Ready for the off… the girls went to Stoke, the boys went to King’s Lynn.
We arrived at Stoke to a pretty chaotic situation. The pits were totally rammed, a large banger meeting with 180+ cars was on. We ended up parked in the outside pits, which wasn’t a problem, but we were surrounded by spectators cars. To say it was a tight squeeze was an understatement.
The first race out was the V8s. The track was thick with mud as expected for the first race. There were a lot of spinning drivers. In this one however, that was something Phoebe didn’t do. Good control of the car but something didn’t seem right? She got up into fifth and then pulled off. It turned out that her goggles had packed up.
When we tried to fire up “Keef” for her second race, nothing happened. The starter motor had broken. We couldn’t find a spare one. We managed to take off the broken part which was enough to bump start the car, and get back out on track.
Phoebe on track at Stoke (Photo: Martin Fitzgerald)
The track had dried out a bit for this race. Phoebe had a good start but after a couple of laps her usual speed wasn’t there. The car looked down on power. There was a waved yellow and she was into fourth on the restart. The engine started mis-firing and then it just died going into the pits corner.
“Keef” needed to be pushed off by one of the amazing tractor lads, and further inspection is required, but we are hoping it isn’t anything too serious.
Thanks to everyone who tried to help us sort out the starter motor: Uncle Clint, Guy Jolly and Jamie.
Our pit crew at Stoke was Sharne and Uncle Clint.
Meanwhile, in King’s Lynn…
Young Franke 555 is out for the first race, the Whites & Yellows. A small collision early in the race results with a bent stub end causing the front wheel to keep locking up. He manages to carry on finishing in 10th.
FWJ is in Heat 1. His front end gets damaged but he still manages to cross the line in 4th place.
Dan and young Frank are out in Heat 2. Danny had his own battles and qualifies for the final with a fifth. Frank finished but no top 10 place which puts him in in the consolation.
A few laps into the consolation and he pulls off due to the oil pressure dropping, so that’s his night’s racing over.
Number 268! (Photo: Colin Casserley)
The Grand Final. FWJ was quick from the word go, and on a caution he was in fourth place. The restart got the crowd on their feet! FWJ passed Speaky 318, Mick 150 & Brad 25.
Speak leaves it all on and fires Frank into the corner. He rides the hit well and bogs off, leaving them all behind and taking his 268th final win!
Danny got tangled up earlier on in the race ending up on the infield but managed to rejoin and finish in 11th.
One more to go, the Grand National. FWJ takes the lap handicap. A caution is soon out which worked in our favour. After 2 laps he is in 21st.
Four laps later and another caution, he has passed 10 cars and is into 11th with Danny sat behind him. On the restart Daniel van Spikjer clips a marker tyre and collects 515 & 212, losing them a few places.
They both keep battling forward, and with 3 laps to go 150 attempts a right hand turn into Frank but his plan didn’t come off and Frank crosses the line in 4th with Danny in hot on his tail in 5th.
Plenty to do to get ready for Belle Vue on Monday. We’re uncertain at this stage if 555 will be racing due to a sick engine?
Lastly, a quick mention and well done to Austin Moore 127 on his first race win, and also to Bradley 25 who Frank said drove really well.
Sam
Not much room in the pits. Or was it the car park… !
Heat 1 was pretty muddy.
The googles couldn’t cope!
Lined up for Heat 2.
The tractor brings Keef back.
Keef getting inspected by Sharne and Phoebe.
All hands on deck on the 555 car (Photo: Chris Scarboro)
Frankie and Danny at KL (Photo: Colin Casserley)
All the fun of the fair! (Photo: Colin Casserley)
