Spedeworth South blew away the post-Christmas blues with a night of non-stop racing action when the Superstox, 2.0 Hot Rods, Rookie Bangers and Lightning Rods took to the track for the annual Winternationals event on January 3rd.
The all-action Rookie Bangers fielded a massive grid and with the drivers seemingly oblivious to the “light contact” rules of the formula Plough Lane soon resembled a massive scrap yard as car after car was wiped out and left a smoking wreck on the infield, or hanging on the safety fence. Star driver 194, Steve Anscombe was denied a double win in the Winternationals when he finished second to 697, Richard John after a race that decimated most of the field and had the massive crowd on their feet to witness a very tight duel between the two drivers to be first under the chequered flag.
The ever-popular Superstox got their 2005 season off to a thundering start and brought their first night of racing action to a climax with a 25-lap event to decide the Winternational title. The pace and action was intense from the second the green flag fell, with a race stoppage due to several big crashes around the track. When the wrecks were cleared and racing resumed 454, David Pike led the pack home to take the title.
Non-contact action came from the rapid 2.0 Hot Rods. A large grid of these powerful and expensive racing cars delivered spectacular action, with 60, Mark Paffey leading from pole and beginning to lap the back markers, when a crash brought out the red flags for a restart. With the pack now close to his back bumper Paffey did not flinch and continued to dominate the remaining five laps to take the Winternational title ahead of 51, Georgie Boult and 197, Mickey Pagden.
Rounding of the start to the New Year’s racing the Lightning Rods had their first strike at Wimbledon Stadium for 2005. Plenty of full-bore racing and several high speed crashes kept the crowd thrilled throughout the night before a very closely fought Winternational final saw veteran driver 314 Nick Farrer lift the title.
The stock cars are back in action again on January 16th when the Rookie Bangers take to the track for Figure 8 racing, while the Stock Cars and Ministox race over the usual oval at the new start time of 5pm. With that mix of action it will be another night of value for money racing at Wimbledon Stadium, Britain’s finest stock car racing circuit.
