HOT RODS at MENDIPS RACEWAY
Occasionally, just occasionally you
attend a stock car meeting and much to
your delight and surprise discover an
added bonus to make the day really
special.
One such event was a recent trip to the
spectacular Mendip Raceway to take in
the Hamilton Motors trophy for the West
Country Hot Rods.
The raceway itself, high on top of the
Mendip Hills with its unique down hill
home-straight and uphill back-straight
(for most formulas), is well served by
high grass banking, several food (and
scrumpy) outlets and ample car parking.
With an entry of nine Hot Rods, an
assortment of vehicles were assembled
in the pits, ranging from, one of the few
still racing, Ford Focus of Larry
Adding an air of excitement and
anticipation to the event was the arrival
of local Glastonbury racer, Colin White, a
regular at the raceway when other
commitments permit, who along with his
usual Tigra, unloaded a pristine
Volkswagen Corrado. With its familiar
turquoise CWS livery and adorned with
the Triple World Champion '98 '99 '00
signage.
Was this the original race car?
In fact, it was a completely new rebuild of
the previously owned James Jamieson
Corrado bedecked in the latest Autocross
panels and finished to an immaculate
standard.
36
The final for the Hamilton Motors trophy
appeared to be heading the way of
James Griggs but with a hard charging
Colin White, the two of them crossed the
line together with Colin White just taking
the victory by the width of the proverbial
'gnat’s wing'. Steve Hunt took third spot.
With both cars in attendance, which one
would contest the event?
Pre-event practice was to see the
Corrado taking to the track and after
a couple of warm up laps, it wasn't
long before the car was in classic
Colin White mode, full chat, tail out,
thick black tyre marks, a sight
to behold and so
reminiscent of days
gone bye.
All too soon
practice was
over and
the Tigra
was the car
of choice.
Langmead (a
David/Chris Haird original),
James Briggs in the retro style Peugeot
205 and what must surely be one of the
last remaining Honda Civic Hot Rods for
St Austell racer, Rick Lee. Throw into the
mix Vauxhall Tigras, Citroen Saxo and
Peugeot 206 and a varied line up was
ensured.
Heat 2 was a flag to flag victory for Steve
Hunt, Colin White second and Larry
Langmead third.
As is customary with the Mendip Hot
Rods, Colin White took up his position at
the back of the field to start Heat 1.
James Griggs in the 205, built up a big
lead and after passing Steve Hunt, Colin
White gave chase just failing to pass
Griggs on the line.
A final
appearance by the legendary Corrado for
further test laps at the end of the day
rounded off a good days racing, the
question being would we see the car
again?
Probably unlikely, the car had been built
specifically to perform at the grand
opening of H