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.... UPDATED TUESDAY 04 JUNE 2013

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Leewood Autograss Club are proudly supporting the Pink Ribbon Foundation, raising funds for Breast Cancer charities during the 2013 season, and will be promoting the foundation's aims at other events, including the Ladies' and Juniors' Nationals at St Neots. Click on the logo on the left for more details of the foundation's activities.

We're afraid that, what with everything else that's been going on in the Autograss world, we haven't had time to get a printed issue out since no 190 came out in August. We're still committed to continuing with the magazine and we hope to bring as much of the news to you as we can (or dare!) in the coming season. Thanks once more to all our subscribers for your patience with our erratic schedule.

Please check the subscriptions page for an announcement of our future plans for the magazine - although any ideas we have are subject to change in response to feedback from our readers.

COMING UP .... JUNE 8/9 .... STURTON & STOW's meeting on Sunday features round four of the Northern Super Saloons Series, and other Sunday meetings are scheduled at INVICTA KENT, ST NEOTS, SPALDING, LUDLOW, SOUTH WALES and SOLWAY. There's a Rolling Thunder Show event at ARENA ESSEX on Saturday and STANDLAKE ARENA is running on Sunday. However, CAUSEWAY club are still not quite ready to open the new Bond's Glen Raceway on Saturday.

JUNE 15/16 .... The two major travelling series reach round 2, with the British Autograss Series at Cwmdu and the UK Autograss Championship at Nottingham. SEGTO and Rolling Thunder Show drivers join forces for their annual outing at LYDDEN HILL. Other events are scheduled by NASA clubs at CONCORD, SCARBOROUGH, SCOTTISH LEAGUE and WEST WATERFORD and by SEGTO at TONGHAM, while the GLOUCESTER meeting has been moved to June 30.

TOP MARKS FOR CARLOW

If Carlow's opening round is anything to go by, this year's ALL IRELAND AUTOGRASS SERIES looks set to be the most competitive yet. Three main factors contributed to the success of Carlow's event; a decision by the majority of Ireland's top racers to support their home series in priority to travelling overseas, a weekend of fine weather, and more than anything a superb effort by the host club to get everything in place for an ideal meeting - covering every angle from superb track preparation to some highly imaginative overnight entertainment, and ending with a dinner and prizegiving in the local pub. The track proved smooth and durable but never lost its loose and grippy surface, which produced tremendously close and fast racing throughout. By Sunday the competitive racing was resulting in plenty of reruns, nearly all deemed to be for pure racing incidents, while the finals contained more than enough drama for a whole season, and will certainly keep the Irish grassers buzzing with excitement in the run-up to round two, at Down Autograss on June 29/30.

CLASS 1 saw the Jess brothers score a 1-2 after fighting off Ricky Houlihan, whose barely finished new car proved quickest of the Micra hordes. Despite the growing popularity of the bubble Micras, there was still a full grid of "boxy Micras" in CLASS 1A where young Ryan Mulroy bounced back from a first corner pile up to win the rerun of the final. CLASS 2 was too close to call all weekend but after Curly Galvin came off worst in a first corner shunt, Steven White held on for a final win. CLASS 3 saw the debut of Paul Cusack's new car after a last minute overnight delivery, but it was Paul's old shell that took top honours, with new owner Seamus O'Riordan showing great form.

CLASS 4 had the smallest entry but some of the closest racing with the three competitors racing three-abreast for much of the weekend before David Heffernan's new Micra took the advantage. A full grid of CLASS 5s produced hectic action all the way; Cecil Haffey had the early advantage but ultimately had too much damage to make the final, where Junior Kent once more hit top form. CLASS 6 is growing with even more converts on the way from the local Hot Rod scene, but as usual nobody could beat Declan Browne. CLASS 7 provided wild action all the way, culminating in a sensational final when Keith Kelly spun his Pickup over the line to win, while Kevin Roche's new Pickup collected the finish line post and flew upside down over the line to claim second!

CLASS 8 was at its best on a track that allowed an infinite choice of fast lines. After a spectacular roll for Colin Byrne on Saturday, Colin was soon up and running again to vie with Cieran Creane for top honours; CB took the final and overall win over Mousey. A full grid of CLASS 9s ended with one car running as John Fuller took the honours while Sean Lambert went missing in a cloud of dust, to be found nose up in a densely wooded ditch in the next field - with no injury to the driver and minimal damage to the car! Martin Browne won CLASS 10 easily in the end, although Gavin Tivy had put up a strong challenge, and the F600s of Chris Dimond and Kevin Keating raced side by side virtually all weekend.

The Micra-dominated JUNIOR CLASS 1 was eventually headed by Lee Mulroy, although any one of the competitors could have won, while the CLASS 1A Junior honours went to Cian O'Mahony. Only in Ireland could the JUNIOR SPECIALS produce the biggest field of the weekend, and after a very tight battle, BAS winner Liam Roche scored another triumph by beating Jack Creaven. The LADIES enjoyed some well handicapped races with close finishes between Chelsea Brady's Class 5 Mini and Nicole O'Brien's Class 8.

Maybe saving the best to the end, the CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS produced a sensational three abreast finish with the hard charging Keith Kelly's Class 7 taking the verdict by inches from Chelsea Brady and John Fuller.

The UK racing scene was dominated of course by the SEVERN VALLEY SUMMER SHOWDOWN. replacing the cancelled MAP Open. Despite dire predictions of unmanageable entry numbers, the meeting actually attracted a very healthy 439 entries and with the weather on their side Severn Valley were able to deliver a superb meeting,

Two other NASA events took place on Sunday. TRENT continued to receive a very positive reaction from drivers sampling the new Marston track, while the sun at last shone north of the border to get the SCOTTISH LEAGUE season underway at the Babbithill raceway. SEGTO clubs ran clashing meetings at the two Hampshire venues of TONGHAM and HORNDEAN.

BANK HOLIDAY BONANZA

The second sunny Bank Holiday in quick succession saw a number of alternatives to the North of England Championships, which have traditionally dominated this weekend.

York’s NORTH OF ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIP attracted 295 entries and provided excellent racing through the weekend until the finals, when the majority of classes provoked the liberal use of flags of all colours, leading to lots of reruns. Even the Champion of Champions race was restarted after the F600 and Stock Hatch winners, Andy Watson and Mike Tunnicliff, tangled, but then built up to a thrilling finish with Craig Conway’s Class 2 just holding off defending champion Mark Grice. The Ladies also staged an excellent champion of Champions race with Charlotte Pugh’s Class 7 snatching the win from Michelle Arnett’s Class 2 on the last lap. Thanks to Sandy Williams for gathering results for us.

The relatively newly established MIDDLE OF ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIP staged by STAR at Crudgington is now an essential part of the holiday weekend, attracting around half the number of cars that raced at York, leading to a more relaxed schedule with very generous track time on offer. The overall title was taken by another Class 2 man, Leewood’s Chris Harrison.

The third two day event was the SOUTH OF ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIP hosted by Concord club in Essex. This event’s first running in 2012 was a washout, but the 2013 meeting couldn’t have been more different Concord ran two separate days’ racing, with added cash prizes for the overall highest scorers over the weekend, and a cash award for the Champion of Champions, sponsored by Fred Carpenter. Another major benefactor was local company CNH UK Ltd whose loan of a monster tractor transformed the track watering in the warm sunshine resulting in excellent conditions for the 72, mainly local, cars that competed. Mike Sullivan took his Class 4 Peugeot to Victory in the Champion of Champions race while Connor Victory claimed the Junior Championship.

It was a busy weekend in the South East with INVICTA KENT also in action for an action packed single day meeting in perfect conditions on Sunday, while the tarmac racers weren’t left out as the Rolling Thunder Show raced at ARENA ESSEX on Saturday night. Among the highlights of Invicta’s meeting was a perfect debut in Class 2 by Mitch Wells – maybe the only driver to win a Junior final and a Class 2 final on the same track within a month!

Other NASA meetings on Sunday were National qualifiers at SOUTHERN LEAGUE, GLOUCESTER, NOTTINGHAM and CORK.

NORTH OF ENGLAND RESULTS:

CLASS 1: 1st Y75 Oliie Burley 2nd Y282 Tom Barnes 3rd SP67 Carl Secker 4th WR76 Richard Brook. CLASS 2: 1st SC122 Craig Conway 2nd SC971 Shaun Thompson 3rd S71Y Rob Farrow 4th SC126 Andrew Ashby. CLASS 3: 1st Y51 Phil Thompson 2nd S39Y Maurice Parkin 3rd S38Y Steve Parkin 4th Y96 Richard Houldsworth. CLASS 4: 1st YD77 Duane Walker 2nd Y777 Adam Henley 3rd ST13 John Howseman 4th WR63 Dean Burrows. CLASS 5: 1st S82Y Mally Wing 2nd ST69 Wayne Yeardley 3rd SL18 Kevin McBride. CLASS 6: 1st Y16 Stuart Thompson 2nd NW5 Rich Owen 3rd S16Y Andy Johnson 4th Y77 Carl Procter. CLASS 7: 1st Y34 Mark Grice 2nd YD71 Graham Blackburn 3rd YD21 Andy Jefferson 4th Y2 Rick Wallbank. CLASS 8: 1st LM1 Dean Barnes 2nd SS38 Daz Mullen 3rd WR32 Bryn Hawkins 4th T5 Stu Whitehouse. CLASS 9: 1st Y5 Mark Brooks 2nd SC4 John Whitehouse 3rd SC42 Roger Jefferson 4th SC393 Amanda Lockwood. CLASS 10: 1st Y7 Andy Hornshaw 2nd Y28 Joe Reiblein 3rd SC21 Alex Kershaw 4th SL5 Mark Johnston. STOCK HATCH: 1st S93Y Mike Tunnicliff 2nd S41Y Darren Bryan 3rd Y118 Pete Clegg 4th Y178 Tony Staples. F600: 1st SB1 Andy Watson 2nd Y600 Chris Mackenzie 3rd ST42 Gav Waby 4th WR392 Neil Richardson. JUNIORS: 1st S89Y Senna Proctor 2nd S124Y Mickey Ashby 3rd WR1 Joe Jopling 4th Y216 Brad Ellison. JUNIOR SPECIALS: 1st SC181 Dan Barnard 2nd S104Y Dan Chapman 3rd LM60 Taylor Pugh 4th Y700 Ryan Appleton. LADIES’ CLASS 1: 1st SC16 Alice Hughes 2nd YD52 Sarah Haigh 3rd SC15 Zoe Coupland 4th S95Y Amanda Tunnicliffe. LADIES’ CLASS 2: 1st YD29 Michelle Arnett 2nd SC122 Jess Roberts 3rd Y190 Hayley Verity 4th Y82 Beth Wood. LADIES’ CLASS 3: 1st Y30 Sheena Kirby. LADIES’ CLASS 4: 1st S1Y Katie Benson. LADIES’ CLASS 5: 1st Y44 Nicola Jesse 2nd YD62 Diane Sunley 3rd S8Y Nikki Shepherdson 4th YD916 Kim Green. LADIES’ CLASS 6: 1st Y43 Tracey Burrell 2nd CS8 Rosie Nairns. LADIES’ CLASS 7: 1st LM30 Charlotte Pugh 2nd YD71 Pam Blackburn 3rd Y62 Jo Thompson 4th S209Y Sarah Tateson. LADIES’ CLASS 8: 1st SC191 Katie Lockwood 2nd SC17 Clare Horner 3rd S2Y Vicky Appleton 4th WR2 Rosemary Glover. LADIES’ CLASS 9: No finishers. LADIES’ CLASS 10: 1st ARC9 Charlene Hankey 2nd SL5 Lynn Johnston. CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS: 1st SC122 Craig Conway 2nd Y44 Mark Grice 3rd S93Y Mike Tunnicliff 4th LM1 Dean Barnes. LADIES’ CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS: 1st LM30 Charlotte Pugh 2nd TD29 Michelle Arnett 3rd Y44 Nicola Jesse 4th ARC9 Charlene Hankey.

SOUTH OF ENGLAND RESULTS; SUNDAY

CLASS 1: 1st C202E Fred Carpenter 2nd C210E Aaron Mason 3rd C60E Dan Perry. CLASS 2: 1st SN31 Chris Parsons 2nd C32E Jonny Meare. CLASS 3: 1st C5E Allan Crowther 2nd C118E John Brinson 3rd C201E Paul Carpenter. CLASS 4: 1st C3E Mike Sullivan 2nd C95E Ashley Sheppard 3rd C87E Peter Hunt. CLASS 5: 1st C28E Ian Thorndyke 2nd C20E Kieran Lonergan. CLASS 6: 1st C82E Steve Hathaway 2nd C522E Steve Crane Snr 3rd C263E Paul Horwood. CLASS 7: 1st C18E Trevor Martin 2nd C129E Graham Hathaway 3rd C22E Keith Rapley. CLASS 8: 1st C12E Dave Saunders 2nd C9E Bill Rochard 3rd C21E Trevor Martin. CLASS 9: 1st C702E Spud Tatam 2nd C6E Glenn Doddington. STOCK HATCH: 1st C66E Luke Dale 2nd C33E Luke Maynard 3rd C612E Callum Staines. JUNIORS: 1st C34E Connor Victory 2nd C206E Declan Stansfield 3rd C60E Matt Perry. LADIES: 1st C118E Laura Dunnell.

SOUTH OF ENGLAND RESULTS; MONDAY

CLASS 1: 1st C210E Aaron Mason 2nd C7E Mark Williams 3rd C97E Peter Hunt. CLASS 2: 1st SN31 Ian Parsons 2nd C32E Chris Page. CLASS 3: 1st IK316 Martin Beaney 2nd C118E John Brinson 3rd C5E Allan Crowther. CLASS 4: 1st C3E Mike Sullivan 2nd C87E Phil Firman. CLASS 5: 1st C28E Ian Thorndyke 2nd C20E Kieran Lonergan. CLASS 6: 1st C82E Steve Hathaway 2nd C522E Steve Crane Snr 3rd C86E Simon Bates. CLASS 7: 1st C18E Trevor Martin 2nd C22E Keith Rapley 3rd C19E Dean Rochard. CLASS 8: 1st C83E Barry Hathaway 2nd C12E Dave Saunders 3rd C74E Bill Edwards. CLASS 9: No finishers. STOCK HATCH: 1st C66E Luke Dale 2nd C612E Callum Staines 3rd C67E Grant Staines. JUNIORS: 1st IK170 Robert Reed 2nd C34E Connor Victory 3rd C206E Declan Stansfield. LADIES: 1st IK316 Stacey Beaney 2nd C118E Laura Dunnell 3rd C13E Sharon Douglas. CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS: 1st C3E Mike Sullivan 2nd SN31 Ian Parsons 3rd C66E Luke Dale. JUNIOR CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS: 1st C34E Connor Victory 2nd C206E Declan Stansfield 3rd C29E Aiden Nippress.

SOUTH OF ENGLAND RESULTS; OVERALL

CLASS 1: 1st C210E Aaron Mason 2nd C202E Fred Carpenter 3rd C97E Peter Hunt. CLASS 2: 1st SN31 Ian/Chris Parsons 2nd C32E Jonny Meare/Chris Page 3rd C44E Craig Rapley. CLASS 3: 1st C5E Allan Crowther 2nd C201E Paul Carpenter 3rd C118E John Brinson. CLASS 4: 1st C3E Mike Sullivan 2nd C87E Peter Hunt/Phil Firman 3rd C95E Ashley Sheppard. CLASS 5: 1st C28E Ian Thorndyke 2nd C20E Kieran Lonergan. CLASS 6: 1st C82E Steve Hathaway 2nd C263E Paul Horwood 3rd C522E Steve Crane Snr. CLASS 7: 1st C18E Trevor Martin 2nd C22E Keith Rapley 3rd C129E Graham Hathaway. CLASS 8: 1st C83E Barry Hathaway 2nd C74E Bill Edwards 3rd C12E Dave Saunders. CLASS 9: 1st C702E Spud Tatam. STOCK HATCH: 1st C66E Luke Dale 2nd C33E Luke Maynard 3rd C612E Callum Staines. JUNIORS: 1st C34E Connor Victory 2ndd C206E Declan Stansfield 3rd C60E Matt Perry. LADIES: 1st C118E Laura Dunnell 2nd C13E Sharon Douglas.

INVICTA KENT RESULTS:

CLASS 1: 1st IK444 Dee Ward 2nd IK189 Hayden Montgomerie 3rd Ik861 Michael Hobgen. CLASS 2: 1st IK356 Mitch Wells 2nd IK15 Aaron Selmes 3rd IK167 Gareth Matthews. CLASS 3: 1st IK32 Steve Carpenter 2nd IK21 John Berry 3rd IK316 Martin Beaney. CLASS 4: 1st IK34 Wez Johnson 2nd IK229 Dave Blackman 3rd IK24 Steve Turley. CLASS 5: 1st IK155 Neil Thomas 2nd IK94 Luke Hall 3rd IK59 Ben Shell. CLASS 6: 1st IK49 Paul Eggleton 2nd IK64 Andy Russell 3rd IK91 Steve Whipps. CLASS 7: 1st IK43 Billy-Jo Driver 2nd IK44 Ken Ward 3rd IK4 Jason Ward. CLASS 8: 1st IK65 Tim Russell. CLASS 9: 1st IK9 David Bird 2nd IK168 Ian Foster 3rd IK13 Rocky Bartholemew. CLASS 10: 1st IK19 Chris Allanson 2nd IK10 Tony Wilson 3rd IK89 Geoff Montgomerie. JUNIORS: 1st IK170 Robert Reed 2nd IK112 Alex Minshall 3rd IK212 Billy Rummery. JUNIOR SPECIALS: 1st IK28 Callum Sweatman 2nd IK220 Kallum Friend 3rd IK601 Roy Hyland. CLASS 11: 1st IK236 Kay Mucci 2nd IK15 Amy Selmes 3rd Ik334 Toni Humphrey. CLASS 12: 1st IK229 Claire Blackman 2nd IK92 Sue Whipps. CLASS 13: 1st IK316 Stacey Beaney. CLASS 14: 1st IK65 Jade Russell. MECHANICS RACE: 1st IK99 George Driver 2nd IK61 Ron Martin 3rd IK107.

ROLLING THUNDER SHOW RESULTS:

MINI SPRINTS LAKESIDE CUP: 1st 9 Lewie Weaver 2nd 2 Albert Webster 3rd 252 Callum Searle. OUTLAW HOT RODS: 1st 84 Darren Christie 2nd 12 Mark Cooke 3rd 112 Charlie Schembri. NATIONAL SUPER RODS: 1st 46 Jason Wicks 2nd 76 Del Featherstone 3rd 157 Jonathan Willis. SUPERSTOX: 1st 566 Jordan Salmon 2nd 876 Stuart Moss 3rd 874 Neil Moss. STOCK RODS: 1st 183 Paul Hunter 2nd 83 Malcolm Burton 3rd 30 Mark Martin. EURO RODS: 1st 217 Joe Smith 2nd

2 Dean Webster 3rd 88 Grant Wood. RTS PICKUPS: 1st 42 Dan Guidotti 2nd 1 Geoff Rogers 3rd 7 Tony Bates. JUNIOR HOT RODS: 1st 217 Harry Smith 2nd 99 Ash Braim 3rd 71 Dylan Ellis. STREET STOX: 1st 96 Dave Measday 2nd 636 Gary Reeve 3rd 181 Andy Reynolds. RELIANT ROBINS: 1st 16 2nd 9 David Weaver 3rd 10 Alf Clarke.

STICKY STURTON

NASA racers were out in force on the last weekend when the drivers signed on would be counted towards their leagues' national allocations. The severe weather that was expected to affect most of the weekend's Autograss meetings turned out to be quite selective. Worst hit was the SCOTTISH OPEN, which had to be abandoned after the heavens opened soon after the start of the first day's racing. YORKSHIRE DALES cancelled their meeting well in advance and SCARBOROUGH suffered from a wet start, but saw the Hunmanby track rapidly dry out for a dood days' racing. Further south and west most events escaped the worst of the weather and CAMBRIDGE, CWMDU, NORTH SHROPSHIRE, PENNINE, RADFORD, SOUTH WALES, and CARLOW all enjoyed good conditions for their events, while DOWN had to contend with mixed conditions but finally completed their two-day event.

STURTON & STOW's season opener at Caenby Corner suffered badly from heavy rain that waterlogged the track on Saturday. The warm and humid weather on Sunday wasn't conducive to to it drying out, resulting in slow and sticky conditions for the early races. 140 drivers signed on and the latest round of the British F600 Championship saw 21 cars in the pits - but after agreeing that they wouldn't be racing for points, just four came out to race. It wasn't just the F600s that disappointed; out of 50 drivers who contested the CGTRO National qualifiers, only 18 appeared again in the main meeting, many of those just doing one race. There was some close racing later on, with Simon Overty's win in the Class 2 final being one of the livelier ones, while the Juniors in both Class 1s and Specials put some of the other classes to shame with their turnout and racing. .

CGTRO QUALIFIER RESULT:
CLASS 1: 1st ST99 Anthony Bateman 2nd T37 Mike Greaves 3rd SC25 ian Ullathorne. CLASS 2: 1st SC600 Anthony Conway 2nd SC122 Craig Conway 3rd SC971 Shaun Thompson. CLASS 3: 1st ST3 Lew Brown 2nd ST24 Simon Farrar 3rd SC291 Tina Leary. CLASS 4: 1st ST13 John Howseman 2nd SC36 Dane Coupland 3rd T199 Steve Olive. CLASS 5: 1st ST6 Colin Chilvers 2nd ST69 Wayne Yeardley 3rd SC6 Dec Collins. CLASS 6: 1st SC50 Chris Juggins 2nd T47 Jamie Hornby 3rd SC7 Shaun Thompson. CLASS 7: 1st SC61 Andy Holtby 2nd SC19 Tom Page 3rd SC101 Rich Moorehouse. CLASS 8: 1st SC1 Antony Ross 2nd T19 Tom Bendell 3rd T5 Stu Whitehouse. CLASS 9: 1st SC4 John Whitehouse 2nd SC14 Russ Thompson 3rd SC150 Anthony Read. CLASS 10: 1st SC21 Alex Kershaw 2nd SC96 Neil Rawlinson 3rd ST141 Sam Burbidge.

STURTON & STOW MEETING RESULTS:

CLASS 1: 1st S204Y Kevin Chapman 2nd ST56 Carl Cook 3rd T37 Mike Greaves. CLASS 2: 1st L1 Simon Overty 2nd SC233 Craig Conway 3rd SC455 Kye Barker. CLASS 3: 1st Y51 Phil Thompson 2nd T25 Shaun/Dean Percival. CLASS 4: 1st T199 Steve Olive 2nd ST13 John Howseman 3rd ST314 Rob Taylor. CLASS 5: 1st ST6 Colin Chilvers. CLASS 6: 1st ST34 Dan Wade 2nd SC707 stephen Jackson. CLASS 8: 1st WR2 Paul Glover 2nd ST51 Ayrton Fretwell. CLASS 9: 1st ST130 Pete West. CLASS 10: 1st ST45 Matt Barnbrook. STOCK HATCH; 1st WR36 Steven Faunce 2nd WR600 Kevin Lewis. FORMULA 600: 1st WR392 Neil Richardson 2nd WR45 Martin Hoggins. JUNIORS: 1st WR1 Joe Jopling 2nd SC15 Jordan Coupland 3rd SC136 Nathan Smart. JUNIOR SPECIALS: 1st S104Y Dan Chapman 2nd ST691 Zak Yeardley 3rd Y218 Ayrton Ellison. CLASS 11: 1st ST446 Tina Hilton 2nd T1 Paula Baker 3rd SC32 Carly Williams. CLASS 12: 1st SC35 Abi Wade. CLASS 14: 1st WR2 Rosemary Glover 2nd ST74 Laura Makar. CGTRO OPEN: 1st ST56 Carl Cook 2nd T25 Dean Percival. JUNIOR OPEN: 1st Y218 Ayrton Ellison. 2nd ST28 Poppie Rose 3rd N175 Louise Hales.

BUSINESS AS USUAL

A week after the Bank Holiday specials, it was back to routine for NASA Autograss, with fifteen meetings scheduled, of which twelve went ahead - more wet weather forced cancellations at DOWN and SOLWAY while PAC still weren't able to race on the new St Florence track..

With National qualifying on the agenda for most leagues, events were held at INVICTA, CONCORD, ST NEOTS, SPALDING, MELTON, SCUNTHORPE, YORK, LUDLOW, EVESHAM, SOUTHERN LEAGUE and WEST WATERFORD, plus ABRAM's closed qualifier on the North Wales track, while at least two more leagues piggy-backed their qualifiers onto other leagues' meetings.

Several of the meetings were affected by rain coming in during the afternoon, but ST NEOTS was one that managed to keep one step ahead of the weather man - with heavy rain forecast for 4 pm the meeting was started early and ran swiftly through so that, although the rain arrived an hour early, the last Open race was just lining up. On track highlights included a last corner move by Barry Ashmore to win Class 8 and an impressive debut by Adam Golding's Seicento-bodied Class 6.

ST NEOTS RESULTS:
CLASS 1: 1st SN43 Daniel Robins 2nd SN12 Tom Hall 3rd SN164 Alex Hill. CLASS 2: 1st SN391 Gary Clapham 2nd SN668 Ollie Sole 3rd SN450 Tony McKenna. CLASS 3: 1st SN269 Dave George 2nd SN208 Andrew Empson 3rd CA47 Chris Barrett. CLASS 4: 1st CA242 Gary Pemberton. CLASS 5: 1st SN123 Ken Smith 2nd SN20 Mark Day 3rd SN42 Rob Ashley. CLASS 6: 1st CA285 Sam French 2nd CA121 Adam Golding 3rd SN133 Tony Reynolds. CLASS 7: 1st SN145 Kraig Murley 2nd SN82 Kerry Pope 3rd SN166 John Newland. CLASS 8: 1st SN51 Barry Ashmore 2nd SN60 Ashley Hall 3rd SN514 Aly Ostridge. CLASS 9: 1st SN257 Sean Collin 2nd T14 Colin Rogers 3rd SN3 Ian Robins. CLASS 10: 1st SN19 Josh Hassell 2nd CA24 Stuart Ward 3rd SN55 Colin Sumner. STOCK HATCH: 1st CA120 Richard Golding 2nd SN14 Mark Hill. JUNIORS: 1st SN201 Jake Bartlett 2nd SN617 Tom Baker 3rd SP125 Philip Hayden. JUNIOR SPECIALS: 1st SN2 Josh Howard 2nd SN23 Alex Puddiphatt 3rd SN744 Jordan Butcher. CLASS 11: 1st SN288 Hayley Empson 2nd CA181 Rachel Taylor 3rd SN64 Abiee Hill. CLASS 11A: 1st SN668 Vicky Sole 2nd SN47 Sharron Barrett 3rd CA149 Vivienne Chapman. CLASS 12: 1st SN14 Abiee Hill 2nd SN156 Sharon New 3rd SN20 Linda Smith. CLASS 13: 1st SN269 Trish Simmonds-Grant 2nd CA548 Emma Saint. CLASS 14: 1st SN3 Shelley Wakelin 2nd CA647 Beth Marjoram. ST NEOTS OPEN: 1st SN14 Mark Hill 2nd SN164 Alex Hill 3rd SN94 Rhys Puddiphatt. ST NEOTS JUNIORS: 1st SN2 Josh Howard 2nd SN23 Alex Puddiphatt 3rd SN41 Jessica Browning. EAST ANGLIAN OPEN: 1st SN10 Mark Empson 2nd SN164 Alex Hill 3rd SN668 Ollie Sole. EAST ANGLIAN JUNIORS: 1st SN617 Tom Baker 2nd SN2 Josh Howard 3rd SN744 Jordan Butcher.

WEST WATERFORD also beat the weather, squeezing in four rounds of racing on the smooth Jimmy Fuller-tended Ballysaggart track, with the rain arriving just as the Winners' Race started at 4 pm. Two major trophies were up for grabs, the Michael Tyrrell Trophy and the Lismore House Hotel Trophy, both going to James "Junior" Kent in his J&J Racefab Fiat 126.

WEST WATERFORD RESULTS:

CLASS 1: 1st MA25 Trevor Cusack 2nd WW215 Kayne Cunningham 3rd CW95 Paul Boland. CLASS 1A: 1st CK123 Michael O'Mahoney. CLASS 2: 1st WW373 Damian Houlihan 2nd CK7 Steven White 3rd CW22 Shane Farrell. CLASS 3: 1st MA6 Paaul Cusack. CLASS 4: 1st WW50 Jim Hayde 2nd WW59 Michael Fuller. CLASS 5: 1st CW49 James Kent 2nd CW12 James Brady. CLASS 6: 1st MA183 Declan Browne 2nd CK138 Liam Eyre 3rd CW174 James Sinnott. CLASS 7: 1st WW998 Patrick Sheehy 2nd WW194 Alan Long 3rd CW247 Keith Kelly. CLASS 8: 1st CW43 Joe Kehoe 2nd CW17 Paul O'Brien 3rd WW319 Jessica Browne. CLASS 9: 1st WW252 Shane Houlihan 2nd WW399 John Fuller. FORMULA 600: 1st CW77 Kevin Keating. JUNIOR CLASS 1: 1st CW2 Courtney Brady 2nd WW106 Brian Meagher 3rd CK6 Jamie White. JUNIOR CLASS 1A: 1st CK123 Cian O'Mahoney 2nd MA290 Dylan Browne. JUNIOR SPECIALS: 1st CW160 Liam Roche 2nd CW11 Cillian Doherty 3rd CW935 Kevin O'Donohue. LADIES: 1st CW12 Chelsea Brady 2nd CW195 Claire Boland.

CONCORD RESULTS:

CLASS 1: 1st C210E Aaron Mason 2nd C202E Fred Carpenter 3rd C68E Greg Barrick. CLASS 2: 1st C32E Jonny Meare/Chris Page 2nd C88E Ash Woods. CLASS 3: 1st C201E Paul Carpenter 2nd C118E John Brinson. CLASS 4: 1st C3E Mike Sullivan 2nd C95E Ashley Sheppard. CLASS 5: 1st C28E Ian Thorndyke 2nd C20E Keiran Lonergan. CLASS 6: 1st C82E Steve Hathaway 2nd C295E Tim Horwood 3rd C55E Mark Bates. CLASS 7: 1st C22E Keith Rapley 2nd C18E Trevor Martin 3rd C129E Graham Hathaway. CLASS 8: 1st C83E Barry Hathaway 2nd C12E David Saunders 3rd C4E Dave Ferris. CLASS 9: 1st C76E Bill Edwards 2nd C702E Keith Tatam. STOCK HATCH: 1st C612E Calum Staines 2nd C33E. LADIES: 1st C13E Sharon Douglas JUNIORS: 1st C206E Declan Stansfield 2nd C34E Connor Victory 3rd C8E Billy Wilson.

SCUNTHORPE RESULTS:

CLASS 1: 1st ST56 Carl Cook 2nd S204Y Kevin Chapman 3rd P75EM Simon Kershaw. CLASS 2: 1st SC122 Craig Conway 2nd SC455 Kye Barker 3rd SC37 Paul Richardson. CLASS 3: 1st SC131 Mark Houlton. CLASS 4: 1st WR92 Melvyn Cleland 2nd ST4 Andrew Wood 3rd ST254 Tommy Andrews. CLASS 5: 1st ST6 Colin Chilvers 2nd SC6 Declan Collins. CLASS 6: 1st SC88 Jonathan Jobson 2nd SC707 Stephen Jackson. CLASS 7: 1st SC101 Rich Moorhouse. CLASS 8: 1st SC235 Paul Johnson. CLASS 9: 1st SC14 Russ Thompson. CLASS 10: No finishers. STOCK HATCH: 1st WR36 Steven Faunce 2nd WR600 Kevin Lewis. FORMULA 600: 1st WR392 Neil Richardson 2nd ST48 Paul Moorhouse 3rd WR45 Martin Hoggins. JUNIORS: 1st WR1 Joe Jopling 2nd S50Y Katie Milner 3rd SC236 Morgan Bailey. JUNIOR SPECIALS: 1st SC181 Daniel Barnard 2nd S104Y Dan Chapman 3rd SC103 Billie-Jo Moorhouse. CLASS 11: 1st SC31 Zoe Coupland 2nd SC122 Jess Roberts. CLASS 12: 1st ST6 Sarah Chilvers 2nd ST254 Jamie-Lea McAllister. CLASS 14: No finishers.

SEGTO's racing was at TONGHAM while the Rolling Thunder Show had a relatively small entry at ARENA ESSEX on Saturday night, with 80 cars racing, but produced plenty of excitement especially when the meeting ended in torrential rain.

ROLLING THUNDER SHOW RESULTS:
SUPERSTOX (THAMES GATEWAY CUP): 1st 876 Stuart Moss 2nd 566 Jordan Salmon 3rd 475 Paul Kaynes. JUNIOR HOT RODS (THAMES GATEWAY CUP): 1st 776 Dan Roots 2nd 88 Jayden Anderson 3rd 9 Sammy Mileham. OUTLAW HOT RODS: 1st 84 Darren Christie 2nd 12 Mark Cooke 3rd 780 Chris Berry. STOCK RODS: 1st 135 Tony Rolfe 2nd 417 Helen Blackman 3rd 93 Andy Taylor. EURO RODS: 1st 55 Gary Thomas 2nd 100 Peter Hilliard 3rd 2 Dean Webster. RTS PICKUPS: 1st 122 Richard Norman 2nd 42 Dan Guidotti 3rd 411 Colin Fuller. STREET STOX: 1st 734 Tyrone Goodchild 2nd 181 Andy Reynolds 3rd 636 Gary Reeve. MINI SPRINTS: 1st 311 Jack Simmons 2nd 299 Harley Burns 3rd 2 Albert Webster.

EVERYONE A WINNER

The May Day holiday saw all of the major points-based series in action. Most attention was focused on the opening BRITISH AUTOGRASS SERIES round in SOUTH WALES, with for the first time a National-level alternative offered in the form of the first ever UK AUTOGRASS CHAMPIONSHIP at BREDON HILL's Hilltop Raceway. Both series and both host club/leagues came out as winners. The BAS attracted a manageable 426 entries, meaning that the full race programme could be completed in reasonable time. Meanwhile Bredon Hill's meeting, assisted by the successful first trial of a pre-entry system for a meeting at this level, achieved all that the UKAC had set out to offer, with a relaxed "clubby" atmosphere and "old school" racing - especially the early heats run on fresh grass. The UKAC format, with drivers seeded by points into their second and third heats, produced ever more competitive racing, with drivers effectively enjoying one heat and three finals! The extended race distances also went down well. Out of the 348 drivers entered, 266 actually raced - not a problem at this event although the number of "no-shows" would have to be addressed if future events hit their 400 car ceiling.

Suggestions that having two nationwide series could harm club events were disproved as LEEWOOD's regular two day event brought in a total of 148 entries, with a double header for the BRITISH F600 CHAMPIONSHIP tipping the bill. Zoe Leyland and Andy Dingley took top honours in the two A-finals. The meeting attracted racers from as far afield as Scotland and Cambridge and provided excellent club racing despite a few dust problems in Monday's warm sunshine. Apart from the F600s, no official results were given, so we've made up our own!

YORKSHIRE DALES drew in 200-odd entries for the Stu Nicholls Memorial meeting on Monday, with the Class 7s fighting for points in the NORTHERN SUPER SALOONS CHAMPIONSHIP. The Stu Nicholls Trophy went to Duane Walker with his Class 4 Fiat Punto. On Sunday TRENT achieved a milestone by being the first club for some time to open a brand new venue, and a good entry of local drivers judged the new track to have great potential.

Points were also being fought for in the south, with the second SEGTO CHAMPIONSHIP round being contested on the chalk surface of SAA's Horndean track.

The only losers were in Scotland and Ireland; the SCOTTISH LEAGUE again had to postpone their season opener and CORK's meeting was cancelled - although a record number of Irish drivers attended the BAS, with Liam Roche's win in the Junior Specials capping a successful trip.

Unfortunately the weekend saw a number of major accidents; our best wishes for a speedy recovery go to Helen Bishop and Lynn Cooper after their rolls at Bredon Hill and South Wales respectively.

LEEWOOD (unofficial) RESULTS SUNDAY
FORMULA 600: 1st LM47 Zoe Leyland 2nd N41 Gary Shaw 3rd LM40 Andy Dingley. CLASS 1: 1st WR119 Carl Sharp 2nd LM303 Mike Gilbert 3rd LM78 Marc Shepherd. CLASS 2: 1st WR143 Sam Begley 2nd LM10 Chris Harrison 3rd LM43 Neil Stretton. CLASS 3: 1st WR333 Connor Aspinall 2nd WR666 Jasper Aspinall 3rd WR33 Dave Deardon. CLASS 4: 1st LM28 Carl Shaw 2nd WR55 Kev Griffiths 3rd WR63 Dean Burrows. CLASS 5: 1st LM227 Rick Yarwood 2nd NW151 Mark Stephenson 3rd SL18 Kevin McBride. CLASS 6: 1st ST67 Leroy Cuff 2nd LM215 David Clare. CLASS 7: 1st SL46 Jamie Little 2nd LM37 Ant Herbert 3rd SC101 Rich Moorhouse. CLASS 8: 1st SC95 Chris Atkinson 2nd NW181 Jay Thompson 3rd SL6 Daniel Talbot. CLASS 9: 1st SL8 Paul Sharp 2nd LM8 Roger Haynes. CLASS 10: S175Y Dave Stokes 2nd WR48 Gareth Cooper 3rd LM5 Steve le Carpentier. JUNIORS: 1st LM90 Joe McCormick 2nd LM391 Shane Sprowell 3rd NW149 Jordan England. JUNIOR SPECIALS: 1st LM13 Jay Gallagher 2nd SC103 Billy-Jo Moorhouse 3rd SC92 Chloe Lockwood. CLASS 11: 1st LM36 Sue Gillard 2nd LM409 Charlotte Houseman 3rd SL55 Kirby Johnston. CLASS 11A: 1st CA149 Vivienne Chapman 2nd LM49 Annette McGrady 3rd LM64 Sue Mansfield. CLASS 12: 1st LM55 Jemma Griffiths. CLASS 14: 1st LM9 Mel Gallagher 2nd NW181 Vicki Lamb 3rd NW81 Sheena Thompson. LADIES' F600: 1st WR400 Hilary Bird 2nd LM11 Chantelle le Carpentier 3rd LM2 Suzanne Gibbons.

LEEWOOD (unofficial) RESULTS MONDAY
FORMULA 600: 1st LM40 Andy Dingley 2nd LM47 Zoe Leyland 3rd ST42 Gav Waby. CLASS 1: 1st LM146 Simon Mills 2nd LM36 Glen Jackson 3rd LM78 Marc Shepherd. CLASS 2: 1st LM122 Lee Waddington 2nd LM10 Chris Harrison 3rd NW101 James Espley. CLASS 4: 1st LM28 Carl Shaw 2nd WR63 Dean Burrows 3rd WR61 Clive French. CLASS 5: 1st LM227 Rick Yarwood 2nd LM76 Jonny Haile 3rd NW151 Mark Stephenson. CLASS 7: 1st LM37 Ant Herbert 2nd NW145 Gav Kemp 3rd S176Y Richard Dunwell. CLASS 8: 1st LM1 Dean Barnes 2nd WR32 Bryn Hawkins 3rd SL80 Phil Talbot. CLASS 9: 1st LM8 Roger Haynes. CLASS 10: S175Y Dave Stokes 2nd LM35 Rob Simmonds 3rd LM5 Steve le Carpentier. JUNIORS: 1st LM391 Shane Sprowell 2nd LM90 Joe McCormick 3rd NW149 Jordan England. JUNIOR SPECIALS: 1st LM13 Jay Gallagher. CLASS 11: 1st LM87 Louise Clancy 2nd LM409 Charlotte Houseman 3rd LM411 Nikki Calvert. CLASS 11A: 1st CA149 Vivienne Chapman 2nd LM49 Annette McGrady 3rd LM64 Sue Mansfield. CLASS 12: 1st LM55 Jemma Griffiths. CLASS 14: 1st NW81 Sheena Thompson 2nd LM9 Mel Gallagher 3rd NW181 Vicki Lamb. LADIES' F600: 1st SL1 Susan Dawson 2nd LM2 Suzanne Gibbons 3rd WR400 Hilary Bird.

SEGTO CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 2 RESULTS – HORNDEAN:

PRODUCTION A: 1st T612 Rob Salter 2nd S369 Ashley Manktelow 3rd T108 Oliver Tilley. PRODUCTION B: 1st S2 Paul Simmonds 2nd S105 Bernie Chambers 3rd S312 Macauley Johnsey. MODIFIED C: 1st S15 Dean Pook 2nd S415 Ian Pook 3rd S90 Andy Wilkinson. 1450 HOT RODS: 1st S60 Mick Worrell 2nd T492 Graham Goddard 3rd S280 Luke Stonehouse. SUPER SALOONS: 1st X73 Trevor Harvey 2nd T74 Laurence Connors 3rd T17 Kev Ambrose. SPECIALS: 1st S214 Ashley Lock 2nd S114 Bradley Lock 3rd S99 Pete Smith. JUNIORS: 1st S360 Leon Spiers 2nd S124 Caine Silk 3rd S160 Arron Hough.

FOLLOW THESE LINKS FOR FULL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RESULTS:

Photos from Bredon Hill and Leewood will be uploaded as soon as possible - it's been a short week!

SOUTH EASTERN SUCCESS

APRIL 28 ... None of the three new NASA tracks was still quite ready for racing, and CAUSEWAY's opening meeting was again postponed, while PAC again joined forces with PENHOW for the West Wales qualifier on Sunday. Other NASA events took place on Sunday at INVICTA KENT, SPALDING, NOTTINGHAM, STAR, NORTH WALES (a closed to league qualifier), YORK and SCARBOROUGH. The changeable weather late in the week caused the cancellation of WEST WATERFORD's and SOLWAY's meetings.

INVICTA KENT has consolidated its position as the biggest single club in NASA, with nearly 200 racing members, and their first event of the year demonstrated the very best of club racing, nearly filling the new pit area at Ivychurch with local racers, plus just one visitor, Essex's Ian Thorndyke, whose Atspeed Mini proved one of the day's most spectacular performers. Shirley Thomas' Micra put one over on the boys in Class 1, while Mitch Wells borrowed his Grandma's "shopping trolley" for one of his last Junior appearances, taking a very close win from Robert Reed. The perfectly prepared track saw just a couple of mishaps, including a spectacular roll for Isle of Wight driver Gary Wetherick in Class 10. Two Class 9 cars caught light during one race, but luckily Ricky Bartholemew was allowed to continue and finish his first race in the class, by which time his merry blaze had blown itself out! The meeting was notable for the superb presentation of nearly all the cars; there was a very long shortlist for the best prepared car awards with the winners showing a bias towards dedicated DIY racers. Doug Godden's Class 1 Mini and Geoff Montgomerie's Class 10 Chevy took the Saloon and Special trophies along with Junior debutant Connor Bishop.

INVICTA KENT RESULTS:

CLASS 1: 1st IK355 Shirley Thomas 2nd IK99 Billy-Jo Driver 3rd IK444 Dee Ward. CLASS 2: 1st IK146 Steve Davis 2nd IK60 James Hyland 3rd IK108 Nathan Peto. CLASS 3: 1st IK32 Steve Carpenter 2nd IK21 John Berry 3rd IK316 Martin Beaney. CLASS 4: 1st IK34 Wez Johnson 2nd IK82 Rich Payne 3rd IK51 Micky Badman. CLASS 5: 1st IK155 Neil Thomas 2nd C28E Ian Thorndyke 3rd IK94 Luke Hall. CLASS 6: 1st IK64 Andy Russell 2nd IK91 Steven Whipps 3rd IK274 David Todd. CLASS 7: 1st IK44 Ken Ward 2nd IK27 Martin West 3rd IK4 Jason Ward. CLASS 8: 1st IK173 Paul Prior 2nd IK116 Mark Weeks. CLASS 9: 1st IK9 David Bird 2nd IK176 Tony Hewett 3rd IK11 Alec Hollingsbee. CLASS 10: 1st IK10 Tony Wilson 2nd IK77 Darren Cornwell 3rd IK777 Kenny Page. JUNIORS: 1st IK355 Mitch Wells 2nd IK170 Robert Reed 3rd IK212 Billy Rummery. JUNIOR SPECIALS: 1st IK220 Kallum Friend 2nd IK28 Callum Sweatman 3rd IK601 Roy Hyland. CLASS 11: 1st IK236 Kay Mucci 2nd IK334 Toni Humphrey 3rd IK276 Dawn Hewett. CLASS 12: 1st IK92 Sue Whipps. CLASS 13: 1st IK316 Stacey Beaaney. CLASS 14: 1st IK11 Dru Hollingsbee 2nd IK77 Libby Cornwell 3rd IK95 Emma Bullock. MECHANICS' RACE: 1st IK99 George Driver 2nd IK11 Jamie Hollingsbee 3rd IK212 Ivo Rummery.

On the tarmac, the Rolling Thunder Show staged a massive and well supported 33-race programme at ARENA ESSEX on Saturday night, highlighted by the annual visit of the Grand Prix Midgets, whose racing more than lived up to expectations, culminating in a thrilling finish to their final.

ROLLING THUNDER SHOW RESULTS 27 APRIL:

GRAND PRIX MIDGETS: 1st 31 Jonathan Pooley 2nd 8 Pete Dorrell 3rd 10 David Bonser. STOCK RODS LAKESIDE CUP: 1st 183 Malcolm Burton 2nd 94 Richard Haines 3rd 417 Helen Blackman. SUPERSTOX: 1st 566 Jordan Salmon 2nd 12 Vince Foley 3rd 876 Stuart Moss. OUTLAW HOT RODS: 1st 172 Steve Kite 2nd 12 Mark Cooke 3rd 265 Ray Harding. NATIONAL SUPER RODS: 1st 46 John Wicks 2nd 57 Dave Willis 3rd 76 Del Featherstone. EURO RODS: 1st 23 Dan Spinner 2nd 217 Joe Smith 3rd 2 Dean Webster. FORMULA FORDS: 1st 122 Richard Norman 2nd 132 Steve Norman 3rd 42 Dan Guidotti. JUNIOR HOT RODS: 1st 68 Lewis Wood 2nd 113 Lauren Simmonds 3rd 217 Harry Smith. STREET STOX: 1st 37 Fred Tebbenham 2nd 636 Gary Reeve 3rd 10 Ben White. RELIANT ROBINS: 1st 4 Brian Killick 2nd 316 Barry Blackman 3rd 26 Cliff Hutchings. MINI SPRINTS: 1st 449 Bradley Green 2nd 128 Josh Prince 3rd 252 Callum Searle.

LOTS OF LAPS AT CAMBRIDGE

Nine of the fourteen planned NASA meetings went ahead on April 21, with action at CAMBRIDGE, CONCORD, MELTON, SOUTHERN LEAGUE, GLOUCESTER, NORTH SHROPSHIRE, LEEWOOD, SCUNTHORPE and CARLOW, most of these being well supported National qualifying rounds. Scotland and Northern Ireland weren't so lucky with heavy rain in the previous week wiping out the KING OF DOWN meeting and the SCOTTISH LEAGUE opener at Avonbridge. CWMDU's and EVESHAM's meetings were cancelled and PAC's meeting was postponed to be merged with next week's Penhow event. SEGTO again had clashing meetings at TONGHAM and HORNDEAN.

Cambridge's meeting attracted 99 entries and, aided by ideal weather and an ultra smooth track, provided some of the best racing seen in East Anglia for a long time. The decision to run 6 lap heats and 9 lap finals contributed to many memorable races, with an exceptional number of lead changes by Autograss standards. Highlights included Mike Mackenzie just getting the better of Kerry Pope and Kraig Murley in an epic Class 7 final; Lee Forster winning the Class 9 final in his first home event after a battle with Nathan Lewey and Ian Robins and a last lap pass by Chris Pope to beat Dan Mackenzie in Class 8.

CAMBRIDGE RESULTS

CLASS 1: 1st SN43 Daniel Robins 2nd SN12 Tom Hall 3rd SN164 Alex Hill. CLASS 2: 1st SN450 Tony McKenna 2nd SP69 Daniel Barrow 3rd SN405 Jason Thomas. CLASS 3: 1st SN269 Dave George 2nd SN208 Andrew Empson 3rd CA47 Chris Barrett. CLASS 5: 1st SN123 Ken Smith 2nd SN20 Mark Day 3rd E19 Mark Stallard. CLASS 6: 1st CA285 Sam French 2nd SN133 Tony Reynolds 3rd CA121 Adam Golding. CLASS 7: 1st SP3 Mike Mackenzie 2nd SN82 Kerry Pope 3rd SN145 Kraig Murley. CLASS 8: 1st SN8 Chris Pope 2nd SP44 Dan Mackenzie 3rd SN51 Barry Ashmore. CLASS 9: 1st CA98 Lee Forster 2nd SN3 Ian Robins 3rd CA12 Nathan Lewey. CLASS 10: 1st SN19 Josh Hassell. STOCK HATCH: 1st SN14 Mark Hill 2nd CA120 Richard Golding. CLASS 11: 1st CA181 Rachel Taylor 2nd SN288 Hayley Empson 3rd SN164 Abiee Hill. CLASS 11A: 1st SN668 Vicky Sole 2nd SN47 Sharron Barrett 3rd CA149 Vivienne Chapman. CLASS 12: 1st SN20 Linda Smith 2nd SN14 Abiee Hill. CLASS 13: No finishers. CLASS 14: 1st CA647 Bethany Marjoram 2nd SN3 Shelley Wakelin. JUNIORS: 1st SN201 Jake Bartlett 2nd SN617 Tom Baker 3rd SN79 Mac Wilson. JUNIOR SPECIALS: 1st SN2 Josh Howard 2nd SN23 Alex Puddiphatt. EAST ANGLIAN OPEN: 1st SN123 Len Smith 2nd SN90 Max Fleckney 3rd CA47 Chris Barrett. JUNIORS’ OPEN: 1st SN2 Josh Howard 2nd SN23 Alex Puddiphatt 3rd SN41 Jessica Browning.

SEGTO CHAMPIONSHIP OPENER

This week’s NASA Autograss fixtures were divided in two by the weather. Heavy rain towards the end of the week forced cancellations at INVICTA KENT, SOUTH WALES and CORK, while TRENT had cancelled their meeting some time earlier. SEVERN VALLEY’s meeting went ahead with a good attendance but the rain had moved in before the second heats and the meeting was abandoned before the finals. PENNINE proved luckier with the weather and hosted a busy East Midlands qualifier; some drivers were less lucky though and there was a heavy toll in damage including a big roll for Jordan Hampson’s new Class 6. All three Yorkshire venues were in action with National qualifiers followed by normal racing; SCARBOROUGH, YORK and YORKSHIRE DALES ran in dry, cold and windy conditions. York’s meeting was marred by major accidents for Daz Nutter in Class 7 and Phil Thompson in Class 3, while the Dales meeting was highlighted by round 1 of the British F600 Championship.

PENNINE RESULTS

CLASS 1: 1st N53 Lloyd Elliott 2nd L112 Matt Astbury 3rd L6 David Hampson. CLASS 2: 1st N225 Andrew Smith 2nd N200 Lloyd Elliott 3rd N2 Ivan Elliott. CLASS 3: 1st N22 Kev Thorpe. CLASS 4: 1st M60 Nicky Williams 2nd P33EM Jason Clews 3rd E66 Sam Forsey. CLASS 5: 1st P24EM Brian Wright 2nd N582 Joe Martin 3rd M45 Wayne Orton. CLASS 6: 1st N25 Andrew Smith 2nd M247 Martin Hall. CLASS 7: 1st P23EM Phil Barleyman 2nd P502EM Mark Guy 3rd N12 Jake Lee. CLASS 8: 1st NS151 Tom Chadwick 2nd M11 Ben Harper 3rd N8 Simon Reeve. CLASS 9: 1st P5EM Jason Richardson 2nd N54 John Boaden 3rd M5 Julie Walford. CLASS 10: 1st P208EM Andy Hunter. STOCK HATCH: 1st N363 Barry Wasley 2nd N184 Lee Dexter 3rd N483 Darrell Wasley. CLASS 11A: 1st N18 Becky Smith 2nd P205EM. CLASS 13: No finishers. CLASS 14: 1st M11 Barbara Harper. JUNIORS: 1st P56EM Dan Heath 2nd SP125 Philip Hayden 3rd P53EM Shaun Nelson. JUNIOR SPECIALS: 1st NW45 Tom Borman 2nd NW47 Dan Borman.

The major event in the south was the first round of the 2013 SEGTO CHAMPIONSHIP, which features four meetings on four different surfaces; dirt, chalk, concrete and tarmac. STANDLAKE ARENA was back on the schedule after missing last year, and had a very busy day with all the local classes in action alongside the SEGTO event. Tongham drivers came out on top in four classes; Peter Tilley made the break from a big field to win the Prod A final. Keri Stockham was the only survivor in Prod B while Craig Mills’ return to racing saw him convincingly win Mod C. A sometimes fraught battle in the 1450 Hot Rods ended with Expo winner Jody Withers having another impressive win as she fought off the local drivers. A varied Super Saloon field ranged from a quick Subaru Impreza through a variety of Hot Rods to the famous Class 7 “Growler”, now in the hands of Laurence Connors. Standlake regular Martin Flaherty won after young Josh Campbell’s spectacular progress ended by being docked a place. A disappointing turnout of Specials ended in a virtual dead heat between the Lock brothers, and home track drivers dominated in the Juniors with Jack Bunyan winning.

The remaining SEGTO rounds are at Horndean (5 May), Tongham (30 June) and Arena Essex (August 11). There was also action at ARENA ESSEX this weekend, with the latest Rolling Thunder Show meeting providing good racing in very wet conditions, including a dominant win for former Class 3 champ Gary Thomas in the Euro Rods.

SEGTO CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1 RESULTS:

PRODUCTION A: 1st T92 Peter Tilley 2nd X62 Les Hatch 3rd T438 Jason Greener. PRODUCTION B: 1st T132 Keri Stockham. MODIFIED C: 1st T541 Craig Mills 2nd T165 Leanne Page 3rd S200 Paul Gurr. 1450 HOT RODS: 1st T292 Jody Withers 2nd X27 Antony Burton 3rd X313 Lewis Court. SUPER SALOONS: 1st X362 Martin Flaherty 2nd X609 Josh Campbell 3rd X15 Andy Garrod. SPECIALS: 1st S114 Bradley Lock 2nd S114 Ashley Lock 3rd T916 John Smith. JUNIORS: 1st X244 Jack Bunyan 2nd X61 James Watts 3rd X63 Jodie Hemmings.

OTHER STANDLAKE RESULTS:

F2 STOX: 1st 212 Neil Soule 2nd 115 Ben Farebrother 3rd 420 Ade Baker. 1450 PROD RODS: 1st 254 Anthony Ellis 2nd 11 Glenn Mills 3rd 116 Pete King. SALOON RODS: 1st 61 Roland Passey 2nd 9 Olly Adams 3rd 13 Barry Tweddle. JUNIORS: 1st X105 Louis Williams 2nd X296 Michael Barber 3rd X26 David Robins. STREET BANGERS: 1st 6 Mark Holdsworth 2nd 553 Luke Webb 3rd 674.

ROLLING THUNDER SHOW RESULTS 13 APRIL:

JUNIOR HOT RODS LAKESIDE CUP: 1st 68 Lewis Wood 2nd 88 Jayden Anderson 3rd 776 Dan Roots. SUPERSTOX: 1st 21 Sean Smith 2nd 876 Stuart Moss 3rd 874 Neil Moss. OUTLAW HOT RODS: 1st 780 Chris Berry 2nd 12 Mark Cooke 3rd 112 Charlie Schembri. STOCK RODS: 1st 183 Paul Hunter 2nd 251 Lee Ribbans 3rd 417 Helen Blackman. EURO RODS: 1st 55 Gary Thomas 2nd 2 Dean Webster 3rd 547 Tony McNeill. FORMULA FORDS: 1st 42 Dan Guidotti 2nd 31 Dave Follett 3rd 7 Tony Bates. STREET STOX: 1st 19 Alex Martin 2nd 181 Andy Reynolds 3rd 634 Tyrone Goodchild. MINI SPRINTS: 1st 299 Harley Burns 2nd 449 Bradley Green 3rd 113 Jack Simmons.

SPRING FEVER

APRIL 6/7 .... The weekend after Easter usually sees the NASA season getting under way in earnest, but this time there were cancellations at CAUSEWAY, SOUTHERN LEAGUE, ST NEOTS, CONCORD, MELTON and NORTH WALES. Seven NASA events did run, though, at RADFORD, SEVERN VALLEY, STAR, SCUNTHORPE, SPALDING, SOLWAY and CARLOW, while SEGTO meetings were held at TONGHAM and HORNDEAN. With the weather at last feeling Spring-like, entries ranged from around 250 at Scunny and 160 at Severn Valley to 40 at Spalding but the Fenland event was nevertheless encouraging. After intensive work to move the track from one side to the other of the club's long established Hurdletree Bank venue, the new layout has great potential to help the club rebuild its local support and attract more visiting racers.

SPALDING RESULTS:

CLASS 1: 1st C60E Dan Perry 2nd SP42 Ken Tomes 3rd CA547 Vic Marjoram. CLASS 2: 1st ST27 Jason Mills 2nd SN90 Max Fleckney 3rd ST91 Oliver Hamp. CLASS 3: 1st SP401 Aaron Mackenzie 2nd CA47 Chris Barrett 3rd SN94 Rhys Puddiphatt. CLASS 4: 1st SP116 Hayden Fletcher. CLASS 5: 1st N102 Marcus Fletcher 2nd SP36 Joe Baxter. CLASS 6: 1st SP114 Stephen Pearsall 2nd M247 Martin Hall. CLASS 7: 1st M87 Bob Rouse 2nd SP141 Vernon Mackenzie 3rd M12 Tim Back. CLASS 8: 1st L791 Shaun Howard 2nd SP98 Mark Willson. CLASS 9: 1st T14 Colin Rogers 2nd T16 Barry Rogers 3rd SP12 Andrew Hill. CLASS 10: 1st ST41 Sam Burbidge. CLASS 11: 1st SP411 Donna Rankin. CLASS 11A: 1st CA47 Sharron Barrett. CLASS 13: 1st SP141 Nicola Mackenzie. CLASS 14: 1st CA647 Bethany Marjoram. JUNIORS: 1st SP791 Thomas Baggaley 2nd C60E Matthew Perry 3rd CA547 Josh Marjoram. JUNIOR SPECIALS: 1st SP6 Lewis Clayton 2nd SN23 Alex Puddiphatt.

SEVERN VALLEY (UNOFFICIAL) RESULTS

CLASS 1: 1st SV101 Conner Griffiths 2nd SV69 James Mayo 3rd NW125 Lee Powell 4th LUD48 Adam Smith. CLASS 2: 1st PAC81 Will Elford 2nd PHD84 Bob Sawyer 3rd LM96 Lee Buckley 4th C13 Adrian Saunders. CLASS 3: 1st WS22 Adrian Joyce 2nd BC11 Tom Lewis 3rd LUD9 Stewart Moore 4th LUD5 Richard Moore. CLASS 4: 1st H31 Mike Jones 2nd TA36 Trystan Daniels 3rd SV9 Kev Barnett 4th TA38 Adam Jones. CLASS 5: 1st TA451 Lewis Richards 2nd S79D Nick Creed 3rd LUD8 Jabez Smith 4th 38F Mark Ashmead. CLASS 6: 1st NW41 Darren Owens 2nd BC5 Martin Bowen 3rd H25 Darren Paskell 4th BC13 Simon Roberts. CLASS 7: 1st SV20 Lee Cox 2nd NW110 Huw Jones 3rd B40H Gerald Bennetto 4th 62F Mike Hockly. CLASS 8: 1st C9 Cameron Mills 2nd C15 Richard Herdman 3rd C10 Steve Mills 4th BC55 Tom Lewis. CLASS 9: 1st ARC7 Sean Power 2nd PAC4 Derrick Brown 3rd BC70 Phil Matthews 4th PAC104 Richard Tipping. CLASS 10: 1st BC22 Lance Bowen 2nd 12F Carl Ray 3rd BC19 Colin Court 4th PAC14 Graham Davies. JUNIORS: 1st SV212 Rhys Griffiths 2nd PAC222 Sophie Lewis 3rd SV68 Connor Green 4th WS48 Jordan Hancock. JUNIOR SPECIALS: 1st 11F Dan Ray 2nd WS2 Jack Joyce 3rd NW20 Jay Colegate 4th LUD4 Brynley Powell. CLASS 11: 1st H110 Molly Neville 2nd H95 Amy Jones 3rd SV24 Emily Thomas. CLASS 11A: 1st LM96 Taylor Yates. CLASS 12: 1st CM25 Danielle Phillips 2nd S2 Leanne Lewis 3rd 38F Janet Murray. CLASS 13: 1st BC11 Becky Shaw. CLASS 14: 1st PAC4 Kath Brown 2nd H250 Jodie Paskell 3rd LM19 Taylor Yates 4th 160F Cat Mumford.

EASTER ACTION

An early Easter date always plays havoc with fixture planning and the continuing wintry wether didn't help. The NASA fixture list promised the usual Easter choices; for the Midlanders the traditional Hereford two dayer; for the Welsh a double header at West Wales on Sunday, moving on to South Wales on Monday. For the northerners a choice of Leewood or Scarboroughon Sunday followed by York on Monday; for the Irish a Saturday/Sunday event at Down and West Waterford on Sunday. But it didn't turn out like that! ...

Only four NASA meetings survived. WEST WATERFORD expected a freezing day in the mountains, but it turned out to be a very wet one as well, in which they successfully ran two heats and finals to get the Irish season off to a muddy start. The only English club to succeed in getting their meeting on was SCARBOROUGH, but the two Welsh Leagues both escaped the worst of the weather to put on well supported meetings. With the new St Florence track not quite ready to go, PAC's planned meeting became a WEST WALES LEAGUE event on Penhow club's Magor track. The popular venue attracted just under 200 drivers from as far afield as Somerset and Scotland, and even more remarkably brought out the sun! A fine day's racing was enjoyed by all. A colder day on Monday greeted the 97 drivers who raced at SOUTH WALES LEAGUE's meeting at Red Roses.

WEST WATERFORD RESULTS:

CLASS 1: 1st MA25 Trevor Cusack 2nd WW3 Kieran Cashel 3rd WW215 Kayne Cunningham. CLASS 1A: 1st CW501 James Boland 2nd CK224 Shane Farrelll 3rd WW147 Willie O’Dwyer. CLASS 2: 1st WW373 Damien Houlihan 2nd MA30 Aidan O’Neill 3rd CW346 Aidan Murphy. CLASS 3: 1st MA6 Paul Cusack 2nd CW25 Ed Sheehan 3rd MA211 Seamus O’Riordan. CLASS 4: 1st WW59 Michael Fuller 2nd CW16 John Cunningham. CLASS 5: 1st CW49 James Kent. CLASS 6: 1st MA183 Declan Browne 2nd WW261 Paul Devine 3rd CW174 James Sinnot. CLASS 7: 1st CW247 Keith Kelly 2nd WW998 Patrick Sheehy 3rd WW194 Alan Long. CLASS 8: 1st WW319 Jessica Browne 2nd CW43 Joe Kehoe 3rd CW127 Fergal O’Brien. CLASS 9: 1st WW399 John Fuller 2nd WW252 Shane Houlihan. CLASS 10: 1st WW5 JP Houlihan. FORMULA 600: 1st WW77 Kevin Keating. LADIES: 1st CW12 Chelsea Brady 2nd MA257 Claire Parker 3rd MA48 Nicole O’Brien. JUNIOR CLASS 1: 1st CK6 Jamie White 2nd WW217 Michael Daly 3rd CW2 Courtney Brady. JUNIOR CLASS 1A: 1st CK296 Eoghan O’Neill 2nd MA290 Dylan Browne 3rd MA20 Tia Crowley. JUNIOR SPECIALS: 1st MA155 Jack Creaven 2nd CW160 Liam Roche 3rd CW11 Cillian Doherty.

Photo by courtesy of Tina Lee

WEST WALES LEAGUE RESULTS:

CLASS 1: 1st SV101 Conner Griffiths 2nd SS10 Dev North 3rd PAC5 Michaela Bevans. CLASS 2: 1st 51F Matt Sawyer 2nd PAC81 Will Elford 3rd P4 Jade Morgan. CLASS 3: 1st WS82 Jon Napier 2nd NS334 Martin Gould 3rd R70 Dean Guy. CLASS 4: 1st PAC3 Rob Corbett 2nd M60 Nicky Williams 3rd SV9 Kev Barnett. CLASS 5: 1st PAC16 Bryan Neale 2nd E152 Matt Manning 3rd WS42 Russ Cashion. CLASS 6: 1st P169 Nicky Newton 2nd NS434 Ben Gould 3rd SC50 Chris Juggins. CLASS 7: 1st Y34 Mark Grice 2nd SC61 Andy Holtby 3rd ST307 Tony Goodsir. CLASS 8: 1st C10 Steve Mills 2nd SP44 Dan Mackenzie 3rd C9 Cameron Mills. CLASS 9: 1st BC70 Phil Matthews 2nd CS5 Keith Matthews 3rd PAC4 Derrick Brown. CLASS 10: 1st SS166 Paul Coles 2nd NS120 Liam Evans. CLASS 11: 1st PAC83 Chloe Parry 2nd H110 Molly Neville. CLASS 13: 1st PAC53 Michaela Bevans. CLASS 14: 1st E15 Sally Stratton 2nd S10D Maisy Phipps 3rd S6D Liz Stowe. JUNIORS: 1st SV212 Rhys Griffiths 2nd SV4 Kieran Griffiths 3rd NS207 Tom Pipe. JUNIOR SPECIALS: 1st YS73 Matt Bishop 2nd SS11 Dex North 3rd NS65 Travis Kirk.

For those who prefer the hard stuff ARENA ESSEX hosted another Rolling Thunder Show event on Saturday night and STANDLAKE ARENA and GRIMLEY RACEWAY both held their traditional Easter Monday meetings. Grimley's meeting featured a guest appearance by the Grand Prix Midgets, who provided some of the weekend's very best racing.

RTS RESULTS 30 MARCH

SUPERSTOX: 1st 88 James Gray 2nd 151 Andrew Enright 3rd 566 Jordan Salmon. OUTLAW HOT RODS: 1st 84 Darren Christie 2nd 6 Andy Tully. V6 SUPER RODS: 1st 57 Dave Willis 2nd 12 Rob Tinto 3rd 41 Graham Osborne. STOCK RODS: 1st 93 Andy Taylor 2nd 40 Gary Staines 3rd 417 Helen Blackman. EURO RODS: 1st 7 George Morris 2nd 116 Dan Smitherman 3rd 547 Tony McNeill. FORMULA FORDS: 1st 38 Danny Saint 2nd 138 Sean Groom 3rd 132 Steve Norman. JUNIOR HOT RODS: 1st 47 Chloe McNeill 2nd 223 Harry Richardson 3rd 88 Jayden Anderson. STREET STOX: 1st 96 Dave Measday 2nd 734 Tyrone Goodchild. RELIANT ROBINS: 1st 26 Cliff Hutchings 2nd 104 Billy Kavanagh 3rd 6 Stuart Weaver. MINI SPRINTS: 1st 252 Callum Searle 2nd 2 Albert Webster 3rd 421 Jim Cogger.

GRIMLEY RESULTS

GRAND PRIX MIDGETS: 1st 31 Jonathan Pooley 2nd 83 Darren Clark 3rd 44 Dave Dollin. F2 OUTLAWS: 1st 42 Ashley Greening 2nd 7 Lee Robbins 3rd 740 Martin Snee. HOT RODS: 1st 800 Martin Dean 2nd 280 Mike Hill. 2 LITRE RODS: 1st 21 John Steele 2nd 15 George Rollins 3rd 116 Steve Bishop. HOT 1600s: 1st 205 Carl Slater 2nd 623 Marcus Bessant 3rd 26 Mark Cullen. JUNIOR MINIS: 1st 92 Brad Tout 2nd 244 Callum Churn 3rd 747 Bradley Dee. 1600 BANGERS: 1st 290 2nd 296 3rd 291.

THE WHITE STUFF

For the second week running the entire Autograss schedule was wiped out by the weather; most events were cancelled in good time due to persistently wet conditions, so when a much of the country was blanketed by snow over the weekend, it didn't make much difference. NASA events were cancelled at CONCORD, EVESHAM/RADFORD, SEVERN VALLEY, NOTTINGHAM, NORTH SHROPSHIRE, TRENT, YORK, YORKSHIRE DALES, CAUSEWAY and CORK. SEGTO suffered cancellations at HORNDEAN and TONGHAM.

Saving the weekend was the only hard surfaced SEGTO affiliated track at STANDLAKE ARENA. A week after an unexpected snow storm caused a very rare cancellation, Standlake's re-arranged fixture took place in bitterly cold, but dry, conditions, with the snow retreating to the spectator banks. Not surprisingly, driver and spectator numbers were well down on Standlake's norm, but as ever the Oxfordshire venue laid on an excellent show, highlighted by a fantastic battle in the F2/Superstox final. Close finishes were the order of the day in the non-contact classes, while the light entertainment came from a particularly daft bunch of Street Bangers.

As far as we know, just one NASA team found somewhere to race; Barnsley based Mickey Ashby made a surprise appearance in the Standlake Juniors and, despite being upgraded after each race, took a clean sweep of three wins, while brother Andrew forsook his Class 2 for a Tigra Banger, with rather less success.

STANDLAKE RESULTS:

F2/SUPERSTOX: 1st 205 Gary Jacobs 2nd 420 Ade Baker 3rd 87 Jack West. HOT RODS: 1st X668 Brian Cornock 2nd X4 Tracey Cotton. PRODUCTION A: 1st X74 Aaron Charles 2nd X442 Jessica Phillips 3rd T92 Peter Tilley. 1450 PROD RODS: 1st 75 Michael Hayes 2nd 128 Daniel Allen 3rd 90 Paul Bartlett. SALOON RODS: 1st 32 Dave Lumsdale 2nd 121 David Oxlade 3rd 77 Mike Watson. JUNIORS: 1st S124Y Mickey Ashby 2nd X808 Robert Wakelin 3rd X608 Harry Watson. STREET BANGERS: 1st 111 Joe Cotton 2nd 295 Dean Tilbury 3rd 325 Adam Wickson.

WEEKEND WASHOUT

Nine NASA Autograss fixtures were listed for week two of the 2013 season, and not one took place. GLOUCESTER, PENHOW, RADFORD, STAR, PENNINE, LEEWOOD, SCUNTHORPE, SCARBOROUGH and WEST WATERFORD were all cancelled and Congratulations to all those clubs for making their cancellation decision in good time, because as it turned out the weather only got worse!

Even STANDLAKE ARENA succumbed to Sunday morning's snowstorm. At 8.30 am, with everything ready to go, the snow started and two hours later the arena was under two inches of snow, forcing an unprecedented cancellation, with many drivers already in the pits. Standlake's meeting has been rescheduled for next Sunday, March 24.

The only grass roots racing that went ahead was the Rolling Thunder Show season opener at ARENA ESSEX, where the programme was rushed through in changeable conditions to give the RTS regulars a good Saturday night's racing.

RTS RESULTS 16 MARCH:

SUPERSTOX: 1st 874 Neil Moss 2nd 566 Jordan Salmon 3rd 876 Stuart Moss. OUTLAW HOT RODS: 1st 49(1) 2nd 12 Mark Cooke 3rd 780 Chris Berry. STOCK RODS: 1st 30 Mark Martin 2nd 135 Tony Rolfe 3rd 417 Helen Blackman. EURO RODS: 1st 55 Gary Thomas 2nd 7 George Morris 3rd 2 Dean Webster. FORMULA FORDS: 1st 42 Dean Guidotti 2nd 38 3rd 132 Steve Norman. JUNIOR HOT RODS: 1st 50 Sian Watkins 2nd 113 Lauren Simmons 3rd 223 Harry Richardson. STREET STOCKS: 1st 734 Tyrone Goodchild 2nd 181 Andy Reynolds 3rd 19 Alex Martin. RELIANT ROBINS: 1st 316 Barry Blackman 2nd 26 Cliff Hutchins 3rd 6 Stuart Weaver. MINI SPRINTS: 1st 421 Jim Cogger 2nd 299 Harley Burns 3rd 599 Harvey Hendy.

A CHILLY START

Opening weekend of the 2013 NASA season saw meetings at NOTTINGHAM and SOUTH WALES while SEGTO's dirt track season got under way at TONGHAM. CARLOW's planned opener was postponed to April 7.

The Nottingham meeting was dominated by the weather; the track and the new pits area were affected by rain the previous day, but of more immediate concern were the snow showers and the arctic wind that made the day a test of endurance for everyone. 126 drivers signed on and two heats and finals for all were turned round within five hours. The highlight of the day was an incredibly close four-way scrap for F600 honours; Gary Shaw led the pack all day but a good run off the last corner by third placed Gav Waby saw Gav snatch the win on the line.

The first round of the JAC Exhausts Northern Super Saloons Series disappointingly saw the promised field decimated by the weather; Andy Holtby took top honours, but only after overcoming a strong challenge from local man Dan Barnett.

South Wales fared better with the weather, and also managed an early finish for their 74 competitors. We'll post the results from this one as soon as they come our way.

NOTTINGHAM RESULTS:

CLASS 1: 1st NW125 Lee Powell 2nd Y280 Joe Vaudin 3rd N444 Scott Holmes. CLASS 2: 1st N840 Clint Fowles 2nd SC122 Craig Conway 3rd B12H Scott Cheshire. CLASS 3: 1st NS205 Andy Pipe 2nd N22 Kev Thorpe 3rd N13 Al MacFarlane. CLASS 4: 1st ST314 Rob Taylor 2nd E66 Sam Forsey 3rd ST4 Andrew Wood. CLASS 5: 1st S60D Stuart Deacon 2nd YD916 Wes Green 3rd NW151 Mark Stevenson. CLASS 6: 1st NS434 Ben Gould 2nd P70EM Jordan Hampson 3rd ST204 Stu Bull. CLASS 7: 1st SC61 Andy Holtby 2nd N75 Dan Barnett 3rd N60 Paul Bacon. CLASS 8: 1st LM1 Dean Barnes 2nd 7F Graham Bennett 3rd NS344 Sam Gould. CLASS 9: 1st CS5 Keith Matthews 2nd N54 John Boaden 3rd SC14 Russ Thompson. CLASS 10: S202D Pete Bott Jnr. CLASS 11: 1st N19 Zoe Warrener 2nd SV24 Emily Thomas. CLASS 11A: 1st SC122 Jess Roberts 2nd N18 Becky Smith 3rd N840 Rachel Sims. CLASS 12: 1st YD62 Diane Sunley. CLASS 13: 1st N60 Sue Thom. CLASS 14: 1st SC17 Clare Horner. JUNIORS: 1st N37 Louis Jackson 2nd Y216 Brad Ellison 3rd NS294 Ben Dorsett. JUNIOR SPECIALS: 1st YD24 Abi Shields 2nd S104Y Dan Chapman 3rd CS4 Joe Matthews. STOCK HATCH: 1st N363 Barry Wasley 2nd WR36 Steven Faunch 3rd WR600 Kevin Lewis. FORMULA 600: 1st ST42 Gav Waby 2nd N41 Gary Shaw 3rd N115 Pete Sinclair.

SOUTH WALES RESULTS:

Watch this space!

STANDLAKE SET THE PACE

With the season about to start in earnest for NASA and SEGTO racers on March 10, the SEGTO-affiliated Standlake Arena has already staged two very well supported meetings. The Oxfordshire track opened on February 17 with a lovely sunny day greeting full fields of cars for all the regular classes, with only the F2/Superstox grids being a little below average. Two weeks later on March 3 a cold and overcast day again featured full grids, especially for the Juniors and the budget Saloon Rods. Novice Junior James Hall took five wins from six races over the two meetings, before his winning streak ended in the 3 March final. New Prod A racer John Hawkins took his Corsa to final wins at both meetings, while the Hot Rods saw the FWD Stock Rod spec cars faring well against the full spec Hot Rods; Dan Phillips' 106 won the 17 February final, while on 3 March Jake Perry's Stock Rod Saxo was only beaten by Brian Cornock's Jag V6-powered Corsa.

STANDLAKE RESULTS 17 FEBRUARY:

HOT RODS: 1st X204 Dan Phillips 2nd X15 Andy Garrod 3rd X73 Trevor Harvey. PRODUCTION A: 1st X71 John Hawkins 2nd X56 Ryan Mulloy 3rd X442 Jessica Phillips. JUNIORS: 1st X31 James Hall 2nd X7 Aaron Charles 3rd X105 Louis Williams. F2 SUPERSTOX: 1st 750 Ricky Jacobs 2nd 56 Paul Webb 3rd 822 Graeme Parrott. 1450 PROD RODS: 1st 128 Daniel Allen 2nd 661 Tony Green 3rd 75 Michael Hayes. SALOON RODS: 1st 121 David Oxlade 2nd 137 Steve Goldup 3rd 49 Jonathan Thorn. STREET BANGERS: 1st 54 Tom Davey 2nd 442 Little Messer 3rd 803 Thomas Clark.

STANDLAKE RESULTS 3 MARCH:

HOT RODS: 1st X688 Brian Cornock 2nd #47 Jake Perry 3rd X4 Tracey Cotton. PRODUCTION A: 1st X71 John Hawkins 2nd X7 Charlie Napper 3rd X7A Aaron Charles. JUNIORS: 1st X31 James Hall 2nd X7 Aaron Charles 3rd X105 Louis Williams. 1450 PROD RODS: 1st 128 Daniel Allen 2nd 403 Steve Horne 3rd 661 Tony Green. SALOON RODS: 1st 522 Kevin Allaway 2nd 100 Gary Stafford 3rd 772 James Potts. MONDEO STOX: 1st 74 Kelvin Passey 2nd 77 Matthew Hook 3rd 146 Pete Simmonds. 2 LITRE BANGERS: 1st 391 Adam Bligdon 2nd 231 3rd 287. UNLIMITED BANGERS: 1st 528 Alan Hunt 2nd 358 Sonny Sherwood 3rd 427 Dean McPhilimey.

Standlake's next meeting is on 17 March.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

The innovative Scunthorpe & District club staged their second annual practice day for NASA racers at Blyton Raceway on 24 February. Having worked the track into perfect condition, the Scunny team were rewarded by a cold day with the occasional snow flurry; ideal conditions as far as the track surface at least was concerned, meaning that the strong turnout of drivers could run all day long without getting their cars dirty. 186 car/driver combinations had booked in for the day; 87 of those failed to appear but were compensated for by 35 late entries, which meant that the startline was packed with cars from around 11 am to 4 pm, with around eight cars running in each session and the keener drivers managing at least half a dozen turns on track.

EXPO 2013 - WORTH WAITING FOR

A week after being postponed due to snow and ice, the eighth annual Oval Racing Expo took place in typical Expo conditions – a mild and sunny January afternoon. The Rolling Thunder Show promoters decided to cram virtually the whole of the planned two-day programme into one day, resulting in an ambitious 42 race programme – which was eventually completed an hour ahead of schedule in under five hours!

Quite a few drivers were unable to make the rescheduled date, but despite smaller than usual grids, most of the races produced first class action, none more than the five classes of NASA/SEGTO Autograss cars.

The JUNIORS ran with the resident Junior Hot Rods but despite starting over half a lap behind the Arena regulars, Jake Bartlett carved his Mini through the traffic for a heat and final win. Tongham’s Peter Tilley came out on top in the PRODUCTION SALOONS with Concord’s Aaron Mason putting up a good show in his Class 1 AX against the SEGTO cars. The FWD SUPER SALOONS produced a fantastic battle all day between two stars of SEGTO’s 1450 Hot Rods; Jody Withers held on to win a heat and final although she was just pipped in the second heat by Mikee Habich’s Fiesta. The RWD SUPER SALOONS featured the usual sideways tyre-smoking action from a predominantly NASA-based field, with Steve Carpenter’s Mk2 Escort holding off fellow Kentish racer John Berry, after Standlake’s Trevor Harvey hit problems. A thrilling first race for the SPECIALS ended in disaster as Invicta’s Jamie Hollingsbee and SEGTO’s Ashley Lock tangled heading for the chequered flag and slammed into the armco, but both managed to get back to the track with Jamie taking a win and then a close second in the final to 2012 expo winner Sam Hartley.

EXPO GRASSTRACK RESULTS: JUNIORS: 1st SN201 Jake Bartlett 2nd S124 Caine Silk 3rd X808 Robert Wakelin. PRODUCTION A: 1st T92 Peter Tilley 2nd S369 Ashley Mantelow 3rd S273 Adrian Treagus. PRODUCTION B/C: 1st T208 Gary Clarke 2nd X4 Tracey Cotton 3rd S200 Paul Gurr. SUPER SALOONS FWD: 1st T292 Jody Withers 2nd S120 Mikee Habicht 3rd SN207 Tony Teather. SUPER SALOONS RWD: 1st IK32 Steve Carpenter 2nd IK21 John Berry 3rd IK316 Martin Beaney. SPECIALS: 1st T2 Sam Hartley 2nd IK11 Jamie Hollingsbee 3rd C10E Mark Thomas.

EXPO RTS RESULTS: SUPERSTOX: 1st 3 Ben Fieldwick 2nd 677 Neil Moss 3rd 46 John Smith. SUPER RODS: 1st 44 Steve Tandy 2nd 711 Danny Ellis 3rd 32 Wayne Hearn. STOCK RODS: 1st 417 Helen Blackman 2nd 135 Tony Rolfe 3rd 30 Mark Martin. EURO RODS: 1st 547 Tony McNeill 2nd 23 Dan Spinner 3rd 828 Kev Richie. FORMULA FORDS: 1st 7 Tony Bates 2nd 8 Mark Calder 3rd 31 Dave Follett. JUNIOR HOT RODS: 1st 216 George Morris 2nd 442 Tyler Ivins 3rd 9 Sammy Mileham. STREET STOX: 1st 734 Tyrone Goodchild 2nd 181 Andy Reynolds. RELIANT ROBINS: 1st 26 Cliff Hutchins 2nd 9 David Weaver 3rd 268 Buster Hutchins. MINI SPRINTS: 1st 391 Bradley Cooper 2nd 599 Harvey Hendy 3rd 449 Bradley Green. ROOKIE BANGERS: 1st 419 2nd 42. DESTRUCTION DERBY: 1st 374 2nd 56.

AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL 2013

An impressive array of Autograss machinery was on show at Birmingham’s NEC over the weekend of 12/13 January, in the Oval Racing section of Autosport International 2013. Featured either on NASA’s own stand or among the show promoters’ invited exhibits were the Class 1s of Daniel Robins (BPG Mini) and Dave Tasker (Micra); Class 3s from Paul Cusack (Almond Starlet), John Shorter (Almond C2); Noddy Roberts (Outlaw Hyundai Accent) and Trevor Almond (Starlet); Rob Lancaster’s new Class 4 C2; Dan Lewis’ Class 5 XCWorx Mini; James’ Lewis Class 6 Davis Corsa; Class 7s for Tony Goodsir (XCWorx Seicento), Karl Taylor (Pope 126) and Mark Grice (Full On Pickup); Terry Cox’s British Championship winning F600; Ben Harper’s home built Class 8, the radical new Ducati Class 8 of Antony Ross, other 8s for Jordan Blore, Anthony Read and Stu Whitehouse; new ARD built cars for Chas Edley (Class 9) and Julian and Diane Heath (Class 10); Liam Evans' 10 and Molly Smith's Junior Special.

The only constructor with an official presence was Graham Bennett, showing Ant Lee’s sensational Fiat 500-bodied class 7 and Max Lewis’ Class 8.

The Autograss exhibit attracting the biggest crowd, however, was Phil de Prez’s unique Class 6 VW Beetle VR6, displayed as “work in progress” on the Glyndwr University stand in the main show.

In the Live Action arena a team of ten Class 8s performed throughout the four days of the show; Lance Bowen, Ben Reade, Jack Gibbons, Tom Chadwick, Geoff Berrisford, Chris Atkinson, Dan Mackenzie, Daz Mullen, Stu Whitehouse and Tom Bendell all survived twelve daytime shows as well as the two “Oval Racing Spectaculars” that closed the show on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday also featured, for the third year running, the ever-popular Juniors, with Mitch Wells, Scott Holmes, Chloe Parry, Sophie Lewis, Jake Bartlett, Tom Baker, Kieron Griffiths, Rhys Griffiths, Hannah Johnson and Dafydd Jones providing the colourful spectacle.

THE HEAVY METAL CLASSIC

The 2013 racing season opened, as ever, with a bang – the Heavy Metal Classic at Standlake Arena reinforcing its position as the top Banger racing event of the year, this time attracting a field of 172 cars and a capacity crowd to the Oxfordshire oval to enjoy the action on an unseasonably warm and sunny afternoon.

All the action's available on DVD - order online from

www.westcountryvideos.co.uk

For more details and results, go to

www.standlakearena.co.uk

SUICIDE AWARENESS RACE DAY

We hadn't been planning to cover any more racing in 2012, but when Carlow Class 2 racer Shane Farrell had the idea to stage a one-off charity event on December 30, in aid of a cause close to the hearts of many people in the Autograss community, we resolved to support the event if we possibly could.

But as well as being a very worthwhile charity fund raiser, this was above all a fun day at which racers from both the Irish Hot Rod and grass racing scene could blow away a few winter cobwebs. It was truly a "back to basics" grasstrack racing event, with a great atmosphere and entertaining racing. All the facilities and help had been donated, so every Euro raised during the day went straight to the charity.

Shane had found a well drained stubble field on a hillside in the village of Ballinkillen, near Bagenalstown in County Carlow, which, despite torrential rain early on Sunday morning, proved ideal for racing after everyone had either been towed through the lower unloading field, or unloaded out in the lane. As forecast, the rain that swept across Ireland during the afternoon managed to miss this corner of Carlow and the racing was run in bright and breezy conditions. With cars grouped loosely according to the Irish Hot Rod classes, everyone had the chance of three heats of up to eight laps before the three Cup races completed the day. The Men's Cup race provided a spectacular win for Mick Boland in his Class 9 grasser; the Ladies' Cup went to Wexford Hot Rod racer Joan Redmond after battling all day with Carlow grasser Laura Farrell, and the Junior Cup to Jack Byrne, who brought his Special through from the back of the field in all his races.

More details of the charity can be found at www.suicideaware.ie

There weren't any class results, but if there had been, they might have looked something like this:

CLASS 1A (Hot Rods): 1st 101 Andy Foley 2nd 354 James Sinnott 3rd 19 Dylan Roche. CLASS 1B (Grassers): 1st 88 Vincent Hutton 2nd 211 Shane Farrell 3rd 300 Nick O'Leary. CLASS 2/FWD HOT RODS: 1st 196 Paul Boland 2nd 280 Colm Bulger 3rd 615 Billy Clince. RWD HOT RODS/SPECIALS: 1st 126 Daryl O'Connor 2nd 300 Mick Boland 3rd 777 James Lee. JUNIORS: 1st 97 Jack Byrne 2nd 101 Kyle Martin 3rd 111 Sean Foley. LADIES: 1st 74 Joan Redmond 2nd 1 Laura Farrell 3rd 615 Claire Boland.

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