2000

Andy Collins made the best possible return to the track at the weekend. Racing for the first time since his spectacular roll over in the East of England Championship Andy won the first heat which simply proves that he and the repaired car are as good as ever.

Mark Hodges stretched his points lead over Neil Clarke in the Series by winning the second heat, although Rob Sayell had been so close behind for 8 laps before the flag we wondered if they were actually stuck together.

But Rob Sayell was determined not to get held up in the final and won this race by a "country mile" taking home the gold cup, which Harry had won every year since its inauguration giving Anne the job of finding a home for it for a 4th year running!

Steve Piggins took up the running on lap 3 of the first race pulling out a substantial gap between him and Andy Collins but was cruelly robbed by an electrical fault pulling out of the race on lap 8. Collins took up the lead and pulled well clear of Jones in third and a tight pack of red grades cars headed by Gary Granger. Rob Sayell well down in 6th place when Andy Collins hit the front was up to second 4 laps later and quickly reeled in the Dastle of Andy Collins. As the last lap started Rob had caught Andy and was on the outside going into the pit corner. But he couldn't make it stick and had to resort to a last bend dive up the inside. He was alongside Andy as they crossed the line but Collins had the line and won by a nose. Andy was delighted with the result, which made his hard work repairing the car all worth while, and this was echoed by the drivers in the pits.

All hell broke loose on lap 5 of Race Two when a pack of cars descended on a much slower Ben Pashley whose car was mis-firing. As the front cars of Steve Piggins and Gary Jones braked anticipating Ben's speed, Neil Clarke hit Jones, flew up in the air and came down on Gary Granger's wheel before ploughing hard into the top wall. Garry Granger who had seconds earlier taken up second place behind John Bilby was sent into a massive spin coming to a stop conveniently off the racing line on the inner rumble strips. As the remaining cars went in all directions Mark Hodges and Rob Sayell emerged unscathed having overtaken Piggins, Jones, Herbert and the stricken cars in one corner. Two laps later the two flying BMCs passed John Bilby and from here an 8 laps duel ensued. Mark drove a very defensive line and eventually there was nothing Sayell could do to get past, Mark Hodges taking his 4th win of the season and valuable points in the series battle with Neil Clarke.

John Bilby took the early lead in the final succumbing to Steve Piggins Dastle on lap 4 and to Rob Sayell a lap later. Such was Steve's lead it took Rob 4 more laps to catch and pass him but once out in front Rob was untouchable and pulled far far away coming up behind 4th placed Collins as the flag dropped. With Rob long gone and Steve nearly a third of a lap ahead of the next car the attention went to the 4 car battle for third place. Gary Jones emerged ahead of Gary Granger and Andrew Bilby but Granger spun off on lap 12 of 20 losing one and half laps before rejoining. Gary Jones hit the armco and continued on round the pit bend, less a wheel, when his throttle jammed wide open on lap 17. As if this was not enough drama Steve Piggins very comfortable second place evaporated with three quarters of a lap to go when a suspension bracket snapped and he was forced to retire. Hodges and Bilby inherited second and third with Andy Collins 4th.

This was the third and final Midget visit to the Buxton Raceway and notable because it was also the third such meeting to be greeted with warm and sunny weather!

Heat One: 2 Andy Collins, 10 Rob Sayell, 77 Neil Clarke, 25 Gary Granger, 72 Gary Jones, 5 Mark Hodges, 16 Andrew Bilby, 67 Allen Herbert, 61 John Bilby, 3 Ben Pashley

Heat Two: 5 Mark Hodges, 10 Rob Sayell, 11 Steve Piggins , 2 Andy Collins, 61 John Bilby, 16 Andrew Bilby, 72 Gary Jones, 67 Allen Herbert, 44 Brian Gough, 3 Ben Pashley

Midland Challenge Cup: 10 Rob Sayell, 5 Mark Hodges, 16 Andrew Bilby, 2 Andy Collins, 44 Brian Gough, 61 John Bilby, 25 Gary Granger, 3 Ben Pashley.