Swaffham driver achieves best-ever finish in 2l banger world final at King's Lynn

Ashley Garrod secured a best-ever finish in the 2L Banger World Final with a fine third place finish.

But that was not good enough for the Swaffham racer who has his heart set on winning the title.

Tricky track conditions in the early stages of the race ultimately cost him the chance of winning the crown.

Once the track started to dry Garrod was the quickest on track but he ran out of laps to reel in the top two.

After the race, Garrod said: “I am pleased and disappointed.

“I normally don’t finish so to come home in third place was great but it is not the same as winning and winning the title is what I wanted.

“In the opening laps the track was very slippy and it was a case of concentrating on surviving with so many cars out there as a mistake then can easily cause a puncture or other problem.

“When the track started drying I felt I was quick but ran out of laps.

“It is a case now of looking to next year’s race and as for this year. I am well placed in the points and going to have a good go at winning the National Points and Silver Roof.”

Son Callum failed to make the grid in his last chance race but then went on to record a third and fourth place finish in the All Comers races – Ash Garrod also placed third in the last All Comers race.

Brother Terry was in great form in the All Comers races as he dished out some big hits for an entertainer award.

Predator pairing Kieran Bowman and Chris Horton were also in great form in the All Comers races an entertainer award each.

Wes and Riley Freestone were heavily involved in the action throughout the evening and Sam Hildon put in some great drives in what was the biggest National Banger meeting he had ever competed in.

Andy Frost made a welcome return to the track for the first time in two years and he set about entertaining the crowd with a typical crashing display.

Lee Sampson was a winner in the 2L stock cars when he took the chequered flag in the second heat but he failed to finish in the places in the final which itself was a classic race. Austen Freestone was the best local finisher in eighth.

Perry Williamson put in a great drive in the opening heat in the junior bangers to come home in fifth.

Racing returns to Lynn tomorrow (5pm) when BriSCA action takes centre stage with F1 and F2 stock cars in action.

The F1 stock cars are competing in the first World semi-final which will determine the first ten drivers to qualify for the final at Bradford’s famous Odsal Stadium.

Local F1 star Willie Skoyles set out with the aim of qualifying for the final this year and was praying that if he made a semi-final it would be at his local track.

His prayers have been answered and he will line up on the grid position 22. There is only one way to go from there and Skoyles has shown enough form around Lynn to give his fans hope that he can get into the top ten.

Skoyles said: “My mission for this year was to qualify for a semi-final. Having no world qualifying points going into this year and a bad run at Bradford and Sheffield a couple of weeks ago meant it was tight.

“I’m well chuffed to get the semi on my home turf, it makes it even better. Thanks to all my sponsors and people that help me. I certainly couldn’t do it without them. Buzzing ain’t the word.”

The F2 stock car entry includes local drivers Marcus Gilbert, Harry Hensby and brothers Scott and Rob Aldridge.