OVAL RACING: A very strong entry of stock rods assembled at the Yarmouth Stadium last Sunday to contest their East Anglian Championship, writes Graham Utting.

High Wycombe’s Patrick Smith got off to a flying start in heat one as he got the better of Ian Trapmore (Hayes) from the front of the grid.

Trapmore got a bit out of shape under pressure from reigning champion, Peterborough’s Wayne Leedell, promoting him to second place with the leading pair breaking clear of the chasing group of cars.

Leedell tried a couple of attempts to pass Smith around the wide outside line but just didn’t have that little bit of extra power to make it count.

World champion Andy Sturt had made excellent progress from the middle of the grid and was up into third place, and by the time the chequered flag fell had caught right up with the leading pair.

The second heat saw another High Wycombe driver lead them away, Jamie Bowring.

Filby’s Carl Mann made the most of his impressive start by taking second place away from Harry Palmer (Bournemouth) and a mistake by Bowring allowed both Mann and Palmer to race past.

But as in heat one the man making up the most ground was Sturt, and once Bowring had pulled out of the race Sturt took up third place but was never going to catch the leaders, Mann taking a deserved victory.

In the final, Sturt took his place on pole with Smith alongside. Sturt opened up a comfortable lead with Smith and Palmer arguing over second spot.

Leedell found a way past Palmer for third. Sturt looked in control at the head of the field before mechanical failure forced him to retire, promoting Smith into the lead position.

Although Leedell kept with him for the remainder of the race, he could do nothing to pass Smith, who drove a very clean race to take the title away from Leedell.

The Superstox top the bill this Sunday at 5.30pm, contesting one of the sports oldest titles the English Championship.

A fantastic entry of rookie rods will be competing for their East Anglian Championship and the national banger micro madness will ensure another action-packed evening of racing at Caister Road.