Northampton, 7th March, Unlimited Bangers
Many thanks to Wilko who sends us this report from the opening Northampton Unlimited meeting which sounded lively in places but pretty quiet overall.

A disappointing but not altogether unexpected turnout of 16 Unlimited Bangers for an early start to the Northampton season which was too close to the Heartbreaker for many and clashing with 2 major fixtures elsewhere. A couple of no-shows including TSR’s Gypsy Crew who were booked in, but late arrivals made up in some part. Formula Granada as expected with  Luffy and Goldie exceptions to the rule, returning their Heartbreaker Bluebirds. This just left 170 Darren Teal to provide the beef with the Caprice Classic which refused to run right at the Champion of Champions.

All bar veteran 981 Smith out for the first with 37 Fizz on the case from the off, bouncing 378 Aiden Parker off the plate on the top bend, as 384 Goldie was turned round and caught the oncoming traffic, breaking a driveshaft and finishing his day early. 26 Chris Howitt removed 617 Jack Overy at speed on the pit bend before 998 Cotty Jnr took 294 Tarny round on the home straight. 722 Bodger was wound out by persons unseen, allowing 170 Teal to administer a thumping T-bone which brought the yellows out for Bodger who thankfully exited unaided after a few moments, the impact scrapping 722 and seeing to the yank for the day. Cotty went off the front into a big lead from the restart, with 100 Dave Thomas taking 38 Al Boy out of second; this firing the latter up sufficiently to go on oppo and deliver a T-bone to his assailant the following lap. Al Boy continued in the right direction with a flat only to be popped onto a post by 269 Popeye, with Thomas unfortunately passing up the chance to have revenge. Cotty took the win from Fizz and 71 Jenny Holiday.

Down a bit on cars for the second heat with 777 Luffy receiving an early mauling by persons unseen to end his day before team mates 133, 37 and 38 decided to liven things up… first off 133 and 38 exchanged head ons, with Fizz firing up the back of 133 to silence him, not content with this he went round on opposite and fired up the back of 38 as well before rejoining, as did Huckle, albeit on opposite. After half a lap Huckle had Tarny out of the lead with Fizz steaming him as he rejoined, Fizz and Huckle then engaging themselves in a stiff head on, Tarny giving 38 the bone and receiving a shot over the front wheel from Fizz which finished all 3 cars. Overy winning this time although all eyes were on the action.

Just 4 out for the final race thanks to the previous action, with Cotty passing Overy for the lead a couple from home, the only contact occuring with Overy launching himself at Cotty a couple of times to no avail. The greens came out to signal the demo, however only Jack wanted to play with the other 3 hitting the infield so this gave us the reds wrapping it up.

The next Unlimited is the Open Championship, and hopefully the “Open” status will mean just that and Incarace will drop the £25 “and you must book a week in advance or pay £60” day licensing rules as this is not winning them many friends or cars at the moment. However, top marks to the Buckdale boys for turning on each other which livened up an otherwise mundane opener.