1980

Defending champ - Jan van Rengs

Basil Craske

Mick Bonner

Alf Boarer

Garry Pollard

World Championship Preview
From Short Circuit, Sept 1980

This year's World Championship for the sadly underrated Grand Prix Midgets takes place, for the first time, on British tarmac, at Northampton on September 7th, sponsored by Clifton Curry Houses of London, who additionally sponsor Midget 22, Alan Fretten Here is the line-up for the Championship race, with profiles on England's top four by Eric Fretten, and notes on the foreign entry by June Cochrane:

England: 1 Harry Sayell, 2 Eric Fretten, 7 David Scott, 8 Ray Rapson, 9 Brian Forrest, 17 Geoff Hughes, 18 Roland Parker, 21 Basil Craske, 23 Gary Pollard, 24 Mick Bonner, 33 John Lowe, 89 Alf Boarer Holland: 11 Henk Hansson, 43 Jan Van Rengs (defending Champion), 47 Henk Van Rengs, 48 Jan Lit jeans Garmany: 41 Jan Schraets, 53 Ludier Volti, 88 Willi Thissen, 93 Klaus Kilianski

THE DUTCH CHALLENGE

Jan Van Rangs
Married, 2 children, Chicken farmer Car: Mk 7 Dastle/VW

Henk Hansson
Age 24, Married Lorry driver World Champion 1978

Jan Litjeans
Age 21, Single Farm Worker Third best in Holland

Henk van Rengs
Age 24, Married Chicken Farmer Car: Dastle Ford

GERMANY'S BEST

Jan Schraets
Home town Aachen Car: F3 based

Ludler Volti
Age 43, Married, 2 children Car dealer Car: Dastle Ford

Willi Thissen
Age 29 Married Car: Fireball Lotus Top German scorer

Klaus Kilianski
Has raced in England at Bovingdon in Graham Hill Trophy Meetings '79, '8O

BASIL CRASKE from Norwich. His car is a one-off special designed and maintained by Cliff Cullingford. An extremely fast and well handling midget with a VW engine to a Hewland gear box Basil is 34 years old, a garage owner and married. He started racing with Spedeworth in 1970 with a front wheel drive Fireball - he got the bug after mechanicking the 'Black lawnmower' for a year He has had his present car for five seasons. He was fifth in the club Championship in the first season, and since then he has won it every year. He has twice been second in the European Championships and has been 3rd in the World Championship. Perhaps he will win this onel Last season he won every Trophy Race in the country other than the British Championship when he was second. He was also second in the European Championship. He did not contest the World Championship following a difference of opinion with the promoter concerning the technical merit of his exhaust system. On the track Basil gives nothing, off it he is a very helpful man with a rather biting sense of humour. Started his racing career on motorcycles His only ambition is to be a millionaire

MICK BONNER From Colchester Started racing Midgets with Spedeworth in 1968 with a front engined front wheel drive machine. Got his present car 1275cc BL engined Scorpion in 1972 and has raced it ever since. Mick is 41 years old, married and has two sons aged 14 and 15, the older one was noticed trying the Scorpion for size in the pits at Arena earlier this season. Mick won the British Championship first in 1971 and has held this title three times. Was World Champion in 1977 and was second in the European Championship in 1974. By trade he is a plater welder, and examples of his work are to be found on many of the midgets racing today. His car is always very fast and extremely competitive, and Mick always drives it to the limit, his spectacular, tail hanging out cornering style makes him an exciting competitor to watch. A very determined driver who is in with a chance in every race he contests. Prepares his own car

ALF BOARER Drives a 1275 Cooper 'S' engined Arrow Midget which he built and maintains himself. A fast and well prepared car which handles well and is always in the shake up. Alf is single, 28 years old and is a Transport and Warehouse Manager for the Allard Group He has finished third in both the World and European Championships and in four seasons' racing has collected no less than 52 trophies. His father, Bill, started racing midgets in 1972 and Alf says he had to start just to beat his Dad! He has never finished out of the top six in the club championships. His best race this season was probably when he won the Bill Boarer trophy present by his family in memory of Bill who was tragically drowned earlier this year. The Westnofa Trophy is presented by Alf's employers the Allard Group and is raced for equally by the club members. Alf's hobbies are horse riding and squash - when he is not working on his midget. Currently second in the club championship

GARY POLLARD Drives a Cooper'S' engined Arrow which he built and prepared himself. His car is always immaculately turned out and well prepared. Married with one son, Gary is 29 years old. After two seasons' racing Superstocks, he started midget racing in 1977 and quickly made his presence felt Some drivers will remember a Dastle that seemed to have a mind of its own, however, since building the Arrow, he has become very consistent and is currently fourth in the club championship. A dustman/driver by occupation, Gary claims this not only gives him driving practice but sufficient time off to maintain his own car and to build one for his father! A great character, a good clubman, always willing to help anyone who is stuck. His hobby is rebuilding his car each winter.

We will be featuring these mini-profiles on Midgets daredevil drivers in future issues - may the best man win on the day, good luck to the English contingent!