The pits were full for a sunny Easter Sunday at Northampton Shaleway, the now annual slot for the track’s staging of the Banger World Series. This year round 4 of that ilk. The material was on display, as had become precedent within the rounds previous. 360 Jack Reynolds topped the bill, taking the £1000 Car of the Meeting Award for his 1956 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman Coupe, with 1 Maarten Steenbekkers 1964 Cadillac Coupe DeVIlle also gaining a lot of attention. 323 Kieran Tweed continued his run of Ford Granadas, opting for a Mk2 Limo this time. YouTube star 243 Pete Osborne had a Chevrolet Caprice, revealed on his Allstar Garage channel that it was previously a police car. 662 Jamie Harding was another tooled with a yank; a Cadillac Sedan DeVille for him. There were a trio of big cats – 817 Toby Hodgkinson with a Series I XJ whilst 134 Scott Hanby and 318 Darrell Page had Series III variants. It wouldn’t be a BWS round without a sprinkling of Hearse and Limos – another 8 on top of Tweedy’s. 707 Alfie Nottingham returning his Cadillac Fleetwood Hearse from the Unlimited World Final which got a lot of attention, and 837 Martin Wesby had the first Mk4 Ford Mondeo Hearse. 02 Riley O’Sullivan completing the bill with a Mercedes W124 Coupe.
1 Maaten Steenbekkers – 1964 Cadillac Coupe DeVille
02 Riley O’Sullivan – Mercedes W124 Coupe
6 Troy Jones – Mercedes W210*
06 Thomas Rawsthorne – Jaguar X300
7 Aaron Charles – Lexus IS200
9 Tom Jordan – Jaguar X300
11 Harry Wells – Mercedes W202*
12(3) Rob Smith – Mercedes W210*
17 Anthony Baldwinson – Jaguar X300*
18 Ashley Law – Jaguar X300*
23 Sonny Parsons – Lexus IS200*
24 Patrick Hughes – Jaguar X300
27 Dale Hughes – Mercedes W210*
32 Callum Reed – Mercedes W210 Estate
(1)33 Terry Hill – Mercedes W210
36 Ricky Lewis – Lexus IS200
(7)43 Daniel Hansford – Mercedes W210 Estate*
55 Ben Williams – Jaguar X300
58 Joe Brown – Ford Scorpio Hearse
62 Harvey Webb – Jaguar X300
77 Patxi Beasley – Jaguar 420G*
84 Jack Ansell – Mercedes W210 Estate
89 Joe Barrett – Ford Scorpio*
91 Kelvin Cole – Mk5 Lincoln Continental*
(1)95 David Forrest – Jaguar X300*
99 Scott Gough – Jaguar XJ40*
100 Callum White – Jaguar X300*
101 Cieran Harmer – Jaguar X300*
103 Jack Deacon – Jaguar X300*
105 Lewis Tompkins – Mercedes W210*
114 Liam Lake – Mercedes W210 Estate*
121 Ronnie Hawkins – Mercedes W210 Estate*
122 Mark Cooper – Lexus IS200*
128 Gareth Todd – Mercedes W210 Hearse
130 Joe Gladden – Mercedes W210 Estate*
132 Jack Wyatt – Mercedes W210*
133 Ben Wyatt – Jaguar X300*
134 Scott Hanby – Jaguar XJ Series III
143 Dan Rose – Mercedes W210*
146 Daniel Wigman – Volvo 9 Series Hearse
159 Darren Scarrow – Mk2 Lexus GS300
169 James Rushton – Mercedes W210 Estate
171 Tommy West – Mercedes W210
174 Tom Lindgren – Mercedes W210*
177 Lewis Ivatt – Mercedes W210*
178 Ruud van Kuijk – Volvo 240 Estate*
182 Reece Tingle – Jaguar X300*
183 Mitchell Banton – Mercedes W210 Estate
195 Reece Marsh – Mercedes W210
196 Jack Marsh – Mercedes W210 Estate*
198 Lucas Wyatt – Mercedes W210 Estate
199 Shady Gough – Jaguar XJ40*
208 PJ Collins – Mercedes W210 Estate
215 Leonard Dunn – Mercedes W210
224 Lewis Canham – Mercedes W210 Estate*
229 Harry Cobb – Mercedes W202*
239 Steven Carter – Jaguar X300
243 Pete Osborne – Chevrolet Caprice
246 Oliver Smith – Jaguar X300
247 Lee Clarke – Volvo 240 Estate*
249 Ryan Guppy – Ford Scorpio*
252 Steven Bugler – Mercedes W210
262 Robert Bugler – Mercedes W210*
264 Mark Welland – Jaguar XJ40
278 Shaun Brokenshire – Volvo 240 Estate*
281 Lewis Tingle – Mercedes W210 Estate*
284 James Head – Mercedes CLK*
285 Iain Nicklin – Jaguar X300
298 Sam Wyatt – Ford Scorpio Estate*
299 Thomas Callaghan – Mercedes W210 Estate*
301 Jack Botfield – Jaguar X300*
309 Michael Lane – Ford Scorpio*
318 Darrell Page – Jaguar XJ Series III
323 Kieran Tweed – Mk2 Ford Granada Limo
325 Josh Hanser – Volvo 740 Estate*
327 Mick Maskell Jnr – Mercedes W210 Estate*
333 Charlie Randell – Mercedes W210 Estate
341 Andrew Jones – Jaguar X300
348 Sonny Sherwood – Jaguar X300*
349 Lewis Price – Daimler XJ3000 Limousine
350 Liam Webster – Mercedes W210*
353 Sean Mullins – Mercedes W210*
360 Jack Reynolds – 1956 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman Coupe
362 Johnny James – Mk3 Toyota Supra*
363 Billy Jarvis – Mercedes W210*
369 Steve Nicholls – Jaguar X300*
372 James Cable – Mercedes W210 Limo*
380 Lee Hopkins – Jaguar X300*
402 Wesley Spijker – Volvo 240 Estate* (DNR)
414 Jimmy Craig – Jaguar X300
421 Josh Mayo – Vauxhall Omega*
438 Reece Yemm – Jaguar X300*
440 Macaulay Mills – Mercedes W210*
444 Charlie Jackson – Mercedes W210*
454 Dean Lewis – Mercedes W210*
455 Ricki Finney – Mk3 Toyota Supra*
456 Nathan Roberts – Ford Scorpio*
459 Blake Platts – Ford Scorpio*
506 Danny Mitchell – Mercedes W210 Estate*
508 Bart Douma – Jaguar S-Type*
516 Callum Gould – Daimler XJ3000 Hearse
517 Rylee Taylor – Jaguar X300*
521 Ashley Riley – Mercedes S204*
523 John Swanborough – Jaguar XJ40
526 Jack Denikiewicz – Ford Scorpio*
528 Alan Hunt – Mercedes W210*
536 Harry Barwell – Mercedes W210 Estate*
542 Craig Oliver – Volvo 740 Estate
548 Alex Utting – Mk3 Toyota Supra*
555 Harry Gelsthorpe – Mercedes W210
570 Jordan Cumming – Mercedes W210 Estate*
577 Alfie Lee – Mercedes W210 Estate*
585 Luke Holdsworth – Mercedes W210 Estate*
617 Jack Overy – Ford Scorpio*
620 Rhys Medley – Jaguar X300*
624 Liam Hide – Mercedes W210*
625 Joshua Gooch – Jaguar X300
639 Tye Williams – Mk3 Toyota Supra*
662 Jamie Harding – Cadillac Sedan DeVille
670 Max Eaton – Jaguar XK8*
673 Darren Fendley – Jaguar XJ40*
678 Alex Ward – BMW E90*
692 Callum Gubbey – Mercedes W210*
696 Ashley Rawlings – Mercedes W210 Estate*
699 Stacey Holdsworth – Mercedes W210 Estate*
701 Riley Marsh – Mercedes W210 Estate*
704 Tommy Turner – Jaguar X300
706 Alfie Turner – Mercedes W210 Estate
707 Alfie Nottingham – Cadillac Fleetwood Hearse*
710 Cameron McBain – Jaguar X300
714 Paul Smaldon – Mercedes W210
717 Jack Tuffen – Ford Scorpio Estate*
720 Kenny Gabriel – Jaguar X300
733 Ricky Stroud – Mercedes W210*
739 Jason Moore – Ford Scorpio*
742 Toby Parfitt – Mercedes W210*
743 Josh Parfitt – Jaguar X300*
747 Bradley Dee – Mk4 Ford Mondeo Estate*
750 Rhys Parrin – Mercedes W210
817 Toby Hodgkinson – Jaguar XJ Series I
820 Martyn Perkins – Mercedes W210*
834 George Hughes – Jaguar X300*
837 Martin Wesby – Mk4 Ford Mondeo Hearse
887 Robert Browning – Ford Scorpio*
902 Matthew Nicholl – BMW E90*
920 Terry Church – Mercedes W210*
999 John Picton – Jaguar X300*
The heats were split in quarters, with 577 Alfie Lee and 196 Jack Marsh securing the front row. 198 Lucas Wyatt was one of several Posh Wash drivers competing in the race, making his adult debut since graduating Junior Bangers. 743 Daniel Hansford, 678 Alex Ward and 169 James Rushton were among early spinners as drivers looked to get into their rhythm. 720 Kenny-Joe Gabriel rejoined from a spin and was immediately sent into another one by 624 Liam Hide. 639 Tye Williams sent 678 Wardy around. The younger Wyatt’s, 198 Lucas and 132 Jack tripped over another, as 369 Steve Nicholls delivered a head on to the spun Wardy. 349 Lewis Price used his Limo to do the spun 284 James Head on the nose. 369 Nicholls went in on 902 Matthew Nicholl, as 743 DH had another spin. 639 Tye Pirate spun 36 Ricky Lewis before 887 Rob Browning did the same to 348 Sonny Sherwood. 837 Martin Wesby tangled with 11 Harry Wells, which left him sat prone at the end of the home straight with 662 Jamie Harding taking the opportunity to blast the Mondeo Hearse. 58 Joe Brown jacked Harding. 229 Harry Cobb took the win, before 199 Shaydy Gough ploughed into 837 Wes.
229, 262, 639, 99, 196, 577, 298, 133, 348, 32
Riot Squad entertainer 128 Gareth Todd found himself on pole with 701 Riley Marsh accompanying him on the front row. Marsh shot in to the early lead, whilst 323 Kieran Tweed came under fire from 7 Aaron Charles. 301 Jack Botfield spun and came under fire from 101 Cieran Harmer. Harmer then delivered a front wheel shot to 7 Aario after the latter had attacked 100 Callum White. 301 Garfield spun 750 Rhys Parrin, which teed the Aftermath driver up for a shot over the rear wheel from 523 John Swanborough. Swampy copped a head on himself from 333 Charlie Randell. The pair exchanged another hit, before 252 Steven Bugler delivered a follow in to 123 Rob Smith. The red flags came out to check on Smith. The race resumed 701 Nuisance still leading from 281 Lewis Tingle and 6 Troy Jones. 195 Reece Marsh set about 333 Chaz, and came under fire himself from 252 Boogie. 301 Garfield went on the attack, putting the bumper in on 243 Pete Osborne before doing the spun 517 Rylee Taylor head on. Bodja looked to land a hit on Garfield, but the latter managed to reverse out of the way with the tiniest of margins. 701 Marsh took the win in a flag to flag victory.
701, 620, 6, 133, 617, 440, 362, 174, 281, 517
Heat 3 saw 285 Iain Nicklin and 325 Josh Hanser off the front row. 23 Sonny Parsons put the bumper in on 62 Harvey Webb sending him around. 06 Tommy Rawsthorne found 710 Cameron McBain for a shot along the back straight. 516 Callum Gould went on oppo, and on the first attempt failed to connect with anybody, but copped 246 Oliver Smith over the front wheel on the second occasion. 1 Maarten Steenbekkers did Gouldy Jnr on the nose whilst 817 Toby Hodgkinson was being set about. 134 Scott Hanby ran 360 Jack Reynolds through 143 Dan Rose. 696 Ashley Rawlings piled into Gouldy Jnr on oppo, as 06 Tommy leathered 710 Rugrat with a couple of stiff shots. 521 Ashley Riley finished 817 Screwloose off, leaving the Jaguar well wrecked. 360 Jackstar weighed in on Ace Ash, with 143 Rose going in on Jackstar. 3 Litre revenge was swift with 380 Lee Hopkins jacking Rose. Damage Inc young gun 325 Mushy Boi raced to the win.
325, 309, 414, 130, 444, 570, 380, 742, 121, 177
The fourth and final heat saw 421 Josh Mayo and 341 Andrew Jones take off from the front row, and it was Jonesey that took the immediate lead. 103 Jack Deacon had an early spin on his return to racing. 506 Danny Mitchell spun 89 Joe Barrett, before 159 Darren Scarrow got bounced about on turn 3 and 4. 733 Ricky Stroud cementing his fate with a solid shot. 27 Dale Hughes spun 714 Paul Smaldon, as 341 Jonesey raced to a strong win.
341, 421, 327, 699, 528, 89, 122, 555, 114, 239
The first of two Consolation races began with 249 Ryan Guppy getting turned fence-wards. 820 Martyn Perkins spun 58 Brown, and 55 Ben Williams suffered the same feat courtesy of 299 Tommy Callaghan. 247 Lee Clarke spun 348 Sonny Sherwood, before 252 Boogie had a pop at 58 Brown. 9 Tom Jordan delivered a solid follow in to 887 Rob Browning, the latter catching a post on turn 3 which lead to his Scorpio snapping strangely, bringing a red flag out. 548 Alex Utting lead at this stage from 177 Lewis Ivatt and 673 Darren Fendley. 252 Boogie latched on to 372 James Cable, with Cable glancing around the turn 1 and 2 plating. 243 Pete Osborne turned it around, with 624 Liam Hide meeting the wrath of the Chevrolet. Bodja then delivered a head on to 215 Leonard Dunn. 349 Noddy jacked 624 Lossy Jnr. 58 Brown got onto the back of Noddy using the momentum to bounce him off the armco. 55 Shifty also went in on Lossy Jnr. 349 Noddy turned it around, with 58 Brown meeting him as the pair exchanged a solid head on. 252 Boogie jacked Brown splintering the 58 Hearse. 743 Josh Parfitt and 55 Shifty got caught in the melee, allowing 318 Darrell Page to go in for a shot on Parfitt. 183 Mitch Banton weighed in on Pagey, as Mildenhall Points Champion 673 Dazza took the victory.
673, 177, 284, 999, 548, 247, 32, 132, 902, 208
There were several early spinners at the start of the second Consolation. 77 Patxi Beasley spun 834 George Hughes. 360 Jackstar got turned around by the pack and had 24 Patrick Hughes ran into him. 130 Gladden landed a shot on 100 Cock who was recovering from an earlier spin, whilst 750 Young Greasy put the bumper in on 414 Jimmy Craig. The race came to a pause courtesy of a yellow flag; 456 Nathan Roberts leading at the time of the stoppage. The race resumed with 707 Alfie Nottingham pressuring 62 Harvey Webb, Nottingham’s big Cadillac Hearse nearly tipping on to two wheels as they entered turn 3. 100 Cock and Spedeworth Points Champion 455 Ricki Finney tangled along the home straight, leaving Finney open to a head on from 720 Kenzo. He was jacked in turn by 128 Toddy, who was splintered by a shot from 278 Shaun Brokenshire. 146 Dan Wgman and Dutchman 402 Wesley Spijker joined in the fray, before 353 Sean Mullins ploughed into 278 Bean. 252 Boogie delivered a rear wheel shot to Mullins. 171 Westy Jnr spun World Champion 459 Blake Platts, before 707 Fonzo attacked 625 Gucci on oppo with a tbone which rolled the TWT man on to his side creating an impressive auto-sculpture. Gucci lucky to only cop a glancing roof shot from 517 Taylor as the cars around diverted to avoid. 105 Tompkins now lead them away. 662 Harding spun 438 Reece Yemm. 363 Billy Jarvis also had a spin, courtesy of 171 Westy Jnr. 662 Harding stopped 285 Iain Nicklin on oppo, with 278 Bean weighing in on The Demons driver. 171 Westy Jnr taking the win.
171, 105, 77, 32, 132, 455, 717, 820, 750, 17
All four heat winners were placed onto the infield just in front of the pit gate as they awaited their destiny in the coin toss. 229 Cobby Jnr and 701 Nuisance winning the toss, meaning they started from the front row whilst 325 Mushy Boi and 341 Jonesey were sent to the back. The race got off to a fast tempo from the offset, with many eager to make early moves to head up the order. 327 Mick Maskell Jnr spun 620 Rhys Medley, and 999 John Picton did the same to 89 Panda. 177 Ivatt had 444 Charlie Jackson around, and was taken to the infield himself by 341 Jonesey. 229 Cobby Jnr’s charge came to an end as he spun tangling with the back-marking DWO man leaving 701 Nuisance out front to what looked like a comfortable lead. 177 Ivatt had 444 Chaz around again, before the back-marking 171 Westy Jnr spun 701 Nuisance. This handed the lead to 673 Dazza, with Nuisance making a swift recovery back in to second place. 114 Liam Lake quickly dealt with 440 Macauley Mills, spinning his BRCM counterpart to the infield. A tangle on the exit of turn 4 between 743 Parfitt, 699 Stacey Holdsworth and 239 Steve Carter left the DWO man open to a shot from 252 Boogie. 673 Darren Fendley raced to the win, booking his spot in the main race for the seventh time. 701 Riley Marsh holding on to second after his spin with 577 Alfie Lee taking third.
673, 701, 577, 327, 262, 570, 174, 99, 421, 555
Straight into the first Showdown, which saw 17 Anthony Baldwinson attack the Hearse of 516 Gouldy Jnr. 246 Smithy drove through Gouldy Jnr in a revenge attack from earlier in the meeting, with 369 Nicholls also going in on the latter seeing them all come to a stop near the fence on the entrance to turn 1. 318 Pagey ran 55 Shifty into the pile up, with 58 Brown jacking Pagey. This left Brown sat nicely for a big shot from 134 Toady, taking the roof completely off the hearse ultimately leading to a red flag. 820 Maggot lead them off, but was soon passed by 548 Big Al for the lead. Maggot continued to stay with the Damage Inc man, and reclaimed the lead, spinning 369 Nicholls out of his way before coming up to 247 Bro who did well to hold off Maggot and allow Big Al to go back into the lead and open up a sizeable gap. 198 Lucas met the spun 555 Harry Gelsthorp in a solid head on. 195 Dave Forrestt coming off the infield to drive through Dirty Harry on oppo. The chequrered flag waved on 548 Big Al, but a recheck of the lap sheets saw that 570 Dino Jnr and 739 Jason Moore had both passed him earlier in the race seeing Jordan handed the victory.
570, 739, 548, 820, 902, 459, 369, 747, 17, 717
Showdown 2 started in chaotic fashion. With the front row not far off the back row once they got rolling. 837 Wes found himself stranded at the end of the back straight with 516 Gouldy Jnr more than game to plant himself in the back. 243 Bodja delivered a huge shot to Gouldy Jnr in what will be remembered as one of the biggest crashes of modern time, and one of the scariest too, as the yank destroyed the hearse and ended up perched on top of the full cage. The reds came out as 521 Ace Ash copped a hit from a Barton Boys driver whilst trying to park up to check on young Gouldy. All drivers exited with smiles on their faces, to an ovation from the crowd whilst fibreglass filled the air. The restart saw 169 Lego take a pop at 521 Ace Ash and 341 Jonesey rattle 298 Sam Wyatt around the plating. 743 DH was left stranded on turn 3, with 743 Parfitt going in on his number counterpart. 349 Noddy weighed in on 105 Tompkins, whilst 750 Young Greasy took shots from 625 Gucci and 62 Webb, the latter one a solid head on. 100 Cock and 101 Charmer joined the fray, with 523 Swampy driving through Charmer’s rear wheel. 742 Parfitt jacked 349 Noddy, with 414 Craig going in on Young Greasy. 252 Boogie ran 134 Toady into Craig. 243 Bodja jacked 743 DH and took one himself from 670 Max Eaton. 517 Taylor drove through Eaton, before 239 Nemesis jacked Bodja. 742 Parfitt went on the attack with hits to Nemesis and 169 Lego, as 414 Craig leathered 100 Cock on oppo. 195 Grenade Dave went in on 239 Nemesis, with the DWO man copping another from 55 Shifty. 62 Webb jacked 101 Charmer, and copped one himself from the lively 742 Parfitt. 278 Bean weighed in on Webb, before 262 Roona spun 673 Dazza for the lead, denying the Mildenhall representative of the double prize money. 333 Chaz had a pop at 523 Swampy, before stopping 122 Mark Cooper Jnr head on. 262 Roona took the win as the action was allowed to continue. 333 Chaz blasted 122 Cooper Jnr on oppo, and then came under attention from 278 Bean, who also took a pop at 301 Garfield before the reds came out.
262, 506, 673, 577, 122, 620, 24, 325, 309, 333
This left 577 Fonzo top of the points standings, although his fate already sealed by his Ipswich Wildcard win. 639 Tye Pirate only a point behind in second and 617 Jack Overy third, in a very tightly contested table. 349 Noddy heads the Entertainer League with 243 Bodja and 516 Gouldy Jnr hot on his heals after the three impressed all meeting. The Banger World Series heads to Arlington Stadium for round 5 on Saturday 23rd May.
