In a rather ironic twist; Frankie Cunningham from Galashiels in the Scottish Borders can now be called Lightning Rod English Champion!

A strong selection of Spedeworth and Incarace drivers arrived to do battle with the PRI drivers at their home track of Arena Essex this past Sunday for the prestigious title with Spedeworth's own Diggy Smith defending the title he won at Ipswich last year in the 416 Sierra.

Spedeworth's Lee Skoyles 636 took the first heat. The other Spedeworth/Incarace drivers that came home home in the top ten were Ben Murray 503 in third, Paul Strawson 526 in fifth, Incarace's Frankie Cunningham 87 in 8th with Adam Eyles 452 and Diggy Smith 416 rounding out the top ten.

Defending English Champion Diggy Smith stamped his authority all over Heat Two as he indicated that he would not give up his title lightly by taking the win. 730 Mike Daniels came home fourth, Cunningham fifth, Neil Wollington 781 sixth, Robert Gamble 633 seventh and Adam Eyles in eighth.

Following the two qualifying heats, it was defending champion Smith on pole with former World Champion Lee Skoyles alongside in an all-Spedeworth front row. Of the Incarace drivers; it was Cunningham who was nearest the sharp end of the grid in fifth with Andy King 51 in eleventh.

Diggy Smith used all of his big-race experience to put himself on pole and he took full advantage as he made a good start and settled into the lead as Cunningham made a blistering start from grid position 5 to take second place. The top two remained in these positions until around halfway when Smith's title defence came to an end as he fell victim to a puncture. What proved to be Smith's loss was Cunningham's gain as he inherited the lead and ticked off the remaining laps to become the English Champion! Spedeworth's Ben MUrray came home second in the 503 machine with PRI driver Gary Greenland third. Mike Daniels finished seventh - just in front of travelling companion Neil Wollington in the 781 car with Adam Eyles 452 in ninth.

On behalf of all at Spedeworth/Incarace we would like to congratulate Frankie Cunningham for bringing the 87 Engine Services Sierra home in first place and we would like to thank all Spedeworth/Incarace drivers for representing their promotion at Arena.