Midget racing is very popular at this German venue and our
big event was watched by a very large crowd. The main event
was our first race for which there was a draw. Guess who was
drawn on the front row? That lucky man Tanswell, and next
to him, soon to be rechristened HMS, Keith Fransella. I was
drawn about halfway back. The previous day's racing took its
toll on my brakes, having to brake down from about 100mph
at Opgrimbie and they failed on the first lap of the big race.
However I worked my way through to second place until, with
scruibbing my speed off I drifted too wide and just touched
one of the large tyres around the edge, which tore my rear
wheel round at and angle and put me out. Meanwhile Keith Fransella
had shot into the lead from Rod and for some reason best known
to himself suddenly left the track and to the huge amusement
of the crowd, disappeared down a large hole which was full
of water - splash! Unfortunately Keith had forgotten his rowlocks
so he put on his lifejacket and swam to the shore! Back in
the race Rod was pressing on in the lead and had a fairly
easy win and a huge ovation from the crowd.
For my own part, I very much enjoyed the weekend (seven wins
out of ten starts) and hope that many more such trips can
be planned in the future and I would like to take this opportunity
of wishing Barry van den Oetelaar ever success with his promoting
- he certainly deserves it.
11th June - Kaldenkirchen - European Championship Southdowner
from Spedeweek no19
The last meeting of the three was for the European Midget
Championship plus one race and a final for the last race of
the day. The first ended abruptly when more than half the
midgets congregated on coming out of the pit bend right in
front of the crowded banks. On the re run later Frankie Boyles
put up a terrific display to win easily. Though you read about
it later, the Midget championship was their first race so
the first three could not race again which gave Frank one
ambition. He has often been heard to say he can win any ordinary
races but when it comes to one with a cup something goes wrong.
Things changed for this last race. Last man on the line he
just swept through the field giving nobody the slightest hopes
of catching him and there he was home. Behind him Derek Johnson
had an easy second place until a back marker spun him out
and he finished eighth but after a protest had been made he
was restored to 2nd place as he deserved.
And so that European Midget Championship race. Grid positions
were by draw. The honour of making the first draw went to
our Harry Barnes who,with wife Lilly, had been working flat
out throughout the tour looking after the British fans and
competitors. First car out was… number one (Rod Tanswell)!
Second car… number 41 (Keith Fransella). Two British stars
on the front line. The race was a cracker. It was also the
first time any Midget follower had seen a midget complete
with driver down a well. Winner Rod Tanswell, runner up Malcolm
Brokhurst with Derek Johnson 6th.
