1991

The Grand Prix Midget season got underway at Northampton Stadium on Easter Monday and it was one that might have ruffled a feather or two in the top racks with white tops to the fore!

The spray booths had obviously been busy over the winter months with several of the cars sporting fancy new paint ~. Roger Pooley was one of these and he was also using his set of Hoosier tyres won at the last meeting of the season in a lucky draw held by the Club? David Shreeves was reminiscent of the old JPS Formula 1's with a super black and gold livery; whilst Kevin Stanford's car was sporting a new front design, new paint job with new sponsors Empire Carpets and P and A Promotions heavily in evidence, that might even account for the snazzy new aerofoil he's added too.

But none of these new look cars featured in the trophies.  Rather than the VW battle expected, the first battle was that of the two Harrys!  Harry Lowe took his car to win both heats from the blue grade with Harry Sayell unable to close the gap soon enough from the silver spot to actually challenge him.  Just as it looked like the extra seven laps in the Final would let us see the challenge take place, Harry Lowe was forced to pull out before the race due to overheating problems.  So Harry Sayell took the first major trophy of the season, the Casa Challenge Cup - one he's not won before, would you believe!

But it was the newcomers and white tops that drew everyone's attention.  All three newcomers on the day looked impressive.  Peter Swift lived up to his name, absolutely storming off the line in each race.  Tony Hayes was experiencing some understeer in his ex-Sinclair Arrow but it is twenty years since he last raced on small ovals in Formula One stockcars.  A recent F2 convert John Calladine with the exWeston Arrow stole the show however by scoring points in both his second and third races actually finishing third in the Casa, gaining a trophy at his first meeting. His dad had been up since 5.00 am because he was so nervous and said that the team were delighted to have finished all three races, let alone take a trophy home!

But if success came quickly for John it was a question of patience is a virtue for second placed Ron Eliott who has been with the Club over twenty years.  He took is EIS Racing owned MK15 Dastle to second place in the Casa much to everyone's delight - except that is for red tops Kevin Stanford and Duncan Long who kicked themselves back to the pits for overlooking the two white tops!

Ron will also be interested to hear that Northampton Promoter Mr John Clarke has put up a prize for the top points scoring front engined Midget over the season which he's promised to award at the Presentation Night in November.  The EIS Dastle already third in the Drivers Championship must be in with an excellent chance.

Sponsorship seems to be featuring heavily this season with drivers either searching for it, or already using it, and this seems to be a Club theme too with ral new deals in the pipeline =h has got the Club officials grinning away like Cheshire cats.