Well done to everyone who helped make the 2016 European Championship event at Northampton International Raceway such a great success.

The Saturday night racing was, perhaps a little quieter than expected but there were some definite battles being created for the Sunday events. Well done to Paul Ford F1 388 for retaining the Trust Fund title - the first big race of the weekend.

A stunning minutes silence for Steve Green Jnr prior to his memorial race, was also a time to allow everyone to respect and remember the life of Dave Leonard, following the news of his sudden passing on Thursday evening, followed of course by the atrocities of Southern France.

An emotional Michael Green retained the Steve Green Jnr Memorial F2 Final and Frankie Wainman Jnr 515 took the F1 Final.

Mark Gray 224 F1 and Matt Stoneman 127 took the Nationals whilst there were wins for Ian Chalkley 469 and 269 Will Brown as the Rebels were in qualifying mode for the European.

Sunday was something else...

Superb weather, fantastic racing, spectacular crashes and some very popular winners.

Chris Burgoyne 647 was the first European winner in a fairly easy win from an advantageous second row start. The European grid is unique in G2 Championships - a Public draw, out of the hat and whilst David Polley is well known for not liking this format, he was quite happy to take pole position as number one was drawn for the 38 car. Moodie had it all to do from a mid-grid draw.
Burgoyne drove away after he had dealt with pole man Polley and a fast UK Open Champion Luke Wrench 560, but they faded with Moodie coming through to 2nd place, which could only have been bettered by a yellow flag or 5 more laps! Wim Peeters H124 took third.
Result: 647 - 7 - H124 - NI925 - 38.

On to the Rebels - and what a race, with action that defies the eyesight sometimes with some breath taking moves and certainly some scores being settled in the big race. Despite a quick yellow flag for the stranded 391 car on the back straight, it was a very hard fought victory for one of the pre-race favourites Ian Chalkey 469 who raced bumper to bumper with the other pre-race favourite Tom Dayman 202, who fell by the wayside in a clash with Keith Murphy and Craig Smith. It was then left to Gary Tagg to do the chasing, and despite a last bend lunge, Ian just about held on from Gary in 2nd and Anthony Masters 25 in third place. Well done to all of the Rebellers.
Result 469 - 238 - 25 - 202 - 80.

The big boys had it all to do to upstage their fellow competitors in the third of the European Title races. A graded closed grid is another unique starting format in Championship events and always provides some early race action and this one didn’t disappoint either. Daniel van Spyker 231, Luke Davidson 464 and Ben Riley 422 didn’t even complete one lap before they spectacularly came to grief on turn 4, ripping the 231 aerofoil off the car, but trapping safely between car and fence. The Speak/Wainman rivalry continued with the 318 car being disabled soon after following another spectacular crash on turns 3 & 4. Pole sitter Mark Gray 224 shared the first eight or so laps with Shaun Webster 48 until 224 crashed losing a spring that had the yellows flying to retrieve the debris.
Jeff Gibson 249 had taken the lead at that point from Webster with Silver roof Dan Johnson waiting to pounce in 3rd, and that is exactly what happened shortly after the restart with the 4 car taking the lead at hallway. Gibson retained 2nd until Nigel Green 445 took over with less than 3 to go and then the unfortunate Gibson was denied his podium by a last lapper from Lee Fairhurst 217 and also had to fight off a last bender from Chris Cowley 37.
Result: 4 - 445 - 217 - 249 - 37

The sun burned down on the raceway and a full race meeting then took place again with some very spectacular racing. We are very pleased to confirm that Steven Fishburn, F2 931 is all OK after he was collected upside down by Ben Bate 242 and Michael Green.

Congratulations to the Internations Cup Winners, racing for the Bev Greenhalf trophies with the dominant Ian Chalkey taking the Rebels title, Mark Gray topping of what was without doubt his best ever weekend in F1’s and Matt Stoneman 127 taking the F2 title.

The meeting was concluded with Grand National wins for ex F2 World Champion James Rygor, his maiden F1 victory and the final race was taken by GN expert Dan Fallows 581 - it wouldn’t be the same without Dan winning the GN!

Many, many thanks to all supporters, drivers, sponsors and our Staff and Officials, who worked tirelessly especially in the searing heat of Sunday.

We look forward to seeing everyone in the future around all of the raceways.