The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay
“A free, really high quality photo-essay magazine. Fabulous!”
Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film & documentary maker
June 2014 back issue
by Damian Bird
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 their 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.
Banger Racing is a tarmac or dirt track racing type of motorsport event popularised in Europe and especially the
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 in terms of the first car to the chequered flag after a set number of laps. The race tracks
are usually oval and around 440 yards (400 metres).
Banger racing vehicles tend to be scrap cars, but they can be constructed from almost any powered wheeled vehicle
with bizarre versions of the sport using cars towing caravans at special events at some tracks. There are different
events for different vehicle types, often with prizes for the best presented and rarest vehicles. Although Banger Racing
events take place alongside Stock Car Racing, the cars are not Stock Cars - Stock Cars are purpose built armoured
racing vehicles that are more physically demanding than Bangers which retain their factory crumple zones without
traditional 'armouring'.
Banger racing takes place at circuits all over the UK. These photographs were taken, one wet day in March, at
Smeatharpe in Devon. Smeatharpe Stadium is an oval short circuit race track. Roy Goodman, who was one of the
pioneer racing drivers of F1 stockcar racing, acquired part of the World War II Smeatharpe airfield and set up
Smeatharpe Stadium in 1973. During the course of 1973 through to the start of 1974 Roy formed the short oval track
and the inaugural stockcar race was held on April 7th 1974, at the new Smeatharpe Stadium.
Burgers and chips are the delicacy of choice at Smeatharpe and children always jump at the opportunity to jump in the
race cars.
Burning rubber on a warm up lap.
Between races, drivers do what they can to make their cars competitive.
Drivers of banger race cars have been killed on the track but those that recover from serious injuries almost always
race again.
Following collisons on the track, makes and models of vehicles become harder and harder to decipher.
Posing on race cars between races is a very popular pastime for girlfriends, wives and children of the drivers.
Nerves mount before races and strategies are discussed bewteen the drivers and their friends and mechanics.
Looking down through the chassis of a purpose built banger racing car, a mechanic expresses himself.
A driver’s partner wishes him every success on the track.
Spectator enthralled by the action on the track.
Junior spectators.
Lining up to enter the race circuit, engines revving.
Girls enjoying the gladiatorial spectacle that is banger racing.
Alistair has been driving banger racing cars since 1970. It is the love of his life. His car flipped on its roof during the
following race.
A calming cigarette before the race. The fuel tank in banger racing cars, is inside the car.
Wrinkled bonnet, wrinkled brows.
Even babies at Smeatharpe are crazy about driving,
Alistair Buchan rolls his BMW race car back onto its wheels with track attendants.
A fair weather sequel to my photo-essay Bangers & Smash
