It was ‘business-as-usual’ for the Hughes family as they snatched the loot in another daring raid on Foxhall Stadium yet there was action aplenty as the Bangers kicked off the new motor racing in style, writes KEVIN WEGG.

An impressive entry of nearly eighty under 1600cc National Bangers contested two qualifying heats to determine the first five rows in the big-money “Raid” event and there were early signs that the on-going feud between Michael Allard from Norfolk and the posse of drivers flying the colours of the Midnight Runners would prove an entertaining side-show. As it was, it ultimately cost Jimmy Randall second place with Allard taking the early honours. Shane Davies showed his class to take the win with world champion Dale Hughes stamping his intentions early with second place.

Darren Parratt shot off at a blistering pace to snatch an early lead in heat two but couldn’t hold it with Luke Parfitt scorching round to win in style.

Darryl Theedom sped away from the huge field of fifty-nine starters in the event that really mattered and was looking good. Charlie Callard was the first of many to be blitzed in a hard-hitting event as the Hughes brothers began their march towards the leader. Dale looked to have blown it when he caught a spinning Charlie Taylor but he survived as Lee pushed Theedom wide to take it up, soon joined by a shotgun-riding Dale. With an unofficial team event breaking out between the Gladiators and the Cream Team followed by a mega turn one pile-up that saw Lewis Barber buried in the rear-end of Phil Milner, the cars were brought to a temporary halt. It was then that attention turned to a slow puncture on Dale’s car which would undoubtedly slow him up and sure enough he was quickly left behind as too Allard, who fell victim to a jacking from Mark Foster. Lee meanwhile was well clear and romped home to cash-in the spoils of a sweet “Raid” victory as proceedings finished in spectacular style when Lee Clarke followed Michael Maggs in to the pile of twisted metal already parked on turn one.

All remaining cars contested their concluding race with Allard and Randall again at each other’s throats from the off before Randall’s unofficial team-mate Deane Mayes slammed in to Allard for good measure. Despite severe damage he was still crabbing around and also managed to take out ‘Runner’ Mark Foster to claim the last laugh. Sporting handshakes all round at the end was good to watch as too seeing Ben Norton escape uninjured after a severe jacking left the entire rear section of his car in mid-air. Theedom again led for a while only for Lee Hughes to take it up this time and ensure that all the big money stayed in the family, with Theedom second and (guess-who?!) Dale in third.

A well-attended DD wrapped up proceedings with a fine eighteen car entry, although it was a bit roddy to start with despite the Council curfew looming large, however Jack Foster Jnr was very good value with some huge hits to finally see off Theedom.

Stock Rods had the pleasure of providing the first regulation racing of the Foxhall season and didn’t disappoint with high-speed spills and close racing throughout. Former www.Superstox.Org owner and ex-Superstox pilot Lee Fear entertained with a series of spins in the opening two heats due to tracking problems but it was a gutsy display as it was from Garry Staines, son of former Hot Rod star Paul, who had the mis-fortune to suffer over-heating before the cars even left the grid for race one. He was back out for the rest of the evening though and had a real blast which is what it’s all about. Shaun Taylor was on the receiving end of unwanted attention from Harry Palmer who went on to collect a hat-trick of black crosses and was subsequently disqualified. Ian Trapmore, the lone white grader, went off like an exocet missile and proved he had lost none of his racing skills even though it had been ten years since he last took to the track, recording an easy win.

A mis-fire cost him an almost a certain repeat in heat two which had an early stoppage as Jamie Bowring clashed with Dean O’Dell then got collected by Steven Abbott to cast serious doubts over the car’s future career. The vastly experienced Graham Moreton found himself in all sorts of trouble after the restart and careered in to the door of Carl Mann. At the flag Kim Carter just held off the spirited Palmer however once again his over-zealous approach cost him two places in the final result.

Trapmore again flew away and this time looked to have it in the bag until he visibly started slowing allowing the fast-charging Mile de Paiva to catch up with just three to go. He was all set to pass when the back-marking Ashley Brown accidently cut him up trying to get out of the way, forcing him on to the shale. Trapmore was clearly still in trouble though and de Paiva was able to snatch victory with just half a lap to go. With Trapmore unable to cure the problem it was Daniel Rea who edged ahead in the final only for de Paiva to continually snap at his heels lap after lap. He eventually squeezed up the inside and was away, leaving Rea to perform a rearguard action as Lee Rogers threatened.

A minute’s silence before racing commenced was immaculately observed for popular thirty-three year old Banger racer Dan “OddJob” Hollingsworth from Braintree (#503) who was tragically killed when his van hit a broken-down lorry on the A120 during the evening of February 25th.