The Unlimited Bangers make a very welcome return since their thrilling World of Shale event as part of the annual Halloween Carnival Night here at the Adrian Flux Arena.
An action-packed evening is expected, with the drivers competing for a variety of titles. A particular interest will be the Supernatural Championship – a race specifically for Limos and Hearses. Last year we saw 20 cars tailored to the race, and this year we should see a jump of that figure with 24 drivers marking their intention to race something a bit special. 791 Nicky Young is set to defend his title in another hearse. 829 Jay Sharpe was runner-up at last year’s event and will also pilot a hearse. We’ve seen that brother 828 Jordan is limo mounted for this evening with a Jaguar X300 version, and you can bank on him putting a top display on as he looks to secure the Entertainers Points. 611 Joe Geeves was renowned for his British tin throughout the Banger World Series rounds, and is expected in a Mk2 Ford Granada Limo which will no doubt go home a fine wreck. Predators veteran 176 Ady Gibbs is set for action in a Daimler DS420 Limo.
The 25 & Under Champ of GB is also up for grabs. 459 Blake Platts raced to the victory in that title last year on route to romping the World of Shale qualifying points in what has been a fine year on the loose stuff for the Silver Boys man. He was followed home by running mate 374 Sam Markham and 178 Kieran Bowman, with both still eligible to compete this year. ‘Slim’ has a blinding year which saw him take gold in the 2L Shale World Final here in July, and he recently secured third place in the Unlimited Championship of the World representing Trackstar at Ipswich. He’s fresh off the back of a trip over to Emmen, where he rolled his Volvo 240 Estate in the Blue Oyster Trophy Final and will hope to keep the car on all fours tonight. Brother Brad, 279, had a top meeting across the water taking the win in the Consolation. 84 Jack Ansell has been a final winner here this season and will fancy his chances.
The King of the Fens will conclude the night. Defending champion 350 Liam Webster is still banned from his August antics, and thus a new champion will be crowned. 209 Tom Waller took the Unlimited East Anglian title as part of the Easter Saturday fixture and has been on top form here all season. 455 Ricki Finney will have his gold stripes on display having raced to the win in the World of Shale last month in what was a fantastic drive, and he’ll be among the favourites. 195 Dave Forrest took the final win on the Sunday of the Nutty Nige weekend. Autospeed World Champion 133 Terry Hill makes the long journey up from South-West. He put a valiant effort in throughout the World of Shale race and although falling short, was one of the meeting’s top drivers. 299 Tommy Callaghan was another that put a top display in on that night. It’s not often we see 57 Max Stott or 69 Brad Bartram out in the Unlimiteds – both drivers are specialists in the front-wheel drive classes around the Norfolk shaleway and it will be great to see them out in action tonight. 589 Simon Smith looks set to take the National Points title and would love to add a race title to that honour. There’s also a strong contingent of visiting drivers with the likes of 243 Pete Osborne, 328 Ben Nicholls and 634 Ben Green from Spedeworth among others. They’ll be plenty of drivers not interested in the racing spoils, with crashing mostly at the forefront of their minds. 43 Nicky Bishop, 51 James Licquorice, 84 Will Cole, 211 Jamie Pole, 335 Lee White, 437 Connor Burbridge and 712 Alex Hatcliffe will all be drivers to look out for on the action side.
With the Reliant Robins and 1300 Stock Cars in action, the latter for their World of Shale Championship and Dash for Cash up for grabs, as well as the track walk for families and fireworks too, fans are in for more ‘treat’ than ‘trick.’
