Ringwood Unlimited UK Open 2017
Preview
Preview
By Jordan Hollands
This Saturday night will see Ringwood Raceway host the annual Unlimited National Banger UK Open title, as well as the John ‘Swampy’ Swanborough testimonial celebrating 20 years of him being behind the wheel of a Banger. Since its regeneration back in 2013, the meeting has constantly seen great car numbers with this year being no different. There are currently around 140 cars booked in, which in this day and age, is no mean feat. The list of drivers includes some of the sport’s biggest names and hardest hitters!
717 Jack Tuffen heads the entry after winning the 2017 Champion of Champions event last Saturday at Birmingham Wheels Raceway. Others booked in include; 2015 World Champion 617 Jack Overy who is joined by Kyle in 17 and 103 Jack Deacon who are representing Overy’s Team Black. Liam Lake (who is no stranger to winning races), 122 Mark Cooper Jnr, who has impressed since moving into the bangers from the Lightning Rods a couple of seasons ago, and 570 Jordan Cumming who has had another impressive season racing having qualified for the Banger World Final at Ipswich yet again. A driver of the past is also racing Saturday night in the shape of 550 Nathan Emery, who I believed last raced at the all MK1 and MK2 Granada meeting where he won one of the heat races on the night.
There are many names on that list who are more than capable of putting in a good hit too though. Charity heroes The Bears are booked in to race where they will probably be trying to stop the West Country hard-hitters of DWO, and if not them, I’m sure The Bears will find somebody else! 67 Rickie Beasley and 77 Paxti Beasley have both been displaying their wrecking attributes this season, most notably with the McPhilimey brothers of Dean and Neil. 246 Aston Burt is another who has had a great season racing some awesome cars and using them well too, he will be one to keep your eyes on.
All these are joined by 252 ‘Boogie’ Steven Bugler who is always found within the action somewhere. ‘Leadfoot’ 274 Tommy Grantham is making his debut at the meeting and I’m sure he’ll be his usual lively self. Tommy has impressed this year since making the step up from Spedeworth Domestic Bangers to the National’s. Team Sowter/Filmer are other attendees and are always up for a crash, so they will be ones to watch out for come race time Saturday night. And, not forgetting the man of the hour, 523 ‘Swampy’ John Swanborough who loves a crash!
Of course, there are another 100+ drivers booked in who are all more than capable of winning a race or putting in a great wrecking display. Looking back at the last couple of years, this meeting has the potential to be very lively. Mainly because it’s the last real chance to race an Unlimited in 2017 meaning drivers would love to finish off some cars they have before they build some new ones over the winter ready for January’s big meetings, including; Standlake’s annual Heavy Metal Classic, Kings Lynn’s annual Unlimited National Bangers Icebreaker, Mildenhall’s ‘shale shifter’ and also the 20th running of the Civil War North vs South team event held at Hednesford Hills Raceway. Of course, that’s not to say that some drivers won’t race a fresh car Saturday night and maybe even put in some extra effort too.
I’m sure Saturday will be a great night as the Banger season dies down as we get closer and closer to the Christmas period. I’d like to wish all drivers who are racing the best of luck Saturday night and everyone who’s going to watch, that they have a fantastic night too as for some, it may be there last meeting before Christmas!
717 Jack Tuffen heads the entry after winning the 2017 Champion of Champions event last Saturday at Birmingham Wheels Raceway. Others booked in include; 2015 World Champion 617 Jack Overy who is joined by Kyle in 17 and 103 Jack Deacon who are representing Overy’s Team Black. Liam Lake (who is no stranger to winning races), 122 Mark Cooper Jnr, who has impressed since moving into the bangers from the Lightning Rods a couple of seasons ago, and 570 Jordan Cumming who has had another impressive season racing having qualified for the Banger World Final at Ipswich yet again. A driver of the past is also racing Saturday night in the shape of 550 Nathan Emery, who I believed last raced at the all MK1 and MK2 Granada meeting where he won one of the heat races on the night.
There are many names on that list who are more than capable of putting in a good hit too though. Charity heroes The Bears are booked in to race where they will probably be trying to stop the West Country hard-hitters of DWO, and if not them, I’m sure The Bears will find somebody else! 67 Rickie Beasley and 77 Paxti Beasley have both been displaying their wrecking attributes this season, most notably with the McPhilimey brothers of Dean and Neil. 246 Aston Burt is another who has had a great season racing some awesome cars and using them well too, he will be one to keep your eyes on.
All these are joined by 252 ‘Boogie’ Steven Bugler who is always found within the action somewhere. ‘Leadfoot’ 274 Tommy Grantham is making his debut at the meeting and I’m sure he’ll be his usual lively self. Tommy has impressed this year since making the step up from Spedeworth Domestic Bangers to the National’s. Team Sowter/Filmer are other attendees and are always up for a crash, so they will be ones to watch out for come race time Saturday night. And, not forgetting the man of the hour, 523 ‘Swampy’ John Swanborough who loves a crash!
Of course, there are another 100+ drivers booked in who are all more than capable of winning a race or putting in a great wrecking display. Looking back at the last couple of years, this meeting has the potential to be very lively. Mainly because it’s the last real chance to race an Unlimited in 2017 meaning drivers would love to finish off some cars they have before they build some new ones over the winter ready for January’s big meetings, including; Standlake’s annual Heavy Metal Classic, Kings Lynn’s annual Unlimited National Bangers Icebreaker, Mildenhall’s ‘shale shifter’ and also the 20th running of the Civil War North vs South team event held at Hednesford Hills Raceway. Of course, that’s not to say that some drivers won’t race a fresh car Saturday night and maybe even put in some extra effort too.
I’m sure Saturday will be a great night as the Banger season dies down as we get closer and closer to the Christmas period. I’d like to wish all drivers who are racing the best of luck Saturday night and everyone who’s going to watch, that they have a fantastic night too as for some, it may be there last meeting before Christmas!