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31st
July - Hednesford - National Championship Meeting
Report by Richard Neil
The Midgets returned to Hednesford Hills for
the first time since the early seventies on 31st July. The
circuit which has hosted the National Hot Rod Championship
since the year dot was appropriately the venue for this year's
Midget National. An interesting meeting in prospect then,
as very few of the drivers had experience of the fast Cannock
oval. A good entry featuring all the regulars was boosted
with a welcome visit from European Champion, Toni Scheepens
from Holland.
Heat one saw 'local boy makes good' in the
shape of Neil Clarke in his Alfa powered Ray taking victory
from Tony Haynes, Nic Grindrod and Simon Hiles. With three
out of the top four places being filled by Midlanders, the
others went away to psyche themselves up for heat two.
Gary Piper lead away Barry Phillips at the
start of heat two although fast moving Hiles soon charged
past to take up the running. The race was then red flagged
twice within six laps as Tony Haynes lost the nose from his
VW and then Steve Piggins went almost flat out into the barrier
on the first bend after the throttle stuck open. Steve was
taken of[ to the medical centre as a precautionary measure
and was thankfully in one piece, despite having a badly bruised
leg. The re-start saw Clarke jump into the lead once again
from Hiles who was quickly overhauled by a flying John Weston
and Harry Sayell. This was the order they finished with Haynes
netting fourth and Scheepens fifth.
Hiles made a demon start off the front row
in the Championship race leading Piper with Clarke chasing
his hat trick a few lengths back. Clarke soon caught and
passed the two white graders and set about establishing a
lead. This proved a difficult and ultimately impossible task
as Sayell was in full flight and the King's Lynn
man soon powered his way around the outside to take the lead.
Back down the order, Nic Grindrod had a couple of spins, but
recovered sufficiently to challenge for a trophy as he caught
the duelling Hiles and Piper, the latter losing it on the
first turn looking around the outside. Sayell, in an impressive
drive, lapped the entire field on his way to victory. Clarke
recovered from a spin on the final bend for second whilst
Grindrod took an eventual third.
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1st
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2nd
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3rd
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4th
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5th
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6th
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7th
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8th
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9th
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10th
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Heat 1
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77
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9
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22
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26
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1
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11
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55
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78
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3
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12
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Heat 2
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77
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55
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1
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100c
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41
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3
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12
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National
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1
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22
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77
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26
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41
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12
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100c
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Two more wins for Nobby whilst Sonic retains
the title. Toni Scheepens is a most welcome visitor. Nic
Grindrod is placed second following a viewing of the race
video by the Club Committee.
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