Warton Stock Car Club played host to an enthralling afternoon of racing on Sunday.
Twenty three races took place in a mix of Junior Rookies, Ministox, Senior Ministox, Stock Cars and Bangers fixtures in the Vale of Lune Trophy.
Stock car racing as a sport has enjoyed a recent resurgence, in terms of both class uptake and crowd numbers, and I was keen to discover what it was like to attend the Warton Stock Car Club meeting near Carnforth.
I was not disappointed.
The Junior Rookies were the racers with the least experience and yet, rather surprisingly, contested in some of the afternoon’s most exciting fixtures.
The cars that these drivers race in, such as Nissans and Fords, may be simplistic from an engineering point-of-view, however the class’s so-called ‘nudge and spin formula’ is very effective in terms of providing exciting and tense moments on the track – the first of the Junior Rookie heats in particular saw plenty of early crashes.
Zac Pears was particularly impressive, finishing first in three races, including the final, which was one of the most enjoyable fixtures of the day
Contact between cars is allowed during Stock Car and Ministock races but it was slightly less frequent compared to Banger and Junior Rookie rounds.
However, it is not to say that these races weren’t entertaining. The Stock Cars are, in my view, the most aesthetically pleasing and mechanically complex models on show at Warton.
The 2 Litre Banger Car races are undoubtedly the most popular with crowds on account of it being the ones with the most focus on full contact.
The event’s programme even states that ‘destruction is actively encouraged’.
This was certainly the case, especially as the stakes got higher and higher.
Banger racers were already taking risks and colliding during heats, but when the final rolled around, the chaos and excitement on track was next level.
Four cars collided with each other and one driver in particular seemed intent on just crashing into other cars!
The last few races of the day had less riding on them but were still dramatic nonetheless.
The event culminated in the Demolition Derby which featured several crashes and risky moves from drivers.
Thankfully, in the event of possible injury or cause for concern, medics are on standby for the affected driver(s).
The whole event is very well-organised and, although it is fast-paced and intense, it is a safe sport for all involved.
The commentator did a brilliant job of both informing and entertaining the crowd in-between races. In addition, this event is easily accessible as it one of very few stock car clubs in the UK that has trackside parking.
A great view is guaranteed regardless of where you are on the site.
It is the only short oval (quarter of a mile) circuit in Lancashire, which adds to its uniqueness in the local area. The atmosphere is made on the track, with the smell of fuel and smoke adding to the already exhilarating and rapid racing.
Warton Stock Car Club is certainly the place to go if you fancy some thrilling motorsport!
The club’s recent growth in popularity is unsurprising when considering the quality of racing the crowds witness.
Prices are more than reasonable for six hours’ worth of action.
I, for one, would love to go again.
Fixtures are taking place nearly every other Sunday until the start of November. For full details about upcoming events, see the Warton Stock Car Club website.
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