Mildenhall Saturday September 15 2007
RDC's Gold Rush
1400cc Bangers Gabby Memorial and BriSCA F2 Stockcars World of Shale Championship and Bert Tyler Memorial

The final 1400cc banger bash of the year at Mildenhall raised another fine field of around 120 cars for the Gabby Memorial including many visitors, the most impressive being a trio of Grave Diggers from way up north while the Misfits from Henham were also present in numbers. On the car front the Sunny was again the tool of choice but there was a large number of Fiestas as well. However there was some more stuff which attracted some attention with 601 Josh Brown turning some heads with a Reno 5. On the RWD front team mates 85 James Ellis and 285 Sean Dyer debuted Mk5 Cortinas, 539 Danny Allen returned a Capri, 168 Calvyn Girling had another Mk2 Escort and 272 Martin Vella wielded a Hillman Hunter. A few drivers were granted permission to return their small vans from the previous meeting including 20 Andy Burbridge who had a Marina, however topping the bill was 352 Stu Brooks who turned out a Citreon 2CV which was one of a handful of cars that were smartly presented.

34 cars out for the opener which turned out to be a most lively start to the night. 219 Rob Beavis hit the spun 328 Daniel Latham (Escort) from the off as 101 Richard Rayner powered his Escort van into 326 Shane Lynn (Escort estate). 660 Scott Smith (Fiesta) fenced Rayner while 375 Simon Olivant (Fiesta) came under fire from 279 Colin Hurt (Mazda 323) before a pile-up formed ever so briefly on turn four. 898 Andy Battle (Astra) began a lively display with a shot on 247 Martin Butts' Fiesta as 75 Stu Hensby (Astra) fenced 780 Darren Barnes and 527 Michael Norman (Escort van) hit the inner wall very hard at the end of the back straight where he took a hard hit from the Cavalier of 51 Colin Boswell which caused a pile-up to form around him. 130 Chris White (Favorit) hammered 540 Adam James' Cavalier and 251 Mark Webb (Proton) blasted the Nova of 721 Rick White. Behind them 425 Martin Stopher (Astra) buried 155 Lloyd Mullins' Astra into White which in turn claimed 511 Helen Licquorice (Astra) causing the latter to roll and bring the reds out. Mullins treated the spun Beavis to a T-bone on the restart as Battle put away James only to have 256 Lee Basham (Favorit) planted into him by Boswell as TSR guest 212 Richard Maryon (Astra) hammered 169 Len Brinkley (Fiesta). A pile-up now formed on turn two allowing Battle to fire into 256 Bash as Beavis bounced back to repay Mullins with a shot and Battle ended the action by walling 838 Michael Kent. 160 Perry Willings (Mazda 323) raced to the win ahead of Kent and Beavis with Battle the only other finisher.

One more for heat two with a pile-up forming almost straight away on the home straight with 117 Karl Dack opening his account as he picked up 799 Tim Reece (Fiesta) and ran him into the heap. 370 John Cobbold (Civic) began his campaign by assaulting 352 Mr Brooks as 15 Lee Weeks used his smart Sunny to run in 930 Denver James' Golf and Grave Digger 114 Adam Jackson marked his track debut by running in 415 Scott Cornish (Cavalier) hard on the pit bend. 117 Kamikaze now blasted 20 Baldy as Weeks continued by burying 325 Lorna Brooks' Civic before Cobbold buried 187 Andy Marshall (Escort estate) into the pile-up on the home straight only to take one from Jackson in turn. 285 Mr Misery homed in on 111 Ian Mirza as Kamikaze picked up the Nova of 14 Colin Lacey and ran him in with Weeks then planting 504 Carl Smee into 14 Babyface. Kamikaze was still crashing and he buried 695 Mark Bason (Astra) while the impressive Cobbold put away Mr Misery. Weeks fired into 442 Sean Crittenden (Corolla) as Cobbold home in on Mr Bilge with the latter taking further abuse from Jackson and 674 Luke Chilverhouse to finally finish the game 2CV. Cobbold took a fine full contact win and celebrated with a shot on Weeks. 673 Darren Fendley took second in his ultra smart Escort and Kamikaze a fine third.

Up to 46 cars for heat three but it was the quietest of the heats. 288 Ash Burton got things going by stuffing TSR's 321 Andy Newton as 343 Liam Haley came in for loads of stick, first attacked by 25 Andy Rookard (Corolla) leaving 343 prone to head-ons from 364 Sean Winchester (Escort van) and Brown. 22 Dave Vincent later attacked Rookard as 37 Dave Lewis (Concerto) buried 209 Ben Hayward (Astra estate) into the inner wall and 682 Paul Sparrow (Corolla) stuffed 96 Ian Robins' Escort estate. Up front there was a good race going on with 148 Ian Redden (Corolla) spinning 565 Mark Carter (Maestro) for the lead although this allowed 348 Sonny Sherwood to nip through. 148 Shorty battled back into the top spot and buried Carter once more en route to the win, spinning 431 Shaun Abra (Cavalier) as he crossed the line. Vincent was second and 145 Garry Bennett third.

Not quite 40 for the consolation with White stuffing Hurt from the off as 173 Roger Fuller (Fiesta) hit the inner wall hard before the luckless Hurt fell foul of Cornish and 64 Barry Lee (Cavalier) blasted White. A pile-up now formed on the top bend with 209 Minge running 897 Matt Battle (Belmont) into the heap. 306 Dave Dalton (Volvo 340) blasted Minge in turn but he took one from 235 Danny Rainer (Astra) seconds later. Newton hit 604 Keith Silley (Polo) on the nose with Hurt blasting the TSR man in turn, Newton also getting punished by Dalton which allowed Matt Battle to weigh in on the latter as Rayner connected on Minge. Newton battled back for a hit on Matt Battle but took one from 768 Alex Savage (Astra) in turn. Cornish stuffed 230 Danny Harris' Astra van and 338 Terry Garrod put away Chilverhouse leaving the latter open to a head-on from the fired up Cornish as Girling turned round to weigh into Minge before he buried his man to boot. Garrod scored on Chilverhouse over the rear wheel as Savage hit 307 Jon Joe Cunningham only to take one from Girling in turn. 64 Barry the Bull raced to the win from Stopher and Cunningham.

35 qualifiers returned for the final with Marshall burying Cornish into the spun 557 Adrian Jaggard (Favorit) from the off causing the latter to roll bringing the reds out almost straight away but not before Kamikaze blasted Mr Misery and Sparrow and Shorty butted heads hard at the end of the home straight. The race resumed with a pile-up forming on the entrance to turn one which quickly became a complete track blockage in which 446 Lee Greer treated 150 Andy Parrin to a hard hit. Crittendon blasted Brooks and became embedded in her boot for a lap allowed 488 Duane Collins (Galant) to bury them both. Lewis meanwhile stuffed the leading Beavis and would grab the lead himself a lap later when Crittenden lost time again dealing with Brooks. Winchester ran Baldy into the dead cars on the road bend as Greer stuffed Matt Battle and Crittenden again fired into Brooks allowing Winchester to pass him for second. Greer took the time to hit both Crittendon and Brooks as Shorty attacked 488 United. Lewis raced to the win with Crittenden second and Cobbold third, the latter celebrating with a hit on the game Brooks who also took one from Andy Battle but kept it running for a well deserved seventh.

Nearly 50 returned for the final event although the Accumulator was fairly tame. Hurt blasted Barnes from the off as 145 Gaz trashed Baldy on the pit bend. The impressive Cobbold buried Reese but took one in turn from Olivant which allowed 160 Pez to stuff Cobbold with 779 Kev Mullar (Escort) then piling Olivant into Cobbold. 331 Jack Garrod buried 169 Lenny Boy as 278 Tom Hills (Astra) buried 303 Wayne Linsdale on the home straight causing the latter to roll. The reds came out with the race declared in the favour of Terry Garrod from brother Jack and Hills and we resumed with the DD. A big pile-up quickly formed on the pit bend with most of the field happy to pile in. Beavis blasted Harris and 247 Butty blasted Rayner on the nose as Mr Misery gave Jackson a wicked hit and Butty continued with a head-on to Cobbold. Rayner fired back to nail 533 Anthony Starr (Maestro) as Savage came on opposite at an alarming rate to hit Andy Battle in what was perhaps fortunately just a glancing blow. Ministox graduate 371 Jason Cobbold (Civic) and brother John attacked Cunningham with 371 Smiler then giving Mr Misery a stiff hit. Harris and Cunningham stopped each other with a meaty head-on on the road bend leaving Smiler to silence Starr with a series of head-ons for the win.

Heat one: 160 Perry Willings, 838, 219, 898
Heat two: 370 John Cobbold, 673, 117, 557, 488, 187, 15, 442, 325, 20, 830, 285
Heat three: 148 Ian Redden, 22, 145, 37, 364, 85, 288, 682, 150, 446, 565, 141
Consolation: 64 Barry Lee, 425, 307, 338, 511, 540, 415, 897, 768, 168, 225
Gabby Memorial Grand Final: 37 Dave Lewis, 442, 370, 307, 898, 338, 325, 446
Accumulator Qualifier: 338 Terry Garrod, 331, 278, 307
Into Destruction Derby: 371 Jason Cobbold from 533

A cracking field of around 70 BriSCA F2 Stockcars gathered for their final Mildenhall meeting of the year headlined by the World of Shale Championship which also featured the Bert Tyler Memorial final. The entry again included Scotland's 7 Gordon Moodie and it was good to see new World Champion 152 Mick Sworder in action as one of an impressive eight red/star drivers for the support.

The World of Shale was up first with a full field of 32 qualifiers. Most impressive was that 31 of the top 32 in the points were present with just one reserve being needed. 377 Daz Shaw led them from pole but suffered mechanical failure as soon as the green fell and was out of the race from the word go. This allowed 702 Allan Cooper to jump to the front from the second row while 606 Andy Palmer raced from the third row to second ahead of front row starter 559 Bert Finnikin. Elsewhere on the first bend 833 Rob Kaye spun and was collected by 431 Andy Gibbs as 744 Tom Smart and 362 Dave Harley tangled. 589 Colin Eardley moved from row five to fourth and was hanging with the big three as Moodie's chances ended with a spin from defending champion 13 Andy Ford which cost the latter a lot of time. There were further spins for 19 Martin Ford and 925 Paul Wilson as Palmer overhauled Cooper for the top spot on lap three. 225 Tony Blackburn was now lying fifth ahead of 905 Rob Mitchell, 788 Stephen Mallinson and 433 Steve Lilley as 406 Simon Mawdsley fell by the wayside. Finnikin briefly got past Cooper for second but the latter quickly reclaimed the place as Martin Ford span into the inner wall hard. 70 Brian Shadbolt and 347 Mark Froggatt crashed out on the home straight but the former was able to get his car onto the concrete despite tearing a wheel off and the race continued. At half way it was still Palmer from Cooper, Finnikin and Eardley but Mallinson was up to fifth ahead of Mitchell, Blackburn, 599 Jon Lawrence, 401 Barry Goldin and 968 Micky Brennan. Drama followed shortly after as Lawrence went up and over the front of Blackburn which caused Goldin to spin as 284 Jody Griffin found the Armco. Just ahead of the closing laps Finnikin went in hard on Cooper spinning his man but ending his race in the process and granting Palmer a healthy lead for the first time. Palmer duly reeled off the final laps and raced to the title, Eardley driving a blinder for a fantastic second and Cooper recovered for third with Mitchell fourth.

The second heat raised 17 cars and started in scary fashion as 701 Dave Waterhouse spun on the home straight. It looked like he was attempting to move the car to safety when it suddenly exploded in flames bringing the reds straight out. Thankfully Waterhouse was able to exit quickly and safely and the blaze was soon extinguished. The race resumed with 482 Dale Seneschall going up and over the front of 366 Mick Kemp as elsewhere 597 Barry Clou and 260 Anthony Winters tangled with each other. 543 Greg Godley was leading but 84 Jamie Baguely was quickly into second as 231 Matt Clayton spun 380 Steve Cayzer and Sworder shed a wheel. Five laps in and Baguley took the lead with 392 Mark Short passing Godley for second by half way, the latter then tangling with 249 Joff Gibson as they battled for third. Kemp and Seneschall suffered late spins as Baguley raced to the win from Short and Gibson.

A bigger field of 22 for the final heat with 191 Jon Whittle Jnr and 275 Mark Adkins tangling from the off as 274 Trevor Bonnett spun leading 434 Mark Gardiner to lead from 956 Len Perkins and 766 Ritchy Kemp. 81 Mark Clayton gave 376 Darren Seneschall a big hit to move into fifth as Perkins took over up front on lap six when Gardiner dropped to third. Wytcherly tangled with the luckless Bonnett and Perkins and Ritchy Kemp crashed out together while fighting for the lead on lap six. This promoted Gardiner back to the front but he butted heads with Mark Clayton a lap or so later and they crashed out together handing 554 Stu Finnikin the lead and he duly raced to the win. 886 Chris Bradbury took second from 448 John Wright with 558 Darren Gowshall using the bumper to shift 156 James Joyce en route to fourth.

21 cars for the first consolation with Lilley giving Martin Ford some bumper attention from the off as Goldin retired straight away. Adkins and 348 Lee Johnson suffered early spins as a pile-up formed on the top bend before Mick Kemp and Perkins went spinning. 926 Neil Turner spun the leading Dale Seneschall on lap seven and went on to take the flag but a subsequent lap sheet check revealed Turner to be down on the leaders and it was 744 Tom Smart who was the victor from Shadbolt and Winters.

A slightly smaller field for the second consolation with Gardiner leading the field for the first half of the race which was rather quiet save for Clou spinning Darren Seneschall causing them both to crash out. 145 Graham Mole grabbed the lead on lap nine as Moodie raced to fourth and 798 Mark Sargent locked bumpers with 103 Carl Issit. Moodie stuck the bumper in on Griffin to go third with the latter them spinning as we enjoyed a thrilling final lap. Mole won comfortably from Moodie but behind all hell broke loose with 925 Paul Wilson going in on Gardiner in a bid for fourth only to spin them both which claimed Issit and 37 Tony Smith who were behind as Finnikin expired while in third and failed to finish. 219 Chris Mitchell came from no where for third and 495 John Cayzer just beat Harley on the line for fourth and the last spot in the final.

32 qualifiers returned for the Bert Tyler Memorial Final which was an action packed affair. Things began with an early spin for Wright as Lawrence was sent spinning by the pack on the pit bend launching him in to a spectacular 360 degree spin in the air. Lone white top Godley made the running as 332 Chris Eaton dumped Lawrence round and the former then removed John Cayzer as Brennan rolled on turn two to bring the reds out for the first time. The field was reduced to 27 cars now and the race started with Gibson and Stu Finnikin tangling and smashing into the inner blocks as again Godley made he running but it counted for nothing as 252 Rick Irvine went in hard on the back straight and signalled he was in trouble to again bring the reds out. Another complete restart with 23 cars left as Kaye fired hard into Steve Cazyer and Eardley and Eaton spun which clamed Wright as Mallinson fenced Baguley with the reds again flying with a loose wheel on the track. We resumed once more with the spinning Harley collected by Lawrence as Moodie tangled with Stu Finnikin. Godley again led from the recovered Lawrence as 656 Adam Joyce collected Harley before the race was brought under waved yellow suspension with a wheel on the track. The race resumed with Mark Clayton quickly taking the lead by Moodie was already up to third. Gibson and Mallinson tangled as we hit half way with Clayton still holding off Moodie from Stu Finnikin, Lawrence, 224 Mark Webster, Gowshall, Wright and Adam Joyce. A lap later saw Moodie hit the front and on lap 12 Stu Finnikin put the bumper in on Clayton to take second. Mallinson removed Godley while the final five laps saw no significant changes on the places with Moodie racing to the win from Stu Finnikin, Clayton and Lawrence with Godley, Wright and Mallinson taking the grade awards.

A big field of 35 returned for the Grand National with Wilson hitting the spun Cooper head-on from the off as Webster, Goldin and 290 James Waterfall were all early spinners before a pile-up former in the pit bend in which Eaton showed signs of a fire to bring the reds out. With under five laps completed a complete restart was again ordered but by now just 18 cars remained with Darren Seneschall making the early running from brother Dale and Adkins as Winters spun Mole and Goldin and Webster again suffered spins. Dale Seneschall took the lead but soon lost it to Godley before these two spun themselves out of contention. Meanwhile Darren Seneschall was spun by Webster handing Winters the lead from Wright, Mallinson and the fast moving Issit. A lap later and Wright took over as Mole and Matt Clayton teamed up to removed Darren Seneschall. On lap six Issit took the top spot and he duly raced to the win ahead of Wright while 600 Bryn Tootell grabbed third with a late charge.

World of Shale: 606 Andy Palmer, 589, 702, 905, 968, 788, 599, 332, 13, 833
Heat two: 84 Jamie Baguley, 392, 249, 543, 231, 252, 656, 380, 623, 493
Heat three: 554 Stu Finnikin, 886, 448, 558, 662, 156, 81, 222, 37, 145
Consolation one: 744 Tom Smart, 70, 260, 224, 347, 926, 290, 152, 600, 19
Consolation two: 145 Graham Mole, 7, 219, 495, 362, 597, 925, 37, 224
Bert Tyler Memorial Final: 7 Gordon Moodie, 554, 81, 599, 558, 224, 448, 656, 249, 788
Grade Awards: 543 Greg Godley (white), 448 John Wtright (yellow), 788 Stephen Mallinson (blue)
Grand National: 103 Carl Issit, 448, 600, 260, 401, 905, 152, 543, 788, 224

A cracking night of action although the volume of cars combined with many race stoppages in the later races led to a late finish with the last race not starting until 11.30pm. Quite possibly the best F2 meeting of the year at Mildenhall with some thrilling racing all night and also the best 1400cc domestic of the year with some lively action and big hits throughout the programme.