GED
Age : 55
Joined : 12 Feb 2007
Posts : 131
 |  Subject: GED'S OVERVIEW OF BELLE VUE 26th MAY 2008  Tue May 27, 2008 1:03 pm | |
|  HI!
First of all, many congrats to Startrax on their tenth anniversary of stock car racing at the "new" Belle Vue...it hasn't half flown!
As for yesterday's meeting, another excellent festival of short circuit contact motor sport for F1s, F2s and Bangers, all of which put on great displays.
The wet weather didn't (thankfully) materialise and the track was very changeable from slippery after watering to dusty in the space of two races!
RACE 1 (F2 HEAT 1)
A very greasy track made the going fairly slow in the early stages until it became "run-in". A quick "hello" to Dave Harley (362) in the pits before the meeting put a curse on him, not figuring in the results all meeting (sorry!)..in fact he pulled out before the start of heat 1, although he re-appeared for heat 2. Gordon Moodie (7) retired at about half way, not reappearing in his F2 for the rest of the night! It hasn't been the best of times at Belle Vue for the Moodie toozer lately.
Gaz Ford (130) had a healthy lead until half way when Andrew Palmer (606) took over and held the lead to the chequered.
RESULT: 606,448,788,130,977,236,347,833,219,431
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RACE 2 (F1 HEAT 1)
Plenty of star men in attendance for the World Championship Qualifying Round, but in the first heat they had to follow Mark Poole (276) having a good season at the 'Vue, taking another race win this season from yellow grade. Daniel Wainman (212) experienced his first F1 roll, Craig Finnikin (55) and Martin Southwell (277) lending a helping hand. Matt newon (16), making a rare appearance at Belle Vue, showed his liking of the shale raceway by being the first star grader home behind Poole. The reds were all putting the bumpers in, resulting in a near roll for Stu Smith (1). Waived yellows were thrown for a very out of place tractor tyre in the middle of the track.
RESULT: 276,16,259,1,21,322,4,462,214,31
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RACE 3 (F2 HEAT 2)
Plenty of action again from the Tooz, many a wheel askew by the end of the race. Slippery conditions after a track watering session (yes, already!)
Rob Mitchell (905) and Andrew Robinson (440) had a great duel until the 440 car fell back into the pack. This left the #748 car chasing the 905 car, with Barry Goldin (401) in hot pursuit of them both. Rob held on to win, but 748 got pushed aside by Goldin on the last bend to take second. Bert Finnikin figured in the results, but found the going hard today.
RESULT: 905,401,748,968,559,145,702,615,440,225
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RACE 4 (F1 HEAT 2)
Dave Berrisford (260) found himself stranded on the bend early on which brought out the waved yellows, Lee Mellor (181) being another casualty. Repairs were needed to the fence, too, when #47 attacked it.
The restart saw a heavy brigade charge at the front, Ed neachell (321) heading FWJ (515) and a great battle between Mark Woodhull (335) and John Lund (53), both swapping places a couple of times. That's the way it finished, Stephen Malkin Jnr (308) being the first of the lower graders in 6th.
Again, plenty of bumper work, all the drivers trying to gain those extra few points before the Worlf Final Semis..
RESULTS: 321,515,335,53,152,308,79,337,336,411
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RACE 5 (BANGERS RACE 1)
16 bangers put on a good showing, if a little hesitant on their first outing, mainly to precerve cars for later in the meeting? Wilf Speak (318) shoved all aside to take yet another victory at the 'Vue.
RESULT: 318,418,341,7,320,18,588,nof
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RACE 6 (F2 CONSOLATION)
27 cars gridded, providing mayhem a-plenty. Two waved yellow bouts, one for a heavy piece of debris on the track (couldn't make out what it was) and another for #853 stranded on the track and Craig Kendall (125) in the fence.
At the restart, a good battle ensued between Daz Shaw (377), Lee Johnson (348), Bryn Tootell (600) chasing Michael Ford (192) the leading white top.
In the end, Shaw made it over the line first....only to be docked two places for an alleged jump start!
RESULT: 192,600,377,348,224,84,406,528,147,227
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RACE 7 (F1 CONSOLATION)
Daniel Wainman (212) turned out with a new wing after his earlier roll. Craig Finnikin (55), Joff Gibson (249) and Bezz (260) all tangled, all recovering well except Joff who collided with Timmy Aldridge (257) shortly afterwards with the help of Rob Bradsell (265). As a result, the Gibson motor sported a badly damaged axle and the Bradsell buggy looked even more "second hand" than usual! I like the way Rob Bradsell moves over for nobody!
Off and uncatchable was Lee Mellor (181)...a yellow roof must surely beckon soon?
RESULTS: 181,260,91,212,55,502,493,136,277, NOF (1ST 8 TO FINAL)
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RACE 8 (BANGERS RACE 2)
Some decent hits in this one, Wilf Speak (318) having to settle for second this time behind #341.
RESULTS: 341,318,418,171,588,275,777,NOF
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RACE 9 (F2 FINAL)
30 cars on the tight oval meant plenty of paint swapping and bent metalwork. Waved yellows were thrown for Michael Ford (192) and Josh Coleman (615) stuck on the middle of turn 2. The star graders were holding each other up in this one, Bert (559) being a casualty when he spun out.
During the latter part of the race, a great tussle emerged between Mark Froggatt (347) and Stephen Mallison (788), swapping positions until Stephen held the lead on the last lap to take the victory.
RESULTS: 788,347,977,401,219,606,833,448,377,905
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RACE 10 (F1 FINAL)
Plenty of bumperwork in this one, the star graders swapping and changing throughout, Stu Smith (1) seemingly making up the most ground.
Yellows came out for Richard Wilson (502) in the fence.
At the restart, it could have been anybody's race with the order 321,136,1,21,53....
Ed Neachell (321) was heading for victory, but Smith (1) was slowly but surely catching up. He saw his chance with just two laps to go when Ed was slightly slowed by back markers...in went the bumper sending Ed fenceward and out! To the delight of the crowd, the ever-improving Stu Smith Jnr (1) took the chequered hotly pursued by Mark Gilbank (21) and John Lund (53), Mark only just pipping John to the flag. A GREAT RACE!
RESULTS: 1,21,53,515,259,4,335,260,308,16
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RACE 11 (F2 GRAND NATIONAL)
Stephen Mallinson (788) took the lap handicap...a big ask with 29 cars on track! Gaz Ford (130) was away and gone from the white grade only to hook with another car just as the yellows came out. He recovered and, despite a flat tyre, came in a creditable 8th place! Mark froggatt (347) sped off at the restart, The Flying Finn (559) gradually catching. Unfortunately there were insufficient laps remaining and Mark took the win from Bert...however bert was docked two places for a jump start! Not Bert's night.
RESULTS: 347,401,448,559,377,905,224,130,236
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RACE 12 (F1 GRAND NATIONAL "THE WILF BLUNDELL TROPHY")
Virtually another final for the F1s with another handsome trophy on offer.
A replica #75 "Tip Top" car was present as a tribute to the great driver from the Belle Vue early days..Wilf Blundell (who I seem to recall hailed from Southport?).
Stu Smith (1) took the one lap handicap and drove marvellously to reach 5th place by the finish. Paul Hines (269) found himself trying to leap the tyres and virtually found himself on the flower bed!
FWJ (515), Matt Newson (16) and Scott Davids (462) all tangled, the latter two falling by the wayside. Steve Jacklin (136) nearly provided the second roll of the night, just saving it.
Another fast, dusty race from some of the top drivers in the sport. Young Daniel Johnson (4) kept his nose in front to take the prestigious trophy.
RESULTS: 4,322,515,337,1,21,53,79,212,260
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RACE 13 (BANGERS FINAL INTO DESTRUCTION DERBY)
An entertaining race from the banger boys, the #96 car having to be hoisted onto the track it was in such bad condition. Regrettably it couldn't take part, dying in a cloud of steam and smoke before the start! It was what I can only describe as triangular in shape with only one drive wheel actually touching the track..the other wildly revolving to no effect!
Several head-ons including Wilf Speak (318) who didn't win again!!
The race final went to car #321, with #171 winning the D/D
Great entertainment to end the meeting...all races completed within the dreaded curfew.
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Once again, thanks to Startrax for another great meeting at the 'Vue which now takes a break until August Bank Holiday for it's next session of thrills and spills.
Regards,
GED  |
|
HI!
