14-07-02
The Stars & Stripes Trophy
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No rain?? Was I at the right track ?? Ahh loads of crashes and close racing :) Yup its Warton
alright! A normal meeting, after the fun of the Metros last time, Team Stinkbridge were up
to clobber DAHM busters in the bangers. Ste Smith was back in his Unlimited Mini, and Martin #555
Yeates was back with his repaired mini, you couldn't see the join. Martin was OK too, though
he refused to let me check if he was still stiff.. Mind you his 'stalker' had reviled herself
as a nice girl, Martin seemed a little shocked and put out by it all.. Well that's what I wanted to believe
anyway :). On the track Martin had a good return to racing, he won Heat one of the Ministox and the
final, getting thirds in the second heat and the Grand National (where he started a lap down).
Heat one also saw #343 Lee 'tired' Wrennall went on two tyres on the start/finish straight.
He also battled with Martin for most of the heat.. Lee was second and James Hayhurst was a good
third. Heat two and Martin had a bad spin, Dan Hurst, #492, ended up on the infield, he got away
eventually. #161 Nick Isles-Heardman did not finish the race, he stopped at the pit corner. Lee won
and James came second. In the final Lee was in the lead, until he got stuck behind a backmarker,
Martin snuck through, and James was third :) The Grand National saw a good tussle between #999
Darrell Shaw and #492 Dan Hurst, though Dan seemed a little under powered today. The three stooges
again filled the top spots, Lee, James and Martin.
I have had an idea, when the Unlimited Minis come out, lets play a song for #44 Ste Smith. Hot
Chocolate, 'you win again'. Ste won all three races again do do de doo de doo de doo .. #62
Dave Eccles got third in heat one and a second in the final. Dave split a tyre in heat two after
a big crush. Mr Alex Chapman, #134, had two seconds and a third. Though this is now the smallest
class at Warton, there is still plenty of action, I remember when the Supers and Stocks had poor
turnouts, just look at them now!
Talking of the Stock Cars.. 21 in heat 1 and #67, #912, #932, #717, #911, #65 and #808 did not finish.
#808 Wayne Clark was one of many who lost a wheel, #65 Nathan Lawson ended up in the wall and beached
on the inner wall trying to avoid the hapless Wayne. #5 Jonathan Clarkson won the heat and
#777 Jack 'papa' Lord second and #377 Steven Murry third :) Wayne faired better in heat two, he
won, but #80 Glenn Lord failed to finish, as his car has a bit break. That's as technical as I get
about cars. #218 Will Ball had a torrid race, mounting another car then later hitting the wall. Will
smashed his front bumper off in the final and #590, Julian Naylor, sliced a tyre big time, both
were out of the race, #5 Jonnie Clarkson won again and #377 Steven Murry and #67 Peter Fawcett
followed him. #777 Jack 'pops' Lord was out in the first lap of the Grand National, his son
#80 Glenn was a no show, #932 Philip Wells took a win.
The Supers .... Hmmm Heat 1 and a massive smash on the pit corner exit, #244 Martin Makim
and #30 Paul Jarman were out!... Mr Jay 'Rodder' Kellett won with #274 DC second and third going to
a certain Mr Hardy, #57. The same Mr Hardy gave me a fright in heat two, much to the amusement
of the crowd and everyone who knows me! Rodder and Hardy (there's a joke in there somewhere)
had a coming together after the pit corner, they mounted the infield and jay hit the tyre next to
the marshal post at the start finish line. That stopped him, but Mr Hardy did not stop, slow down
or change direction! He was heading for me, I felt safe, as I was at the far corner and on the
raised bit, about a foot high. Still Steve belts toward me, 'he will stop' I thought 'hmm he's
will stop soon' 'he won't get over the wall' 'IM OUT OF HERE' Crunch, Steve landed where I had been
stood. his car had cleared the concrete wall, well three wheels had, and I was about three foot
away from the front of his car, looking at him looking at me! I cannot but think it was a bit harsh
of Steve to try and splat me, just cause I called him nasty in the last report! I now think he's great!
#802 Graeme Black won, #244 Martin Makim second and third went to #21 Simon Varley, I went to the
toilet! The Queen of Warton, Ann Potts, made her meeting debut in the final, but it was a walk
in the park for #274 DC, as he drove to a good win. Mr Black was following him and third went to
#772 Alan Molloy, or 'my dear papa' as #18 Andrew calls him. Jay Kellett had fixed his car
enough to win the Grand National, #21 and #802 also placed!
Bangers, OK so there were meetings at other tracks today, but what was lacked in quantity
was certainly made up in QUALITY... There was a new team, mates of Super Banger driver, Rodder Kellett,
They had no name, so I name them, for this report and photo album, Team Rodders! #616, #98 Billy
Doolan and #438 made up this motley team. Local loony #48 Kevin 'cone head' Chadwick, had a
toy dog mounting his water bottle. 'to fill it up if it gets empty' he told me! 'Ok then' I thought
Anyway as the race started #666 Andy 'Roadreaper' Pennington was well miffed when #169 Tank
popped one of his Brand new tyres! Tank was getting unstuck from the back of another car as Andy nailed him. It was
all in good humour and they shook hands.. #449 Mark Thomas was again the comedy act after the race had
finished... His car exploded... Just like last time! He had got third though, #149 Paul 'The Duck'
Gore second and #169 the winner. Heat two. #41 Dan Steele got a nice hit on TNT car #151 Steven Scurr, but Dan was soon paid
back by #511 Steven 'You pick on my family, you pick on me' Scurr. Fellow bread man and banger
virgin Angus, #416, did a few laps in his Sierra. There was some mutual respect shown between Dan Steele and Stinkbridge
driver ???? who managed to race side by side a few laps, without making contact! #224 Mike '
champ' Ross spun out a Stinkbridge car in a neat manoeuvre. #157 Barry Greenhalgh won. Mike
was second and #191 was third. The 21 car final was the one we were waiting for. Stinkbridge and
DAHM Haters finally get to race each other... When I say race I mean fight, it was all out war. Well
after two false starts, one caused by #666 Andy Pennington not starting, his clutch had gone again!
It was almost an anti climax, other than #169 Tank getting totally destroyed and Dan Steele
following in Mike Ross. Only two cars finished Dan was second and amazingly the dog lover
#48 Kevin 'cone boy' Chadwick won! I was shocked, you could have knocked me down with a feather,
or a Super Banger if you prefer! Cars #98 and #48 were reluctant starters in the DD, but neither
lasted too long, in fact only #169 seemed to be moving. #196 ended up a pile of scrap iron and
we all laughed a great deal, well I did as normal.
A speedy drive home, as in no hold ups and I hope the photos will be up tomorrow onwards!
SnOrK
