Photos: 1 - 23 Jim Harrod, 24 - 44 Kimberley McPherson, 45 HR Videos Screengrab

Report:

The annual Nutcracker event once again did not disappoint, attendance more or less as per the booking list, around 40 Unlimited Bangers, 70 1500cc Bangers and 40 Juniors in the pits to the December shale. The track prepared with protecting the surface in mind, after rain fall, the opening few laps proved tricky, but a great racing line soon developed.

As is now customary, the Nutcracker proved a chaotic, destructive, race with Jack Overy (617) coming through to take the win adding to his long resume of titles; Overy winner of the very first staging in 1993. Ashlun Woods (271) would take allcomers 1 in a race which saw Overy get taken out on opposite by Callum Hall (266) of The Bears, Overy seeking retribution went in on Luke Maynard (43), leaving Overy open for an assault from Kieran Bowman (178). Spedeworth World Champion Sid Madgwick (217) then went in on Bowman with Predators Team man Damien Matthews (87) going in on the back of Madgwick…. This one could spill over in to the Icebreaker! Allcomers 2 was slightly quieter and went the way of EA Veteran Andy Newton (321), before Leon Sudbury (335) was last one running in the Destruction Derby. Also of note should be BriSCA F1 Stock Car World and National Points Champion Tom Harris (84) piloting an Unlimited Banger around King’s Lynn for the first time for a number of years, a few enforced spins during the day, plus an engine change after the Nutcracker, but Harris took away a fifth and tenth place for his efforts.

In the 1500 Bangers a big grid of cars saw competitive action; the last chance race went the way of Ben Cox (9) following a determined drive ahead of Chris Cullum (732) and Bradley Green (449) to proceed to the National Championship. The big race drew a field of around 40 cars, a number of complete restarts and caution periods for the action demonstrated how chaotic the race was. The biggest turning point of the race saw, with just two laps to go, Lennie Murkin (608) and Jack Rookard (910) decide to both alongside one another turn it round in turn 2 and drive straight at the leaders, taking out the leading first 5 racers and allowing for North West Visitor Daniel Croskell (60) through to take the win. Local man Daniel Bitson (7) was in second and Chris Hornbrook (55) in third. Matt Armstrong (512) and Daniel Bitson (7) were victorious in the two Allcomers events. Brett Jackson (551) fought to last car running to take the Destruction Derby.

In the Juniors once again a full grid of youngsters took to the track; the Star graders struggled to get in to position to battle for the top places and the lower graders took the top spots all day. Mikey Whitehall (74) and Liam Waterfall (291) took the opening two races, before Jade Ellis (85) put all of her bad luck behind her to take her maiden victory in heat 3 after coming so close before; a great win for her. Jack Wright (996) then took his maiden final victory ahead of Lexi Finney (455) and Keaton Ivins (842) came home third.