1991

The end of July and beginning of August saw two major Championships in the Midget calender namely the National and World Championships.  Once again with meetings at the end of the month it won't be possible to give the results of all the August meetings in the time for the September issue.

Jim Gregory made the following comment about the Midgets return to Arlington in the programme for July 21st, "Of all the possible combinations of formulas and raceways this would be the last one I'd choose if I had to go out", and it's probably the thoughts most drivers had when they saw the track, with none of them having raced on the circuit before.  The wire fence and narrow track certainly seemed daunting and Duncan Long openly admitted that the fence seemed to be magnetic and he planned to stay well clear of it!  There were no accidents however and no one tested the fence either, and what is more the Midgets put up some sizzling times with Harry Sayell clocked at 14.6 seconds in the Final.  Harry won the main event, staged first, which is the first title he's managed to defend of the hoard he collected last year, the East of England crown being snatched in June by Duncan Long.  Harry also won the Final and may have had a hat-trick had he not collided with Peter Shreeve in race 2, but 1 say may have, because Gordon Pooley otherwise known as Flash, could well have robbed Harry of the victory even if he had finished, Gordon was lapping in 1 5 seconds and no-one could touch him.  Heat two saw Gordon's first ever win and with a second in the National Championship his prediction that he'll win the British Crown at the end of the month may well be right!  John Calladine defied all laws of physics to get his car round the Arlington track and all cars in his path too! and really thrilled the crowds with some amazing driving.  Notching up points in the Kent Cams/George Polley Motor-sport Championship John could still make life uncomfortable for Harry before the end of the season.

A full feature on the World Championship will enlighten readers as to the outcome of that event, suffice it to say that Klaus made it a double victory adding the World crown to his European one, but Harry Sayell made a valiant attempt at the defence with the 1300cc VW still giving Klaus cause for concern.

News on the home front includes the announcement of two new awards within the formula.  Empire Carpets who already sponsor Kev Stanford, have put up a cash bonus and trophy for the top white and blue grade drivers at each meeting throughout the rest of the season.  There will also be a fourth round in the Angel Hotel Series with an additional meeting at Northampton in October; and an announcement is expected any day as to the date of a meeting at High Edge, Buxton for the Midgets also in October.  Finally the latest rumours are that a promotor will soon be seen in a Midget and that Harry Sayell has been seen trying out a Formula Vee for size Meanwhile new drivers continue to join the ranks with Steve Kinnard of Sudbury expected to bring Pete Agers Fireball back to life in time for the British on Aug 26th, Chris Fern a grass track recruit hopes to have Gordon Pooley's old chassis rebuilt, whilst Mick Wright of Hoosier Tyres hopes to be out in the ex Eddy Ricketts Dastle, that's if he can get it rebuilt in time.  He tested the armco flat out at Northampton just 20 minutes after he'd taken possession of the car.  He has admitted surprise at how well the chassis took the impact, convinced at first he was about to meet his maker.  Mick came out of the 80 mph shunt with just a bruise or two and a fair bit of work before he can make his long awaited debut.

Rapid Recruits
Short Circuit September 1991 by Paul Huggett

Among the hardcore band of enthusiastic Midget racers this year are a number of recruits from other oval race formulae.  Brothers (sic) Tony and Stuart Haynes moved south from native Oldham some while back, Tony leaving behind his racing in the big engine BriSCA Fl Stock Cars, before joining the GP Midget club this year.  The two currently share a car - a neatly prepared 1300 Mini powered Arrow chassis - complete, or course, with Short Circuit stickers - and have managed so far to remain equal on points in the club championship.

From somewhat West of current Midget operations comes John Calladine, of Dursley, Gloucs.  With every meeting except those at Northampton the up-side of 100 miles away, the former BriSCA F2 pilot from what is otherwise traditionally Autograss country is enjoying a very successful first full year in Midgets, placed second in the Kent Cams/ George Polley Motorsport Championship table only to top Mid Sayell.  With a keen back up team Calladine is proving a welcome addition to the ranks.

Alf Oldfield is another new name on  the scene, having rebuilt a front engine Dastle for '90's competition.  Not so 'new', but well established as a star after some years at the Alwalton Raceway - which produced National Hot Rod stars as Steve Skitmore and is a regular venue GP Midgets - Kev Stanford is having few mechanical ailments with his modified Arrow, but currently holds fourth place in the championship table behind Peter Shreeve.  Wisbech based  Kevin used to race Saloon Stox and Superstox before converting to  Midgets, and his current car is based on an original Alf Boarer built chassis. The car is open to offers at present as Kevin has plans for a completely new outfit for next year.

Sayell's Midget National - Short Circuit September 1991 by Paul Huggett

Harry Sayell reaffirmed his position as current top UK Midget racer when the GP Midget circus made its first appearance at Arlington Raceway for more than ten years recently. With the National Championship title up for grabs, a surprisingly sparse entry made the trip to the Sussex track, but revived memories of the speed and inherent hazards of the fast but narrow circuit faced by the rapid open-wheel racers in the heyday of Spedeworth Midget racing in the late sixties, early seventies.

There were happily no major wrecks, but a tangle involving, among others, Kevin Swift and Stuart Haynes brought out the red flags for a restart in the main event.  Sayell worked his way through in his smooth style to take the lead, with the similar VW machine of Duncan long suffering mechanical problems, as was Kev Stanford's Arrow.  Runners-up in the National race were Gordon Pooley and John Weston.

Sayell was out of luck in the first of two support races, the Kings lynn man tangling with another car and losing part of the front panelwork, but after a grand dice with Weston, took the third race, with Midget Points Championship number two John Calladine in close company at the end.