The 2002 season got under way at a windy Arena Essex Raceway with action from the Plastengrave Non-Ford Bangers and the 1300 Saloon Stock Cars on March 10.

The Bangers provided some great action to open the meeting with heat wins for Kev Elmore, Paul Eve and Jimmy Randall, while crash action between defending Drivers' Champion, Sonny Sherwood, and the Condoms including the current World Champion, Andy Davies, and more notably his brother, Shane, peppered the meeting. However Matt Fuller emerged as the overall winner with a consolation win topped out with a final win before Kelly Wilson grabbed the first spot in this years' Rawlins 2000 series, with Dave Edwards and Ricky Korpiela awarded a place in the final after battering themselves into oblivion.

The 1300 Stock cars was full of surprises despite a 16 car turnout, with the warm up heat going to Derek Mortimer after long time leader Neil Chapman was bumped out of the way on the last bend. While Chapman made up for it in the final after a number of the experts failed to finish, Sean Collin managed to pick up a win in the Festival Grid Qualifier after leader Paul Haralambou was shunted by Dave Collin on the pit bend close to home, dropping him to fourth.

Also don't forget to see Matthew Bull's website for more photo action from this meeting! Click here