17/08/2026
Meeting report - 16/08/26 The Good, The Bad and the Ugly!
A good turn out of seven UK V6 Classic Modifieds attended Swaffham Raceway for the latest of the season long chase for the National Points Championship.
Heat one had John "Tango" Thorogood (37 JPS Capri) starting on pole. Behind him was his dad Mick "Wurzel" Thorogood (17 Vitesse), then Andrew "Kerber" Bailey (204 Mk 2 Cortina), Steve "The Brat" Brattan (75 Anglia), the current points leader Al "Store man" Fanning (71 Capri), winner of the last final Jordan "Rain master" Meakins (Stag 33) and lastly Kevin "Butch" Butcher (Moggy 74) electing to start from the back. The weather was dry and fine and the track was in very good condition as the cars circulated for their two warm up laps. John was away closely followed by his dad. Brattan was pressurising Bailey and slipped through on the inside on lap four to take up third place. The Brat then set off after Thorogood senior. Fanning was trying to follow Brattan through the traffic. He passed the Bailey Cortina on lap eight closely followed by Meakins. Jordan was having minor handling problems with his Stag but was still on the move. Lap ten saw contact between Bailey and Meakins resulting in Jordan being spun out. The clerk of the course did not take kindly to this giving Andrew a black cross and docking him two places for contact. Meanwhile, at the front Tango was on his merry way now followed closely by the Brat who had passed Wurzel. Steve was in a Thorogood sandwich!?! With a close run to the line, John took the win from Steve. Mick was 3rd, Al 4th, Kev 5th the docked Andrew 6th and a recovering Jordan 7th.
Heat one was a lively affair and surely heat two would be calmer?
Butch didn't take the Moggy out for this race as an oil pipe was leaking and he didn't feel too well. The other six cars took to the track with Mick Thorogood off the front with Andrew Bailey next, then Steve Brattan, Al fanning, Jordan Meakins and the previous heat winner John Thorogood at the back. Wurzel was away at the green setting a cracking pace, certainly got those old tyres working. Kerber was chasing as was the Brat. Both leading drivers appeared to have learn't from heat one as they both stuck to the "Fanning Line" protecting their inside. Brattan looked up the outside a couple of times but chose discretion rather than valour at this point. He and Fanning are locked in a championship battle where all points count. Tango was not having a great race suffering from a sticking caliper which obviously was slowing him down. He tailed off at the back and Jordan was still peddling his ill handling car the best he could resulting in a spin (by himself this time!!). The first four cars were nose to tail with Mick taking the win, from Andrew, Steve and Al. A recovering Jordan fifth and a slowing John sixth.
With Wurzel winning heat two, he had to join his soon at the rear of the field. Kerber was now at the front, second on the grid was the Brat, then the Store man (Engine man?), the Rain master and the two Thorogoods. Mick passed his son on lap one with the JPS Capri suffering from brake issues still. Bailey, Brattan and Fanning were rapidly circulating nose to tale at the front. Meakins was trying hard but dropping off the leading pace. Andrew was not hitting the kerbs this time and was driving a tidy line. He hung on to win from Steve, Al and Jordan with Mick, the old man, winning the battle of the Thorogoods. I say old man for Mick as he has recently had a birthday making him the second oldest CM driver. No guesses as to who is the oldest!?
You will recall, if you're still awake that I entitled this report the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
The Good - a good number of cars in attendance. Wurzel back from being ill. Kerber brought the cakes!
The Bad - a bit of contact creeping in which will not be tolerated! Butch being taken ill possibly due to the fact that he had to buy some more trailer straps??
The Ugly - well take your pick from any of the old gits in old cars. I think Wurzel.
With two meetings left to go, the pressure is mounting at the top of the points chart. Al still leads the charge from Steve but only by one point now. Jordan retains third place with Andrew creeping up in fourth. Michael is five points ahead of his son who is in sixth with Kevin in seventh place.
The next meeting for the Classic Modifieds is at Swaffham on Sunday 6th of September start time 12 midday. Come and have a look at the old gits n old cars.
The Brat.
