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Welcome
to everyone today as we see the 33rd running of “WARTON STOCK
CAR CHAMPIONSHIPS” all the classes today will be racing for their silver tops which they keep for a year. This also
means that they start every race from the last place on the grid along side the Gold top points champ. Good luck to all Warton
drivers.
The
last meeting saw most of the top drivers consolidate their grid positions with two exceptions, #19 up one and #672 up two
well done to Michael Bell and Steve Fawcett
ON
TRACK..
A
quick look back at the last meeting…..Heat 1 and it was #22 John Harris who took the win after #19 and #106 had a coming
together early on, with #19 side lined it was down to the other red tops to chase down the fast moving “Dentist”
#230 a last bend attack by the Harris bros. was enough to steal away a win from Mr. Mayer dropping him back to a well earned 3rd. Heat 2 and total domination by the “Earthquake” after
#106 was attacked by the outer wall. Who knows what happened to Ian but I’m sure the wall jumped out and dragged him
in, a costly mistake as by the end of the day he was only 6 points adrift from pole position for today’s big race. Wayne
went on to lap every driver in the race. The Final saw #234 emerge for the first and only time of the day with the Gary Love
car, the car sounded great for a few laps then expired leaving #230 to take up the lead but a fast moving #106 was soon past
him and leading the race with Richard Harris and Wayne Clarke chasing him down. As they crossed the line #106 1st….#
808 2nd…..# 24 3rd. The GN was an #808 race from
the get go as #106 had a one lap handicap for winning the final. It looked at one stage that #230 was on for a win but his
engine let go big time on the home straight, lets hope a replacement can be found for today.
IN
THE PITS
Concern
in the pits as only 14 stockcars turned out, maybe it was a case of I don’t want the damage to repair before championship
day .. let’s hope so. A new car on the grid so late on in the season is
very unusual so a little surprise to see #255 Sean Bickley with a very smartly turned out car. Sean raced a few seasons ago
totally destroyed his car against our famous steel wall let’s hope for a bit more luck this time Sean. “Benny”
#5 was in the pits but should have been racing at the last meeting. A last minute glitch on Sunday morning meant that he was
a viewer for the day. He will be on the grid today for the “BIG UN” looking to remove all opposition and re-paint
his roof for 2009. Johnny Egg has new wheels, I’m not sure if his ex Wrennall car will be ready for today but we should
have a debut before the end of the season, it seems the old car has tasted the outer wall for the last time. Whatever the
outcome today the “Earthquake” car will have a new roof colour as it has a new owner, I will let you guess who
that might be………..no not me,(I wish). Still a rumour runs around the pits that last years champ #658 Dean
Mason might just turn up and defend his title and be the first ever 3 time winner, lets hope so. Well I think that’s
it for me I am hoping to be on the grid today, if so give us a cheer if not cheer on “Team Lordy”..# 777 and #
234. Enjoy today’s racing and have a safe journey home keep the racing on the track!
Yours
in sport Glenn Lord S/C #80
Email
lordy80@hotmail.co.uk
Web
http://lordy80.tripod.com
Round 7 - Bay Classic
Well it’s June already and
6 rounds of the Warton domestic season have passed us by. Today’s meeting chalks up round 7 and is sponsored by Bay
Radio, on 96.9 fm. So as valued customers we welcome you all to our Warton Raceway.
At the last meeting we hosted
one of BRISCA F2s World Championship qualifying rounds and we were treated to some excellent racing. It attracted some big
names in the sport all looking to secure vital points and a place in one of two world semi- finals which are held later in
the year. After 2 visits here the secret must be out that Warton is a great place to drive or view and with non stop action
they won’t be able to wait for August 3rd and their next visit.
On track….
Heat 1 and eighteen cars lined up on the grid but nestling amongst the yellows was a new number in an old car, #5 is Graham
Bentham in the ex Ace 2007 car. It soon became apparent that he was on a mission not only winning heat one, but heat two and
the final giving him 44 points for the day, not bad ‘Benny’. Heat 2 will be remembered for the carnage and not
the racing. Firstly Ace #234 trying to pass ‘Scooby’ Pete #555 during an almighty tank slap found himself airborne
then earthbound as he rode the outer wall. Both cars had major damage and were retired for the day. A testament to the strength
of the stock cars is that both drivers walked away with only their pride hurt. Not to be outdone Johnny Egg #533 managed to
scatter the drivers and marshals on the infield as he and Dave Crane #512 left the asphalt at a great rate of knots almost
reaching the inner safety area. As the race drew to a close Charlie Shaw #112 decided he too wanted some chance at winning “Best wreck of H2 trophy” and launched his car onto my bonnet, its strange
that all these accidents happened at the same place on the track…. spooky!!….. I think the only winners in this
race were the photographers! (These pictures can be seen elsewhere in the programme and on the net.) The final was a much
tamer affair ‘Benny’ # 5 was away chassed by Mr.Barton #106 but was never caught, a great drive from Ste Fawcett
# 672 meant that another trophy for mum to polish as he passed #533 the ‘Pink Peril’ towards the end of the race
to take 3rd. The G.N. must have been as frustrating for ‘Benny’ as it was for me, after avoiding a
far corner accident I managed to grab a ½ lap lead but out came the yellows and the rest of the cars closed up the gap, but
for some reason the start marshal kept #5
as leader when in fact he started one lap down and should have been allowed to roll round to the back of the pack…the
final result was a win for #251 Roland Kelsall, me Lordy #80 2nd and last years Gold top Mick Greenwood #330, 3rd.
In the pits…..The
‘Earthquake’ #808 broke his suspension for the second meeting in a row but after gaining enough points in heat
1 and heat 2 he stays ahead of the table with 8 points lead over Richard Harris #24. John Harris #22 was on “nil-points”
as his engine was running sick, by this week it should have had a trip to the Dyno-man and be back on song. Walking round
the pits I bumped into a few of our regular drivers who have been sidelined, hopefully they will be racing today. ‘The
dentist’ #230 Ian Maher, has all but rebuilt his stock car after bending it in half at the War of the Roses meeting.
Warton stock car silver top #658 Dean Mason tells me his back problems are the cause of his absence from racing this season,
he tells me that a scan later in the year will determine whether he will make a return for the 2009/10 calender. Ex-stocker
driver Phil Clegg #91 was having flaskbacks whilst watching #234 Ace bouncing along the outer wall, but don’t worry
Phil your are still the ‘multi roll’ champ of the stock cars!
10 years
and 262 days!!... is this a record? Not only did she win a race but followed it with a convincing win in ‘The final’.
Jayne Barton #104, is already an accomplished horsewoman and now has become Warton’s youngest ever final winner!! Congratulations
from all the drivers at Warton and a special request……. Jayne, at 16 years please move into the senior minis.
And finally…..
A quick at look over the statistics tells us that there are thirty stock car drivers racing regularly at Warton, if they all
manage three meetings before championship day then we could have an absolute cracker! So come on the drivers below you fall
short of the required three meetings, make sure you get those appearances in and don’t miss out on a great days racing.
Needing one more meeting are #5
Benny Bentham, #717 Mark Duckett, and Jack Lord. In need of two meetings are new boy #60 Mr Fletcher, #101 James Hayhurst,
and #52 Derek Twist. Hope you enjoy today’s racing and have a safe journey
home. Yours in sport, Glenn Lord S/C 80.
Email lordy80@hotmail.co.uk
Web. http://lordy80.tripod.com/
“West Coast Classic” - Round 6
Well here we are again and welcome to Warton Raceway. Its round six
of our stock car Championship and drivers are starting to look towards Championship day. All points scored up to and including
the “Club Classic” (Aug. 24th) will decide where each driver starts on the grid for the one –off
Championship race. The winner sports the coveted Silver roof for a full season! Alas last year’s winner, Dean Mason
#658 has yet to race this season but as last years Champion he has the option of a back row start to defend his title, and
you never know he just might surprise us all and take this option. Although my spies tell me that his car is for sale.
On track…. Last meeting’s
sponsor “Gadbury Auto salvage” AKA Ian Barton #106 decided that as they were his trophies he was going to try
and win them all back. Well, he managed to take the final trophy and almost took the G.N. from a lap down, an excellent days
racing and a 46 point haul on the day, not bad for his first meeting of the year!! Wayne “Earthquake” Clarke’s
#808 day ended in tears with a broken front suspension and steering rack. He managed to collect 9 pts from heat one which
keeps him at the top of the points table. Up to second spot comes the on form Richard Harris #24 with a heat and G.N. win,
and he moves within ten points and striking distance of Wayne. The final and what a final it was, after a race restart, thanks
to me and Jamie McCann #17 attacking the marshal’s post we were treated to a cracker of a race, I was almost glad to
be stuck on the infield because I wouldn’t want to have missed watching the rest of the race. Ian Barton #106 and Ric
Harris #24 had a race long battle with Ace #234 getting in on the act for the last five laps. It could have been anyone’s
race as the lead swapped lap after lap. It was inevitable that someone was going to draw a short straw and on this occasion
#24 hooked up and spun 180 degrees across the pit bend, #106 was away chased by Ace who after clipping the stricken Ric Harris’s
car was himself chased down by Michael Bell #19. As he had an inside back tyre almost off the rim, Ace did well to hold onto
2nd place. I have to say one of the best finals here at Warton for a while; maybe all three drivers should have
taken a cheer from the pace car!
As I have written already Ian Barton #106 came close to winning the Grand National from
a lap down. The race was yellow flagged to get the stricken car of Michael Bell #19 off the racing line, a good call from
the officials especially as the stock cars were on the pace all day and safety should always come first. At the restart and
with Ric Harris’s #24 car bogging down I managed to lead the race for all of fifty yards, I knew that #24 and #106 were
going get past but was determind to hold on to third place. This wasn’t easy as Mick Greenwood #330 in his Chevy powered
F2 was looming large in the mirror but the final lap came too quick and I took third………. phew!
Pit talk….. A few long
faces in the pits at the end of the last meeting. After the G.N. #230 Ian Maher’s car looked in a bad way as the chassis
had broken in half following a racing incident which saw him bounce off the wall. Another accident on the track brought out
the yellow flags and although Maher continued to race after the restart his engine let go big time on the last lap. At the
time of writing I’m not sure exactly how much is fixable! Mark Duckett #717 raced heat 1 and 2 but then dropped a valve
in the pits, a new engine required? Rookie driver Paul Jenkinson #70 should have rebuilt the body work for today after Mick
Greenwood #330 tried to park his Chevy powered stock car on his bonnet, you may have noticed his air cleaner bouncing down
the track. Danny Kirkman #40 has finally secured some new sponsorship but first needs a new aerofoil to put his sponsor’s
name on after Johnny Egg #533 almost climbed over Danny’s roof. Lady luck wasn’t with him in the G.N. either as
his engine expired towards the end of the race! The question is that with some big offs maybe #40
is trying for the best action picture of 2008 and with three entries already this year it looks like it’s a shoo-in
Danny! DJ Mc Jason Yeates who was commentating here at Warton a few meetings
ago borrowed his old car from Gary Love #69 and took home a trophy after winning heat 1 but engine problems plagued him for
the rest of the day.
And Finally….. I’d
like to give a Warton Welcome to the spectators from my home town who after visiting my stock car display at the local primary
school have decided to check out the action.
Joining us today are the BRISCA F2 racers here again for the second time this year, as
it’s a qualifying round the club is expecting a big turn out and big names. Plenty of action is expected from these
2 ltr Ford Pinto powered cars, all vying for a place in the National Semi finals later in the year. Good luck to all the drivers
in all the classes, and to you the spectators…… enjoy today’s racing, and drive home safely.
Some stock car sites to look @ when you get home..
www.wartononline.com
http://lordy80.tripod.com www.dk40.com www.BriscaF1Stoxpics.co.uk
and remember any gossip send ime an email @ lordy80@hotmail.co.uk
“Warton of the Roses” Round 5
Welcome to Warton Raceway for round 5 of our stock car championships. The sponsors today are Gadbury Auto
Salvage of Morecambe. Look closely and you can find the Gadbury logo on Ian Barton’s #106 stock car and young Jayne
Barton’s ministox. So far this season it’s been Jayne carrying the flag let’s hope dad Ian is back soon.
On track……
Heat 1 was a bit slippy after earlier showers, and ok I know pirouettes are meant for the stage, however I was happy all the
red tops missed me and I was able to continue racing. Not so for “the dentist” #230 Ian Maher, who mounted the
infield curb and ripped off the “A” frame from his back axle (see action shot below, courtesy of sojo www.no97.com).
Point’s leader Wayne “The Earthquake” Clarke #808 ploughed through the pack for his first win of the day
with John Harris #22 2nd and Mark Duckett 3rd. Heat 2 was a dryer race and prompted some drivers to
risk slick tyres. I’m not sure what Richard Harris #24 ran, but it was the right choice. He took the win and by the
end of the day he had bagged 29 points and he now sits at no 3 in the points table, only one point behind his brother John.
Mark Duckett #717 took 2nd place in his first visit of the season to Warton and with 23 points on the day jumps
into the table at no 12. The Earthquake #808 came home 3rd after gambling on wet tyres. The final was dry and everyone
decided on slick tyres. Once again #808 stormed to the front taking his second consecutive final and the stock car May Day
trophy. Wayne has now increased his lead at the top of the table from 2 to 28 points. Richard Harris #24 took 2nd
with the current gold top Mick Greenwood #330 in 3rd . The “smoking” #251 car of Roland Kelsall gifted me 5th
place within site of the finish line. As hot oil was spewing all over his rear wheel (and my visor) I think he did well to
hold on to his car for as long as he did…… thanks Roland. The race to watch in the Grand National was between
#672 Steve Fawcett and #555 Pete Wells. Steve was hassling Pete for most of the race but couldn’t move the Subaru powered
stocker out of the way. Pete held on for his first win in the stock car class since moving from Supers at the end of 2006,
Mr Fawcett’s only consolation is that he scored enough points to move to 8th spot on the table and sports
a red roof today.
Pit Talk….
I’ve heard a rumour that there may be a new stock car heading for Warton it is going to be powered by yet another type
of engine…. A Nissan 200sx turbo. The engine comes from ex-super banger driver Mick Sutcliffe’s car that should
be interesting. Danny Kirkman #40 is still looking for a sponsor unlike #555 Pete Wells, his new sponsor Broadbent Auto dismantlers
looked chuffed as Pete collected a pot for his first time out. Michael Bell was still smiling even though he slipped down
the points table to no 5. Michael lost all his rear links last time out but should be ready for today’s meeting. Mick
Greenwood’s Chevy is undergoing a rebuild, it doesn’t sound cheap… hey Mick its only money!!
And Finally….
Here are a few stats for you guys who follow the stockers. So far this year we have seen five different engine types taking
wins they are Ford 4 cyl, Rover/Buick V8, Vauxhall 4 cyl, Honda 4 cyl, and Subaru flat 4. Wayne Clarke #808 has won two finals
and averaged 31 points per meeting, Mick Greenwood and Richard Harris have one final each. So far this season 27 drivers have
competed in the stock car class with six in the wings waiting to debut. This year stock car championship may be a case of
who is going to catch #808, but its early days with 7 more point scoring meetings before the big race it’s still all
there to play for. Once again good luck to all the drivers in all the classes today.
New feature.
This weeks shining stars…. A special mention this week to a Supers team “Team Retard” and #175 Wayne Ducksbury.
They seem to have got the right idea on the spectator side of the fence as well as on the black stuff. We drivers love a cheer
from the crowd and Wayne gets plenty every time out so come on air horns, clackers and cheers for your favourite drivers in
all the classes. Please drive home safely and we’ll do this all again on June 8th.
Sites of interest
http://lordy80.tripod.com
www.97.co.uk
www.BriscaF1Stoxpics.co.uk
Yours
in sport, Glenn Lord s/c #80. lordy80@hotmail.co.uk
“May Day Trophy” Round
4
Welcome to Warton Raceway for
the “May Day Trophy” meeting once again sponsored by CLASSIC ENGRAVINGS
of Morecambe who have over many years provided the trophies for W.S.C.C.
Joining
us today are the Nationally recognised B.R.I.S.C.A. F2’s and with more than 500 registered drivers around the Country
we are expecting a good turn out of cars here at Warton. For those of you who have not seen them before you will notice that
they are very similar in appearance to our very own Outlaw Stockers .They have however two major differences, the first is
they all run the same engine a 2.0 ltr. Ford and they all have to race on one
make of tyre. The difference for Warton stock cars is that we have an open class giving the budget racers an opportunity to
compete against the cheque-book racers! There is some interest in the lap times today of our visitors because some of the
Warton drivers were breaking the 14 second barrier in testing during the off season …we shall see what happens today
lets hope its dry. Good luck to all the drivers and a special Warton Welcome to all our new spectators.
ON THE TRACK: The last meeting provided some great racing in all classes but in
particular the stock car class. # 808 Wayne “Earthquake” Clarke took the meetings final and the Morecombe Bay
Trophy. An incredible 36 pt haul on the day takes him to the top of our points table just ahead of # 19 Michael Bell who shows
consistency is as important as a quick car although he seems to have both at the moment.
Making the most of this months
regrade “Ace” # 234 took his Honda powered stocker to 3 great wins and at No.3 in our points table is
on equal footing with Gold top # 330 Mick Greenwood who scored zero points whilst trying out the new “Chevy” powered
F2. More about his car in “Pit Talk”.
I hope the G.N. was as exciting to watch as it was for me to race in, with
cars seemingly strewn all around the track it became a race of attrition. After a race long battle to keep
# 24 Richard Harris behind me
it came down to the last lap and the last bend, as we had both avoided the stricken # 40 car it was Richard who put the big
hit on me and it became a drag race to the line……(see the results page)…....# 234 took an easy win and his
4th Trophy of the day !
“PIT TALK” : As I said earlier # 330 Mick Greenwood debuted his “Chevy”
F2 and as it was painted the same as last years gold top winning car was difficult
to tell if it was the “Chevy” or not .I couldn’t tell them apart. He did however have some problems with
the cooling system and the gearing and I guess he decided to trail the car round and treat it as a test day….there is
plenty to come from this machine let’s hope its here today.
Danny Kirkman # 40 had a tough
old day losing bits off his car and had a “Big Air” moment, check out the action picture below, courtesy of “Sojo”
no.97, I think parachutes have been fitted for this meeting.
Danny Casson #130 had pre-race problems not sure what they were but should
be sorted for today. Ian Barton # 106 is still not ready (engine supplier) but with his plucky young daughter racing, 10 year
old Jayne Barton #104 has him sweating more than Dean Mason on his back bumper, she however, seems to be unfazed and enjoying
her first seasons racing! On a different note best wishes to #533 Johnny Egg on his new born son, although there are a few
problems we all hope all goes well, and you and your family are back home soon.
AND FINALLY : Happy Birthday Dad! JACK “LORDY” LORD # 777 has enjoyed
a remarkable career in the stock cars. He began racing from the late 50’s in S\Cars, then to sprint and Hillclimb cars
in the 60’s, a little bit of circuit racing in the 70’s F1’s…F2’s in the 80’s Warton S\Cars
90’s / 2000’s. Many of us here at Warton acknowledge the number of successful cars that Jack has built or been
involved with including my own Championship stocker of ’96. Having completed the Blackbird powered car currently being
driven by Ace #234 he is back in the garage with a new project, he may have finished in time for today but if not you can
be assured he wont be far away from the track! I’m sure there’s 20\50’s in his veins….Happy Birthday
to you, Happy Birthday to you…blah, blah, blah... You know how it goes!!!!!
Email: lordy80@hotmail.co.uk
Here are few Stock car sites to wet your appetite till next time
http://lordy80.tripod.com
http://www.dk40.co.uk
http://www.97.com
Round 3….”Warton Stock Car Championships 2008”
Welcome to the S.T. Sponsored “Morecambe bay trophy”
meeting. These ramblings will as usual centre on Warton’s Stock Car class with updates on the driver, a last meeting
report and pit gossip.
On Track….
The grid line up for heat one, was as I had predicted a little tail heavy. Only red and blue tops lined up with sole new boy
and ex-grass racer Paul Jenkinson #70, taking up the one meeting offer to all new drivers of starting from the back of the
grid. From the off it was Gary Love #69 with the V8 powered ex-Johnny Clarkson car who was going to be the man to catch as
he had a front row start. “Ace” #234 who had given his new car a shakedown in practise decided the car wasn’t
hitting the mark and took up the offer from his dad, “Lordy” #777 to race his car. After leading the chase on
Gary the now #234 numbered car suffered major brake failure and on the last lap he hit the leader’s rear bumper hard
spinning himself out. Lying stricken on the far bend, the #234 car was rear ended by the unsighted John Harris #22 causing
terminal damage. This saw the car trailered for the remainder of the meeting. Gary Love #69 was left unchallenged in his win.
Heat two saw the very quick ex-O’Beirne car in the
capable hands of Roland Kelsall who now running #251 took the honours, #69, #22 and the ever present #19 Michael bell followed
him over the line. A welcome return this season for Richard Harris #24 now back up to speed and in only his second outing
in over a year produced a great drive to take home the silverware in the final. This win was made all the more impressive
as Richard’s inside front tyre was flat over much of the latter stages of the race and he was fighting the car to keep
ahead of Roland Kelsall , who couldn’t quite snatch the victory. The stock car Grand National was led away by Richard
Harris #24 but with a one lap handicap, as final winner, never got into contention. Once again the flying Mr Kelsall #251
took, what was in the end an easy win over #330 Mick Greenwood and Mr Consistency #19 Michael Bell.
In the pits….
Benny Bentham #2 brought along the 2007 ex-Ace stocker only to lose oil pressure during practise which left the car back on
the trailer. Benny however still had his hands full spannering for his son #525 Ryan Bentham in his mini stox. “Ace’s”
new car looked the part but after a few practise laps he decided it was under-geared and wanting to save the engine (2 blown
last year) jumped at the offer to put his on the trailer and drive the “Lordy” car. This was the much awaited
debut of another bike powered stocker, this ex-Phil Wills car has had a complete rebuild over the winter and a Honda Blackbird
engine sits where the Yamaha R1 used to sit. Both Jason and Jack seemed pleased with its first outing. I spoke to new Warton
Stocker driver, Paul Jenkinson #70 in the pits, who said he had enjoyed his first meeting but was surprised by just how hard
a stock car hit is as grass track racing is a non compact motorsport…. He’ll get used to it!!! Michael Bell #19
has a smile on his face that you’d be hard pushed to remove with a chisel, at no. 2 in the points this is the best start
he’s had to a season and is proving that you do not have to spend a fortune to be competitive. I’m sure he won’t
mind me saying his team runs on a budget, and this makes his position in the points even more satisfying.
And finally…… I spent all day Sunday trying to
get my stocker to run, disaster followed disaster in the pits when I finally managed to shear a spark plug in the top of an
alloy cylinder head. On Monday I found the engine fault after three hours, and this is the worst excuse you’ll ever
hear….. I had fitted the wrong foam rubber in my air box… “HONEST”
That’s it see you all on the 4th of May when we host
the much awaited F2’s .Please drive home safely .
Web: http://lordy80.tripod.com
Email: lordy80@hotmail.co.uk
Silver Wheels Trophy - April 6th
Welcome to Warton Raceway, today sees round two and the “Silver Wheels Cup”.
Last meeting was the “Easter Speed King Trophy” and Warton Stock Car Club’s farewell to our long serving
secretary Shirley McMeeking. The pictures in the programme coupled with the applause around the track was a fitting tribute
and was a great response from you all.
So, with the first meeting done you would be forgiven for thinking the stock car points
table had been printed upside down. As only two red tops made the grid and with the new starting line up in place racing has
suddenly become a little bit harder especially the further back on the grid you are, my guess is that things should even themselves
out by round three or four. The grid line up today could look a bit strange as the eight new red tops could be joined by last
seasons red tops who didn’t make it to the first meeting and still retain their roof colour (eleven reds plus gold plus
silver) a bit tail heavy but exciting none the less.
On the track…..
(23rd Mar) As the Grand National was scrubbed from the race card Mick Greenwood #330 did not get the chance to
race for double points, so although he tops the points the deficit is only two from Dave Crane #512 in the ex-Hoss Nelson
#347 car. Michael Bell #19 enters the table at number three from last years 24th
Season finish with a first in ht 1 in his Vauxhall powered car. This win was made all the more impressive as
the race was stop/started three times. Ian Maher #230 in his Ford CologneV6 powered Stocker made a dramatic departure from
the track after a throttle stuck open saw him firmly planted into the far bend. A quick once over by the ever vigilant St
John’s Ambulance Crew and he was back out to capture enough points to finish at number seven and will be here today
red roofed. Two drivers who have joined us from ministox Sam Twist #93 and Jamie McCann #17 move straight to red from white,
finishing fifth and eighth in the table respectively, Sam Twist #93 grabbing a debut win. Now look again at the drivers points,
who’s that at number 6? No your eyes don’t deceive you it’s that man Johnny Egg #533, and as he enjoyed
good consistent racing all day who knows where he would have finished if he had raced in the final? The Harris brothers haven’t
raced together for over a year, Richard #24 finally got his car back from brother John #22 who unveiled the redeveloped ex-Peter
Kaulbarsch # 911 car. John Harris #22 proved he hadn’t lost last years momentum taking a great second place in the final.
In the pits….
As I wrote earlier, only two red tops raced at the last meeting this means there were a few stories from those drivers not
racing…. Ian Barton #106 and Billy Smith #246 both have their engines with ace engine-Builder, Draper, but neither had
been delivered in time to start the season. Let’s hope that both guys have their engines back and in ready to join us
on the grid today. Wayne “The Earthquake” Clarke #808 suffered last minute brake failure whilst loading his car
on the trailer before last meeting, so he was watching. Dean Mason #658 and current Silver Top, may have his 2008 season curtailed,
it seems he is suffering with back problems which many of us veteran Stock Car drivers are all to familiar with let’s
hope he is back soon. Mick Greenwood #330 American style Chevy- powered F2 should be unveiled today as is my little bro’
Ace #234 American style Buick- powered F2, both well worth a view in the pits. Rumour has it a Honda Blackbird-powered stock
Car may be debuted on the track today, although the driver like the car is under wraps at the time of going to press. Another
bike powered car is promised to be on the track later on in the season but this is a long awaited debut and some seasons old,
come on Anthony Holgate #133 your public awaits!! Super Banger Defector should be hitting the track with a stock car maybe
it is ready for today, not sure what’s powering it but could be another V8, look out for #439!
And finally……
So that’s about it, after one meeting we have a Vauxhall powered stock Car taking a heat win, Johnny Egg with a red
roof and two 17 year old ex-ministox drivers in the top eight, is this the changing of the old guard? Let’s see how
the table reads at the end of the day…..well actually you can read that info (unofficial points) on …….
Web http://lordy80.tripod.com/
Easter Speed King Trophy - March 23rd
I’d like to open today with an acknowledgement to our
club secretary, Shirley McMeeking, who sadly passed away on the 7th March. This will be the first meeting in a
long time that will be held without Shirley occupying her seat in the green admin hut. Many of the drivers will have fond
memories of Shirley and I am sure it will be strange signing in today for many of us. As secretary of the club for more than
35 years it is my guess that Shirley will be sadly missed by all the members of Warton Stock Car Club …farewell Shirley
McMeeking.
Is it really Easter already? Well, it must be because here
we all are for this year’s “Easter Speed King Trophy”, run here continuously for more than 30 years, I think
this must be some kind of record for any stock car track across the country! What’s in store for today? Apart from bangers,
supers, mini-stox and stock cars there’s a new/old class ………. senior minis! These mini racers are
a budget class, fitting between junior minis and stockers. They have limited engine development, to keep the cost down, weight
limits which should even up the racing and an open tyre regulation which allows the use of competition slicks and wets (as
in the stock car class).
On the track… Metal mania…
looking back to March 2nd (Mother’s Day) most of our stock car drivers appeared to have taken their mums
to the local Brewer’s Fayre, caring group our stocker lads, leaving only eight starters for the four races, these were
all clutch starts. As it turned out these guys proved enough to entertain us. Ht 1 saw Ian Barton #106, steal defeat from
the jaws of victory when his steering arm broke slamming him into the wall, gifting #330 Mick Greenwood the win. Ht 2 reversed
fortunes for Ian Barton #106 who seized victory whilst his nemesis Mick Greenwood could not avoid #206 Rob Dale when he pulled
across the front of him in probably the fastest part of the track, ouch! I spoke to Rob during the break and he was beginning
to feel the effects of the incident, I bet he was sore on Monday… tough guys these stocker drivers. Mick Greenwood #330
took the final and the title of Open Champion with #106 chasing hard. The cars then went straight into the dash for the cash,
with #330 Mick Greenwood tangling early on #106 pocketed the dosh which probably hurt Mick more than running into poor Rob
Dale in heat 2 Ouch!
In the pits…… Where
do I start? #28 Micheal Williamson has sold his Warton stocker to last years Gold Top mini stox Sam Twist #93 and has moved
over to BRISCA F1, following Peter Kaulbarsch who made the transition last year and has enjoyed success. Good luck Mick and
to young Mr Twist here at Warton. Ace #234 has built a new car (that makes his 6th stocker build) and is sticking
with the buick V8 power, but now sits on coil over suspension. Wayne “The Earthquake” Clarke #808, last years
most prolific winner ( 9 heats and 4 finals) has altered his car from front beam to independent suspension, I guess he’s
looking for faster corner speeds. Mick Greenwood #330, although using last years car to start the season will be brining a
chevy powered F2 in the near future, the car will sport an American quick-shift axle and many American features, new to Warton,
well worth a look in the pits. Benny Bentham #2 has bought #234 last year car he has made modifications to the rear suspension,
ditching the leafs and fitting coil over shocks which should produce better grip out of the bands. New paint jobs for #672
Steve Fawcett and #533 Johnny Egg. I have also had a new paint job from maroon to Kawasaki green and a change of engine from
Ford to…. have you guessed? That’s right Kawasaki! As yet totally untested, and like many drivers with new builds
hoping to have made the test day. We shall see!
That’s about it, all except for the answers to these very
important questions….. Who will be red at the end of the day? Who will be taking home the silverware? And who will spend
the next two weeks in the garage? You will find the answers to these and many more questions on my site…… Unofficial
results will be on by Monday night (address at the bottom) After you have checked out the stats at Lordy 80, visit a new web
site featuring one of our newer drivers #40 Danny Kirkman (black and gold sprint car) www.dk40.co.uk
Yours in sport Glenn Lord #80
Email lordy80@hotmail.co.uk
Web (type in the address bar only) http://lordy80.tripod.com/
Metal
Mania - march 2nd
Stock
car racing is perhaps one of motor sports most spectacular events to witness live. To experience crowds’, anticipation,
excitement and thrills of the short oval circuit cannot be compared to watching it on television. It is a totally unexpected
response as your entire body takes in the noise and grunt, as each stock car passes you by so close to the fence, you can
smell the petrol fumes and tyre smoke you can see the concentration on the drivers’ faces and witness their skills first
hand as they pass you by. I have been lucky to watch some of the very best at this sport, firstly as a spectator and then
sharing the grid in this unique and captivating motor sport formula. My interest started in the sixties when I was taken by
dad #777 Jack Lord to some great but now defunct stadiums, how many of you remember White City Manchester, Nelson, Blackburn
and Bradford in Lancashire, when the names of the sport were characters such as #391
Stuart Smith, #2 Willie Harrison and #396 Doug Cronshaw? Well that was then and this is now, 2007 saw a great year here for
the stock car drivers, with the emergence of our very own “Warton stars”. I wonder what is in store for 2008…..
Well
Dean Mason #658, looks like the guy to beat (last years av. 32 points per meeting) with #106 emerging as a real contender.
Mick Greenwood #330 is rumoured to have shoe horned a small block chevy into his new build, but it remains to be seen whether
it has been completed in time to join today’s line up. The unveiling of rebuilds and new builds for #808 Wayne Clarke,
#8 Dan Bell and #234 Jason “Ace” Lord are anticipated today, along with the appearance of the new guys who are
racing stock cars here for the first time. A trip through pits today will provide proof of the growing popularity of the stock
car class here at Warton with new stocker drivers, ex ministox chaps such #17 Jamie McCann and #93 Sam Twist, mixing it up
with drivers from the world of grass tracking and other formulas keen to join the regulars here at Warton. Metal Mania is
primarily a banger meeting with the stock car class as a non point scoring support, and therefore some drivers may choose
not to race this meeting, keeping their cars under wraps and out of competitors prying eyes, however prize money and the offer
of shiny trophies may be enough to tempt out the bashful. Enjoy the hospitality here today and we look forward to seeing you
again at our first point scoring meeting 23rd March, the Easter Speed King Trophy, and don’t forget to “bring
a buddy”.
To
finish on a different note, for all those of you on t’internet, check out the “Warton Stock Car Club” group,
on facebook membership is growing, and don’t forget to visit my site, yours in sport Glenn Lord #80
Email.
Lordy80@hotmail.co.uk
Website
http://lordy80.tripod.com/
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