2024 was another strong year for Trackstar – titles changed hands, drivers made their way through the ranks and new faces emerged. One thing that didn’t change is the level of action out on track.
The year kicked off with a bang as usual with the annual Unlimited Icebreaker, the British Open Team Championship, with the Norfolk promotion hosting the 30th staging of the event. The meeting featured major players in the Unlimited scene with the likes of BRCM, Posh Wash, The Bears, Aftermath, The Predators, Silver Boys, Dover Boys and ensembles of top drivers in TWT and Team Waller. Wins for 252 Steven Bugler, 262 Rob Bugler and 333 Charlie Randell helped guide BRCM to a comfortable win of the event whilst Dover Boys took the entertainer honours with 51 James Licquorice, 188 John Reeves and 907 Cameron Bradford in particularly lively form. Posh Wash man 195 David Forrest having the car of the day with a Mk2 Lincoln Town Car. The meeting supported by the Junior Bangers that certainly provided a top show too. Heat wins went the way of 742 Toby Parfitt and 609 Levi Murkin, with 78 Lee Macey Jnr taking the Consolation. 85 Jade Ellis barely put a foot wrong to take the win in the Final from 113 Beau Jeanes and 78 Lee Macey Jnr. 920 Rhys Medley was a welcomed newcomer to the formula and impressed straight away. His effort’s rewarded with the win in the Alcomers.
February saw the 1600 Icebreaker proceed their bigger cousins. Just shy of 100 cars competing on the Norfolk shaleway. THP7 emerged victors with wins from 30 Brandon Mayes and 197 Glenn Woodward helping aid the side on their way. A 2nd place for 730 Deane Mayes and 3rd place for 197 Microchip in the Final securing the goods. The Blue & Black teams were on top form as typically seen at the Adrian Flux Arena with A team of 550 Phil Jackson, 551 Brett Jackson, 743 Kavan Barton and 267 Tommy Wright taking the entertainers league win. 305 Alfie Cornish was another that stood out on the crashing front, and he capped the day off with a DD win. The Junior Bangers once again on the bill. 08 Taylor Morton was another welcomed addition to the ranks, and similar to Rhys, displayed good ability from the offset. He took the win in Heat 1 whilst Heat 2 went the way of Points Champion 750 Rhys Parrin. 920 Rhys Medley made in 2 wins in as many meetings taking the victory in the Consolation. The Final saw 307 Luke Thompson take the win with 743 Josh Parfitt and 920 Rhys Medley the placemen. 78 Lee Macey Jnr taking the Alcomers.
The season officially got underway with a 2 Litre and 1600 domestic on March 23rd, although there was very little domestic about it. The 2 Litre Bangers in particular delivering some top action. Cullum brothers 132 Archie and 133 Malakie at the centre of most of the meeting with each taking a heat win, before the pair were in involved in a big crash in the Final which saw Archie avenge Malakie with a t-bone to Team V man 79 Michael Byram unfortunately suffering a major injury and being one of the leading reasons for the t-bone rule that came into place a few months later. The 1600 Bangers saw heat wins for 275 Joel Bond and 713 Oscar Preston, with 349 Daniel Copland taking the Final. He was followed by 730 Deane Mayes and 30 Brandon Mayes who continued their form from the Icebreaker. The Junior Bangers made their third appearance of the year. 329 Jayden Carter winning the Whites & Yellows heat before taking third place in the Final behind 920 Rhys Medley and 08 Taylor Morton – the latter pair really beginning to cement themselves as ones to watch for the year. The other heats going the way of 339 Jack Garrod Jnr and 669 William Cartwright.
The attention then shifted to the Easter weekend featuring the first opportunity for individual championship silverware. The annual Saturday fixture saw the Unlimited Bangers contest their East Anglian Championship and 2023 White & Yellows title. 267 Martin French had an impressive Excalibur Limo which we somehow overlooked in the Car of the Year category. The Excalibur getting destroyed in the Whites & Yellow Championship courtesy of 100 ‘Cock’ Callum White. The race going down to only 3 finishers in a chaotic affair which saw a pile up form on the scoreboard bend. 271 Ashlun Woods taking the honours with 78 Lee Macey and 556 Matt Tillow his placemen. Cock continued his lively streak throughout the remainder of the meeting – 335 Lee White and 3 Mitchel Finney among his victims. 148 ‘Shorty’ Ian Redden wound the clock back for a heat win with the other going the way of 639 Tye Williams with both showcasing some top sideways shale driving on the way. 209 Tom Waller held on to his East Anglian Championship in a top drive from him. He was followed home by 639 Tye Pirate and 362 Johnny James. 313 John Cullingford got set about in the DD with the other participants all taking a beeline for his Lincoln Continental. 459 Blake Platts ending the evening taking the win. The Junior Bangers were back for more. 669 William Cartwright won the Whites & Yellows Championship from 329 Jayden Carter and 85 Jade Ellis. 08 Taylor Morton was the victor of Heat 2 whilst the Consolation went the way of 753 Tommy Cunningham. It was those two that featured once again in the Final with Morton adding another win to his name. Cunningham taking third place with 920 Rhys Medley again featuring in the results taking second. Predators young gun 478 Morgan Bailey taking the Alcomers.
Easter Monday saw the annual Wacky Races event. The novelty event being the perfect contrast to the seriousness of the titles on the Saturday in an ideal showcase of fun for the Bank Holiday crowd. The Micro Bangers had a varied format for the day. Their numbers bolstered by some welcomed Dutch visitors. 557 Liam Jaggard winning the Le Mans start race and 36 Ricky Lewis took the spin and start race. 28 Mac Bell emerged victorious in the spin the leader Final having been lively in the second heat laying waste to 66 Shane Norley. 713 Oscar Preston took home a shortened Micra after taking a few shots in the Final. He somehow managed to roll over the armco in the opening heat, ending up wedged between the armco and the safety catch fence. The 4×4 Bangers saw heat wins for 117 Lee Reynolds and 212 Jack Maryon, with 339 Jack Garrod taking the Final. 51 James Licquorice’s Range Rover going home a nice wreck. 385 Paul Evans took the DD win which saw a savage hits from 170 Chris Shipp on 343 Lewis White and 339 Jack Garrod. The Siamese Bangers being the highlight of the day. Rollovers, frolics and smiles galore. 6 pairs put on a top show – nobody really concerned by the winners of the day. 28 Mac Bell & 699 Aaron Nelson enjoyed a solid head on with Gladiators duo 174 ‘Whipper’ David Osborn and ‘Puddy’ 560 Andrew Milner. The field managing to knock 340 Wes Freestone’s car off of the top of 337 Ashley Garrod’s Mondeo in the DD.
311 Garry Lown was the star of the show in the 1600 Bangers on Sunday 21st April taking a hattrick on the day. 337 Ashley Garrod winning the DD. Heat 1 saw 3 rollovers, whilst the usual suspects of Blue & Black, 910 Jack Rookard and 51 James Licquorice were heavily involved in the action. 517 Rylee Taylor took a pair of Heat wins in the Junior Bangers, with 609 Levi Murkin taking the other. 515 Reagan Flatters won the Final with 556 Lincoln Douglas and 609 Murkin taking the podium spots.
The brainwave of Matt Black saw the inaugural staging of The Draft – a head to head team format over all four classes that Trackstar offer. The Redators, captained by Matt alongside 178 Kieran Bowman reigned triumphant with 51 James Licquorice & 188 John Reeves’ Victor-ious second and 100 Callum White & 23 Sonny Parson’s White Warriors taking third. All classes delivered on the action front – 296 Thomas Jennings having a rough time of it in the opening 2 Litre heat. 32 Connor Byram, 190 Ben Germany, 100 Cock and 321 Kieron Fry being stand out performers through the day. 178 Slim took a hammering in the 2 Litre Final which also saw usual teammate 519 ‘Knuckles’ deliver a solid hit to 132 Archie Cullum. The meeting definitely proving a success and it’s good to see it make it’s way onto the fixtures for 2025.
It’s unusual for Bangers to not be the main attraction of a King’s Lynn meeting, but that was the case at the end of May when the Unlimited Bangers supported a double header of Stock Car championships with the 2L National Saloon Stock Cars National Championship & 1300 Stock Cars British Championship. The Final was the first race of the day with 56 Ricky Clark taking the win. It kicked off between the Aftermath boys and the Barrows, whilst 9 Ben Cox also took a battering. 362 Johnny James pulled a textbook follow in on 724 Trevor Burcham to start the DD. It was Johnny and 548 Alex Utting who shared the DD honours with book taking home a pair of buckled Supras that didn’t want to die but had no steering to land that killer blow.
Vans and Bank Holiday Mondays are a great combination. The first of two annual Van meetings took place on the usual Spring Bank Holiday slot for the ‘smaller’ vans. There was plenty of van material on display. 862 Reece Eglington bringing a Bedford CF Camper. 121 Ralph Wright had an unusual concoction of an Austin Taxi front end that had been converted to a van – safe to say it got suitably destroyed leaving just the cab. 51 James Licquorice is always a fan favourite at these events, and that was very much the case once again. He started every race immediately in reverse on turn 2 taking multiple prisoners. Gill duo 77 Russell and 757 Callum were in top form; Russell winning the DD. 288 Chris Ford took the honours in the Final with 69 Brad Bartram and 704 Connor Siddalls winning the heats. 869 Jamie Steele took a heat and final double in the Micro Bangers – the other heat going the way of 710 Sean Unwin. The Junior Bangers saw healthy numbers once again. 609 Levi Murkin the driver of the day with a heat and final double. 432 Lucas James and 442 Stanley Crittenden taking the other heats.
Saturday 8th June saw the Adrian Flux Arena pay homage to ‘Mr Bilge’ 352 Stuart Brooks with the Bilge Bonanza, a meeting to commend over 30 years of racing for Stu who by his own admission raced the stuff the top boys didn’t as he never had the budget. Micros, 1600s and 2 Litres were on the bill but not as we know it – the more obscure, the better. The Micro Bangers saw Metro’s, Morris Minors, Mazda 323s, an Austin A40 Farina and a Triumph Herald for 246 Shaun Clouting. The all Fiesta and KA was a lively affair with 51 James Licquorice, 93 Lewis Godfrey, 372 James Cable, 427 James Mellin and 511 Jack Licquorice in entertaining spirits. 664 Aaron Challis and 666 Kieron Challis had a pair of Mk2 Vauxhall Astra Estates in the 1600s – 664 Trellence’s getting blitzed by the Volvo 340 of 112 Daz Prestage. 178 Kieran Bowman put his Nissan Sunny to good use delivering some solid hits. It was good to see an outing from 557 ‘Paranoid’ Paul Bowen who had a cool Toyota Carina A50 for the occasion. 791 Nicky ‘Spud’ Young had a Mk3 Ford Granada Hearse for the 2 Litres which got well and truly splintered. 649 Adam Strudwick, 246 Dylan Ward and 112 Brad Wright being among other top entertainers throughout the meeting. 69 Brad Bartram delivered a solid follow in to 743 Kavan Barton in the 2L Final which triggered 784 Tommy Killick to roll. 478 Morgan Bailey and 920 Rhys Medley were rollers in the Junior Bangers which were lively once again.
Team Yesssss Geeze took the honours in the 2L War of the Worlds meeting with Dover Boys running out entertainer winners on the night. 69 Brad Bartram, 327 Mick Maskell Jnr and 314 Luke Rawlings race winners on the night. 910 Jack Rookard’s Ford Cougar took some credible damage in the opening heat and somehow managed to get the car back out for the Final. 112 Daz Prestage, 830 Lee White, 321 Kieron Fry and 133 Malakie Cullum were on destructive form in the opening heat whilst 51 James Licquorice blossomed later in the evening. Team Yesssss Geeze and Dover Boys exchanging many a hit in the Final. 69 Brad Bartram braved using his Vauxhall Vectra from the Bilge meeting – the car ending the day well warped.
July marked the turn of the Unlimited War of the Worlds event. One of the rare occasions the premier Banger class gets put alongside the premier Stock Car class with the BRISCA F1 Stock Cars sharing the bill. Dut Mie Niks were welcomed visitors from Holland and wasted little time getting acquainted with the local drivers out on track. 51 James Licquorice took no prisoners in the opening heat, with 403 Steve Parrish on the receiving end of a heavy jacking. Heat 2 saw a spectacular rollover for 271 Ashlun Woods in a race which saw the Aftermath boys and 828 Jordan Sharpe in lively spirits. 707 Alfie Nottingham capped an impressive debut off with a top performance in the Final, and had a welcome shot from 178 Kieran Bowman to boot. 100 Callum White followed teammate 84 Will Cole in, because why not? The action spilling into the DD with several willing to entertain culminating in a jacking train on the exit of turn 2 featuring members of The Predators, Aftermath, Dut Mie Niks, Mad Mob and Matt’s Mafia. 377 Sven Veerman going home with the DD win.
The biggest meeting of the Trackstar banger calendar saw the 2L Shale World Final take place on Saturday 20th July. 178 Kieran Bowman turning out a top looking motor to defend his title. A lively last chance race saw 455 Hayden Hawes victorious from 3 Mitchel Finney and 720 Kenny-Joe Gabriel. 619 Mickey Knight, 602 Shaun Cooper and 459 Toddy Archer stand out entertainers. 32 Michael Byram and 828 Jordan Sharpe found themselves off the front row for the main race. The lead changed hands multiple times with those out front often taking the brunt of the crashing. 623 Ricky Hutton delivering a couple of hits on oppo to 830 Lee White whilst 112 Daz Prestage stopped 214 Shane Rawlings with a stiff head on. Many pre-race favourites fell by the way early on, including 552 Karl Douglas, 673 Darren Fendley and defending champion 178 Slim. 59 Tom Greenstreet was inches away from the line, getting stopped on the exit of turn 4 by a combination of 623 Tricky and 51 James Licquorice. 577 Alfie Lee avoiding all the spills to finally have his crowning moment taking gold. 3 Mitchel Finney taking an impressive second place having qualified through the last chance – the feat perhaps even more impressive by the fact he did it in a Nissan Primera. 327 Mick Maskell Jnr taking third place with Greenstreet having to settle for fourth – only 9 drivers going the distance. Greenstreet softened the misery of earlier in the night taking the win in the second Alcomers. The others going the way of 428 Nick Ashbridge and 623 Tricky. Slim taking the DD win to end the evening after an early ‘passing of the torch’ moment in the Alcomers where he weighed in on new champion Alfie in a gold on gold attack. The Junior Bangers offered support and were on great form once again. 609 Levi Murkin and 556 Lincoln Douglas the lads to beat with the former winning both heats and taking third place in the final whilst Lincoln had a hattrick of second place finishes – 08 Taylor Morton continuing his fine run with a win.
The 1600 Bangers returned for their Commentator’s Cup – a trophy put up for grabs by Trackstar’s own Al Oxby. The meeting lacking anything major in the way of a highlight reel, but still provided it’s moments. 83 David Loakes took the title after a close battle throughout with 713 Oscar Preston – 337 Ashley Garrod taking third place after an earlier heat win. 43 Nicky Bishop and 39 Ryan Knibbs taking the other heats. The Junior Bangers provided some fast paced racing with numerous skirmishes throughout. 284 and 85 Jade Ellis winning the heats with 556 Lincoln Douglas claiming the Final.
The annual Pre 80 meeting saw around 70 cars spread across three classes. 67 ‘Sparky’ Mark Whittaker wound back the clock showcasing that the old boys can still pedal guiding his Toyota to the win in the first Unders heat. 673 Darren Fendley taking Heat 2 for the Unders from 678 Alex Ward in a Team Bash top 2. 801 Jack Foster Snr loved a Saab. He guided it to the win in the second heat for the mid-size class. 92 Liam Bartlett guided his Ford Cortina to the win in the opening mid-size heat. The nudge and spin nature of the heats allowing the drivers to get some laps in around the Norfolk shaleway whilst showcasing some top sideways driving. The Bartlett’s and 697 Brandon Lawton were star performers of the Unlimited class. 90 Mark Bartlett showing the pace he was renowned for in the late 2000s winning the opening heat for the Overs, with the other heat going the way of 299 Tommy Callaghan who enjoyed a good battle with 91 Liam Bartlett in their Jags. 321 Andrew Newton took the Final from 621 Ryan Hawes and 90 Bartz. The Unders and Mid-size classes combined for their Final which was the best race of the day. A jacking train on the roadside bend seeing several go thundering in. 372 James Cable delivering some solid shots, as did Team Wallop with 305 Brooklyn Parker being a particular stand out. 267 Martin French taking the win from 801 Foster Snr and 21 Jason Colbert. The Junior Bangers also got the opportunity to have a rare drive in some vintage tin with their Pre 95. Drivers and their team putting some top effort in with their cars – the following being the pick of the bunch. 329 Jayden Carter brought a Datsun 1200, 339 Jack Garrod Jnr an Austin 10, 478 Morgan Bailey a cool looking Datsun 110A Estate, a smart Ford Anglia Estate for 545 Kaiden Bartrum and 669 William Cartwright piloting a Ford 100e, all of which receiving special material awards on the day. The RWD heat being one by 920 Rhys Medley, with 609 Levi Murkin guiding his Vauxhall Corsa B to the win in the other heats. The Final was a real showcase piece for the youngsters, with all eager to get stuck in to the fray delivering action throughout. 716 Nicola Want racing to the win ahead of 517 Rylee Taylor and 432 Lucas James with only 8 drivers going the distance. A fantastic night of old skool racing.
The 1600 East Anglian Team Championship saw Dover Boys run out as eventual winners whilst THP7 took the entertainers standings. Highlights of the day including a brutal first Heat which saw 260 Ricky Hodson take a pasting and 550 Phil Jackson in top form. The Final seeing THP7 duo 305 Alfie Cornish and 608 Lenny Murkin destroy 39 Ryan Knibbs whilst the Scrapyard Screamers and Dover Boys squared off. The 2L Bangers saw 910 Jack Rookard take a pasting from Team Mates in Heat 1. They continued to put the bumper about in the second heat.
The annual Big Van meeting took place on the Bank Holiday Monday – this year raising funds for Little Miracles. 601 Chris Medler returning his German Robur LO 3000 which failed to make the track at last year’s event. Heat 1 saw 170 Chris Shipp causing carnage on turn 2 and 51 James Licquorice up to mischief on turn 4 – the latter taking a heavy tbone from 396 Shane Hayden which rolled ‘The Duck’. 476 Ross Coleman and 420 Matt Jode’s vans looking worse for wear. 178 Kieran Bowman found himself in an unfamiliar spot when he rolled in Heat 2. 601 Bling also ending up on his side in the big German wagon. 87 Damien Matthews won a pair of heats with 479 Joel Allen and 337 Ashley Garrod taking the others. The Final was typically lively with 319 Shaun Clarke, 388 Stevo McGrath, The Pirates and the Gills particularly entertaining. 279 Brad Bowman won the Final with 51 Licquorice, 346 Scott Saunders and 743 Kavan Barton all going home with impressive wrecks. The event raising over £2000 for the Little Miracles charity.
September saw championship fever in the air, kicking off with the Unlimited Bangers World of Shale. Lowman Race Engines once again supported the event which raised around 140 drivers to contest the most prestigious race on shale for the Unlimited Bangers. The last chance races seeing a sprinkling of material. 747 Bradley Dee Crandon had a Ford Fairline Hearse, 804 Ryan-lee Canvin had a Vauxhall Omega Limo, 06 Tommy Rawsthorne was out in his prom vehicle, a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow and Surrey Street Squad 569 Lewis Rice a fresh Mk2 Ford Granada. The first last chance heat saw 209 Tom Waller on a mission in his Lincoln Continental – a follow in on 610 Alex McBain Jnr included among the highlights. 419 Laura Quadling took a battering from 830 Lee White and 476 Freddie Spiers. 29 David Mawdsley, 223 Brett Harrison and 88 Billy Page also coming under fire. 133 Terry Hill taking the win to make it on to the back of the World of Shale grid, and was joined by 209 Tombo and 476 Freddie as entertainers. The second last chance wasn’t quite as lively. 747 Didee putting his Hearse to use, whilst 2 Jonathan Bricknell put his Jaguar about. 101 Cieran Harmer dealt some blows on opposite. Bricknell and Charmer making it through as entertainers, alongside race winner 440 Lennon Phillips. 455 Ricki Finney was back to defend his title starting from row 16. Then points leader 69 Brad Bartram and Irish Points Champion 388 Stevo McGrath secured the front row. The material didn’t just aid itself to the drivers in the support races. 347 Rhys Barrow marked his debut in the main race with a stunning Mk2 Ford Granada Estate. 335 Lee White opted for a tidy long-wheel base Series 1 Jaguar XJ and 313 John Cullingford had a cool 1968 Chrysler Windsor. 267 Martin French had a Cadillac Fleetwood whilst there were a trio of Volvo 240 Estates. The race garnered a frantic pace from the offset. Eyes were very much at the front of the field with multiple lead changes throughout. 69 Brado, 123 Kieran Gray, 673 Darren Fendley, 178 Kieran Bowman, 271 Ashlun Woods, defending champion 455 Finney, 299 Tommy Callaghan, 555 Harry Gelsthorp and eventual winner 639 Tye Williams all having their turn at the head of affairs. The main moment of the race coming when 178 Slim had slipped past 673 Dazza as he spun the back-marking 69 Brado, but was swiped out himself by 262 Rob Bugler from a lap down. This in turn triggered many front-runners to fall foul as Dazza clipped the spinning Slim putting his wheel back, and 271 Woodszy got turned left in all the chaos by 252 Steven Bugler. It was Roona who played a part in the final lead change, as he slightly hindered Finney which allowed Tye Pirate to make a relatively easy pass through and he raced off to open up a comfortable gap to take the win. 830 Stretch, 388 Stevo and 230 Scott Paterson won the first three Alcomers, but it was the fourth that featured the most action with a pile up on turn 2. Reece Marsh took the win racing under the number of his late sister, Leasha – a very fitting victory to mark the sentiment. 388 Stevo rounded off a visit to Norfolk with the DD win.
The second championship of the month saw the Micro Bangers compete for their UK Championship. 421 Josh Mayo took the win in the last chance; a race which saw 212 Jack Maryon putting the front bumper in at any opportunity he could. 335 Lee White, 799 Owen Dack and 51 Jack Licquorice were entertaining in the title race. Defending champion 229 Harry Cobb had his charge ended when 245 Stephen Lown turned it around to deliver a solid head on which triggered a fire on Cobb’s Fiesta. 644 Alfie Sime leathered 39 Ryan Knibbs. The last 3 laps saw an incredible battle between 869 Jamie Steele and 69 Brad Bartram, and it was nearly impossible to seperate the pair as they crossed the line – Steele just snatching it to take his first championship in the sport. 212 Mario taking third having made it through the last chance. 51 Licquorice won the first Alcomers where only 3 drivers made the distance, with 342 Ryley Freestone taking the other. The same faces being entertaining across the Alcomers, with 951 Jack Giddings, 557 Liam Jaggard, 830 Lee White and 28 Mac Bell also getting well involved. 9 Ben Cox winning the DD. The Junior Bangers saw the Garrods well among the results with a heat win each for 339 Jack Jnr and 389 Aiden. 70 Manson Arnold won the other heat with 609 Levi Murkin adding another Final win to his collection.
Our Caged! Open took place at the Adrian Flux Arena for the first time, with 1600 and 2L Bangers on the bill. The 2 Litre Bangers saw 1300 Stock Car star 137 Curtis Tebbenham among the ranks. 521 Lee Dace winning the title from 552 Karl Douglas and 466 Steve Hackett. The meeting saw 199 Shaydy Gough, 51 James Licquorice and 133 Malakie Cullum well among the action – Cullum winning the second Alcomers and DD. Shaydy took both the Caged! Open Final and overall meeting entertainer awards on offer. 466 Hackett winning the other Alcomers. The 1600 Bangers saw many trying to liven things – 644 Alfie Sime, 51 James Licquorice, 27 Adam Pearce, the Giddings brothers and Blue & Black all featuring fairly. 356 Sam Hildon and 551 Brett Jackson winning the heats, but it was 69 Brad Bartram who came through from the back of the field to take the win from 525 Wes Starmer and 743 Kavan Barton. 881 Shane Brown won the Alcomers whilst 551 Brett Jackson delivered a solid follow in to 713 Oscar Preston. Jacko Jnr going on to win the DD as well as the overall meeting entertainer award. 951 Jack Giddings took the entertainer award on offer in the Caged! Open. Merit awards going the way of 60 Daniel Croskell and 713 Oscar Preston. The Junior Bangers saw heat wins for 730 Leo Mayes, 270 Shane-Lee Murkin and 920 Rhys Medley with 113 taking the Final from 556 Lincoln Douglas and 190 Riley Holmes. A decent session for the first shale Caged Open and hopefully something we can build on for 2025.
The annual Halloween Carnival Night has cemented itself as a must do fixture for both drivers and fans alike. The demand for bookings was that high that the 25 & Under Champ of GB had to be moved from its usual slot to later in the year to cater for the influx of people wanting to be a part of the night. 32 Mark Walker raced his 1959 Cadillac and 1 Maarten Steenbekkers had the awesome Checker Aerobus Cab Limo with both being candidates for car of the year. 791 Nicky Young defended his Supernatural Championship in a six-wheeled Jaguar X300 Starcraft Camper – a race he has definitely become a bit of a specialist in over the years. The first couple of heats were slightly tame compared to the rest of the evenings standard. 177 Lewis Ivatt and 41 Lee Barnes winning those. The Supernatural Championship was up next, and was not only the race of the evening, but could be up there for race of the year. 747 Will Parker being the only one left going to take the win in a very battered Daimler DS420 Limo. 707 Alfie Nottingham, 335 Lee White, 267 Martin French and 188 John Reeves impressing in a race where all drivers could be worthy of a mention. Heat 4 saw a rollover for 84 Will Cole. 776 Ady Groome being the focus of most of the race having been pushed on to the track courtesy of the infield tractor; his limo getting blitzed courtesy of hits from 209 Tom Waller, 372 James Cable, 644 Alfie Sime and 246 Aston Burt. 43 Luke Maynard winning whilst 476 Freddie Speirs took Heat 5. The King of the Fens saw The Bears square off with 171 Tommy West and 555 Harry Gelsthorp. 51 James Licquorice also getting involved in the action. 800 Jacob Rushton took his biggest win to date winning the title with 611 Joe Geeves and 830 Lee White his placemen. World of Shale Champion 639 Tye Williams rounded off the day taking the DD win in his championship winning Supra.
Whilst there were no meetings in November, the passing on promoter Paul Butler had a bigger impact than any meeting could have done. His passing rocking all areas of the community, several uncertain how to process their feelings and how to go on. Trackstar deemed as Paul would wish that ‘the show must go on,’ and whilst it must have been immensely difficult for all of the team, that was what happened with the wheels in motion to make sure the Nutcracker meeting was as good as it could be to remember a top man. The annual Nutcracker meeting did have to wait an extra week however. A wise decision from Trackstar to postpone the meeting seven days due to the amount of rain the country experienced over the original planned weekend.
The Unlimited Bangers contested their 25 & Under Champ of GB alongside the Nutcracker title whilst the 1600 Bangers raced for their National Championship. There was a few bits of material in the Unlimiteds. 188 John Reeves had a fresh Mk2 Ford Granda Estate and 335 Lee White brought a Lincoln Town Car Limo, whilst Dutch visitor 1 Maarten Steenbekkers had an Oldsmobile Hearse. 171 Andy Frost returned his yank which failed to race at the Halloween night. The first Last Chance for the 1600s saw 644 Alfie Sime in destructive spirits. Giddings duo 195 Billy and 951 Jack were delivering shots on oppo to anyone and everyone on turn 2, whilst 117 Lee Reynolds booked his spot in the main race. The second last chance heat saw 50 Simon West in much of the action, whilst the Milners, 205 Max Bull and Frenchman 20 Florian Duhem also among the action. 248 Jamie Blything took the win. The National Championship saw previous winner and current Scottish Champion 60 Daniel Croskell and 39 Ryan Knibbs off of the front row. 51 James Licquorice, 701 Riley Marsh, 119 Davey Cox and 910 Jack Rookard were involved in the action, but it was 525 Wes Starmer who delivered the most brutal shot of the race with 223 Brett Harrison on the receiving end. The battle for the title saw some good scraps but it was 608 Lenny Murkin who led most of the race and secured the win and his biggest victory to date from 566 Tony Pallett and 9 Ben Cox. 550 Phil Jackson’s Zafira ended the race well mangled. 428 Nick Ashbridge won the first Alcomers, and had a say in the result of the second Alcomers as he followed the leading 883 Gary Bugg in whilst in second place allowing 479 Joel Allen to take the honours. 566 Zippy Jnr won the third Alcomers with 356 Sam Hildon taking the DD. The 25 & Under Champ of GB was the first race for the Unlimiteds. The exit of turn 2 saw the share of the action. 101 Cieran Harmer met 335 Lee White in a solid head on. 707 Alfie Nottingham, 69 Brad Bartram, 41 Lee Barnes and 199 Shaydy Gough also involved. 331 Mackenzie Whitehead won from 23 Sonny Parsons and 382 Theo Baker. 51 James Licquorice won the second Unlimited race with a well timed last lap manoeuvre on 662 Dalton Smith. 199 Shaydy Gough won a lively Nutcracker Final. 178 Slim won the Alcomers with 707 Fonzo taking the DD.
The annual Christmas fixture featured the Micro Bangers team event raising 28 teams. The first heat saw the leading 678 Alex Ward get stopped by Gladiators man 560 Andrew Milner on oppo just before the line, allowing 33 Charlie Green to take the win. Team Ouch and Team No Hope squared off in the second heat with 710 Sean Unwin and 215 John Webster copping the brunt of it. 69 Brad Bartram followed in 71 James Unwin with 673 Darren Fendley taking the win. Brado also delivered a solid hit in Heat 3, this time to 726 Calvin Pendry. 117 Lee Reynolds the winner this time. Heading into the Final, Dover Boys B had a comfortable margin at the top of the points whilst the entertainer standings were more tightly contested. 28 Mac Bell, 29 Lee Hodson, 51 James Licquorice and 260 Ricky Hodson were among the standout performers with 155 Sam Coote taking the win. The Dover Boys B team taking the honours. Just shy of 30 Junior Bangers also raced on the day. 335 Tyler Sudbury had a lot of bad luck, having lead most of the way in both heats but falling foul before the chequers. 517 Rylee Taylor won the first heat whilst 312 Daily Reynolds took her maiden win securing Heat 2. 669 William Cartwright winning the final from 389 Aiden Garrod and 478 Morgan Bailey.
The 2025 got underway with a decent showing at the Unlimited Icebreaker with many exciting fixtures to look forward to.
