SPALDING’S Craig Bristow took the biggest win of his career in the 1300 Stock Cars last Saturday when he won the Clive Grief Memorial Meeting final.
It was a textbook drive by Bristow, who took the lead in the early stages before showing the rest of the pack a clean set of heels to roar to the chequered flag. British Champion Dan Booth came from the back of the grid to take second place.
Booth then followed up his good drive in the Memorial race to win the first All comers event – just managing to force a way past Richard Hampshire to take the chequered flag. He then repeated the manoeuvre in the second all comers race with equal success but this was to take second place, while Bristow managed to take eighth in the first ‘All Comers’ race.
Stuart Parnell also managed a seventh and ninth place finish in the 1300 Stock Cars heats. Also performing well was Tom Yould who drove well from the back of the grid to finish in fourth and sixth place in the All Comers.
Meanwhile, Simon Venni almost retained the 2L Stock Car Clive Grief Memorial title, but had to settle for second behind Paul Licquorice after a great drive. Andi Newman also drove well to come home in fourth place, while Jamie Clayton came home in tenth.
Venni was second in the first All Comers race too, which saw Clayton come home in seventh.
The best local performer in the F2 Stock Cars was Steve Wycherley, who came from the reds to finish in third. Chris Bradbury took the chequered flag. Also performing well was Barry Clow (5th) and Mark Sargeant (9th).
Barry Clow qualified for the final in the best possible way, winning the Consolation and holding off World Champion Mark Simpson. Wycherley was fifth place in his heat, while Sargeant qualified ninth.
Other local drivers to make the final were Craig Tomblin, who was runner-up in his heat, Justin Parker (6th in heat) and Carl Issitt (third in heat).
Sunday then saw the Unlimited Banger Icebreaker, which was staged following two “snow offs”. Unfortunately the weather conspired to ruin the day once again, but Simon Goodale and his Bad News team were one of many to try to defy the elements and put on a fantastic show. Goodale took an impressive Limousine which won him an award for having one of the cars of the meeting.
Stock Car and Banger Racing returns to the Norfolk Arena on Saturday, March 17 (6pm) when the 2L and 1300 Stock Cars, Micro Bangers and Lady Bangers are on track.