THE Winter Open Championship for 2 Litre National Bangers ended with a very close finish at Smeatharpe.

Jake Bond of Bridgwater looked to be making rapid progress through the order in the event on New Year's Eve, but as he challenged Mike Hamley of Launceston for the lead, Hamley repelled the attack, and the two drivers momentarily tangled.

That opened the door for Kenny Gabriel Jnr of Yate to grab the lead for himself. With the laps ticking by, Bond recovered from the delay, but although he closed on Gabriel Jnr on the last lap, he could not mount a telling challenge. Gabriel Jnr held on to win the Winter Open title for the first time, Bond had to be content with second and third place went to Troy Hooper of Exeter.

Lewis Fasey of Sampford Peverell claimed a brace of wins in the National Micro Bangers, to secure the Banger Bonanza trophy. Despite low numbers in the small car class, there was plenty of action, including a rollover for Matt Hodgkins of Bristol.

Racing a Chrysler PT Cruiser, Craig Partridge of Chudleigh Knighton achieved a hat-trick of victories in the Back 2 Basics Bangers. Partridge finished the day unbeaten, until the Destruction Derby which produce a multitude of hits and crashes, with Southampton’s Matt Nutley finally being declared the winner.