The Entertainer bounces back

James, known as Weevil, has one intention on the racetrack and that is to enjoy himself. And in doing that he never disappoints, always putting a smile on the face of those watching. Last Sunday was no exception as along with Charlie and Michael King from Burgess Hill, he entered Spedeworth’s Micro Madness event at Aldershot.

In the National Banger class, specialised events such as this where only certain types or styles of car are permitted are becoming more commonplace.

With a maximum engine size of only 1400cc allowed, the grid was full of Clios, Micras and VW Polos. But James is an exception to the rule and arrived with a Suzuki Wagon R+ on his transporter.

Sorry Suzuki, but this car was never the greatest example of engineering quality. Not that that mattered to James, however, as he had come to entertain. Indeed, prior to the start of the meeting, his father had said in the pits: “Don’t worry, Tim has no intentions of winning today, just putting on a show”.

Even Mr James Snr could not have predicted what was going to happen next though.

As the rolling pace lap turned into the first lap of the race, Weevil came around the fourth corner a little too fast, and the unstable Suzuki rolled over like a Labrador wanting its chest tickled.

Being the proficient driver that he is, as the car righted itself, James just slipped it into gear and carried on racing, albeit in now a slightly flattened condition.

Incredibly, he still managed to work his way through the field and finish in seventh place. What was also fully merited was the afternoon’s Entertainer award that he took home with him.

For the Kings, it was a rather different experience. This was Michael’s debut in the National Bangers, while Charlie these days is a seasoned campaigner. Michael was there to gain experience, but Charlie wanted to make an impact, in the same spirit as Tim James.

Charlie got his wish. In the first race, he finished just ahead in sixth place, but in the all-comers race, he had a huge hit on the pit bend that saw his car upended on its roof.

But it was in the final event of the day, the Destruction Derby, that he really came into his own. An aggressive display saw him thump everything in his way and his little KA held up to be the last car running.

The season continues at Arlington Stadium, with three formulas being showcased every Wednesday evening, through to the end of September. Next Wednesday (July 17) the powerful Superstox roar back into town, and are joined on the card by the pacey 2 litre Hot Rods and the hard-hitting 2 litre Stock cars.