Arena Essex Raceway - Meeting 04/12 Sunday, May 16, 2004 Crashnet > Reports Index > PRI 2004 Index > Meeting 04/12

Unlimited Banger Open SHOOTOUT III 2l Saloon Stock Cars Essex Championship

Bangers "Shootout" It was certainly going to be a hard act to follow the 2003 Shootout, but cars from around the country gathered at Arena Essex on May 16 to try their best in the third annual unlimited open banger meeting. The meeting certainly started out in a colourful way as Roy Rawlins brought out a psychedlic DS420 hearse, Roy also dressed for the occasion, which got him one of a number of special awards given out throughout the meeting.

The first heat was a little understrength, seemingly the majority of the drivers seemed reluctant to come out too early, though the cars that did come out tried their best, only seven cars surviving with ex-World Champion, John Harris, jetting away for the first win of the day. Things were better in the second heat, a pile-up on turn two claiming a number of cars, though the battle between Tommy McGurk and Dean Goodearl which spilled across the centre green did end up incurring the wrath of the steward. Darren Ahern had been leading the race for quite a time until Shane Davies took a hand and clobbered him head on just on the pit bend on the last lap, RDC regular John Millen grabbing the win ahead of Annette Nichols. The third heat, however, was notable for the unfortunate occurrance that every racer, fan and official hopes will never happen. Gary Greenland had been effectively put out of the race, his car stuck sideways on the home straight as Andrew Davies led the race. Having jumped from the car, he was heading towards the centre green when he was hit by an oncoming car on the safety track. Greenland was taken to the local hospital and was later treated for leg injuries. The race was declared, Davies taking the trophy, but the occurrance put something of a damper on the proceedings at that point. The consolation went to current RJK points leader Jason Jackson in a typical consolation smackdown, at least once the damaged pit gate was closed! It seemed that Elliott Dobson was in need of a little wrecking practice, consistantly missing his targets, one of the best shots coming from Lee Madden who fenced Mark Telfer near the end of the race.

With the defending champion unable to take part, it was down to Jackson to see if he could regain the title after winning it at the inaugural meeting in 2002. The Shootout final was, in the early stages at least, more about speed and passing than anything else though, with bangers, it is often only a matter of time before something comes together, usually with crushing consequences. Rawlins suffered steering damage after an early spin courtesy of Madden, though Nichols was having steering problems of her own which would eventually see her stuck on the pit wall, Harris in the side. Harris was pretty much dead after this too, especially with only three wheels left, Nichols getting a second t-bone after that which would snap the cage, though Annette did escape safely. Things at the front of the race were getting heated as heat two winner Millen was in a head to head sprint for a gap with Jackson on the last two corners of the race. Jackson got the gap and the winners' trophy, Millen jumped a sleeper and ended up dead inside the pit bend with Steve Williams' car inserted from behind.

Billy King won the Shootout version of the Rawlins 2000 qualifier, while third place car, Terry Freakes, survived the carnage to take the last car award while Simon Smith and Jason Mills tried everything to seperate their cars after a big shunt jammed them together.

2l Saloon Stock Cars
A record number of Saloon Stock Cars turned out for their only meeting at Arena Essex in 2004, that being the May 16 "Shootout" meeting, for the Essex Championship which was won by Andy Mews in a hectic meeting that also saw a double win for Shaun Webster in the heats, moving easily through the field in the first heat and overcoming Paul Liquorice in a tussle in the second. Late booking Duncan Long managed to grab the other heat.

2 litre Saloon Stock Cars

Last car: 471 Terry Freakes

Special Awards

Also see Matthew Bull's website for more pictures from this meeting!

© 2004 Chris Johnson (Crashnet) / Promotasport Raceways