There’s something for everyone today here at the Adrian Flux Arena, as Trackstar host another all-action bank holiday meeting headlined by the Big Van Bangers, with the 1500 Bangers & Reliant Robins in support.
The Predators were collectively in great form at the last van banger event here on the Norfolk shaleway, and will look to replicate that today for the annual Crash for Cancer meeting. ‘The Beast’ 478 Anthony Bailey is usually the one on the background for the team, but got his racing shoes on last time out and returns once again with what we expect to be a Mercedes Horsebox. Ant will be joined by 178 Kieran and 279 Bradley Bowman who are always great value for money.
171 Andy Frost has been a great ambassador behind the scenes for the event, helping push the charity aspect, and will be sure to get stuck in to the action in his Iveco Daily, making sure the crowd are entertained.
There is an array of wacky and wonderful vans expected this afternoon. 165 Ben Randell has probably the wackiest contraption with an odd-me-bob special. It has a Vauxhall Movano front end, with a motorhome/Horsebox mid-section with a caravan rear end, so that should hopefully implode well! 257 Peter Beard had a cool example at last year’s Crash for Cancer and is back again with a 1985 Bedford CF2. 121 David Wright Jnr has an LDV 400 Series Ambulance and 21 Ralph Wright has a Burger Van variant. 170 Chris Shipp will be bringing a Yank camper, and if it’s anything like the display of the June meeting, keep your eyes peeled as he was the centre of most of the action. 476 Ross Coleman always deliver on the material front, and has a Bedford EA for today.
I’m not sure whether anything will beat 349 Lee Saunders Ford A Series Bus, however. Finbarr is another that has become known for his epic van material and this is another top display from The Management driver.
Regardless of the material though, expect most to be involved in the action, as the van banger format attracts a certain attitude of drivers putting on a show. Having said that, 385 Roy Gedge is on the booking list and he put an impressive display of racing on here last year with two heat wins and a third in the final.
The Robins have one of their biggest meetings of the year with their World of Shale. 553 Daniel Douglas will be looking to extend his record, having already taken the title three years in a row, and four times in the event’s history. Another 18 drivers will be looking to make sure it’s their name on the trophy instead. 385 Roy Gedge will be on double duties, and it’s the Robins he is more renowned for. ‘Royboy’ leads the points here at Kings Lynn and will be the main challenger. 490 Lee Barnard, 96 Ian Robins and 9 Anthony Cherry are all others more than capable of taking the chequers too.
Completing the bill is the 1500 Bangers, with around 50 set for contention. 479 Joel Allen heads the points for the National Championship qualifying, and he’ll look to keep that momentum. Other drivers to look out for will be 99 Ricky Garrod, 717 Lewis Ivatt and 69 Brad Bartram, the latter having his best season to date. The Wild Boyz team are back once again in strong numbers and will be ones to watch out for on the crashing front.
We hope you enjoy your day here at the Adrian Flux Arena, and will welcome you back for the big one; the Unlimited Bangers World of Shale on September 10th.
(Credit to all the photographers – sources not confirmed)
