Foxhall Stadium’s very own “volcano” refused to keep to the script and spectacularly erupted ahead of schedule on Saturday evening with the National Bangers in destructive form right from the off writes Kevin Wegg.
A mouth-watering fifty cars entered the arena for what many thought would be a gentle warm-up heat before the big money “Volcano” finale later but things reached melting point within seconds as a dozen cars all piled in together. Carl Gould used his experience impressively to pick his way through the field for the win but attention was focussed on the on-going feud between Michael Allard and the “Midnight Runners”. Jason “Boxer” Jackson was the first to receive a large portion only for Jimmy “Finger” Randall to even things up right at the death with an even bigger helping that wrecked Allard’s wheel. That was merely the “Hors d'oeuvre” though for the night’s action with the main feast served up in the second heat. First Jack Wilkins was well and truly stacked after which the engine caught fire then Jackson was looking good for the win only for Allard to turn his car around and set course for a head-on which Jackson willingly accepted with devastating results for both.

Thrilling stuff for a whipped-up crowd and handshakes all round after although Allard was promptly loaded by the officials for an illegal manoeuvre. Shane Davies took the win in that one but neither he or Gould could repeat it in the one that really mattered after Darren Nash hit the front early and promptly stayed there as the volcano continued to simmer. Gould looked like he might take third but the surprisingly quiet Dale Hughes was making ominous progress and nipped through for third on the very last lap. The volcano had gained “second wind” for the Destruction Derby although Wilkins must have regretted limping out in an already seriously-wrecked car when following a thumping head-on with Mark Atkins he injured his foot when exiting his car, Tom Reynolds taking the win.

The 2.0 Saloon Stock Cars may have been disappointingly short on numbers but were high in action with gutsy newcomer Dave Hicks on the receiving end throughout. Dave Beldom scattered the blues at the start of heat one as George Morphey’s return to the same circuit where he won the golden helmet turned out to be an unhappy one being spun out twice only to blow his engine next time out. Brother Luke fared much better mind winning both heats in style with heat two featuring a spectacular four-abreast blast which ended in tears for Lee Hall. Billy Wood had saved his best for last and looked menacing as he used the bumper ruthlessly to take it up by half distance. Morphey was having a great tussle with Hall for second before Colin Farley joined in the fun. After Hall hit the fence very hard a three-lap restart still couldn’t deny Wood with the fun and games continuing as Morphey did all he could to remove Farley without success but managed to snare Daniel Langley in the process for an all-action finish.

With their World Final a week later the Lightning Rod entry was similarly low but it took nothing away from an impressive hat-trick by Ben Kerry. Despite starting further down the field in the final he seized his opportunity for glory with both hands when the leaders got in to a tangle and Ben Murray was disqualified thus leaving Kerry in the clear after which he made no mistake although Paul Strawson was right on his tail,. World champion Lee Skoyles made sensational progress during the last two laps and one more lap would have made things very interesting indeed.