Banger racing

Banger racing is a tarmac or dirt track racing type of motorsport event popularised in Europe and especially United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands in which drivers of old vehicles race against one another on a race track. The race is won by the first car to the chequered flag after a set number of laps. The race tracks are usually oval, around 440 yards (400 metres) 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 as special events at some tracks. There are different events for different vehicle types, often with prizes for the best presented and rarest vehicles.

Banger racing is said to have started in the early 1960s after it was observed by a race promoter that crashes were among the most popular features of a race meeting. Drivers began turning out vehicles with very basic preparation - cars would have the windows removed but often whole interiors would be left inside. Safety regulations began to improve in the 1980s with bangers being prepared with compulsory 'H frame' roll cages, driver's door plates, and fuel tanks moved inside the car. From these humble beginnings, the sport has become the premier formula in short oval racing in the UK and Ireland, regularly drawing the largest numbers of both competitors and spectators. Around 1990, promoters began hosting 'open' meetings with significant prize funds; the first of these being held at Ringwood Raceway's 'British Open' and The Arena Essex 'Firecracker 500'. The Unlimited Banger World Final was held at Wimbledon Stadium, London from 1974 until 2007. From 2008 it was relocated to Ipswich. The peak number of cars to compete in one season was around 13,000 in 2003, of which around 9,500 were 'fresh' (not previously raced). The 'Icebreaker' meeting, held at Swaffham Raceway on February 8, 1998 is widely regarded as the 'best ever' event, drawing 209 competitors in a day of heavy action. The annual "Heavy Metal Classic" event in January of each year at Standlake Arena, has on several occasions attracted the highest number of competitors. In 2009, the Heavy Metal Classic meeting attracted a total of 253 cars booked in to race.

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