A rare non-winter Sunday session for us here at the Adrian Flux Arena, and it looks set to be a top day of action with strong numbers booked in throughout with a bit of Banger and Stock Car racing for you.
The 1600 Bangers have shown why the slight switch in rules at the start of the season was implemented with a strong showing at the annual Icebreaker event in February, followed by a top domestic in mid March. 349 Daniel Copland emerged from that fixture at the top of the National Championship qualifying points after a good set of results which saw him take the Final win. Daniel will be looking to revisit that form after a couple of luckless meetings on the tarmac, and is certainly capable of being among the front-runners again. Youngster 713 Oscar Preston made his debut here last month in the 1600s and raced to a dominant victory in Heat 2. ‘Oskie’ is another breakthrough driver from the highly competitive Junior Banger class and is one to keep an eye out for as the season progresses. 275 Joel Bond was the other heat winner last time out, and is was great to see him on victory lane, making a change from him being on the entertainer front and it will be interesting to see if he adopts the racing approach. 30 Brandon Mayes is a driver that excels in this class. He currently sits second in the National qualifying series with other top pilots 69 Brad Bartram and 479 Joel Allen on his heels, and you’d expect the trio to feature among the business end of the field today.
910 Jack Rookard has already opened up a strong margin at the top of the 1600 Entertainers ranks after a lively showing here last time out which included a Destruction Derby win. He will be looking to build on that, so expect to see him throwing the front bumping in and upsetting a few of the front-runners in their bid for points. We’ve mentioned 69 Brad Bartram’s driving ability, but he can crash with the best of them also and won’t be shy of getting stuck in if the results aren’t going his way. 256 Joshua Gilbert was in lively spirits last time out, and will certainly begin to make a name for himself if he continues with those kind of performances. It has been great to see the rejuvenation of the Stanley Crew – 223 Brett Harrison has always been an entertaining driver and has showcased that with his displays since returning at the start of the year. 51 James Licquorice doesn’t pop up in the 1600 class as much as we would like to see him these days, but he is the current leader of the Trackstar Entertainer Points which has perhaps spurred him on to appear today. He will be looking to get involved from the first green flag – could we see ‘The Duck’ on the World Final grid come October?! 39 Ryan Knibbs and 260 Ricky Hodson were other drivers keen for a crash back in March and will be among the others looking to liven things up today.
The schedule has been relentless for the Saloon Stock Cars recently, and we thank those that have put the effort in to be with us on the Norfolk shale this afternoon. Multiple champions are set to feature with National Points Champion 349 Michael Allard, European Champion 131 Timmy Barnes and World of Shale Champion 120 Luke Dorling set to be joined by German visitor and World Cup Champion 153 Nick Antwerpen. 389 Ryan Santry was a heat winner here on Easter Saturday and is always a top performer here at Kings Lynn; you’ll expect to see him at the business end of the field. 341 Austen Freestone had a good night of results on their last outing also, taking the final win, and it will be interesting to see whether he is out for more of the same or whether his battle with 474 Michael Kent will continue. Kent himself has been a winner here on more than one occasion this year. 161 Billy Smith, 129 Will Morphey and 177 Chris Masters have been on a good run of form and will look to keep that momentum. A couple of names making a guest appearance in the formula that you’d usually associate with Bangers are 777 Harry Ovens and 844 Zack Button and they’ll be looking to get as much laps in as possible.
The 1300 Stock Cars have put performances in that rival their bigger cousins, and are always reliable to be called upon for some exciting races. 502 Tyler Bloomfield has been the man to beat, relishing starting at the front of the field and getting strong results seeing him head the points but he has now been upgraded to the blue grade so we shall see how he fairs. 535 Connor Sheldrake is hot on his heels and looks absolutely rapid in his Vauxhall Adam currently. He recently took a final win and has been upgraded to the superstar grade for today. Veteran racer 673 John Moat shows no signs of age out on track – he was the final winner last time out. 13 Sonny Wright, 441 Reece Legrice, 764 Connor Spall and 888 Jeff Larke have also taken the chequered flag recently, whilst good performances from 382 Joe Bamford, 401 Riley Shinn and 460 Garry Lusher have seen them move up to the yellows.
Completing the bill is the Classic Cars R Us Junior Bangers. The formula represents the next generation coming through the ranks in such a positive limelight. We have already witnessed 7 different race winners this season, with 08 Taylor Morton having no difficulty finding his feet after making his debut earlier in the year. He is topping the points currently after an impressive run of form and he is closely followed by 669 William Cartwright who has more than come into his own this season. William took victory in the 2023 White & Yellows Championship held here on their last appearance in a smartly presented Ford Fiesta and will be keen to keep that momentum rolling. 329 Jayden Carter and 85 Jade Ellis looked to have matured over the winter break and have come back to showcase some real driving ability and look set to be points contenders so keep an eye on them. It was great to see 478 Morgan Bailey take his first ever win here last time out. The Predators youngster has been chipping away at results and that win was certainly due and he’ll be hoping for more silverware. 753 Tommy-Joe Cunningham is another of the race winners here this season and was lucky enough to be one of the seven drivers that were transported to Skegness Raceway last weekend by TikTok star Trucker Tim who has been a welcomed guest here on several occasions. Trackstar Points Champion 750 Rhys Parrin was another of those on the lorry. He is grafting away at points whilst 455 Lexi Finney continues to showcase why she is among the top drivers in the formula. 920 Rhys Medley was another debutee earlier in the year and has been a welcome addition to the formula with some strong performances so far. Little 339 Jack Garrod Jnr will be a star to watch. Still only in his early stages of the Junior formula, Jack has remained among the blue graders and battling with the best of them with a race win already this season to boot. The future is certainly bright with this crop of youngsters coming through the ranks.
It promises to be a top day of racing, and we hope you enjoy your Sunday afternoon at the Adrian Flux Arena.
Meeting Previews
Kings Lynn – 6/5/24 – ‘The Draft’ – Meeting Preview
