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Thursday 23rd March 1972, Aldershot
Report by Rod Tanswell, Spedeweek Magazine
With a fine warm evening for the time of year
and conditions ideal for racing we were entertained by some
good racing at Aldershot on the 23rd. The Midgets turned out
in force to give us some fine racing which always happens
when we get a good turn out of cars. Race 1 turned out to
be quite a battle at the start with Frank Boyles getting,
by Rod Tanswell very early in the race. Unfortunately Rod
had trouble and retired early leaving Frank to battle on through
the field to finally win from Derek Johnson who came second
and up and coming star Neil Thomas who got third spot.
The second race of the evening, was a fine
duel between Rod and Frank after some frantic work in the
pits where I noticed Frank giving Rod some assistance. Just
goes to show the spirit of these lads when off the track.
Bob Burrage also drove a good race. Bob, who comes from Capel
St Mary, near Ipswich is going very well this year and should
make star grading before very long. The final outcome was
another win for Frank Boyles, closely followed by Rod Tanswell
and Bob Burrage.
The third and final race of the evening, ended
up a three headed duel (!) between Frank Boyles, Rod Tanswell
and National Champion, Bob Elson who seemed to have got his
car sorted out by the last race. Bob drove like a demon to
take first place followed home by Frank Boyles with Rod Tanswell
hard on his heels. To me this was the best of the three races
with each car giving its best.
Gerald Ames (M17) was out for the first time
with his new rear engine car and was going extremely well
for a first meeting, in fact I noticed that both Boyles and
Tanswell had a great deal of trouble in passing him. Midget
M74 was also feeling his way in the ex-Bob Elson car, you
will remember in an earlier write-up I told you of his unfortunate
accident while practising, here at Aldershot and ended up
in the fence (he broke a rib incidentally), as well as wrecking
the car. Nice to see you racing again John!
It seems the main championship dates have
been chosen for the Midgets this year. There are four major
titles the first being, staged at Ringwood on Monday 29th
May, which will be the Southern Championship. The second will
be at Ipswich on the British Championship weekend and will
be the East Anglian Championship. The third will be the British
Championship at White City on 25th August and finally the
National Championship at Wimbledon on the 14th October, so
they each have something to work for.
Well what of the two meetings being staged
this Easter weekend? First, I think we will see the biggest
entries of Midgets this year and could well exceed thirty
cars at each meeting. Secondly with the meetings being in
the South the East Anglian drivers will be able to stay overnight
and do the two meetings which again points to a good turn
out, and usually when you have a good number of cars you have
close racing. After seeing the first two meetings for Midgets
I am not going to stick my neck out and say who I think will
take the honours, all I will say is that there will be some
fine racing for you the public to enjoy in all formulae.
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1970's 