Town 102 DJ Dave James spins a mean tune on the radio and clearly knows how to spin a car or two - not to mention a caravan - as he roared to what has to be said was a thoroughly professional performance in the annual Banger Caravan extravaganza at Foxhall Stadium writes Kevin Wegg. Despite the impressive entry featuring an imposing entry of he made light work of the opposition which largely succeeding in imploding itself on the opening lap to the delight of a near-capacity crowd.
In the 2.0 Hot Rods John Payne was another to impress with a victory in his first-ever Foxhall appearance. Michael Walmsley made up for a breakdown when well placed to cash-in on a wobble by race leader Paul Kaynes in the second race. Further back in the battle for second Tommy Miller dived up the inside of Mark Cooper and in the clash that followed ended up going head-long in to the armco but the result stood. Walmsley was hung out to draw in the final whilst Kaynes lead was short-lived and he eventually spun out. Ian Sutton slipped past Payne and never looked back, Miller grabbing another runners-up spot with Alex Crane third.
The experimental BMW and Mondeo Lightning Rods of Shane Gabriel and Anthony Amis certainly brought variety and it is very much a positive step towards sourcing new donor cars for the formula with both still requiring several more hours development work. Chris Aldridge was another to take a debut win, this time in his first-ever meeting anywhere. Second-placed Adrian Genery was another, also taking a fine 6th place in heat two. Ben Kerry crossed the line first in that one but was docked two places by the Steward for contact to hand victory to Mick Walker. He made no mistake in the final though, taking advantage of a surprisingly easy passage up the inside of several cars, debutant Aldridge adding to an already fantastic day for him with second as Stephen Warren took third.
Fifty Bangers were in a particularly destructive mood with their opener providing terrific action from start to finish including a roll-over for Mark Fisher. With just two to go, race leader Kieran Murphy survived a nibble from Steen Rozier only to be taken out by Jamie Hadley. Worse was to come in heat two when he was taken out and then given an almighty jacking by Richard Rose which temporarily knocked him out. Daniel Bullock led all the way from the restart and was miles ahead only to suffer a dying engine two laps from home. He literally coasted round but didn’t quite have enough in hand despite the helping punt from Jake Stewart to take it with Kev Taylor victorious and Jamie Hadley in third.