Whilst a dusty surface undoubtedly limited the opportunities for outside passes in the National Hot Rods there was nonetheless high drama in a controversial final with world championship points leader Carl Boardley crashing out after a brush with Jeff Simpson whose son Matt just happened to be one point behind Boardley when the meeting started writes Kevin Wegg.

With the supporting 1300cc Stock Cars producing two thrill-a-minute finishes and the Bangers out in typically crash-happy fashion it was another cracking Easter offering at Foxhall Heath even though the big eggs in the headline act fell off the wall repeatedly throughout the afternoon albeit Boardley ended up kissing it as well in the final.

With the promoters unable to sweep the tarmac immediately after the speedway on the Friday due to rain it enabled the sun to subsequently dry it out first which is not a good combination and despite numerous sweeping attempts traction was at a premium. Progress from the back for the star men in the National Hot Rods was subsequently limited but for both Mikey Godfrey and Ray Harris it was a welcome Easter treat for they were able to hit the front and stay there for their first-ever wins. Both required breaks in order to do so with Lee Pepper mistakenly trying an outside pass on leader Danny Brosnan in the second heat which failed and allowed Harris to slip through. That set the tone for overtaking and even Superstox star Jason Cooper – debuting in his immaculate car – was struggling for grip which resulted in a panel-crunching spin later on. Carl Weller-Barett took an easy win in the third heat with both Boardley & Matt Simpson well behind the front runners after a coming together resulted in Simpson spinning. Thirty-one starters for the East Anglian Championship final with Waller-Barett off to a real flyer which he was destined not to lose but the excitement was unfolding behind him as Jeff Simpson appeared to take Boardley wide and introduce him to the fence ending both their chances. No penalty was issued however and neither was it for Boardley’s earlier clash with Simpson Jnr although the NHRPA may yet issue a statement.

Meanwhile Cooper and Colin Gomm had a coming together which shuffled them back down the pack as Lee Pepper made a gallant effort to pass second-placed Tony Moss with a cut inside but Moss half spun and did well to keep it together without either losing a place. It was all in vain though as he was subsequently dropped two places for contact.

It all happened in the closing stages of the first Stock Car heat (27 cars) as Steve O’Dell, Jason Askew, Simon Welton, Paul Brown and Aaron Morris swapped bumpers and the lead in entertaining fashion. Morris eventually came out on top whilst Barry Radcliffe executed a brilliant last bend lunge from distance on Askew to deny the plucky Southerner. An easy win for James Radcliffe was sandwiched between another superb finish in the East Anglian Championship final where Barry Radcliffe’s and Welton’s chances ended after a big shemozzle on the back straight. From the restart Banger star Joe Palmer hit the front briefly before O’Dell took it up. Luke Morphey looked good for the win as he nibbled O’Dell’s rear only for defending champion Daniel Wenn to push him wide. On the decisive last lap O’Dell inexplicably drifted wide to allow Wenn through and nearly lost second too as Pete Beldom made a bold yet vain attempt for the win. Washbrook’s Gary Fincham completed a spectacular roll just for good measure as the flags came out which Chris Denny (Clacton) emulated in the Banger final. Kesgrave driver Jake Stewart took that one after first-passed-the-post Simon Berry was dropped two places for contact within the first three laps. Berry was unusually quiet (and short on success) in his Stock Car with Norfolk raiders Kieran Cannell and Jason Neale taking the earlier Banger heat wins, the latter from an impressive fifty car entry.