Banger racing
Encyclopedia
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
in which drivers of old vehicles
Decrepit car
A decrepit car is an old, dilapidated and often rusty and dysfunctional car. Such a vehicle is not a well kept antique car, but a car which is mostly rundown or damaged...
race against one another around a race track and the race is won in terms of the first car to the chequered flag. The race tracks are usually oval, around 440 yards (400 metres) but on occasion are constructed in a figure eight
Figure 8 racing
Figure 8 racing is a form of racing that combines elements of oval racing, demolition derby, and road racing.-Track:Racing is done on a track shaped like an 8. The cars cross paths at the center of the 8, which is known as the "crossover". Because of this layout, crashes are inevitable...
design.
Banger racing vehicles are normally scrap cars (various classes have 4, 6, or 8 cylinder engines), but they can be constructed from almost any powered wheeled vehicle with bizarre versions of the sport using cars towing caravans or trailers happening as special events at some tracks. "Siamese
Conjoined twins
Conjoined twins are identical twins whose bodies are joined in utero. A rare phenomenon, the occurrence is estimated to range from 1 in 50,000 births to 1 in 100,000 births, with a somewhat higher incidence in Southwest Asia and Africa. Approximately half are stillborn, and a smaller fraction of...
" banger racing where two cars are chained together for the race but each car independently driven is also practised. In addition, there is a variation where one car is placed on the roof of another, with the driver of one car steering and the other controlling the gas pedal and brake, and another ("train racing") where three cars—one vehicle with an engine but no brakes, a second vehicle with no driver, engine or brakes, and a third vehicle with no engine but a driver who operates the brakes—are tied together and the race is distinguished by "teams". There are different events for different vehicles, often with prizes for the best presented / rarest vehicle.
From humble beginnings, the sport has become the premier formula in Short Oval racing in the UK, regularly drawing the largest numbers of both competitors and spectators. The Unlimited Banger World Final was held at Wimbledon Stadium
Wimbledon Stadium
Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located in Wimbledon in southwest London, England. It also hosts speedway, stock car and other racing events....
in London from 1974 until 2007.From 2008 it was relocated to Ipswich due to the low emission zone in London. The peak number of cars to compete was in 2003 when around 13,000 cars raced, of which around 9,500 were "fresh" (not previously raced). Around 1989 - 1990 promoters began hosting "open" meetings with significant prize funds; the first of these being held at Ringwood Raceway and Arena Essex. The "Icebreaker", held at Swaffham on February 8, 1998 is widely regarded as the "best" ever event, drawing 209 competitors in a day of heavy action. However, the annual "Heavy Metal Classic" event in January of each year at Standlake Arena in Oxfordshire has beaten this on several occasions with as many as 270 cars being raced. In 2009, the HMC Meeting attracted 253 cars booked in to race.
There are further dimensions to this sport apart from the actual racing - one is the quest for interesting vehicles to wreck and race. In addition to this there is a recent trend for high quality professional car preparation both in terms of performance and physical appearance. These developments move the sport away from the "scrap-car", cheap motorsport area and provide a higher profile entertainment spectacle. This aspect of the sport is explored on the website http://www.atozofbangerracing.co.uk, although most of the cars used are still rust buckets bought for around £200. At "important" or "title" events, the cars are meticulously prepared to high standards. In recent years, top drivers have invested significantly in race-tuned engines, "sticky" tyres and even suspension set-ups. In North America, as this is specifically an entry-level class, many tracks will restrict tyres to specification tyres specifically listed in the rule book, and restrict engines, gearboxes, and axles to specific types per manufacturer and limit the types of cars used depending on Street Stock type based on engine size.
Banger racing is distinct from Demolition Derby
Demolition derby
Demolition derby is a motorsport usually presented at county fairs and festivals. While rules vary from event to event, the typical demolition derby event consists of five or more drivers competing by deliberately ramming their vehicles into one another...
as the objective of that motorsport is not to turn laps, but to simply smash and destroy and ultimately immobilise the opposition, until only one vehicle is left, which is deemed the winner. On many occasions, though, the last event of the day at a banger racing event may be a demolition derby, and unlike the American version the cars are well used before being smashed to death. In Street Stock racing, however, the drivers are racing for a track championship, and the cars are usually repaired and raced the next weekend.
In a Banger or Enduro format, at times over 50 cars start a race. In a Street Stock format, if car counts are high, cars will be placed in heat races where the top finishers advance to a feature, but most will feature 15-24 cars for the feature. In either format, the cars are gridded across the track in a rolling start for the race, which usually has a finite number of laps (15-30 laps for Street Stock, up to 300 laps for the Banger or Enduro format).
In a Banger or Enduro format, yellow flags are used during the race to warn drivers that caution is required. Cars which stall or are stopped by opposing drivers are usually left on the course while the race continues. If it is deemed necessary to move them or if a driver is in particular danger (including fire), the safety car
Safety car
In motorsport, a safety car or pace car is a car which limits the speed of competing cars on a racetrack in the case of a caution period such as an obstruction on the track. During a caution period the safety car enters the track ahead of the leader...
may neutralise if permitted by rules, or a red flag used to stop the race. Races are then usually restarted when the situation has been cleared.
In a Street Stock format, most tracks will neutralise the field upon any imminent danger with the safety car
Safety car
In motorsport, a safety car or pace car is a car which limits the speed of competing cars on a racetrack in the case of a caution period such as an obstruction on the track. During a caution period the safety car enters the track ahead of the leader...
automatically because of the short nature of the races, which may often be run with only green flag laps counting (no safety car laps count). Drivers who intentionally crash into other cars, cause multiple safety car situations, or drive in a hazardous manner may be disqualified from the race on the spot by marshals.
Some vehicle enthusiasts object to banger racing on the grounds that it is responsible for the destruction of countless classic cars, and the reason why many models, such as the Ford Cortina
Ford Cortina
As the 1960s dawned, BMC were revelling in the success of their new Mini – the first successful true minicar to be built in Britain in the postwar era...
are a very rare sight on the roads these days.
There are a few vehicles that have tended to dominate the banger scene in the UK. In the 1970s the BMC Farina range comprising the A60 Cambridge, Morris Oxford, Riley 4/72, Wolseley 16/60 and MG Magnette were the car to be in. Also Jaguar XJS
Jaguar XJS
The Jaguar XJ-S is a luxury grand tourer produced by the British manufacturer Jaguar from 1975 to 1996. The XJ-S replaced the E-Type in September 1975, and was based on the XJ saloon. It had been developed as the XK-F, though it was very different in character from its predecessor...
, XJ6
Jaguar XJ
Jaguar XJ is the designation that has been used for a series of luxury saloon cars sold under the British Jaguar marque. The first XJ was launched in 1968 and the designation has been used for successive Jaguar flagship models since then. The original model was the last Jaguar saloon to have had...
, XJ40
Jaguar XJ
Jaguar XJ is the designation that has been used for a series of luxury saloon cars sold under the British Jaguar marque. The first XJ was launched in 1968 and the designation has been used for successive Jaguar flagship models since then. The original model was the last Jaguar saloon to have had...
, many other models, Rover's P4 & P5 saloons, Triumph 2000
Triumph 2000
The Triumph 2000 is a mid-sized, rear wheel drive automobile which was produced in Coventry by the Triumph Motor Company between 1963 and 1977. Larger-engined models, known as the Triumph 2.5 PI and Triumph 2500 were also produced.-Engine:...
, Volvo 240, Volvo 740 and Volvo 940 (normally estate models) the main one being the Ford Granada
Ford Granada (Europe)
The March 1972 released Granada succeeded the British Ford Zephyr, and the German P7-series as Ford's European executive car offering. At first, lower models in the range were called the Ford Consul, but from 1975 on they were all called Granadas. The car soon became popular for taxi, fleet and...
Mk1 and Mk2. The Granada Mk3 wasn't such a success as they do not seem as strong, a trait that the Mk3 shares with the Sierra
Ford Sierra
The Ford Sierra is a large family car that was built by Ford Europe from 1982 until 1993. It was designed by Uwe Bahnsen, Robert Lutz and Patrick le Quément. The code used during development was "Project Toni"....
. For the smaller meetings, often referred to as "Unders" meetings, the Ford Cortina and Capri
Ford Capri
Ford Capri was a name used by the Ford Motor Company for three different automobile models. The Ford Consul Capri coupé was produced by Ford of Britain between 1961 and 1964. The Ford Capri coupé was produced by Ford of Europe from 1969 to 1986...
were the usual weapon of choice. "Unlimited" meetings tend to attract big American cars, known as "Yanks." However, these days, with the older vehicles diminishing from British roads, newer vehicles have been pressed into banger racing service. The Ford Mondeo
Ford Mondeo
The Mondeo was launched on 8 January 1993, and sales began on 22 March 1993. Available as a four-door saloon, a five-door hatchback, and a five-door estate, all models for the European market were produced at Ford's plant in the Belgian city of Genk...
, Vauxhall Cavalier
Vauxhall Cavalier
The Vauxhall Cavalier is a large family car sold primarily in the UK by Vauxhall Motors, the British division of General Motors , from 1975 to 1995...
and the Nissan Bluebird
Nissan Bluebird
Although Nissan's own materials indicate that the Bluebird name emerged in 1959, some records show that the name first adorned a 988 cc, four-door sedan in 1957, which was part of the company's 210 series...
have developed a following and are used almost everywhere. The fact that they are front wheel drive also gives a substantial advantage to the older rear wheel drive vehicles which are becoming increasingly rare on UK raceways.
A high turnover rate in the sport leads to a short lifespan for the cars involved, but newer cars such as the Ford Mondeo
Ford Mondeo
The Mondeo was launched on 8 January 1993, and sales began on 22 March 1993. Available as a four-door saloon, a five-door hatchback, and a five-door estate, all models for the European market were produced at Ford's plant in the Belgian city of Genk...
have provided a ready supply of vehicles to competitors.
The newer vehicles are often used in more entry-level divisions of Street Stock racing, often called Pure Stock, Mini Stock, Hornet, or 4-Cylinder classes, typically an entry-level class lower than the traditional Street Stock eight-cylinder category. The Street Stock scene in North America has been dominated by the General Motors A-Body and G-Body cars of the 1970s and 1980s, with some Ford and Chrysler products involved. The 1979-93 Ford Mustang dominates the 4-cylinder Street Stock classes but some tracks are now legalising front-wheel drive Street Stocks, with the General Motors J-Body also being used, as are the 1980s Dodge Daytona. As the scarcity of the cars continues, many Late Model chassis companies are now providing aftermarket replacement parts for Street Stocks, and often the cars are sold to entry level racers when they either stop racing or want to advance to a higher division at the local race tracks.
- Banger Classes:
- Unlimtied Bangers
- National Bangers
- Micro Bangers
- Reliant Robins
- Rookie Bangers
- Junior Bangers
- Big Van Bangers
- Pre 70
- Caravan Bangers
Spedeworth Unlimited World Final Winners
1974 Blondie Melbourne - Austin A60
1975 Chris Medler - M.G. Magnette
1976 Chris Medler - Volvo Amazon
1977 Terry Thomas - Austin A60
1978 Dick Dawkins - Austin A60
1979 Darwin Melbourne - Austin A60
1980 Darwin Melbourne - Austin A60
1981 Nick Linfield - Austin 3 Litre
1982 Chris Colliver - Austin 1800
1983 Graham Lashley - Austin 3 Litre
1984 Shaun Liddiard - Austin Princess
1985 Paul Shepherd - Jaguar XJ6
1986 Sean Gallagher - Austin Westy
1987 Roger Wilko - Jaguar XJ6
1988 Terry Coke - Rover P5
1989 Tim Coates - Jaguar XJ6
1990 Dougie George - Triumph 2000
1991 Dave Day - Ford Granada Mk2
1992 Nick Courtier - Ford Granada Mk2
1993 Terry Harris - Ford GranadaMk2 2door
1994 Richard Martin - Ford Granada Mk2
1995 Mark Holdsworth - Ford Granada Mk2 estate
1996 Colin Farley - Ford Granada Mk1
1997 Gary Madgwick - Ford Granada Mk2
1998 Colin Farley - Ford Granada Mk2
1999 Alan Reed - Jaguar XJ6
2000 Danny Hunt - Ford Granada Mk2
2001 Willie Skoyles - Ford Granada Mk2
2002 Mark Simmonds - Ford Granada Mk2 estate
2003 Dave Vincent - Ford Granada Mk2 estate
2004 Keith Painter - Ford Granada Mk2 estate
2005 Shane Davies - Ford Granada Mk2
2006 Jason Jackson - Ford Granada Mk2 estate
2007 Jason Jackson - Ford Granada Mk2 estate
2008 Dale Hughes - Ford Granada Mk2
2009 Paul Tompkins - Ford Granada Mk2 estate
2010 Dale Hughes - Ford Granada Mk2
2011 Shane Davies - Lexus LS400
PRI National Final Winners
1971 Kevin McAuley - Ford Consul Mk2
1972 John McGirr - Austin A55
1973 Peter Miles -
1974 Peter Miles -
1975 Brian Boulton -
1976 Brian Boulton -
1977 John Govier -
1978 Bill Smith -
1979 Terry Betts -
1980 Tony Wise -
1981 John Govier -
1982 Dave Sanderson -
1983 John King -
1984 Trevor Jones -
1985 Les Mapp -
1986 Tony Wade -
1987 Steve Taylor - Ford Granada Mk1
1988 Dennis Whiteman -
1989 Steve Taylor -
1990 Kev Wilsher - Ford Granada Mk1
1991 Steve Taylor - Ford Granada Mk2
1992 Gary Sheldon - Ford Granada Mk1
1993 Chris Whiteman - Ford Granada Mk2
1994 Vince Wolf - Ford Granada Mk2
1995 Ian Cadman - Ford Granada Mk2
1996 Mark Boulden - Ford Granada Mk2 estate
1997 Alan Trickett - Ford Granada Mk2
1998 John Harris - Ford Granada Mk2 estate
1999 Phil Hudson - Ford Granada Mk2 estate
2000 Richie Ahern - Ford Granada Mk2
2001 Andy Davies - Ford Granada Mk2
2002 Brett Ellacott - Ford Granada Mk2
2003 Andy Davies - Ford Granada Mk2 estate
2004 Wayne Cottrill Jnr - Ford Granada Mk2
2005 Matt Fuller - Ford Granada Mk2
2006 Billy King - Ford Granada Mk2 estate
2007 Paul Whiteman - Ford Granada Mk2
2008 Carl Overy - Ford Granada Mk2
2009 Matt Fuller - Ford Mondeo estate
2010 Lee Hughes - Ford Mondeo estate
2011 Lee Hughes - Ford Mondeo
See also
- FolkraceFolkraceFolkrace is a popular, inexpensive, and entry-level form of Swedish rallycross that originally came from Finland, where it was called Jokamiesluokka . The sport also exists in Norway and Denmark, where it is known as Bilcross and Folkerace respectively.The races are run on special gravel or tarmac...