Lady luck not on the side of West Norfolk drivers

Lady luck was not shining on Lynn favourites Kieran Bowman or Ashlun Woods in front of a packed house at the Adrian Flux Arena on Saturday when the Unlimited Banger World of Shale Championship was staged.The event is firmly established as the number one national banger event in Europe and attracted drivers and fans from across the UK, Ireland and Mainland Europe.Following two exciting last chance races which saw Exeter’s Terry Hill and London’s Lennon Phillips both receiving a tremendous response.The atmosphere then moved up a notch when the contenders were introduced to the crowd and four West Norfolk drivers in the race – Bowman, Woods, Ross Cooper and Darren Fendley all received an amazing reception.There were several different leaders in the race with both Bowman and Woods enjoying spells at the front.Sadly both succumbed to mechanical problems and were spun out whilst at the front and Maidenhead’s Tye Williams was able to take advantage and win an exciting race after starting in grid position 48.Whilst they may have had nothing to show for it all of our local drivers can be pleased and proud of their efforts and performances as they were put on an international stage! Sam Coote and Harry Cobb were also in action in the support races with Cobb getting a seventh-place finish in the last chance. Following the World of Shale there were four All-Comers races which saw the action increase as each all-comers took place with the final race turning into a Demolition Derby before the official Demolition Derby with a big track blockage claiming most of the field.The All Comers Races were won by Saffron Walden’s Lee White, Ireland’s Steve McGrath, Scotland’s Scott Patterson and Nottingham’s Reece Marsh before McGrath then also went on to win the DD!Austen Freestone was our only driver in action in the 2L stock cars. The feature race of the day was the Bumper Trophy which was won by Michael Allard and saw Austen come home in ninth.Austen then went on to finish in fifth place in one of the All-Comers.Racing returns on September 21 when the UK Championship takes place for the micro bangers with racing also taking place for the 1300 stock cars, junior bangers and unlimited lady bangers.

Motorsport Greg Plummer