Newsletter 04 2011

27/08/2011

August already, and only four meetings left in 2011. As is usual this time of year, thoughts turn to the various World and major Championships that Mendips Raceway banger drivers will be involved in, so if you are interested in racing away at any of these events, and have the points to back  up your ambitions, then please let us know earlier rather than  later, as places are often restricted.

Here are the dates:- Saturday August 13th-British Championship at Mildenhall
Saturday September 3rd-World of Shale at Kings Lynn
Sunday September 11th-World Final at Smeatharpe
Sunday September 18th- World Final at Arena Essex

Cancer Research

Our annual charity race day on July 24th certainly appears to be the best ever fund raising total. From the extraordinary Bang On Track trek, to the outrageous efforts by Neil Hooper and Mike Priddle, through the guided tours of the new Colin White bus, and the soaking of Mr Starter, waxing of Andy Maidment, it was a really great day, played out to an warm and large crowd. There were no too many cars, it is true, but it was all to do with the spirit of the day, the memories of Filo, and the need to help in any way to conquer cancer. Final figures will not be in for a while, but between six and seven thousand pounds looks a likely total. Thanks to all of you.

Brisca F2 Stock Cars

July 24th was a great day for everyone involved. It was heart warming to see the efforts that drivers and families had made to enter in to the spirit of our annual pink day, and the amounts raised by individuals and joint efforts will surely make this the best fund raising day ever. With fuel prices affecting driver attendances everywhere, especially at domestic meetings, a World Qualifier, and two other meetings on the day, the number of cars present and the format adopted made it an entertaining day’s racing. The next one is the annual Freddie Funnel trophy, always a hotly contested meeting, and the final round of the Rookies Reward series. Many of our local drivers have not made many appearances this season, so it would be good to see you all out of the last two meetings of 2011.

886
676
921
522
783
315
76
835
53
797
Chris Bradbury
Neil Hooper
Jack Aldridge
Chris Mikulla
James Rygor
Justin Fisher
Chris Rowe
Matt Westaway
Phil Mann
Dan Moss
107
96
89
72
48
47
35
34
32
31

Bangers

British Beef night in June was a really good meeting, and the car attendance continues to hold up-48 cars again this year, and some really superb cars and paint jobs, and some serious racing action. Great to see the Wacky Racers all out together again, and despite winning the trophy, Marcus is unlikely to race bangers again in the future, after a 25 year career that has had some epic moments and achievements. The BBA English Championship was a triumph for Brett Ellacott, as the visiting blacks and pinks brought their usual war to the Mendips Raceway, with four load ups for turning round and infield attacks the result. The hard hits and the bad feelings led to a number of drivers loading up straight cars, and this led us to suspend bookings to four Autospeed registered drivers until further notice- 191 Tyrone, 341 Andrew Jones, 714 Paul Smaldon, and 239 Steven Carter. These bans will remain in place until we are confident that racing can resume in the right spirit, and no driver feels unsafe racing on our track. We are planning to have a meeting with drivers from both sides to agree a way forward, as we want as many drivers racing at the Mendips Raceway as we can. Further news next time.

Although the entry for Crashmania was small, it was an entertaining contest, with some classic moments, with Brett Ellacott and Lurch winning the event for their team quite conclusively. Top drive from Steve Stockley for the Allsorts, winning the Final in a Rover 216! Perhaps the only downside was the final shot on the empty Capri of Bubblegum, which is uncharacteristic, and unnecessary.

Grades for September/October

Red Tops

Blue Tops

517
40
58
790
363
44
210
162
252
224
Scott Weldon
Pete Stanley
Martin Dalton
Dominic Gumbleton
Sam Trim
Steve Griffin
Paul Barnes
Brett Ellicott(v)
Steve Bugler(v)
Dale Edwards
120
117
85
82
68
56
46
46
42
40
303
446
198
27
67
84
88
68
162
322
Jason Oliver(red)
Jason Burt
Marcus Goldsmith
Paul Quinn
Matty Harris
Jerry Ansell
Tim Wood (v)
Steve Stockley
Mike Cocks
Paul Brown
39
39
36
29
29
29
27
26
26
25

v) indicates visiting driver.

2011 National Banger Revised Racing Rules – Aug 2011

National Banger racing is a full contact sport – drivers can race to win or attempt to win by stopping the opposition.  

The Steward’s interpretations and decisions on these rules are FINAL.

All heats, consolations and finals must be in one direction only.  Certain Promotions allow turning around on the bends, however this does not allow a driver to drive the wrong way down the straights.  It is the driver’s responsibility to check with the staging Promoter exactly what rules apply at any particular meeting.

Drivers must not attack any car on the infield/safety area, or attack from the infield/safety area.  An infield hit is defined when the whole car being hit is on the infield, i.e. if one wheel is still on the track, then hitting this car would be a legal hit.  Again, the Stewards decision is final on this.  Any serious breaches of the infield safety area rule will carry an automatic 3 month ORCi ban.

Drivers must not attack any cars after the red flag or if the stationary yellow is displayed above a car.  Drivers must not attack an empty or overturned car.  Any damaging collision on the driver’s side between the centre of the front wheel and centre of the rear wheel will result in a penalty.

T-boning cars which are against or close to the barrier with excessive force is not allowed.  It is also not permitted to t-bone a car which is close enough to the barrier to mean that significant impact with the barrier is inevitable after the hit.  Even where cars are not against or near the barrier, the Steward may still consider a hard t-bone anywhere on the circuit to be excessive, and may take the appropriate action to discipline the driver.  The penalty for a T-boning offence as detailed above will be 3 months.

Dangerous and/or irresponsible driving as deemed by the Steward will incur a minimum of three months ORCi ban.  For avoidance of doubt, length of the straight t-bones is considered dangerous and/or irresponsible driving.

For further guidance, the following examples may also be considered as dangerous and/or irresponsible driving at the discretion of the Steward:

  1. Attacking a car which has been stationary for what the Steward determines to be a significant length of time.
  2. Attacking a car which is clearly already crippled.

Please note that repeat offences will carry additional penalties where the current ban will be double the previous ban.  This means that a 2nd offence of a 3 month ban as noted above will be 6 months and then a further offence would double again to 12 months.

Using the infield or safety area in any way so as to gain an advantage is also an offence and can be punished as so by the Steward.

Rookie Bangers

August means a double header for Rookies, and at the moment, there are very few cars booked. We know that there are lots of cars being built, so PLEASE book in and give us clue that you are coming.!

Caravan Race 2011

This race is fully booked, so no extra drivers can be accommodated, unless there are cancellations. If you have booked and cannot race, please let us know to give someone else a chance. Bookings confirmed are 9, 21, 27, 54, 112,144, 162, 224, 270,308, 364, 369, 386, 441, 484.

Reliant Robins

News of the Scottish Championship for Reliant Robins on the 25th September 2011, start time 1pm. This is a new event, and whilst it is a long way away, it would be great to have some representation from Mendips Raceway. Please let us know if you wish to be booked in. This meeting is at Lochgelly, and is operated by Spedeworth Scotland. Lochgelly is a new facility a few miles from Cowdenbeath.

Great to see twenty cars out last time, and some epic action, and that sets the scene for the final event of 2011, on August Bank Holiday Monday.

There are plenty of awards to go for on August Bank Holiday Monday, and there will be a straight race, ramp race, and the usual Figure of Eight and Destruction Derby.

Top Ten

499
87
3
444
78
333
445
9
162
46
Lee Charles
Barry Richards
Dan Tytheridge
Mark Loader
Mark Bowskill
Mark Neville
Niki Loader
Adam Allias
Mike Cocks
Jon Coombs
110
77
52
48
51
40
40
37
28
24

Hot Rods

Congratulations to Steve Hunt for winning the Points Championship for 2011, and thoughts now turn to the final Hot Rod event of 2011, the West of England Championship, by Mick Cave Grab and Tip. It would be great to have all the drivers there who have raced with us in 2011, as this meeting always has a large crowd, who appreciate good racing. Below is the final points chart for 2011

282
18
718
205
55
258
904
35
578
117
Steve Hunt
Larry Langmead
Colin White
Mike Norton
Alistair Lowe
James Griggs
Wilson Hamilton
Neil Mewdell
Rick Lee
Dave Tossell
158
135
117
93
82
72
58
31
29
26

Special Rods

Some more top action from the Special Rods in June, with a white top first and second in the Final-Sam Howard (44) and Steve Baker (370), and more tremendous progress for Steve Sayer(60) who is 7th in the points in his first season of Special Rod Racing! With two more meetings to go, it looks unlikely that Russ Colneutt(18) will not retain the Points Championship, but there are plenty of points yet to be had, so it is mathematically possible. Driver will be regraded after the next meeting, for the final event on October 9th-the West of England Championship by Arebee Signs.

Top Ten

18
23
47
42
41
173
60
17
122
372
Russ Colenutt
Ross Stuckey
Richard Howard
John Major
Dene Howard
Alan Cambridge
Steve Sayer
Lee Robins
Joe Rowe
Tom Cambridge
106
86
86
74
67
67
52
50
43
43

Junior Rods

At the last meeting, some aggressive driving led to a one meeting ban for Caine Down(397) which is regrettable, but necessary. Contact is simply not permitted in Junior racing, and we will continue to penalise any driver who will not drive within the rules. It is also important to maintain your racing line, and not swerve around on the track to that faster drivers don’t know where to over take.  
We have had to deal with a case of internet bullying recently, which will not be tolerated, and Junior drivers must remember to be courteous when being dealt with by marshals and staff. Russ Milverton, our driver representative, is doing an excellent job for you, voluntarily, and you must respect him for it.

New grades this month, and these will stay in place for the rest of the season.

Red Tops

Blue Tops

127
510
404
796
6
14
397
87
111
313
Louis Aldom
Sid Harrison
Macauley Mills
Daniel Steeds
Connor Jeffries
Andrew Russell
Caine Down
Callum Richards
Natasha Howe
Charlie Boorer
94
91
81
75
45
45
40
39
38
34
300
205
4
16
61
25
273
30
109
39
Jack Ayles
Charlie Norton
Jesse Milverton
Daniel Milverton
Bethany Stevenson
Brad Seymour
Zoe Cambridge
Joe Capel
Aaron Holloway Ramsey
Sophie Harris
28
27
27
27
23
23
22
21
20
19

The Last Bit

BOOKING IN
It’s so easy! Go to www.mendipsraceway.com and book in on line! Phone 01963 220028.

Dinner and Dance
Dinner and Dance: the 2012 Dinner and Dance will take place on Saturday February 4th 2012 at the Webbington Hotel, if you need to book the time, or the Hotel.

Drivers Meeting 2011
Drivers meeting will take place on Sunday November 27th 2011 at the Village Hall, Farrington Gurney. Further details later

Holidays
Please note the Raceway Office will be closed from August 9th-16th inclusive.

 

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