The ‘little’ Icebreaker makes the switch from 1500 Bangers to 1600 Bangers for the first time showing the signs of the modern era, but it’s the usual suspects booked in for the occasion.
It was TKC who took the honours at last year’s event from THP7 ‘A’, with 608 Lenny Murkin leading the charge for the winning team. The two have joined forces with Lenny jumping into the THP7 team joining up with Saloon Stock Car World Champion 730 Deane Mayes and the ever-fast 30 ‘Bubba’ Brandon Mayes, who always goes well in the 1600 class. Recruitment for this year has also seen Wild Boyz member 197 Glen Woodward who had a great 2023 season in the 1600 class securing the YorStox Points Championship. You’d be hard pressed to beat them!
Team SBS completed the podium spots at the 2023 staging, and will be looking to be amongst it once again with another strong team set for action today. The Skegness-based outfit boast a strong line-up. Stark brothers 886 Lewis and 888 Lloyd will be very reliable for points, whilst they’ll be hoping for the run of form from 818 Lewis O’Keefe which saw him claim the UK Championship. Completing the quartet is 444 Harvey Law who remains one of the most promising youngsters in the sport.
Another top youngster recruited for the day is 363 Billy Jarvis. He joins the Predators A team fresh off a heat win at Eastbourne’s Champion of Champions meeting last week. The Predators will be hoping he can continue that momentum for them, as he joins 378 Jack Bailey, 678 Alex Ward and 851 Tom Waddingham. The ‘B’ team sees captain 178 ‘Slim’ Kieran Bowman joined by another promising Junior Banger starlet in 701 Riley Marsh as well as the entertaining duo of 23 Sonny Parsons and 428 Nick Ashbridge. The third Predators team, or ‘C’ team sees 87 Damien Matthews joined by 181 Craig Allen, 257 Ben Waddingham and 479 Joel Allen. All three teams have the capability to be among the points scorers, but could also put a showing in the Entertainers League.
Blue & Black will be hoping one of their three teams will take the honours in the entertainers proceedings after wins in 2022 and second last year. 121 Aaron Colbert, 266 Barry Wright, 267 Tom Wright, 311 Garry Lown, 381 Sam Harbout, 550 Phil Jackson and 551 Brett Jackson are all top crashers and will be looking to get that front bumper in as soon as the opportunity arises. Their ‘C’ team has a very Scrapyard Screamers vibe and the Gamble trio alongside 49 Liam Boden are always keen to be in the mix regardless of what colours they are in.
One of the standout teams of 2023 was The Levellers. The emerging crop of youngsters has seen a rejuvenation for the team and they look even more determined this year to put the North-West team back on the map. Brothers 476 Freddie and 477 Jack Speirs are some top drivers – Freddie was in top form for the North in the Micro Bangers at Civil War. The duo of 126 Dylan Sykes and 308 Joss Procter are also some top young drivers and they’ll be among the favourites to lift the entertainers honours.
The Hit Squad colours were seen all around EA in the late 90s and early 00s, and second generation driver 349 Daniel Copland is bringing them back. He’s been vastly improving among the Spedeworth 1600 scene and brings a team of drivers from there to do battle today. 67 Lewis Anslow is another second generation driver among their ranks and will be one to keep an eye on – he is looking forward to the occasion.
One of the top contenders for the honours will be Crunchers Crew, with four teams among their ranks. 119 Davey Cox lifted the National Championship in his Mk5 Astra in tricky conditions back in December, his third time taking the title; 15 years after his last win showing his quality as a driver. Unfortunately Cruncher isn’t set to be in attendance himself but he’s brought in some top drivers to represent his squad with son 9 Ben Cox leading the charge. 717 Harvey Devall Jnr took a last chance win at the Champion of Champions and is a regular race winner over at Spedeworth. Add in Saloon Stock Car ace 525 Wesley Starmer, fast young gun 19 Reggie Turnbull, ex-National Champion 566 Tony Pallett, 305 Alfie Cornish and 292 Harry Airey, and then the crashing abilities of 44 Alfie Hill, 48 Lewis Grummett, Bond brothers 273 Toby and 275 Joel, 332 Callum Henderson, 395 George Hill, 420 Matthew Jode and 910 Jack Rookard provides the perfect mix of drivers.
The Jokers boast a strong line up with the results likely to come courtesy of 231 Alex Smith and 356 Sam Hildon whilst Rowell brothers 276 Adam and 277 Sean go crashing. Sean will be hoping for a better day’s racing after his performance at the Unlimited event a fortnight ago.
Trent Raceway were a surprise package last year with the Timmins brothers recording some good results, and they’ve recruited resident Trackstar statto, 974 Alistair Oxby for the day. It’s great to see TMT and the Demons back in action. TCR have a meaty looking line-up whilst JW 24/7 have 920 Kaelan Blakeman among their ranks and he is another youngster to keep an eye on.
On the topic of top youngsters, most of those we have identified so far have emerged from the very competitive ClassicCarsRUs sponsored Junior Bangers class. They have the bonus of an additional meeting today and the drivers will be relishing the opportunity for some track time. 609 Levi Murkin has continued his momentum from last year to take a heat win, whilst 742 Toby Parfitt took the other. Toby switches places with brother 743 Josh having the chance to race today and he’ll be another to look out for. 750 Rhys Parrin showcased his new silver roof last time out, and the Trackstar Points Champion had a strong display with some top results. A fantastic drive from 85 Jade Ellis saw her take the final win, and looked rapid in doing so whilst promising newcomer 920 Rhys Medley won the Alcomers on his debut; must be in the genes! 08 Taylor Morton was another debutee two weeks ago and looks one to keep an eye on. 455 Lexi Finney, 10 Harry Andrews, 39 Lewis Baldry, 556 Lincoln Douglas, 610 Alex McBain Jnr and 41 Archie Horwood are always strong candidates for a top position whilst the likes of 478 Morgan Bailey, 519 Evie Smith, 475 Archie Spiers, 312 Daisy Reynolds and 517 Rylee Taylor continue to show improvements on track. 190 Riley Holmes and 707 Alfie Nottingham regularly enjoy an on-track battle and saw the latter rightfully crowned your Driver of the Day a fortnight ago after superb pit-work from him and team to get his buckled Micra back out time and time again, even getting a podium in the Consolation. Although their battle was very amicable, there were several drivers that clearly put a bit too much sugar on their cornflakes that morning, but the action was top drawer and hopefully that continues today. 809 Toby Tyson is a welcome addition to the ranks, making the switch over to ORC after a successful couple of years racing at tracks such as Warton, Barford, Ringwood and Standlake. He’ll relish his very generous white grade start.
We should be in for a corker of a day, our only fixture of February before the season fully gets underway in March.
