THE grand opening meeting at Smeatharpe Stadium this coming Sunday, April 13, will feature BriSCA Formula Two Stock Cars, Saloon Stock Cars, and a highly significant event for 2 Litre National Bangers which brings a World Championship flavour to proceedings (1p.m.).

National Bangers (unlimited cc) – rough, uncompromising, spectacular, destructive: For the National Bangers, there is a Wild Card event. The winner of the race will earn a seeded entry on to the grid for the Championship of the World at Smeatharpe in July.

Although Lewis Fasey of Sampford Peverell has already qualified for the World title race in July via an alternative route, last season’s leading points scorer in National Bangers in the westcountry, still has the incentive of looking to win the Wild Card. Once the Wild Card winner is determined, the driver is presented with the opportunity to draw a potential grid position for the World Championship.

Harry Gelsthorpe of Boston is set to make a rare visit to Smeatharpe and the joint early season leaders of the Entertainers League, Luke Gillbard of Launceston and Jamie Smith of Wadebridge, are also part of the entry.

For drivers in the unlimited cc National Banger class, the majority will be racing either a Lexus, a Mercedes or a Jaguar.

Back 2 Basics Bangers: In contrast to the National Bangers which undergo a lot of preparatory work before being raced, the Back 2 Basics Bangers are very much as described – a selection of MOT failures that have had minimal modifications for racing: essentially just safety additions.

Third generation racer, teenager Alfie Jeanes, of Wellington, is planning to race at Smeatharpe for the first time.

In excess of thirty drivers are set to feature, and at the end of the meeting, the action will conclude with a Destruction Derby event, in which drivers will batter one another’s cars into submission, and the driver of the last mobile car will be declared the winner.

Stock Rods – close, non-contact racing: The 2025 season for the non-contact Stock Rods is particularly notable in the south west region, as their World Championship will be contested at St Day in Cornwall in late September. As a consequence, each of the race meetings in the south west this season will have an impact on qualification for that event.

With the season still in its infancy, there is little in the way of a form guide. Last year’s two star performers, English Champion Callum Faulconbridge of Plymouth and European Champion Callum Hosie of Newquay each recorded modest results at the opening fixture in Cornwall.

In contrast, Taunton publican Kris Woods and Dunkeswell garage proprietor Brian Edmond each posted some impressive scores and will be looking for more of the same at their home circuit.

Ministox – 11-16 year olds, the training ground for the stars of tomorrow: There has been a strong influx of newomers to the ranks of youngsters in the Ministox class, which effectively provides a training ground for the 11-16 year olds before they move into a senior formula. Last season saw Mason Sealy of Bishops Lydeard rise to prominence as he captured the British Championship. The thirteen year old has already begun 2025 in style too, by winning the Irish Open Championship at Nutts Corner near Belfast.

Eleven year old Max Starr of Dunkeswell will race his Ministox at Smeatharpe for the first time.