The Madman Writes - 2nd May 2009
They came, they saw, they conquered. Six words that describes the performance of the English bangers at the World cup last week. It isn’t all luck that they continue to dominate the biggest banger fixture North of the border. Presenter, Michael Coventry summed it up when I was talking to him before the meeting. The English are used to racing in big meetings virtually week in, week out, whilst the Scots only experience it once or twice a year unless they venture down south. The World cup itself provided an amazing spectacle on the first start when every car that was in the race ended up in a massive pile up in the home straight with some big hits which even had the experienced lap scorers in the box screaming as car after car ploughed into one another. Some sterling work by the track staff and drivers ensured that more than half the field were able to line up for the restart and after that there was some good racing between all of those left running. The Unlimited Banger World champion, Dale Hughes, came through all of the debris the best and won comfortably in what is proving to be a great twelve months for him. Scotland could sort of claim a victory in the Open Scottish event when Rob Speak took the spoils. Many F2 fans will remember him from the 90’s when he was virtually unbeatable in the formula with a record and driving ability to suggest that he is the best driver ever to race in the formula. He used to make regular trips to Cowdenbeath, so regular in fact that he had emblazoned on the front of his car, Robbie McSpeak. Nowadays, he enjoys himself playing about in bangers and shown that he still knows his way round the track as he lifted yet more silverware for his massive collection. Each year more and more cars want to come and attend the event and looking at the comments on the forums, everyone seemed to have gone home happy.
It was a quick turnaround for some of the drivers, some of whom headed for Ireland for a big event over there, whilst the Crimond contingent which came down were looking remarkably fresh the next day despite not getting home until the middle of the night. The racing up there provided the best finish to a race I have seen all season with Barry Folan, Robbie Dawson, and Dennis Middler all exchanging places on the final corner in the F2 Grand National with Dennis getting the verdict by a bumper length from Barry and Robbie. Robbie Newall had a welcome change of luck as he won the final in convincing fashion and will start tonight as a red roof for the first time in his career. The grade changes also see Alan Kirkaldy having to put on his fourth different coat of paint on the car in two months as he has been every grade in a short space of time due to the Brisca ruling if you win a final from a lower grade then you are automatically upgraded 5 days after your win. I thought that this was a unique set of circumstances but my spies down south tell me that Cameron Pugh has had to do the same thing.
Chris Burgoyne went down to Arena Essex last week for the British championship and came home with a third spot to his name behind race winner, Chris Bradbury, who continues to dominate the formula nationally. I was reading too about the drama at the National Hot Rod World qualifier at Ipswich where Willie Hardie won a race after leader Colin Smith run out of petrol on the last lap. As things stand at present, he looks like being the only Scot who will make it onto the grid for the big one in July as the rest of the Scots are struggling outside the top 18.
Sadly, the racing up at Crimond had to be curtailed with 6 races still to go after Hot Saloon driver Lee Duthie was injured in what looked like the simplest of shunts. The first aid team asked for the emergency services to be called so his removal from the car was as painless as possible. Due to editorial deadlines, I have little other information but wish him well and will let people know over the PA how he is progressing. There is action at Crimond again tomorrow with the usual start time of 1PM.
Tonight we have Prostox, F2’s, and Stock Rods to keep you entertained with Prostox driver, Grant Weston, looking for an unprecedented fourth final win in a row. Will he succeed?. The answer will come during the evening. So sit back and let the action commence.