Dover Raceway May 3 2010
Big Van Bangers, Bangerstox, Super Rods and Ministox

The annual big van banger session at Dover raised a record breaking and pit bursting turnout of 26 motors on May 3, the field all local and RDC based. The Mk3 Transit was the most popular tool but there were some cool machines to be found, the beefy 4wd styled Mk2 Transits of 267 James Steel and 442 Sean Crittenden being the pick of the conventional Transits and 164 Barry Sedgwick dared to be different with a Mercedes 307. However three vans stood out from the rest, 105 Chris Jacobs with a rather large Bedford CF dormobile, a giant LDV bus for 346 Scott Saunders and a cool Mk2 Transit dormobile fruit and veg van for 349 Lee Saunders. The latter two also impressed with the paint work with 10 Sam Topley, 54 Jason Blackford (LDV bus) and 766 Ricky Armstrong also making an effort.

With a much larger entry than previous years half van heats started the day but with a non runner just 11 contested heat one which was fairly subdued, the wet track from the previous days rain not helping matters. 101 Ian Norris span his LDV into the banking early with 55 Clint Millen T-boning heat before 267 James Steel span 117 Trevor Wright who backed his attacker in, the former then whacked by 492 Dean Harper. 790 Dave Patterson then clobbered the reversing Wright before 349 Finbarr homed in for a solid hit on Steel which in turn claimed Millen and 492 Mullet. Finbarr meanwhile raced to the win ahead of 53 Dave Palmer and 101 Bam Bam, 113 Steve Sedgwick (LDV) and Millen the only other finishers.

Up to 13 for the second heat which was much better beginning with 800 Mick Moon spinning 300 Lee Sterling into the banking before the former suffered a similar fate thanks to the LDV mounted 402 Albie Jenner. 188 John Reeves then had 54 Jason Blackford round to cause an early pile-up in which Topley rammed 346 Muttley before they traded numerous hits on the pit bend. 741 Charlie Daniels (Sherpa) T-boned Muttley hard with 402 Albert ramming the former in turn which allowed Muttley to ram 741 German Jnr in revenge before he again attacked Topley who replied with a hit of his own. 54 Blackie then span into the banking as 188 Victor dished out a wicked hit on Topley while442 Critter stuffed 154 Rob Craft. Victor again hammered Topley before the former T-boned 154 Crafty and Mutley again rammed Topley with the back of his bus. Critter took the win from Victor and Albert, just six finishing this time.

The final was next which was open to all and raised a track filling 22 vans, the raceway made more slippery from a short shower a couple of races before. Jacobs began by fencing Blackie as Mullet span Millen into the banking only to come under fire from Jacobs as a pile-up filled the pit bend. Muttley then followed in Sterling a treat and Craft dumped 259 Dan Poole into the banking. The lively Muttley now rammed Patterson hard as Sterling was hammered by Mullet and Jacobs before Moon also crashed into the banking as did 259 Big Dan thanks to the on form Jacobs. Albert then attacked Critter on opposite as Topley again attacked Muttley while the track became completely blocked on turn four. Wright nailed Millen and Critter hit Finbrarr before 24 Stu Buddle rammed Palmer in reverse. Topley again pounded Muttley as Critter rammed Blackie which inspired the latter to hit Mullet. With no way through the race was called with Wright taking the win from Critter and Sedgwick.

A fine 21 returned for the Accumulator qualifier and again a pile-up quickly formed on the exit of the pit bend in which Patterson hit Big Dan on the nose. Meanwhile on the home straight Buddle clobbered the spinning Steel over the front wheel with Critter blasting the former in turn while the luckless Big Dan was T-boned by Millen and nailed by Moon. Wright meanwhile buried Crafty as Critter delivered a T-bone on the spun Millen and Steel rammed Wright in reverse. Sterling T-boned Patterson and Jacobs did the same to Crafty as another turn two pile-up formed. Muttley then reversed into Steel in a big impact with Jacobs homing in for a rated shot on Muttley as 20 Andy Burbridge met the spun Mullet on the nose. Crafty laid into Jacobs who shrugged it off to attack the passing Sedgwick while Bam Bam span into the banking as did Finbarr and Mullet a short while later. Muttley rammed Jacobs in reverse but the former carried on with a package on Big Dan before dishing out a revenge shot on Muttley while Finbarr took another win from Bam Bam and 20 Baldy.

A most decent 16 repaired for the demo which followed another short shower. Sedgwick and Buddle played at the start reversing into German Jnr and Bam Bam as the green fell as Muttley attacked 766 Rolly which allowed Jacobs to pick up the latter and follow him in a treat on the pit bend. Sterling T-boned Buddle and Jacobs rammed 108 Kieran Jefcote in reverse. Big Dan weighed into the luckless Rolly before he also belted Muttley as Finbarr emerged from the pit bend carnage with his body work snapped impressively. Jacobs homed in for a hard head-on to Victor with Rolly also blasting the latter hard as Jefcote nailed German Jnr. Finbarr piled into the pit bend heap in reverse and Wright singled out Sterling for a T-bone. Victor then gave Finbarr a solid T-bone which shook the latter’s bodywork as Jacobs built up a head of steam on the back straight but was clipped Jefcote which sent him crashing onto the infield. Bam Bam rammed Sedgwick and Victor again T-boned Finbarr in a bid to collapse his van. Big Dan hit Bam Bam and Mullet T-boned Patterson only to take one in turn from Big Dan with Bam Bam also laying into Mullet. Sedgwick finally brought Finbarr’s body work down but the latter continued to ram Patterson hard in reverse as Sterling nailed Bam Bam. Victor also blasted Sterling with a T-bone before ramming Bam Bam. Patterson and Finbarr then sandwiched Victor with reverse hits, Finbarr then attacking the former but getting stuck on his target. Bam Bam finished Victor to take the win with Sedgwick then emerging from the heap but neither he or Bam Bam were able to deliver a killer blow to end the day on a high, Jacobs named the best entertainer.

Heat one: 349 Lee Saunders, 53, 101, 113, 55
Heat two: 442 Sean Crittenden, 188, 402, 300, 24, 54
Grand Final: 117 Trevor Wright, 442, 113, 790, 349, 492, 53, 20, 54, 108
Accumulator qualifier: Saunders, 101, 20, 492, 113, 790, 105, 300
Destruction Derby: 101 Ian Norris from 188/349 Best entertainer 105 Chris Jacobs

Round two of the Bangerstox track championship raised a belting field of 50 cars , this including almost all of the drivers from the season opener plus 11 drivers on their first meeting of the season of which 95 Paul and 96 Andy Chapman and 7 Jason Kingsley wielded smart looking motors.

30 white grade cars for heat one with Paul Chapman setting the pace until 64 Aaron Harris took over a few laps in and duly motored to a somewhat comfortable win. There was much chaos around him with 51 Colin Boswell and 39 John Stone tangled early on while 34 Lisa Fagg got two wheels onto the banking before spinning as did 13 Tracey Gilbert and 25 Dave Bancraft. 82 Gavin Barnes also went round and was collected by 80 Stacey Griffiths and 60 Clive Port. Paul Chapman held on for a fine second and 14 Carl Pritchard completed the top three.

19 graded cars for the second heat with 11 Brian Willis blasting from pole to a near flag to flag win, only broke when 63 Shane Bullen was briefly able to get in front. There was early drama for 47 Barry Sunter and 52 Richard Randell who tangled and crashed heavily into the banking on the pit bend. 31 Paul McMahon made a strong start which was dashed when he tangled with the struggling 37 Del Jarman while 15 Jay Powell worked hard to climb to third, his progress helped when the front running 3 George Forbes expired in the final stages. However Powell had to settle for third when he couldn’t get the better of Bullen in the final stages.

28 white grade cars made it back for the third heat with the spinning 73 Karl Taylor collected by Port and 89 Gary Kimber at the start as Stone made the running and was never headed as he managed to steer clear of all the problems around him to register a fine flag to flag win. 33 John Butcher was an early spinner while 16 Jade Stokes went round and was collected by Harris and newcomer 93 Alfie Hover. Kingsley attempted to climb the banking as up front Boswell reeled in Stone but his challenge backfired and he collected the stricken 21 Glenn Burney car leaving Stone clear for the win ahead of the recovered Boswell and 98 Neil Jones.

17 cars for the last heat which featured another flag to flag win, this time Bullen storming from the front row to a fine win. Disaster for 27 Michael Godfrey who was on the wrong end of a big push on the home straight which sent him spinning and he was collected by Randall and 40 Joe Taylor while 83 Paul Apps tangled with 6 Sarah Cox as they tried to avoid the crash, this sending the latter into the banking. 9 Chris Young took second having held the spot most of the race while 29 Craig Groombridge drove a blinder to take third from the back and 26 Ant Williams narrowly beat 50 Ray Walker for fourth.

21 qualifiers returned for the final with 62 Steve Cross making the early running as Powell made a great start from the red grade. However a back straight push from 58 Owen Childs on Paul Chapman sent Cross into the wall and allowed Paul Chapman to grab the lead from Andy Chapman and Childs. The fourth placed Pritchard then hit the fence as well while Bancraft became the first retirement and Paul Chapman also slapped the fence. 69 Andy Bucket gave 32 Gary Austin a shove as they battled over a minor spot but up front Andy Chapman had opened a big lead. By half way Powell had worked his way to third and was challenging Harris for second with Bullen, Childs, Paul Chapman and Boswell the next to feature. Powell soon moved into second leaving Bullen to battle Harris over third. The expired Bucket was then collected by Boswell as Andy Chapman managed to hold off the fast closing Powell for the win with Bullen getting the better of Harris in a fine battle for third.

Heat one: 64 Aaron Harris, 95, 14, 51, 58, 62, 69, 25, 98, 33
Heat two: 11 Brian Willis, 63, 15, 32, 65, 29, 27, 26, 9, 6
Heat three: 39 Jonathan Stone, 51, 98, 95, 96, 24, 58, 25, 62, 34
Heat four: 63 Shane Bullen, 9, 29, 26, 50, 15, 83, 65, 31, 32
Grand Final: 96 Andy Chapman, 15, 63, 64, 95, 29, 32, 65, 39, 26
Grade Awards: 95 Paul Chapman (white), Bullen (yellow), 65 Chris Bull (blue), 15 Jay Powell (red)

For the second meeting in a row the Super Rods raised 11 cars, this including the first outings of the season for 9 David Smisson and 14 Frank Gough.

Sadly the first shower of the afternoon greeted the drivers for the opening heat with 76 Oliver Jarvis making the early running as Smisson became the first to suffer a spin. Jarvis and second placed 271 Aaron Beany then overcooked it and span which handed 84 Gary Harvey the lead and he duly didn’t put a wheel wrong en route to a race win. Behind him 28 Andrew Donavan held second for a large portion of the race until he faded in the final laps leaving 41 Pete Emson to battle 77 Mark Shingleton in a great tussle for second which the former narrowly won while 121 Nigel Goodwin span from a battle with 88 Jason Anderson over fourth which handed the latter the place.

A full field again for heat two and Jarvis again made the running as the spinning Smisson was collected by Goodwin costing him much time. Harvey quickly passed Beany for second as Anderson, Donavan and Shingleton pushed the tricky conditions to make it three abreast as they fought for early position. Jarvis and Emson then slid into the fence handing Harvey the lead but he then overcooked it and Emson took over. Shingleton also slid wide and lost a place to Anderson as Donavan collected the spinning Jarvis which in turn caused Gough to hit the wall. Goodwin then triumphed in a daring three wide battle with Anderson and Beany for third before he passed 21 Kevin Hickey and hunted down Emson but he couldn’t get close enough and had to settle for second, Hickey taking third.

Following another shower the field was reduced to nine cars for the final with Beany making the early running as a half spin cost Shingleton some time. Hickey then tangled with Smisson which sent him over the back straight banking but he recovered in second while Goodwin was quickly into fourth. Behind them Emson, Donavan, Anderson and Shingleton battled over four as Goodwin charged into second only to slip and spin just before half way. Emson and Hickey passed him and battled over second while a recovered Goodwin battled Shingleton for fifth. Emson grabbed the lead from Beany with three to win as Shingleton cruelly expired just as he got the better of Hickey for third. Emson meanwhile took his second win, Beany registering his best result to date with a fine second and Hickey in third as Goodwin beat Donavan in a last lap battle for fifth.

Heat one: 84 Gary Harvey, 41, 77, 88, 28, 121, 21, 271
Heat two: 41 Pete Emson, 121, 21, 88, 84, 271, 77, 28, 9
Grand Final: Emson, 271, 21, 88, 121, 28, 14

A rather modest field of nine Ministox assembled for their first meeting of the season at Dover, this including the on track debut of 348 Mitchell Saunders and the track debuts of 306 Daniel Parker and 320 Charley Streeton.

Following a false start when Saunders failed to get running, heat one began without 303 Lewis Jefcote who was unable to start. Streeton made the running as 316 Sam Dace soon passed 365 George Sedgwick for second while 383 Shane Harvey quickly climbed to third. Parker was also moving up well and soon into fourth as Dave grabbed the lead when Streeton got stuck behind the back marking 374 Dan Elliott. Parker gave Streeton a hit to take third and he reeled in 383 Chimp and moved him wide with a lap to run and took a fine win on his track debut. Chimp had to settle for second and Dace was third.

All nine again for heat two and Streeton again set the pace. Chimp made a better start this time and was quickly into third as Saunders and 361 Ashley Byron both found the fence. Dace expired while lying second which promoted Chimp and he soon grabbed the lead as Parker used the bumper to take third from Sedgwick and in the final stages he was able to move Streeton wide for second but there was no catching Chimp who took the win this time. Saunders improved on his debut result with an excellent fourth this time.

A full field again for the final which was held during a heavy shower. Dace lost time at the start as he got stuck behind Elliot leaving 303 Squeaky to make the running third time, his lead extended when nearest rival Streeton got two wheels on the back. Sedgwick closed to challenge for second but Chimp again made early progress and was able to rocket into the lead while Parker shoved Saunders into the fence to move into fourth. He then gave Squeaky a shove for third with Sedgwick spinning the latter before Parker span Streeton for second but was again unable to catch Chimp who took his second win, the latter crash handing Sedgwick third and his maiden trophy finish.

Heat one: 306 Daniel Parker, 383, 316, 365, 320, 348, 361, 374
Heat two: 383 Shane Harvey, 306, 320, 348, 361, 365, 374
Grand Final: Harvey, 306, 365, 316, 361, 348, 374

A most entertaining afternoon, albeit one which was limited by the wet track from the previous day’s heavy rain and the showers on the day but a day which saw all the formulas provide some good racing at times and one of the best van banger meetings ever seen at the track.