Harry takes stock and climbs into pole position

An hour before the first green flag was dropped, conditions changed dramatically as the forecasted rain arrived and set in for the night.

Generally it was a mixed night in the rain for our local Banger drivers as the evening became a war of attrition.

Overall Harry Balchin (Worthing) was the most successful with two solid results in the heats, and then taking second place in the final.

These results make him the new leader of the South Coast Hydraulics League.

Mark Pope (Lancing) ended the meeting with two third places including one in the final. He had crossed the line first, but because of a penalty was docked two places. This puts him now fifth in the league.

Worthing’s Craig Cooper had a very credible top ten finish also in the final.

Chris Dumbleton (Worthing) and James Vockins (Shoreham) enjoyed themselves in the rain, but will be hoping to have better luck on another day as they continue their assault on the Arlington track championship for 2013.

Also on the card were the nostalgic historic stock cars.

Steven Marten (Shoreham) made his debut in the formula having moved over from the 1300cc stock cars. Marten had a solid night despite repeatedly finding himself striking the armco having been shoved by his rivals.

After finishing in the top ten in the two heats, he powered on to finish fourth in the final. Not a bad return for his first night, in what were filthy conditions.

In difficult conditions for the nippy little Rookie Rods, what should be a non-contact formula was anything but as several drivers found themselves in trouble with the race stewards for unintended bumps and nudges.

On a night of debuts, Worthing driver Matt Evans began gingerly in the heats with just a ninth place finish to show for his efforts. Everything came good in the final though with him finishing a classy third.