Dave ‘Kingy’ King #206, took home the coveted Plough Lane Classic trophy after a very tight battle with Steve Anscombe #194 at Wimbledon Stadium on Sunday, March 12th. The Plough Lane Classic was a prominent fixture on the Banger racing calendar until its demise in 1997. Dave King adds his name to the long list of star drivers to have held the title with his win in the second running of the reprised event.

Mark Longhurst #310 took up the early running with Anscombe already mounting a strong challenge for the lead. As Anscombe was pressuring Longhurst, ‘Kingy’ was moving rapidly through the pack to take up third position.

Kingy muscled his way into second and as the laps ticked down to the chequered flag overtook Longhurst to claim pole position. Anscombe, however, had other ideas and a duel between the two star drivers began around the Plough Lane circuit.

The cars were two abreast at several stages, before one or the other would inch into the lead only to see the situation reversed at the next corner. Bumpers and bodywork clashed, but both held their racing line and kept the fans wondering who would finally make it across the line.

With five laps on the marker board, Kingy made his decisive move blasting past Anscombe on the inside. Both drivers know the Plough Lane track well and a determined Anscombe pulled out every trick in the driver’s book to keep up with Kingy as they wove their way through the back markers.

With three laps to go, Kingy pulled further into the lead as Anscombe was caught up in the slower traffic. From there on in the veteran driver could not be stopped and was first under the flag followed home by Anscombe and Ben Wilkins, #710. The other prestige event on the night was the ‘Foxy’ Dance Memorial Trophy for the 1300cc Stock Cars. This was won in fine style by Simon Weston, #6.

The Bangers put their customary full stop to the evening’s racing with a demolition derby that saw Wilkins take the win after battering Anscombe and Longhurst’s cars to scrap metal on the pit bend. There was some consolation for Anscombe as he took home the trophy for the ‘Most Entertaining’ driver of the night.

There will be more racing action at Wimbledon Stadium on March 26th when the 2.0 Hot Rods take to the track to contest their European Championship.