Saturday 6th April 1974, Wimbledon
Report by 'The Informer' from Spedeweek number 10
Despite the lack of cars at Wimbledon (17, 15 and 10 lining
up for the three races) the Midget racing was extremely good.
Ray Perry won the first race of the evening in fine style
followed home by ex Hot Rod star Malcolm Goodman, Keith Fransella
and Frank Boyles.
The second race was a real cliff hanger. Mick Bonner got
the break he was waiting for closely followed by Frank Boyles.
However, Mick managed to open up a lead from Frank while going
through the field and looked an easy winner. With four laps
to go his rear suspension gave way leaving the rear inside
wheel at a crazy angle, however Mick managed to hold on to
his lead until the end with Frank Boyles coming over the line
right on his tail. Neil Thomas came in third ahead of Ray
Perry who drove well from the back of the grid for fourth.
Neil has not had a lot of luck so far this year so it is nice
to see him in the places.
The third race was a 'walk over' for Frank Boyles with Mick
Bonner clouting the fence in the opening, laps. This spoilt
the race because these two lads were really going for the
honours in the last race. Malcolm Goodman was second with
Keith Fransella in third and Bob Elson fourth.
Talking to Ray Perry after the meeting about his win in the
first race he informed me that he is building a new Midget
which he hopes to have out soon. He told me his present model
is up for sale minus the engine and gearbox for 500 pounds
and will do a custom paint job in any colour the new owner
wishes free of charge.
Talking to another Midget driver, David Niven who races for
the MARC, and talking, in general about Midgets. He has been
entering, his Midget in quite a variety of events around the
circuits. He has done quite well in Sprints and Hillclimbs
and got fastest time on aggregate at Lydden Hill at the end
of last season. Paul Emery has retired from Midgets racing
and is going into Group One Saloons along with Tony Stubbs
and Peter Jopp, although Peter still races Midgets of course.
