Summer Trophy Meeting 2011 

Click Here for Results, Pictures and Videos of this Winters Trophy Meeting

Another great turn out for this year’s summer trophy meeting 2011which saw a very fast track seeing lap times under the ten and a half second mark. Heat one saw Michael Terry obliterate the rest of the field with 3 easy victories leaving a close battle between Paul Rhodes and Joe Milnes for second.

Turbo Sherbo took centre stage for the first 2 rounds in heat 2 with his FTQ of 24 laps @ 316.04 but car problems let him down in heat 3 leaving  Chappy to FTQ on 24 laps @ 311.90.

Some great close racing in heat 3 with Big Bad Dave taking all 3 wins with his FTQ 26 laps @ 311.54 a lap clear of his rivals. All 8 drivers saved their best for last with everyone improving the FTQ. Peter Gill in second with Dene Looker and Dan Brown all on 25 laps.

Matthew Clax-ton set the pace of the night setting the best time of 28 laps @ 306.86 closely followed by Swalls and the Captain also on 28 laps. Flight Lieutenant Hargraves narrowly missing out on 28 laps struggling to keep up with the 13.5t of the top 3.

The Finals

The main event set off in style with just the two Bells starting in the D Final. Mollie was the only driver in her final so her old man Big Dave joined in for support and picked up quite a few stop and go penalties for speeding. Mollie finished on a respectable 16 laps @ 315.43....well done Mollie.

C Final brought some close racing with a few dirty laps from the start. Bookie’s favourite Paul Hindmarsh  took pole followed by Neil Nutter and “the clean sweep” Michael Terry.  The race was to be dominated by the top 3 having a very close battle for the lead. The final result was Michael Terry for another clean sweep on 22 laps @ 301.32 followed closely “behind-marsh” on 22 @ 301.51 and Neil Nutter on 22 @ 302.63.

Dan Brown only managed pole in the B Final due to some close and very competitive racing further up the field (I think he wanted some plastic), Mike Kitchen was on second with Scott Scholey in third. This was the order they were to stay with a steady win from Dan despite having a few poor laps due to back markers. Mike finished second and surprisingly Scott's car managed to stay together to finish third!

The A Final grid started with Matthew Clax-ton on pole with GM man Swalls in second and Tekin’s Captain in third. A very clean start from all 10 drivers with Swalls leaving a gap on lap 1 for the captain to nip through on the inside only to end up in the tyre on the next corner due to torque steer from the massive power delivered by the Tekin.  Neil Hargraves , Dene Looker and Eddie Knill retired from the race leaving Matt to have an easy victory. The Captain came second despite being in last place after the second lap, with Swalls in third although having a few problems with back markers.

The concourse winner was Dene Looker with an impressive shell but full credit goes to Andy Sherburn for the best improved paint job.

Overall a fantastic race meeting with a venue and atmosphere that goes with it. Many thanks for all the drivers throughout the last 6 months and special thanks to the people that organise the meetings. We need to try and keep the numbers up to keep our great sport alive so we can enjoy some more excellent close racing.......bring on the next season!!!!! 

written by James Rowney

Donny Racing created by James Rowney