No Small-field as they come from far and wide

It will be the biggest meeting ever held at the famous track and is the second major short oval racing event in the south in just three weeks. This follows the World Series event held at Arlington.

The Bears Challenge is an annual charitable event full of great racing and massive crashing, where the huge crowds are always royally entertained.

In excess of 120 drivers from all different formulas and from right across England, Scotland and Ireland have generously agreed to give up their time to travel to Sussex, in an attempt to raise as much money as possible for the chosen charity.

This year all the proceeds will be going to The Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital (Charity no. 1018759), which provides children’s services for the Princess Royal at Haywards Heath.

Organised by the largest and most successful National Banger team in the country, The Bears, this meeting has been much anticipated since it was confirmed on the fixture list in December.

More than 80 drivers, including at least 12 from The Bears team, have confirmed their participation in the main Unlimited formula alone.

Our own local National Banger stars such as Tim James (Haywards Heath) and father and son outfit, Dave and Charlie King (Burgess Hill), will be keen to impress at such a high profile event.

The internet has been alive over the past few months in anticipation of a few old rivalries being reignited. There are a certain couple of Scottish gentlemen coming down from the Borders for the first time in quite a few years, with one aim and one aim only, which is to put their old adversary over the grassy bank.

With so many other drivers descending on Smallfield with the intention of taking on the sport’s biggest names on their home turf, The Bears may have their work cut out to preserve their reputation of being the biggest and the best.

Just to make it more interesting and to add a little more spice to the racing, RaceQuip UK, the owners of Smallfield, have also put up considerable prize money to guarantee the day goes with a bang.

To make for a great family day out, added attractions include face painting, a fun fair with bouncy castle, clowns making balloons, meeting the drivers, pace car rides and even dropping the green flag to start a race.

The first race starts at 11am and ticket prices include a donation to the hospital.

For further details visit the hospital’s website at www.rockinghorse.org.uk/events/august