Ansell v Anscombe rivalry comes of age in World Final

Last Sunday’s Junior Banger World Championship at Aldershot Raceway saw a long standing rivalry between two well-known families come of age.

Racing around Spedeworth’s circuits for many years, has been one such rivalry between two traditional racing families, the Ansells and the Anscombes, although no-one is really sure how it started, and why.

Ever since Jerry Ansell and Steve Anscombe first clashed in the National Bangers at Arlington many moons ago, they have been locking horns on race tracks up and down the country.

As both gentleman grew older, so their children became embroiled in the same contest of wills. Both named Jack, the sons in each family first met in the Ninja Karts, which is the entry level formula for children.

At age 10, both then graduated to the Junior Bangers, where contact is allowed but heavily controlled. Over the last few years, their careers have mirrored those of their fathers.

Jerry Ansell was always known as a ‘wrecker’, and son Jack has followed the same path. Meanwhile Jack Anscombe has taken well to the mantra of his father’s Dreamers team of ‘Go fast, or go for the hit’. Similar to his father, Anscombe Jnr has won many races with his speed and talent.

With both youngsters fast approaching the maximum age of 16 for Junior Bangers, Sunday’s meeting would be the last time the pair squared up against each other in the formula.

Having both drawn grid positions near the back, the Championship race was only going to end one way for the duo, and so it did …. in a mini Destruction Derby.

After being spun out by other drivers, both went in search of each other. As early as the third lap, they clashed on turn 2 as Ansell went hunting for Anscombe. The Little Dreamer landed the first blow, only for Ansell to turn his car around and plant a head-on lunge in return.

With the race halted due to a rollover, the pair lined up near each other for the restart. This time Ansell, took the first swipe at his opponent on turn 3. Anscombe unable to move, Ansell did another lap of the course and then thundered into the disabled car.

Ansell has since turned 16 and moved up to the adult class. We wish him well in his future career, especially when he is reunited once again with Jack Anscombe!

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