Titch Gardener, #227, won the V8 Stock Car London Championship at Wimbledon Stadium with an exemplary driving display at Wimbledon Stadium on May 14th.

20 of the V8 powered cars lined up on the grid and the South London stadium reverberated to its foundations as the drivers opened up their American V8 powered machines when the green flag fell.

Alan Gray, #521 was the early leader with Bob Beale #2 chasing hard to relieve him of pole position. The star drivers were soon making their presence felt, but there was a surprise for the spectators when ace V8 pilot Peter Scott #98 spun out on the scoreboard bend and could only watch as the pack thundered past.

Among those charging past the stranded Scott was Gardener who rapidly moved into 3rd place as the pressure mounted on Gray. With the laps rapidly running out, Peter Blomfield #42 took up the lead and looked good for the title with just 5 laps to go.

Gardener, however, had other ideas and with just 3 laps left to run barged past Gray to take the lead. Once installed the skilled V8 pilot kept his foot down and roared under the chequered flag to take the title. He was followed home by Blomfield while Gray held on to take a well deserved third place.

The non-contact Rookie Rod London Championship also provided a lively race, with several restarts due to crashes on the scoreboard bend. When the race was restarted for the final time it proved to be third time lucky for Paul Freeman #626 who took the title ahead of Lee Ribbans #251 and John Smith #213.

There will be more action at Wimbledon Stadium on Sunday May 28th when the National Bangers contest the pre-1970 model World Final.

Full details from Spedeworth South on 01252 322 920 or spedeworth.net