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Just a week later the ‘Few’ reassembled at Shakespeare County Raceway in Warwickshire for the Springspeed Nationals. Lazenby had new valve springs in the ’56 and was ready to continue his quest for the title. Any hope of a continuation of the epic struggle for supremacy seen at Round 2 were dashed when it became evident that Andy Frost would not be showing up.
Despite rumours of engine damage Frost stated that he was busy prepping the car for the following weekend’s K of E West. But the real answer on Frost’s website where he declared that he would no longer be racing in the class, citing the ‘non’ record from round 2 as a major reason. Although it is a shame to lose such a high profile vehicle from the class the greatest loss was to the fans who, having had their appetite whetted the previous weekend, were keen to see a Frost/Lazenby battle played out to a conclusion.
Jeff Meads, the super-enthusiastic Mark Todd and the ex-pat Swede Mats Andersson made up the rest of the small field.
Qualifying went pretty much to form with Lazenby’s off the trailer 8.28 taking pole. Meads performances were below par but he still secured the second qualifying spot with a best ET of 9.02. Todd ran a PB of 9.2 but then was forced to retire with engine damage! There was a PB for Andersson with a 9.5.
The remaining three drivers got their cars around the cruise OK and readied themselves for action on Monday. But with Monday came the rain! Finally at 5pm the action started. Lazenby ran an 8.4 on a bye and was followed by Meads and Andersson. All the smart money was on Meads but the result was a lot closer than expected as Andersson smacked the Anglia driver with a huge two tenths holeshot and Meads was still lagging behind at 330 feet. But by the 1/8 mile mark the number two qualifier had caught the little Opel and took the win with his best ET of the weekend, a 9.01. However, Andersson could hold his head up as he finished only a couple of tenths behind.
The weather then closed in again forcing the organisers to abandon the meeting. The final of this meeting may well be run at a future event this year.
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