Banger racing
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Banger racing is a tarmac or dirt track racing type of motorsport event popularised in Europe and especially Great Britain, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands in which drivers of old vehicles race against one another around a race track and the race is won in terms of the first car to the chequered flag, while also attempting to deliberately wreck the opposing vehicles. In the United States, this type of racing is known as an Euduro, but with the deliberate attempt to wreck the opponents usually de-emphasised in favour of making the most laps around the circuit within the allotted time. The race tracks are usually oval, around 440 yards (400 meters) but on occasion are constructed in a figure eight design.
Banger racing vehicles are normally scrap cars, but they can be constructed from almost any powered wheeled vehicle with bizarre versions of the sport using cars towing caravans or trailers happening as special events at some tracks. "Siamese" banger racing where two cars are chained together for the race but each car independently driven is also practiced. In addition, there is a variation where one car is placed on the roof of another, with the driver of one car steering and the other controlling the gas pedal and brake, and another ("train racing") where three cars -- one vehicle with an engine but no brakes, a second vehicle with no driver, engine or brakes, and a third vehicle with no engine but a driver who operates the brakes -- are tied together and the race is distinguished by "teams". There are different events for different vehicles, often with prizes for the best presented / rarest vehicle.
From humble beginnings, the sport has become the premier formula in Short Oval racing in the UK, regularly drawing the largest numbers of both competitors and spectators. The peak number of cars to compete was in 2003 when around 13,000 cars raced, of which around 9,500 were "fresh" (not previously raced). Around 1989 - 1990 promoters began hosting "open" meetings with significant prize funds; the first of these being held at Ringwood Raceway and Arena Essex. The "Icebreaker", held at Swaffham on February 8 1998 is widely regarded as the "best" ever event, drawing 209 competitors in a day of heavy action. However, the annual "Heavy Metal Classic" event in January of each year at Standlake Arena in Oxfordshire has beaten this on several occasions with as many as 270 cars being raced. In 2009, the HMC Meeting attracted 253 cars booked in to race.
There are further dimensions to this sport apart from the actual racing - one is the quest for interesting vehicles to wreck and race. In addition to this there is a recent trend for high quality professional car preparation both in terms of performance and physical appearance. These developments move the sport away from the "scrap-car", cheap motorsport area and provide a higher profile entertainment spectacle. This aspect of the sport is explored on the website http://www.atozofbangerracing.co.uk , although most of the cars used are still rustbuckets bought for around £200. At "important" or "title" events, the cars are meticulously prepared to high standards. In recent years, top drivers have invested significantly in race-tuned engines, "sticky" tyres and even suspension set-ups.
Banger racing is distinct from Demolition Derby as the objective of that motorsport is not to turn laps, but to simply smash and destroy and ultimately immobilise the opposition, until only one vehicle is left, which is deemed the winner. On many occasions, though, the last event of the day at a banger racing event may be a demolition derby, and unlike the American version the cars are well used before being smashed to death.
The cars (sometimes over 50) are gridded across the track in a rolling start for the race, which usually has a finite number of laps. Yellow flags are used during the race to warn drivers that caution is required. Cars which stall or are stopped by opposing drivers are usually left on the course while the race continues. If it is deemed necessary to move them or if a driver is in perticular danger (including fire), a red flag is used to stop the race. Races are then usually restarted when the situation has been cleared.
Some vehicle enthusiasts object to banger racing on the grounds that it is responsible for the destruction of countless classic cars, and the reason why many models, such as the Ford Cortina are a very rare sight on the roads these days.
There are a few cars that have tended to dominate the banger scene in the UK. These used to be Jaguar Jaguar XJS, XJ6, XJ40, many other models, Rover's P4 & P5 saloons, Volvo 240, Volvo 740 and Volvo 940 (normally estate models) the main one being the Ford Granada Mk1 and Mk2. The Granada Mk3 wasn't such a success as they do not seem as strong, a trait that the Mk3 shares with the Sierra. For the smaller meetings, often referred to as "Unders" meetings, the Ford Cortina and Capri were the usual weapon of choice. "Unlimited" meetings tend to attract big American cars, known as "Yanks." However, these days, with the older vehicles diminishing from British roads, newer vehicles have been pressed into banger racing service. The Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Cavalier and the Nissan Bluebird have developed a following and are used almost everywhere. The fact that they are front wheel drive also gives a substantial advantage to the older rear wheel drive vehicles which are becoming increasingly rare on UK raceways.
A high turnover rate in the sport leads to a short lifespan for the automobiles involved, but newer cars such as the Ford Mondeo have provided a ready supply of vehicles to competitors.
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