Mark Saunders makes retirement reversal after thrilling race in National Banger race at King's Lynn
The annual Pre 80 Banger meeting at King’s Lynn was a roaring success over the weekend.
The meeting had been earmarked by Mark Saunders as his National Banger swansong. Having not been on the track for a few years, he had wanted to race with sons Liam and Rian before hanging up his helmet for good.
The trio had some impressive machinery for their first meeting on track together, with Mark racing in one of the cars of the meeting with a highly rated Daimler DS420.
Rian also impressed with a Series 1 Jaguar XJ6, whilst Liam piloted a Series 2 version.
There was only one snag to Mark’s plan - and that was that having such a great time on track meant that the 54-year-old has got bitten by the bug once again - and he has now decided it is too soon for him to retire.
Mark had a great night, picking up a material award for his rated piece of machinery and then going on to record a seventh place in his heat.
He then turned on the style in the meeting final with a performance which saw him rewarded with an entertainer award.
Nicky Young was also impressive with a highly rated A135 Sheerline Limo, which unsurprisingly won award for car of the meeting and was also put to great use.
Dan Clarke was in the middle of the action in his Mk 3 Cortina in the middle class.
Dean Moat had a good night in the 1300 Stock Cars, picking up a fourth place in the meeting final - which was won by London’s Jimmy Morris.
Stock car and banger racing returns to King’s Lynn this Saturday (5.30pm). The Micro Banger UK Championship heads the billing, with racing also coming from the 1300 Stock Cars, V8 Stock Cars and BriSCA MiniStox.
A large number of local drivers will be in action. Drivers who have qualified for the UK include brothers Jack and James Licquorice, Ryan and Brad Bartram and Aston Gibbons. Brooke Kitson will be in action in the MiniStox and Jade Ellis, Katelyn Parrin and Levi Murkin will all be in action in the Junior Bangers.
