Despite fielding a number of cars that last graced the highways fifty years or so ago the Historic Stock Cars still fielded an impressive thirty-two starters, yet it was the non-contact Lightning Rods that served up the biggest crash of the day in a high-speed turn four pile-up writes Kevin Wegg.
Similar in many ways to Touring Cars, part of the appeal of the Lightning Rods is the fact that something ‘big’ is always likely to happen and the opening heat gave a taste of what was to come with Billy Smith and Geoff Bowen tangling which ironically caused greater damage for the ensnared Michael Gabriel and Ben Furness. In a tight three-way finish, Brent Tillow took the flag but could do nothing to hold back Wayne Farrer in the second after Gabriel was once again in the wars. Mark Cooper had been looking good in the heats only to lose all his gears in the final coming out of turn four leaving him stranded just off the racing line. The caution flag came out early but with Neil Wollington already committed he slammed at full-speed in to Cooper with Adam Eyles and Ben Murray also suffering damage. Thankfully all drivers were okay, unlike Wollington’s car which will need considerable midnight-oil burning attention. In an incident-filled finale, first Gabriel’s black day continued after being disqualified for contact with ‘Spud’ Gamble’ then both Farrer (second) and Lee Skoyles (fourth) pulled up with sick motors as Stephen Warren tried everything to hold on to first place. There was just eight recorded finishers with Furness bouncing back from his earlier spill to deservedly take the spoils.
WALL OF DEATH!
Despite a hectic opening heat for the Historics with lone Scotsman James Smith in his new(old) Ford bruising his ribs, he like the others was soon back out for more. Derrick Tribe in particular was on the receiving end together with Tom Chapman in a big scoreboard bend pile-up in the second heat, as Stuart Olding added to his opening victory with a classic spin-out on Robert Rice with just two laps to go. A puff of smoke from the engine right at the end was to prove telling though and his hat-trick hopes were dashed with a non-start in the final. This allowed Gary Madgwick to take control although Richard Anderson was never far behind yet all eyes were on Gary Saville who treated the crowd to his own interpretation of the ‘wall of death’ by slamming in to the Armco fence then proceeding to rattle round at high-speed for a couple of laps before eventually pulling off with damaged steering which he was vainly trying to correct!
ATTACK!
Despite a relatively small turn-out the ‘Micro Bangers’ certainly had their moments with Pit Marshall-turned racer-for-the-day Mark Armstrong one of several providing good value and causing Adam James to roll during the chained pairs event which Dave Canham and Scott Piggin mastered particularly well. Sean Parratt undoubtedly had the ‘most jacked’ car of the night following the first ‘singles’ race as Lee Hopkins muscled past Ben Warner for the win. After the heavy-hitting it was a somewhat depleted field for the final that Canham easily sliced through to win. A repeat in the Destruction Derby was quickly squashed as was his car when a pre-meditated attack on arch-rival Michael Lane ended with him rolling over leaving Martin Angel to take the win.