With Andy Smith and Frankie Wainman Junior now pretty much even in the National Series, this was always going to be an interesting event. Frankie took the opener, though it wasn’t easy, with blue tops Mal Brown and Mick Harris giving him a hard time throughout.
Wainman only got breathing space with a few to run when the number 8 car slowed with a flat. Smith didn’t have his heat all his own way either, taking the lead with a few to go after a lengthy tussle with Simon Gill. Kev Smith was also in this one, and he didn’t disappoint. Stu Bate and Dave Johnson were just two of the ones on the receiving end, although I can’t say who else he hit as I couldn’t take notes for the first half of the race because I had lent my pen to visiting celebrity Emma Atkins (Charity Dingle from Emmerdale – she’s obviously not a real Dingle, as she gave it back!).
Best drive in the Consolation was from Andy Swann, the white top 103 car screamed round the track. After a messy start which saw the lead change several times on the opening lap, Swann found himself between the two other fastest cars on track, which were Derek Fairhurst and Ray Witts. Both are quick drivers, but Swann had seemingly little difficulty in matching their pace, and had it not been for his problems at the start may well have gone on to record another race win.
Swann has certainly got the pace, and with more practice at avoiding problems he should soon be rising up the grading list. Fairhurst looked to have opened up a safe enough gap from Witts, but on the final bend he was slowed by backmarkers and without a moments hesitation Witts had closed the gap and made heavy contact with the back bumper of the 218 car. Fairhurst went wide but he kept the power on as Witts came up the inside. They were neck and neck going over the line, with the result being declared a dead heat.
New World Champion John Lund made a flying start to the final, though Smith and Wainman quickly passed him. Andy Swann led from the green, though lost his advantage in a bout of waved yellows to clear a pile up on the pit bend. Dave Johnson then took over, with Wainman and Smith in close contention.
With Wainman keeping one eye on the 391 car in his mirrors, Johnson was allowed a relatively untroubled run to the flag to take the inaugural Stuart Bamforth Memorial Trophy. Smith had a few taps at the back of the 515 car, but in typical Smith style he waited until the last bend before delivering the killer punch. Coming off turn 2, Wainman looked to be pulling away, but in reality Smith was just giving himself some room.
Wainman was expecting it and slowed going into the turn, but it didn’t really make much difference. Smith hit Wainman at full speed, and shunted the 515 machine out wide onto the loose shale. Smith took second, with Paul Harrison also getting past to take third. Wainman wasted no time in exacting his revenge, spinning the 391 car out at the start of the GN. Swann again stormed off into a lead which lasted past the halfway, although a tangle with a backmarker allowed Simon Gill to take over. Gill went on to take the win. Smith made a fast recovery from his spin, but then got caught up with Jason Holden.