Smeatharpe Stadium - Sunday 3rd April 2011

On a highly significant occasion at Smeatharpe, the weather did its best to spoil proceedings with a heavy downpour early in the programme of events.  Nonetheless, there was a fine showing of BriSCA F2 Stock Cars for the Remembering Rog meeting, even though the number of spectators was a little disappointing.

BriSCA F2 Stock Cars

Over 40 F2s contested the season's third Smeatharpe fixture, including a number of long distance travellers - notably National Points Champion 7 Gordon Moodie.  The day began with a Grand Parade for all F2s, during which each driver was presented with a commemorative Remembering Rog #95 mug.  When Rog's son, Joe, presented Scotsman Moodie with his mug, Moodie gallantly exchanged it for his own cap, which Joe duly kept as a souvenir of the special occasion.
Yellow graders 835 Matt Westaway and 921 Jack Aldridge took the heats, Aldridge effecting a last lap challenge on long time leader 544 James Rogers.  Behind them, Moodie got the better of 676 Neil Hooper in an enthralling and entertaining battle that had seen the two stars trade blows and swap places over a number of exciting laps of racing.
21 cars gridded for the consolation, with just ten places up for grabs in the meeting final.  Star graders 783 James Rygor and 990 Paul Rice took first and second.
The Remembering Rog final began with 830 Andrew Bennett and 707 Jeremy Moss chomping at the bit to get into the lead, but both were left to retire early on.  A race suspension soon followed, and very soon thereafter, 464 Matt Linfield hit the front and looked to have a good lead over those chasing him.  However, Linfield exited the race in the west bend with broken steering, which left the path clear for 886 Chris Bradbury to sweep through and from that point he was in full command.  Bradbury went on to win by some distance, with 676 Neil Hooper the runner-up, 290 Jay Tomkins in third and Rice fourth.
During the trophy presentation, Rog's father, Gerald, spoke warmly of how overwhelmed he and all of the family had been, at the level of support they had received, and the high esteem in which Rog was clearly held by so many of his on-track friends and rivals.
Linfield bounced back from his meeting final disappointment to win the GN ahead of 162 Richard Swales and 189 Paul Butcher.
Grade awards courtesy of Tim Farrell's Turtle Signs, were presented to 208 Dave Weaver (white), 921 Jack Aldridge (yellow), 290 Jay Tomkins (blue) and 886 Chris Bradbury (star), with Weaver and Aldridge also winning a new tyre for their efforts.

Stock Rods

Numbers in the non-contact Stock Rods were so plentiful that a two from three format had to be utilised.  Three drivers made their Stock Rod debuts - 437 Lewis Trickey, 222 Mike Belcher, and Ministox graduate 853 Sam Matthews, who produced a very controlled performance from the front of the grid which saw him pick up some points in his first meeting.
However, it was another Ministox graduate, 854 Hannah Sear, who stole the show, as she recorded a heat and final double.  Despite the soaking wet track, the 16 year old former Ministox star set a fast pace at the front of the grid.
There were also heat wins for 151 Simon Vincent and 181 Lindsey Jones, and it was Jones who took second in the feature final, with 348 John Brereton completing the top three.

Bangers

With a truly dominant display, 186 Leon Fasey became Devon Champion for the first time.
Nearly 70 drivers appeared for the meeting, although a small number were unable to rectify faults found during scrutineering.
There were heat wins for 415 Sean Gillett, 607 Gary Sillifant and 820 Ian McNaught, whilst 284 James Clarke took a win on his debut in the consolation, at the wheel of the Milber Salvage Arrive & Drive Banger.
Fasey and Gillett were quick to make early progress in the Devon Championship race, which was led for some time by 735 Wayne Flint.  The white grader was still leading as the lap boards appeared, but Fasey and Gillett edged ahead.  Fasey went on to win, former Champion Gillett was the runner-up and 242 Ben Ellacott took third in the closing stages.
Fasey then looked to have come from the back of the grid to the front in the Allcomers, but he got caught up with a gaggle of wayward backmarkers on the final lap, and Ellacott was able to squeeze by for victory, with Fasey only recovering for sixth.