler up only to be steamed by Mr Splat. Wheeler stuffed Tufty in a battle of the Rovers before Karly arrived with an even bigger pounding to the P5 at which point Wheeler’s Auntie burst into flames to bring about a premature end to a corker of a race. Stratford silenced all those jeering him about racing his Rover by taking a fine win, from Chicken Man & 707 Mark Court (XJ).

Result: 372 Stephen Stratford, 143 Wilkes, 707 Mark Court, 14 Colin Lacey, 301 Goves, 54 Winnie.

Final (18 cars) - Faherty taking a psycho lunge at Simpson as Chicken Man removed Shaft to set the pace. After a quiet start Donny livened up proceedings by burying both Shaft & Simpson before Keefy wasted Beavis bringing about an early stoppage to check on the Worthing racer. Mr Splat side-swiped Goves in the restart whilst Karly blasted Simpson who also took a shot off the then 2^nd placed Stratford which left Chicken Man with a commanding lead over the newly promoted Court. Goves recovered to run Simpson in whilst Dudley steamed Shaft before Jon B whooshed Stratford in. Dudley located Shaft once more & launched him into Baby Face as Chicken Man collected an easy win, ahead of Court with Karly impressing by bringing the flying Frothy home in 3^rd.

Result: 143 Wilkes, 707 Court, 133 Karly

Demolition Derby - Ten left for the DD with Rock blasting Paul Quinnell whilst MR Splat cleverly side-swiped Thompson in whereupon the latter was superbly trashed by Karly to leave both rear wheels well off the ground. Rock now turned attentions to Donny allowing Mr Splat a cracking shot on the latter but he in turn copped one from Dudley. Flumpy arrived to t-bone Mr Splat as Rock returned to pick on Paul Quinnell, firing him into Simpson. Dudley latched onto Karly, running him into the already dead Thompson motor though Rock then steamed the Mendips man. Flumpy once again steamed Mr Splat which actually released the latter from Donny’s magnetic grasp, Karly reversing into Flumpy allowing Dudley to sandwich the former Saint. Karly was at this point looking favourite but a couple of t-bones from Dudley seemed to have some effect & although the Frothy managed a blow to Flumpy & a final t-bone to Dudley before expiring to leave Dudley to finish Flumpy off with a final shot to leave the Mendpis visitor a hard-earned winner.

Result: 7 Ethan Dudley

The meeting was blistering from start to finish. Good hard banger racing without any silly antics & just the tonic I needed to add fizz to my recently flat gins!

Bill