Successfully carving your way through from the back of the pack requires deft use of the front bumper and that is precisely what current world champion Barry Radcliffe used to prove just why he currently holds the gold roof with a masterful display to add the 1300cc Stock Car East Anglian title to his collection, writes KEVIN WEGG.

A good entry (27), boosted by cars from both the Trackstar and Arena-Essex promotions, provided some lively moments with Mark Bloss particularly fired up as he attempted to take a bite out of the experimental Honda driven by Clarke Wells and then promptly rattled in to another visiting driver Richard Hampshire. Wells got his own back soon after with a spin that nearly landed Bloss on his roof as Radcliffe signalled his intentions early on with a second place behind Jason Scopes. From there on in it was virtually a Radcliffe-benefit as he passed Scopes in heat two with less than three laps to go followed by brother James for a family one-two. Southerner Jason Askew deserved more after a terrific tussle with Scopes early-on, only to join the list of many falling victim to the Radcliffe bumper. Simon Berry arrived five minutes before start time having just finished his amazing-looking Corsa but there is clearly work still to be done as he limped out of both heats before retiring. Whilst Barry Radcliffe’s win was never in doubt there was a terrific three-abreast battle for second with Pete Beldom just edging it in a sprint for the line.

The same title was up for grabs in the Ministox and they left their best action for the grand finale. Brandon Osborne looked to be a class apart in the heats with two impressive wins from a relatively small sixteen car field, despite a gusty display from Sadie Betts who is clearly destined for a big win soon. Tommy Aylward had a rude awakening at the start of race two when the car jumped out of gear and he was rammed by Jacques West. Ryan Polley and Betts had a titanic struggle in heat two resulting in a near spin but she held it well and it was Polley himself who found himself sideways on the next corner. Just like the Stock Cars, their title race featured a similar blanket finish only this time the race win was part of the drama. Odds-on winner Osborne was sensationally spun-out early on by Harry Barnes from the famous racing family of yesteryear to put the cat firmly amongst the pigeons. Ryan Polley looked like he would go two places better than the heats as he hit the front with just five laps to go after Casey Englestone and Jack Miller had both taken turns. As the laps ticked down Sid Madgwick was looking sharp, slipping up the inside of top Incarace driver Tristan Claydon for second before applying the bumper to the race leader to take it up on the last lap. Claydon was not to be denied though and dug deep to exact revenge on the very last bend to snatch the title as all three screeched across the line in a thrilling finish.

A mightily-impressive thirty-five car entry in the Historic Stock Cars brought the memories well and truly flooding back with cars going in all directions and three-abreast racing a feature of heat one. Befitting the formula, Chris Olding executed an absolutely classic manoeuvre timing his move to perfection when spinning race leader Ian Hall just before the finish line. Gary Madgwick then took control in his Triumph which looked like it was in a class of its own, partly helped by the demise of Ian Hall on the opening lap of heat two. Things again played in to his hands in the final when Olding was sent spinning and Hall became embroiled with backmarker Steven Stallwood which ultimately ended his chances, much to his later visual annoyance! James Emerson copped a load of damage to his Ford Anglia coming out of turn four with several cars piling in, all of which was music to Madgwick’s ears.