Welcome race fans to Mendips Raceway for season 2026, on what promises to be a cracking season full of faces, cars and formulas new and old. We have a bumper start with 4 formulas to kick off proceedings. 2 Litre Bangers, Junior Rods, Heritage F2, and the return of the Rebels….
The Bangers kick off their season with the Bangers Down West meeting, sponsored by the Banger anorak turned commentator Jamie Waller-Jones. Crucial World Final qualifying points are the name of the game today with the World Final (The PRI) taking place in July this year. Extra points are available to the Entertainers, with fresh paint, DD involvement and generally getting fully stuck in. Entries are headed by the BRCM – defending BDW champion Rob Bugler (262) was near faultless in the meeting, only dropping 2 places from a potential maximum score. This was the start of an awesome season for Roona – he took a Banger World Series round here before sealing the PRI Gold last September. Boogie (252) was the points champion, by the barest of margins, beating Big Mac (440) by a single point. Keep an eye on the likes of Lewis Fasey (186) who'll be joined with sister Sophie (286).
The blasts from the past have blast past with us here today on the first of two trips here year. Last year saw a heat and final double for former F1 top man, Will Yarrow (22) who then went to be the man to beat all year, taking the Gold Cup. Ages are no issue, as octogenarian Alan Nicholson (198) became the oldest winner in Mendips history at the ripe old age of 83 when he took a heat. Brian Owen (886) was the other winner and one of the trophies on offer today is in memorial of his late wife Lyn. Lyn loved a trier and this will be awarded to the driver who put the most effort without reward!
Top prize is the Steve Bateman trophy, remembering the former F2 World Champion, who won the world final some 60 years ago.
And also, this meeting sees the return of the legendary Plastic Pasty, the Heritage cheerleader and "friend" of certain promoters Alan Humphrey (253) who has a new steed for a blast.
Today there are two trophies up for grabs for the heritage guys First is the Steve Bateman trophy in memory of the former F2 world champion This will be presented to the winner of the meeting final. Secondly is the Lyn Owen ,Mrs 886, memorial trophy .Lyn was the wife of long time f2 and heritage driver Brian and was well known and loved by the other heritage drivers This award will go to the driver who puts in the best performance during the day without necessarily winning a race .Lyn loved a trier
The bouncing beauties return to the hills as last years first run about in ages at Mendips and the general consensus was more, more, more! I did joke on the mic how great it would be to have their big meeting – theWorld Wide Rebellion – here, and lo, look at September, their big one is only going to be here!
Last time out Harry Graham (55), the European Champion was victorious, taking a heat and the final. The Rebels GOAT, Shay Murphy (1) also won a race on his first appearance at the track – no one has won more races than him in the formula's 30 year existence.
Further down the grid, it's a switch of formula for former Hotstox'er the self proclaimed "Queen of the Fence" Dannie Schoales (137) who professed her love for the track in her visit with the noisy lot!
We expect more close racing, with plenty of last bend finishes if last time is anything to go by!
A new year and new classe of stars of tomorrow as the Juniors get underway for 2026. Leading the entry is 2025 Points and West of England Champion Archie Bryant (511). Having seen his big bro Olly reach the top age limit, he stands to be the one to beat this year. Keeping him honest will be Austin Latimer (620) who truly came of age last year and has a new car built by grandad Andy and dad Dan. Henry Chiplen (107) continues his quick way round the raceways and the rapidly improving Ollie Melville (26) will add more points with added age.
Newbies include Beau Jeanes (133) and a more concerted effort from Freya May (748) who will have dad the legendary Bod egging her on.
Its Easter, so the national formulae of BriSCA F2, in world qualifying mode and the Saloon Stock Cars in heavy hitting action, alongside first appearances of the Specials, Rookies and Robins, to ease the chocolate abuse.
For more information, don't forget the socials and our website mendipsraceway.com. Till next time
Cheers n Gone
Jonny
11 Evan Cotterill
47 Alex Knight
73 Sam Wilkinson
76 Matt Hodgkins
121 Ronnie Hawkins
129 Charley Ross
186 Lewis Fasey
188 Leo Knox
189 Jamie Knox
205 Alex Ganter
216 George Baker
286 Sophie Fasey
262 Rob Bugler
440 Macauley Mills
743 Jake Bond
16 Daniel Gunfield
26 Ollie Melville
49 Jenson Bevan
99 Jenson Harris
107 Henry Chiplen
133 Lana Jeanes
149 Liam Mitchell
184 Bailey Hogan
187 Leo Knox
227 Leo Harding
329 Jazmin Dalton
334 Poppy Norton
429 Ollie Dalton
511 Archie Bryant
619 Emilie Waldron
620 Austin Latimer
748 Freya May
768 Dominic Delahay
916 Benji Higgins
1 Shay Murphy
7 Lee Moore
13 Danny Bower
14 Jake Butler
19 Tom Rodgers
20 AJ Davis
27 Sam Parker
42 Steve Gill
51 Ricky Johnson
53 Megan Charlesworth
80 Keith Murphy
90 Liam Brown
118 Ashley Potts
131 Nicole Emmett
136 Alex Jacklin
157 Mark Osborne
209 Ryan Leech
254 Reece Sharp
281 Katie Harris
371 Matt Woolley
491 John Gould
513 Jack Charlesworth
551 Tony Walsham
592 Eric Newson
646 Stuart Taylor
905 Danny Maddox
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