London Diary by Man on the Terrace from Spedeweek no 45
The Wimbledon crowd has not always had the best of luck with
the Midgets, with wet, muddy tracks causing endless problems
to the drivers. However conditions were perfect for the 1973
National Championship on November 3rd and a large field of
Midget car drivers from Spedeworth and the Midget Auto Racing
Club showed their appreciation by putting on a wonderful display
of first class racing.
32 cars started the 50 lap Championship event. Don Bray was
the early leader but had the misfortune to hit a spinning
backmarker. From that moment Frank Boyles took over, followed
by British Champion Derek Johnson, Keith Fransella, Paul Emery
and Mick Bonner. Emery and Bonner tangled. Fransella took
over second spot and Rod Tanswell and Bob Elson joined in
the battle for the minor places. Keith Fransella was perhaps
the only one who looked to have a chance of catching Frank
Boyles but Frank never put a foot wrong with as superb a drive
as even he has ever managed.
National Championship: 1st Frank Boyles (drawn 7), 2nd Keith
Fransella (drawn 6), 3rd Derek Johnson (drawn 4), 4th Bob
Elson (drawn 10), 5th Rod Tanswell (drawn 12), 6th Barry Martin
(drawn 21)
Sadly this race marked the retirement of Rod Tanswell. To
Rod goes much of the credit for the success of the Midgets.
As a driver only Boyles has really rivalled him, as an organiser
for Spedeworth he has spent hours planning and encouraging
his fellow drivers. He was bitterly disappointed when the
MARC split with Spedeworth, just when the situation was looking
promising for the Midgets, but he set about rebuilding the
sport. Without his keeness Spedeworth could well have dropped
these cars. Last year he was a big enough man to welcome back
the MARC to our tracks despite his view that they had let
down the organisation. In earlier years Rod was a fine Superstox
driver, holding down the Silver Top for a short time and in
1967 won the National Match Race Championship. We shall miss
you on track Rod, but it is good to know that the future of
Midget cars will still be in your safe hands. Thank you for
all the pleasure you have given us over the years.
The other two Midget races were equally good. Don Bray again
had bad luck in the first, hitting a back marker when third
on the last lap. Frank Boyles won from Mick Bonner and Brian
Forrest. Derek Johnson won the last race from Bonner and Boyles.
Midget Scene by The Informer from Spedeweek no 45
It was no great surprise to see Frank Boyles win this year's
National Championship for Midgets at Wimbledon on Sunday last,
3rd November. Frank has been going well all season, heading
the points chart for the second year running, no mean feat
in itself.
No doubt the East Anglian supporters were disappointed when
Mick Bonner crashed, as without a doubt he was their main
hope of an East Anglian win. However, Barry Martin did manage
a 6th place.
With one more meeting for Midgets left, Carnival Night at
Wimbledon on 24th November the season has gone all too quickly.
The Midget drivers have certainly made their mark this year
on us all. From what I am told next year should be even greater
with a lot of new Midgets taking the raceway. I am told that
five cars of the same type as Bill Boarer's, the Sidewinder,
have been ordered. Barry Martin is having a Fireball 3, same
as Derek Johnson and Rod Tanswell's car. Frank has also sold
quite a number of the Fireball Mk4.
One driver that will not be racing next year is Rod Tanswell
who announced his retirement at Wimbledon last Saturday. Rod
has been in the sport from the start when only two cars existed.
However, the lads gave him quite a send off by dropping him
fully clothed into the fountain. Rod informs me that he will
still be involved with the Midgets, keeping them under his
wing so to speak.
