Despite being pushed ever-closer towards the unforgiving armco fencing, Matt Carberry, hung on gamely to claim the British Superstox Championship in some style at Foxhall Stadium, Ipswich.
The 34-year old from Badwell Ash has very much continued from where he left off last year – his best season to date – adding the title to a collection that currently includes both the European and Southern titles too.
There was an early shock when current world champion Steven Jackson (Harleston) pulled out with a back injury. A drawn grid saw Ben Styles and Scotsman David Frame lead them away only for Shaun Brooker to quickly take it up. He was well clear when Dedham’s ‘Eager Beaver’ Phil Proctor once again thrilled fans with yet another impromptu Foxhall stunt. Last year he literally rode the wall. This time he got punted from behind, almost held it then got hit again causing Wilf Bridges to launch and land on top of Proctor’s stricken car.
With a closed-formation restart Brooker’s lead had been slashed and it was stopped soon again after Matt Sole was hit by Bacton’s Tom Naughton. Brooker was now really up against it with Matt Carberry and Jason Cooper breathing down his neck. In a tactical move Brooker let Carberry past only to then try and squeeze him out towards the fence. It was to no avail as Cooper hit Brooker, allowing Carberry to slip past and race away to victory.
The first of their other two races was particularly lively with Carberry clattering in to Brooker, then a four car pile-up resulted in Proctor sustaining yet more damage. A terrific scrap for the lead went down to the wire. Dave Pike lost it to Dale Fewings only to fight right back and re-claim it. Fewings had other ideas though and pushed him wide on the final corner for a textbook win. Pike turned the tables in their second heat.
Points leader Ian Beaumont took a sublime hat-trick in the 1300cc stock cars which is most unusual in a contact formula. Their opening race was a real beaut with action aplenty. Steven Ryan and Chris Partridge (Sudbury) had a thrilling battle for the lead which ultimately left Ryan crashing in to the armco. Newcomer Dave Osbourne came within two bends of a maiden win only for Beaumont to force him wide. Despite Lee Pearce twice nibbling the rear bumper of Beaumont in the final there was no stopping the ‘flying duck’, with Partridge claiming a well-deserved second place after Jason Scopes was dropped two places for jumping the start.
More than 50 Bangers contested their opening heat with both Michael Lane and Rob Haines – who dominated last season – surprisingly out early on.
The red flags came out after James Anderson (Rushmere St. Andrew) needed treatment. He wasn’t the only one, with Jack Vincent hitting the fence very hard in race two then Carl Frost (Ipswich) was in the wars during the final. Following post-race scrutineering checks all the results took on a totally different look with Simon Ford from Ipswich getting the nod in the final.
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