Arena Essex - ae0230

Arena Essex Raceway - Meeting 02/30 Sunday, September 1, 2002

Crashnet > Reports Index > PRI 2002 Index > Meeting 02/30

Plastengrave Non-Ford Bangers Mark Day Memorial
Ladies Bangers Championship Final
Group A Hot Rods

In Brief

A close fought final lap was the deciding factor as the Ladies battled for the 2002 Banger title at Arena Essex on September 1, with Nina Crouchman getting an early lead whittled down to nothing by Maria Ilett by the last few hundred yards, which led to a final lap battle as Nina was first passed, then pushed Maria onto the safety area on the back straight, then both came together around the pit bend seeing Nina win by the narrowest of margins off the last corner. Jo Keeling followed in third after a consistant drive, though staying off the lead. Defending champion Sue Davies and former champion Amanda Harris were both forced to drop out before the race with engine difficulties.

The main Plastengrave Banger meeting was hastily made into a memorial for Mark "Foxy" Day, his former team mates in the Buzz Boys team putting much effort into the organisation and drivers turning up in droves to boost what is usually the quietest of the Plastengrave meetings that Arena Essex holds. Brett Cardy put in a firm drive to hold off from current RJK Drivers' Champion, Sonny Sherwood, to win the Memorial title in a meeting that was extended due to the number of bangers turning up, including some smart and unusual models, though Andy Davies was unable to coax much speed from his MGB GT and Tommy McGurk wrote off his immaculate Viva HC Estate at first time of asking, ending up embedded in the front of a Hillman Minx provided by Andrew Swift, racing on a day license. Heat wins went to Jimmy Randall, Mark Woolner and Frank Skinner, while the consolation was taken by Kev Harland in a rusty Astra. He later stated that this was the first time he had won anything since 1993! Cardy also grabbed victory in the Rawlins 2000 qualifier and tied for last car with Craig Hewitt after a head on shunt on turn one claimed both cars.

The Group A Hot Rods were a little short in numbers given their recent busy schedule, but turned up in good numbers all the same, putting in some great racing, especially in the final event where Dom Tomlinson held off everyone, including most of the red tops, to win. Behind him was an eight way scuffle that eventually saw contact between Steve Mills and Tony Moss which saw Mills finish backwards across the line and Moss disqualified. Heat one went to Ray Layton after Chris Smith had to retire with engine problems, though the old Devine Fiesta sounded increasingly rough through the day and eventually gave up; Jason Griffiths took heat two after rounding Layton's ailing motor, while Gary Rouse took the third heat easily, with Tomlinson, Steve Smith and Dave Lamb hotly competing for second spot.

Ladies Championship Qualifiers

19	Trish Walmer	201	Nicky Smith	449	Amanda Harris
31	Paula Radley	306	Audrey Vaughan	459	Theresa Killick
32	Tracey Wilmore	312	Mandy Cheeseman	462	Joanne Hewitt
38	Vikki Palmer	326	Tracy Worthington	490	Sharon Worthington
396	Angela Barber	345	Gemma Willett	511	Lisa Grover
129	Esther Hammans	346	Caroline Hewitt	526	Tina Roberts
141	Lisa McLelland	363	Maria Ilett	552	Debbie Aldborough
149	Lainy Killick	370	Jo Keeling	643	Nina Crouchman
190	Sue Davies	412	Christine Dawson

Results

1. Ladies Bangers Championship Final	643 Nina Crouchman	363	370	314	326	19	141	462	552	38
2. Plastengrave Bangers Heat 1	208 Jimmy Randall	415	348	128	13	317	331	188	26	101	102	200
3. Group A Hot Rods 1 - A & B	16 Ray Layton	134	75	184	38	190	91	23
4. Plastengrave Bangers Heat 2	326 Mark Woolner	381	449	306	19	353	3	210	312	286	NOCR
5. Plastengrave Bangers Heat 3	193 Frank Skinner	425	38	190	134	16	207	518	47	287	552	245
6. Group A Hot Rods 2 - A & C	134 Jason Griffiths	148	38	91	63	197	94	23
7. Plastengrave Bangers Consolation	396 Kev Harland	462	235	61	520	398	169	247	179	412
8. Group A Hot Rods 3 - B & C	63 Gary Rouse	17	184	82	99	126	92	94
9. Plastengrave Bangers Final/Mark Day Memorial	518 Brett Cardy	348	247	193	101	190	353	38
10. Group A Hot Rods Final	17 Dom Tomlinson	91	184	63	197	94	23	75
11. Bangers R2Kq	518 Brett Cardy	363	628

Last Car Running: 518 & 345 Craig Hewitt

Click here for Banger list
Click here for Group A list

Crashnet Photos

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Also don't forget to see Matthew Bull's website for more photo action from this meeting! Click here