A tribute to Paul – Kings Lynn – 15/12/24 – Unlimited Bangers Nutcracker & 1600 Bangers National Championship – Meeting Preview

The racing community was rocked at the passing of Mr Trackstar, Paul Butler a couple of weeks ago. Whilst Matt Black is very much the face of the promotion that we have grown to know and love, Paul has been the driving force behind the scenes striving for success and not resting on his laurels; pushing for bigger and better all the time, and we will always remember the man that Paul was.

Paul was very proud of Trackstar being crowned the National Banger Promoter of the Year four years on the bounce in the Caged! Awards – putting on great meetings for all was what he loved and we are sure the drivers will do the same here today. The annual Nutcracker meeting has always been a top event, but it’s set to be a corker with 55 Unlimited Bangers booked in. The addition of the 25 & Under Champ of GB from its usual Halloween slot also adds an extra element to the meeting. 96 1600 Bangers are also set to compete for the biggest title on offer to them – the National Championship. Expect to see plenty of red bumpers and other tributes from drivers in respect of Paul.

69 Brad Bartram heads the Trackstar National Points Championship and will be one of the favourites to take the 1600 National Championship. He was in great form on the last outing for the class where he won the Caged! Open. 119 ‘Cruncher’ Davey Cox wound back the clock to win the title last year – 15 years after his previous success in the event, and he’ll be a hard one to bet against to do that again. Could he pass the torch to his son perhaps? 9 Ben Cox could definitely be a threat himself, whilst 337 Ashley Garrod is another family member that could take the honours. Brother Terry (338) won it 3 years on the bounce and Ash will certainly look to round off a strong year with a title. Previous winners of the event 60 Daniel Croskell, 566 Tony Pallett and 551 Brett Jackson are all set to feature and could claim the gold stripe once again. Jackson stands a strong chance with a large contingent of Blue & Black set to feature. Brett is one of many drivers racing today with a tribute to Paul. 530 Steve Mayes was a winner of the event back when it was the Bangerstox Gold Roof, and 30 ‘Bubba’ Brandon Mayes and 730 Deane Mayes will look to get their name on the roll of honour. 12 Troy Cobbett, 83 David Loakes, 356 Sam Hildon, 479 Joel Allen, 525 Wes Starmer, 608 Lenny Murkin, 624 Cameron Hubbard and 713 Oscar Preston are others among the ranks that could win the title.

There are plenty of top drivers that will be looking to fight their way through the last chance. 869 Jamie Steele has had a solid year with his defining moment winning the UK Championship. 701 Riley Marsh is another that’s had a top season – his debut year in the National Bangers saw him qualify for the Unlimited World Championship via the Spedeworth Points which is certainly no mean feat. 227 Gavin Taylor won the HRP & YorStox 1600 Points and will be looking for more of the same fortunes today. 248 Jamie Blything, 117 Lee Reynolds and English Champion 27 Danny McMullan will be others gunning to get in the grid. 133 Malakie Cullum is another to have had a top debut season and has the ability to take a win or spoil it for others. Giddings brothers 195 Billy & 951 Jack Giddings could be ones to put on a show, as could 205 Max Bull, 259 Ryan Millhouse, 420 Matt Jode, 428 Nick Ashbridge and 644 Alfie Sime. 516 Callum Gould will be another to keep an eye on. He recently made the step up from the Junior Bangers where he showed superb potential to be one of the next stars of the sport with some top racing combined with the right attitude. He’ll have a dabble of qualifying but if those chances slip, expect to see him having a play!

Turning our attention to the Unlimited Bangers, and we are set to have a new Nutcracker Champion crowned. The experienced veteran 348 ‘Mushy’ Sonny Sherwood navigated difficult track conditions to win the title last year but is yet to book in to defend the honour. 673 Darren Fendley, White & Yellow Champion 271 Ashlun Woods, East Anglian Champion 209 Tom Waller, 299 Tommy Callaghan, 459 Blake Platts, 56 Ricky Clarke and 178 Kieran Bowman will be among the leading contenders for the title. Bowman is also set to defend the 25 & Under Champ of GB. ‘Slim’ has had another strong season winning the BWS Entertainers League as well as a hattrick of titles over the water taking the Tippwreck, Shamwreck and Irish Championship and will be looking for some of that success on home soil. He has a very fitting tribute dedicated to Paul on the bonnet of his car also; a very lovely touch. 41 Lee Barnes was a race winner at the Halloween meeting, whilst 747 Will Parker was the sole finisher of the Supernatural Championship, limping his Daimler DS420 Limo to the victory. Son Brooklyn (406) recently turned 18 and was treated to a Mercedes W210 Estate for his birthday and he’ll be using that Sunday to mark his first Unlimited outing. There are a host of top entertainers set to feature – 51 James Licquorice is dominating the Trackstar’s Entertainers League and isn’t afraid of who or what he hits. His Jaguar XF ending a little shorter last time out. The Aftermath trio of 100 Callum White, 101 Cieran Harmer and 707 Alfie Nottingham will be looking to get their bumpers stuck in. The likes of 171 Andy Frost, Sowter brothers 288 Carl and 388 Taylor, 313 John Cullingford, 514 Charlie Taylor and 335 Lee White will also look to follow suit. 171 Frosty is expected to bring the cool 1970s Cadillac Fleetwood. 1 Maarten Steenbekkers was a welcomed visitor at the Halloween meeting in that impressive Checker Aerobus Cab Limo, and returns with some more top machinery in the form of a 1960s Oldsmobile Hearse. 611 Joe Geeves and 830 Lee White were placemen in the King of the Fens title in October and will be looking for more of the same.

It has all the makings of a top meeting, and hopefully one to make Paul proud. A special note must go to 161 Billy Smith who has been busy doing a raffle for a chance to race his Saloon Stock Car which has raised £3500 for Kate and the family.

Don’t forget the Caged! Awards are now live with some of your Trackstar favourites, as well as meetings and Trackstar themselves up for awards. You can vote by following the link at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSewDtzECybPCJLGtg99dc9GSobodsn-l_dOHnMzXcouC2FlcA/viewform