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Posted by ali F2 Although a number of BriSCA F2 drivers had to cancel their bookings due to losing their race against time to be ready for the opening day of the season, it was never the less an encouraging twenty four cars that gathered to kick start season 2004 into action. There have been a number of new cars and drivers who have come into the sport for this season, and it was one of those, Adam Deeble (685), who set off from the front of the pack with confidence, easily leading the field from the chasing Andy Sobey (550). A drama at the pit gate delayed the chasing pack allowing Deeble, Sobey, and Tom Louth (525) to open out a bit of a gap from the rest. First to show from the red grade was Tim Farrell (667), but try as he might he could not reduce the deficit on the first three significantly. Deeble held on to record his first ever win, with Sobey second, whilst Louth, in his new Randall, held on for third place, his best result to date. Saloons Ministox Bangers( Sierras up to 2L)
on March 9, 2004, 4:21 pm
81.77.76.120
ST DAY 7 MARCH 2004
The West Country Stock car season zoomed into life at United Downs Raceway on Sunday 7 March, with an action packed four formula spectacular, and this coupled with a bright, but chilly afternoon, attracted a fair sized crowd to the unique raceway in deepest Cornwall.
It was another newcomer is the shape of Simon Edwards (430) who led heat two from Andrew Bennett (830) in a brand new Higman. The old master Bill Batten (167) made the most progress from the rear, and it was he who hit the front with just two laps to go. Edwards, racing the ex Mike James car, didnt lose his head, or his second position, whilst Farrell had to settle once again for third place.
It was Edwards and Bennett who held first and second for some time in heat three, as newcomer Jamie Beere (954) and returnee Sean Porter (223) both had spins in the turnstile bends. Mike James (717) seemed to have put his earlier problems behind him as he led Batten through the field. Bennett finally had to surrender second position to James, but by this time Edwards had gone one better than in his previous race by taking the victory, punching the air as he crossed the line.
It was Edwards who led the opening laps of the final, and very impressive he was too, as further back Farrell fell victim of a clash with James which left him against the fence initially, and then out of the race all together, the battle slowing the chasing red top cars.
Derek Sillifant (607) was left in a very vulnerable position in the pit bend, and the yellow flags were to come out moments later as Lewis Geach (111) was despatched alongside him.
Despite the pressure of leading the rolling lap Edwards continued to lead the race, past half way and beyond, with Louth equally impressive in second. But the reds where coming, led initially by Chris Cumings (393), and then by Mike James who had forced his way up to third. The yellow flags came out once again at this point, Jamie Beere clashing with a couple of drivers, including his very own father Richard Beere (254), the accident leaving the debutant stuck at the exit of the turnstile bend. Once again the pressure was on Edwards, but he was helped by a stroke of luck, as James, poised to take over second place from Louth, suffered a puncture, allowing Edwards the chance to get away. The chase was on however, and with the lapboards displayed it was Batten and Dave Luscumbe (642) in his new green Randall, who moved into second and third respectively. With one lap to go Edwards made his only mistake of the race, slipping sideways on the exit of turn two, but he quickly gathered it all up, got it pointing in the right direction again, and swept to his first ever final victory before Batten could capitalise. Paul Butcher (189) completed the top four places.
The Grand National was the race of the afternoon, Bennett leading the field away, as Mike James was bundled sideways by Batten going into the pit bend, slowing both drivers progress in the process. Deeble challenged briefly for the lead, before spinning out after an attempt to put the bumper in. Justin Fisher (315) was by this time on a charge, and was looking good for the victory, before he clashed with the aforementioned Deeble, allowing Butcher the opportunity to take up the running. Bennett was unceremoniously spun into an infield marker tyre as Farrell came through with a spirited dash, but he could not catch the impressive Butcher who held on to take the victory.
The Saloon Stock cars were racing at St Day as a prelude to the forthcoming English Championship at the same track on 3 April, and this attracted a sprinkling a visitors to join the West Country regulars. It was one of those visitors Derek Howard (3) who led the opening stages of the race from Richard Baldwin (425). Further back the big guns of Paul Soper (654) and Phil Morgan (001) clashed repeatedly, on one occasion Sopers car being forced up the pit bend fence. This allowed another visitor, Steve Webster (401) to make progress towards the front of the field as the laps ticked away. Taking second, and then first position in the dying stages, Webster confirmed his liking for St Day, whilst Howard was left to rue what might have been as he ended his race precariously perched on the home straight banking, with a non finish to show for his previous efforts. Darren Bradford (207) had by this time taken second spot, with Morgan recovering well to take third from Baldwin. Heat two once again saw Howard out in front, whilst the top grade battle for supremacy caught the eye, Morgan and Soper being joined this time by reigning European Champion Danny Hunt (382). Eddie Darby (677) this time was the pick of the stars, moving through the field for second place, but try as he might he could not catch Howard, whilst Steve Webster finished in third.
Howard and Baldwins cause to open out a huge lead in the field was helped no end by the fascinating battle between the top grade drivers. Morgan fell to the rear of the grid initially, although he eventually relegated Soper to that position. Once again it was left to Darby to try and catch the leaders, but despite his best efforts he had to settle for third, with a delighted Baldwin second, and an equally delighted Derek Howard taking the final, as just reward for his long journey South from his home town of Grimsby.
It was a reasonable field of Ministox to open the 2004 season, and it was a newcomer to the ranks, Craig Deer (970) who took the first honours in a brand new car, leading home the cars of Katie Dawe (910) and Rebecca Astin (911). Further back a race long battle between Jason Kingwell (927) and Ashley Rundle (925) ended in a spin for the reigning Autospeed points Champion. An early clash in heat two saw Rundle a lap down and Kingwell out of the race, as Katie Dawe impressively led the race form Deer. Try as he might Deer could not unsettle the young lady from Grampound, as she held on to take the victory. The final featured a lively three car dice for the lead, with Deer finally getting his nose in front by taking to the outside of Dawe and Astin. Kingwell concentrated on his racing on this occasion, and in doing so moved through the field to challenge the impressive Astin for third. A big hit into the turnstile bend saw the young girl from Roche take a number of knocks, and in the interests of safety the race was stopped to allow her the opportunity to get out of the car. Once underway again Deer continued to lead, but Kingwell by now had Rundle for company, and a large cheer went up as Kingwell was spun inside out on the home straight. This put Rundle into second place on the road, with James Stone (916) and Sam Lobb (918) occupying third and fourth. Deer maintained his lead to the flag to take his first ever victory with Autospeed, whilst Rundle, despite receiving the plaudits for spinning out the points Champion, came down to earth with a bang as he was docked two places for spinning a car the wrong way round. This promoted Stone and Lobb into second and third respectively.
Despite a low number of cars heat one had more than its fair share of excitement, with Ian Govier (28) and Soft boy (966) indulging in some interesting battles. It was Martin Matthews (322), all the way from Bude, who took the opening honours.
Jay Tomkin (290) livened up heat two by taking Govier into the turnstile bend, and then proceeding to jack up Michael Cole 677 on the following lap, Matthews finishing the job a lap or so later. Jerry Harvey 07 took the honours in this one.
Tomkins planted Govier wide in the final as he sped towards the front of the field, however more than a match for him was Matthews, who shadowed his every move for a number of laps until taking to the outside on the back straight. Realising what was happening Tomkin shepherded Matthews brilliantly into the parked car of Cole ending his race in a heap. Tomkin took the victory with ease from a depleted field.
St Day 7 March 2004
BriSCA F2 Stock Cars
H1 685, 550, 525, 667, 676, 717, 111, 254, 612, 226
H2 167, 430, 667, 752, 393, 111, 315, 189, 226, 830
H3 430, 717, 830, 167, 607, 393, 642, 676, 525, 707
F 430, 167, 642, 189, 315, 676, 685, 254, 226, 707
GN 189, 667, 642, 676, 717, 167, 550, 226, 111, 223
Bangers
H1 322, 290, 707, 07, 28, 966, nof
H2 07, 290, 707, 28, nof
F 290, 707, 07, nof
Best Presented 07, 322, 707
Saloon Stock Cars
H1 401, 207, 001, 425, 269, 382, 654, 677, 720, 402
H2 3, 677, 401, 425, 207, 402, 199, 654, 001, 382
F 3, 425, 677, 207, 269, 114, 401, 001, 199, 654
Ministox
H1 970, 910, 911, 925, 916, 918, 995, 927, 908, nof
H2 910, 970, 918, 916, 995, 911, 925, nof
F 970, 916, 918, 925, 995, 927, 910, nof
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