'Dutch Courage’ - fuelled by petrol as opposed to anything else - was very much in evidence as our always welcome ‘Orange & Proud’ visitors from overseas were well and truly ‘Tangoed’ yet never flinched, whilst ‘Boxer Jack’ gleefully converted the gift of pole position in to a third title victory with a drive as smooth as this ‘ere scribe’s top-end, writes Kevin Wegg.

QUALIFIERS
A capacity continental crowd was treated to three top-drawer ‘last chance’ qualifying races featuring over 150 cars from across UK & Europe with the usual spectacular mix of exotic cars and magnificent paint jobs to boot. Scotsman Mark Lumsden’s was one of the very best and predictably enough his hearse was buried before he’d even crossed the start line. A track-blocking pile-up on the home straight forced the field to add a ‘rallycross’ feel to proceedings, as cars resorted to the speedway only for it to be stopped several laps later with Ryan Preston suffering an arm injury. Long-time leader Michael Woodward spun himself following the restart gifting the win and a coveted world final place to Gary Madgwick.

The other grid places went to Joey Palmer and Danny Sutton following their respective wins yet behind that simple fact lies two contrasting tales. Heat two simply oozed action and also provided the finish-of-the-night. The pick of the hits was a huge turn two pile-up which ended with a fire for Steven Kaye after he jacked the lot – Kenny Selis being introduced to his rear axle which ended up behind his head post! Dutchman Jan Merkx in his Jag then completed the best double roll you’ll ever see! Joey Palmer had a thrilling cat ‘n’ mouse chase with ‘Cecil’ Anscombe with the latter using all his track-craft to try and out-wit him in the closing laps. Palmer played it ice-cool though using just enough force on the last lap to snatch it – thrilling stuff!
Chris Medler was stuffed in the final qualifier and then jacked by Wes Freestone to end his chances and it was a similar story for Steve Bailey who was stopped dead by Adrian Clifton following an ‘outside-in’ move in the wrong direction! Andrew Davies will be bitterly cursing his over-eagerness having crossed the line first only to be dropped two places for jumping the start.

GOING FOR GOLD
Despite Boxer drawing pole, a top-quality field featuring an enormous fifty-eight starters meant anything could happen as last-gasp qualifier Joey Palmer was all set to subsequently prove. However there’s no doubt that other pre-race favourites Lee & Dale Hughes (34th place & 41st) and defending champion Shane Davies (35th) had plenty of work to do.
As it was Boxer was simply awesome from the off and never really looked like losing it as the race was played out in full without any stoppages. This was despite ‘Double-Dutch Destruction’ with first Remon van den Berg being thumped hard and then wiped out at speed by Dale Locker only for fellow countryman Arjan Vorkink to be obliterated to produce the ‘wreck-of-the-night’ courtesy primarily of Mark Foster and Charlie King. Later on Jack Overy rattled Lee Clarke in to the armco with relish. A last lap shemozzle involving Irishman Steven Reynolds and Jonny Wilkinson almost snared Boxer but he was far enough clear, punching the air with delight as he claimed his golden hat-trick. Jack Foster Jnr came home second (one better than last year) with Alec Savage third and Joey Palmer a magnificent fourth despite starting right at the back.

ALLCOMERS
Keith ‘Maverick’ Painter showed his class to win the first 50+ All-comers race which featured another massive turn two pile-up. Simon Bye and Taylor Sowter copped some of the worst damage with Bob Peat impressively jacked late on by Martin Wesby. A colossal sixty-nine cars made it out of the pits for the second event and preceded to build a car park almost as big as the one outside! The crowd simply lapped it up as car after car joined in. Paul Quinnell chose to poke his nose out only to be T-boned by Rickie Beasley who in turn was mullered by Ash Riley. Dale Hughes took the win and Boxer a very notable third from the back!

DESTRUCTION DERBY
It turned out to be short ‘n sweet with thirteen starters landing some mighty blows, the always entertaining Gladiators in their ‘white & reds’ whipped most of the field leaving the mega stretch limo of Dave Osbourne, Craig Oliver and Phil Smith appearing to be the last three cars running only for Taylor Sowter to get helped off the kerb by Oliver and although Craig delivered the final blow to Sowter it finished his own car and with Sowter's Jag just about moving he took the flag!