Yarmouth – 7/11/21 – Back to Basics Gala Night – Meeting Report

The annual Gala Night meeting at Yarmouth Stadium took place on Sunday 7th November raising just over 90 cars in what is the biggest domestic fixture at the track. A great effort was made on the paint front overall, with several drivers also sporting Caged! on their car.

10 James Eaton – Mk2 Vauxhall Astra

13 Nigel Burcham – Mk5 Vauxhall Astra

14 Barry Payne – Mk5 Vauxhall Astra 

19 Darren Mansi – Mk5 Ford Fiesta

19 Joe Mancini – Volvo V40 Estate*

28 Scott Green – Rover 25 Limosine

29 Sally Ann Brace – Mk5 Ford Fiesta

31 Robert Brown – Peugeot 206

34 Jess Payne – Vauxhall Zafira C

46 Lorne Stonebridge – Mk5 Vauxhall Astra 

48 Lewis Grummett – Vauxhall Zafira B

56 Joe Anderson – Renault Scenic

58 Jake Preppyman – Mk5 Ford Fiesta

62 Fabio Faibbian – Mk4 Ford Fiesta

63 Ellis Skoyles – Mk4 Vauxhall Astra

70 Vinnie McCarthy – Mk4 Vauxhall Astra Estate

102 Jacob Steel – Mk5 Vauxhall Astra*

112 Martin Powell – Vauxhall Corsa C

123 Steve Saw – Mk4 Ford Fiesta

129 Adam Barker – Mk4 Vauxhall Astra 

136 Richard Brown – Peugeot 206 SW

139 David Nash – Mk4 Vauxhall Astra

141 Jake Stewart – Mk5 Vauxhall Astra*

142 Alex Metcalf – Ford KA

143 Shaun Copland – Ford Puma

152 Nathan Coates – Vauxhall Zafira C

158 Chris Deurden – Mk4 Vauxhall Astra

160 Carl Firman – Mk5 Vauxhall Astra

162 Gus Simons – Mk5 Vauxhall Astra 

172 Kenton Walker – Mk5 Vauxhall Astra 

173 Scott Parkes – Mini Cooper

175 James Emmerson – Mk4 Ford Fiesta

187 Denham Waight – Mk3 Fiat Punto

200 Gavin Baldry – Vauxhall Zafira B

209 Matthew Williams – Vauxhall Vectra*

211 Lee Cowley – Vauxhall Vectra

215 Paul Burrows – Mk5 Ford Fiesta

216 Mark Burrows – Hyundai Coupe

217 Bailey Burrows – Mk4 Vauxhall Astra Estate 

218 – Mk5 Vauxhall Astra*

222 Kieran Norton – Vauxhall Zafira C

236 Kev Whitby – Mk5 Vauxhall Astra

293 Ben Smith – Vauxhall Zafira B

302 Jack Smith – Mk4 Ford Fiesta

327 Clayton Mallett – Mk4 Vauxhall Astra Estate*

349 Daniel Copland – Mk5 Ford Fiesta

362 Karel Simons – Vauxhall Zafira C

367 Barry Beevor – Vauxhall Zafira C*

379 Brandon Kevern – Nissan Micra K11

385 Craig Thurlow – Vauxhall Zafira C*

403 Daniel Jordan – Mk4 Vauxhall Astra Estate

445 Andy Leonard – Vauxhall Vectra*

460 Adam Neave – Toyota Corolla E110 Liftback

472 Nigel Walker – Vauxhall Zafira B

501 Kiel Copeland – Mk4 Vauxhall Astra

501 Matthew Walker – Mazda 6

503 George Walker – Mk5 Vauxhall Astra

509 Richard Colk – Mk4 Vauxhall Astra

515 Scott Thompson – Mk4 Ford Fiesta

526 Ryan Cannell – Mk5 Vauxhall Astra 

557 Lewis Sharman – Mk5 Ford Fiesta

563 Mark Sewell – Mk5 Vauxhall Astra 

621 Gareth Parker – Mk4 Ford Fiesta*

629 Ewan Rout – Ford Puma*

647 Nicky Bentley – Citroen C5

669 Cal Curtis – Honda Jazz

678 Alex Ward – Ford Fushion 2

691 Gareth Turner – Mercedes C Class*

697 Steven Oakes – Vauxhall Vectra

700 Edwin Ward – Mk1 Nissan Almera

701 Richard Coe – Mk5 Ford Fiesta

702 Damien Steel – Mk4 Ford Fiesta

710 Buster Critcher – Volkswagen Polo

711 Lee Edwards – Seat Leon*

713 Steven Bray – Vauxhall Zafira C*

717 Michael Booty – Mk5 Ford Fiesta

741 Luke Parfitt – Ford Puma

748 George Matthews – BMW E46

749 Jasmine Matthews – Peugeot 206cc

757 Michael Sipka – Peugeot 207

764 Chris Green – Mk5 Vauxhall Astra*

777 David Perry – Toyota Celica

778 George Enescu – Rover 200

785 Jordan Beales – Mk4 Vauxhall Astra

788 Rob Dye – Ford Puma

798 Lewis England – Rover 45

802 Owen Copeland – Mk4 Ford Fiesta

804 Calvin Potter – Mk4 Vauxhall Astra 

811 Kevin Green – Mk5 Ford Fiesta

818 Matt Brown – Mk4 Vauxhall Astra*

862 Reece Eglington – Morris Minor 1000

936 Max Hodgson – Vauxhall Vectra

959 Andy Sewell – Mk4 Vauxhall Astra

995 Dean Emmerson – Vauxhall Vectra B

The first three heats were split into a 1/3 format. 109 Posh Boy and 14 Bazza firmer the front row. 200 Baldy removed 222 Norton almost immediately upon the green flag being waved. A big push at the back of the pack saw around 10 drivers facing various directions on the Caister bend; 14 Bazza and 136 Swifty taking avoiding action across the centre green, gaining a significant advantage and duly being administered with a black cross each. 215 Plonker Paul spun 936 Hodgson. 19 Mansi spun 778 Enescu. 629 Rout put the bumper in to move aside 136 Swifty and 109 Posh Boy to take up second, but was turned left for his efforts by 136 Swifty – 678 Wardy in turn dispatched 136. The leading 14 Bazza’s Astra began leaving a Wacky Races style smoke screen behind him. 327 Mallett backed out on the Caister bend, stopping an array of cars including 63 Skoyles and 629 Rout. 70 McCarthy drove through 327 Mallett, as 14 Bazza’s smoke screen had developed into a full blown fire under the bonnet causing him to retire.

A pile up occurred on the pits bend which saw several go in. With 5 laps to go, 129 Barker lead, but he tangled with 778 Enescu going into the pits bend halting his momentum. 367 Beevor spun 200 Baldy. 123 Saw and 129 Barker enjoyed a good tussle for the lead, the former getting the edge after they had to deal with the back marking 70 McCarthy. 70 McCarthy recovered to remove 215 Plonker Paul. 236  Whitby set about 70 McCarthy as 123 Steve Saw raced to the first win of the evening, celebrating by spinning 778 Enescu across the line.

123, 129, 136, 678, 216, 367, 741, 236, 778, 215

802 Copeland was an early spinner in Heat 2, whilst 526 Cannell catapulted off the infield tyres before the start line. 362 Drifer was another early spinner, the Emmen driver not being treated with a warm welcome. 691 Longneck took in 749 Jazzman before 19 Smiley Joe turned 811 The Fat Man fence-wards along the back straight. 19 Smiley Joe then spun 515 The Motor Man Scotty. 777 Pezza spun 804 Potter. Several drivers had an off along the home straight. 515 Scotty spun 749 Jazzman and 152 spun 28 Mayo Maker and the continued on to take out 19 Smiley Joe and 211 Steptoe. The leading 217 Burrows came under fire from 749 Jazzman, but survived relatively unscathed. 13 Burcham had a pop at 28 Mayo Maker, the latter then getting laid into by 19 Smiley Joe. 802 Copeland dived at the leading 217 Burrows, sending him around to hand 777 Pezza the lead. 217 Burrows retaliated by spinning 802 Copeland before running into the spun 187 Fatboi. 777 David Perry kept a trouble free last lap to secure the victory.

777, 557, 445, 62, 515, 152, 804, 28, 112, 526

Heat 3 started with 757 Shortie following in 302 Smid before they even made it round the first bend, causing a pile up taking out half the field. The leading 764 Rocky locked up and joined the melee of cars on the Caister bend handing the lead to 818 Brown. 563 Sewelly spun 757 Shortie. A few came together on the exit of the pits bend and 647 Wingnut had a pop at 717 Booty. 460 Neave set about 757 Shortie. 172 KennyG put the bumper in on 143 Copland, which in turn took out 472 Beast. A few came together on the Caister bend with 959 Sewelly spinning 995 Emmerson. 472 Beast spun 139 Nasho. The leading 818 Brown put away 34 Payne, before 160 Fatboy moved in to dispatch Brown. This in turn claimed second placed 710 Buster and several behind. 143 Copland removed 403 DJ on the back straight. 403 DJ attacked 34 Payne down on the pits bend. 472 Beast spun 647 Wingnut, with 143 Shaun Copland victorious, although the whole result being very questionable, with very fortunate rejoining on track position for a few of the top 10 – a review of the result saw 175 James Emmerson awarded the win and 143 Copland not recorded in the top 10 however.

175, 48, 710, 385, 717, 764, 472, 141, 139, 995

Heat 4 and 5 were split into a 1/2 cars format. 62 Fabs put the bumper in on 293 Smith which saw them crash out taking 112 Marty P in with them. 472 Beast spun 669 Heli Boy, and was spun in turn by 713 Bray. 216 Buzzer removed 713 Bray. 669 Heli Boy got sent heavily in to a post along the home straight before 349 Copland spun 557 Sharmo. 811 The Fat Man got rid of 349 Copland on the home straight; 109 Posh Boy and 62 Fabio also suffering an off. 28 Mayo Maker used his limo to set about 56 Anderson. 62 Fabs put away 28 Mayo Maker and 785 Beales in one. 222 Norton spun 349 Copland as the leading 19 Mansi expired. 700 Ward ran head on into 209 Williams. 678 Wardy inherited the lead at this stage. 222 Norton had a pop at 28 Mayo Maker, spinning him on the pits behind which caused mayhem behind. 811 The Fat Man weighed in on 349 Copland among others piling in. 34 Payne and 70 McCarthy had a collision along the home straight. 764 Rocky had a pop at the leading 678 Wardy but ended up putting himself away. 112 Marty P set about 778 Enescu with the leading 678 Wardy getting momentarily caught up. 367 Beevor set about 109 Posh Boy. The Squashies collectively set among themselves on the exit of the pits bend. 778 Enescu tboned the spun 34 Payne. 678 Alex Ward secured the victory as behind, 764 Rocky buried 293 Smith with 691 Longneck jacking Rocky as they jostled for the minor places.

678, 222, 811, 215, 109, 936, 367, 691, 216, 804

Heat 5 saw the cleanest start so far, although 629 Rout didn’t make it to the start line before being spun by 48 Grummy. 143 Copland spun 31 Brown before 19 Smiley Joe spun 501 Walker. 211 Steptoe removed 327 Mallett on the back straight. 621 Gruff ran 211 Steptoe head on into 158 Deurden who was had been spun on the back straight in a big crash. The reds coming out to assist 158 Deurden whom was winded. 362 Drifter running 46 Lorne in as the reds came out. 236 Whitby lead them away on a restart, after posing for a quick mid-race selfie with yours truly.

367 Beevor spun 63 Skoyles as the leading 236 Whitby set about the back marking 717 Booty. 173 Parkes tangled with 862 Eglington. 13 Burcham set about 502 Copeland. 385 Thurlow had a pop at 236 Whitby for the lead on the last lap, tangling together allowing 19 Joe Mancini to slip through and take the chequers. Several drivers squabbled for the remaining podium places into the last bend which saw 143 Copland and 711 Edwards go fence-wards.
19, 385, 236, 48, 173, 710, 63, 503, 995, 629

The Final started in chaotic fashion with around 15 cars coming to grief near the starter’s rostrum. 56 Anderson weighed in on 139 Nasho. 19 Mansi got dumped on the marker tyres at the end of the home straight. 136 Swifty dumped 629 Rout into the pile up on the entrance of the Caister bend. 123 Saw spun 818 Brown which caused 19 Smiley Joe to launch airborne off of 818 Brown. 362 Drifter ran 385 Thurlow into the pile up. At this point 3/4 of the field were in the melee on the Caister bend with a few taking to the grass to find a route through. 362 Drifter jacked 349 Copland. 472 Beast jacked 748 Ginge. 215 Buzzer launched 160 Fatboy and 172 KennyG into the Caister bend carnage. 678 Wardy dispatched of 216 Buzzer. 563 Sewell and 13 Burcham crashed out heavily on the back straight. 34 Payne spun 678 Wardy left as the reds came out for 563 Sewell. 109 James Williams lead at this stage from 48 Lewis Grummett and 175 James Emmerson. 215 Plonker Paul turned 31 Brown fence-wards earning himself a disqualification. 48 Grummy challenged for the lead but ended up catching a stricken car. A couple of drivers ended up in the fence along the home straight before 385 Thurlow ran 710 Buster into 711 Edwards lame car which appeared to knock Buster out bringing a red flag. The restart saw 109 Posh Boy still lead, with 741 Capt D and 678 Wardy now rounding off the top three. 175 Emmo leant 515 Scotty into 187 Fatboi, the latter having ran into the back of the lame 472 Beast on the Caister bend, with the reds coming out again for 187 in what was becoming a very stop-start end to the race. Only 5 laps remained on the drop of the green. 349 Copland spun 172 KennyG and was duly spun himself by 63 Skoyles. 678 Wardy took the lead with two laps remaining. 48 Grummy spun 741 Capt D for third as 109 Posh Boy spun 678 Wardy for the lead as they crossed the line to take the one lap board. 109 James Williams remaining unscathed to take the chequered flag from 48 Lewis Grummett and 678 Alex Ward who had recovered well. Only 9 drivers going the distance in what was a destructive race. 

109, 48, 678, 621, 741, 63, 349, 172, 31, NOF

The DD started with the usual odd section sticking it in reverse from the green. 48 Grummy followed 34 Payne into the passenger doors of 501 Walker. 403 DJ ran 327 Mallett and 129 Ninja head on into 501 Walker. Loads piled in on the pits bend, no majorly significant hits happening but a lot of carnage. 139 Nasho jacked 293 Smith. 785 Beales leathered 139 Nasho with more piling in. 216 Buzzer turned in round and flew in with a large shot to someone within the steam and smoke on the pits bend. 678 Wardy fenced 818 Brown, the latter recovering to deliver a rear wheel shot to 802 Copeland. 678 Wardy jacked 785 Beales. 611 Joe Geeves, who had registered solely for the DD in what was 236 Whitby’s Mk5 Astra, attacked 818 Brown. 611 Bieber delivered a hard hit to 34 Payne. 63 Skoyles attacked 129 Ninja before the reds came out for a fire for 327 Mallett. The resumption of play saw 611 Bieber leather 802 Copeland. 63 Skoyles spun 367 Beevor on the back straight before delivering a head on to 802 Copeland. 187 Fatboi drove through 63 Skoyles, the latter attacking 10 Sideways Jim on oppo. 403 DJ drove through 367 Beevor. 678 Wardy set about 818 Brown and came under fire from 139 Nasho – the latter stopped by a reverse attack from 48 Grummy. 818 Brown diverted to the infield to drive through 175 Emmo, who was waving the hit in. 678 Wardy attacked 129 Ninja. 34 Payne jacked 187 Fatboi. A fire broke out for 10 Sideways Jim but was dealt with by the marshals whilst the DD continued. 503 Walker jacked 48 Grummy hard. 802 Copeland set about 611 Bieber. 802 Copeland went in on 804 Potter. 611 Bieber caught 802 Copeland with an accidental dooring. There was a bit of roundy-roundy before 129 Ninja weighed in on 802 Copeland. 611 Bieber jacked 129 Ninja before homing in for a large shot to 785 Beales. 129 Ninja went in on 611 Bieber. With only 802 Copeland and 34 Payne circulating, the latter being disqualified as she’d be sat out of the running for too long, the DD was declared in favour of 802 Owen Copeland to round off a fantastic display of Back to Basics action.