Banger racing
Banger racing is a tarmac, dirt, shale and chalk track type of motorsport event popular in countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Micros have quickly become one of the most popular forms of banger racing, due to the cheap running and repair costs of the cars compared with the bigger machinery.
Big or small van, HGV/coach/bus, 4X4/SUV, siamese/double-decker and classic car ('Pre' meeting) bangers are all classes that would incorporate vehicles one may not normally be allowed to race in the regular disciplines listed above.
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.
As the sport's popularity exploded during the 1970s and 1980s, many venues began to host banger events, building a strong driver and fan base in the process.
Around the late 1980s and early 1990s, promoters began hosting 'open' meetings with significant prize funds and very little regarding car limitations; the first of these being held was Ringwood Raceway's 'British Open' and the Arena Essex 'Firecracker 500'.
Meetings like these continued to grow over the coming years, producing more cars and attracting drivers from all over the UK and often overseas.
Banger team meetings have also become popular in recent times, producing turnouts of over 200 cars on some occasions.
This is currently seen as the cheapest and easiest way to race bangers and harks back to the sport's roots of simple preparation and large grid sizes.
A banger race is distinct from a destruction derby, as the objective of the latter is not to turn laps, but to smash, destroy and ultimately immobilise all of the opposition, until only one vehicle is left.
On occasions, though, the final event at a 'National' or 'Back to basic' Banger meeting may be a demolition derby where the cars that have raced compete to be the last one standing.
There are those who are regarded as 'rodders', a term derived from the Hot Rod formulas that also commonly race on short ovals.
In recent times, drivers have been encouraged to remain inside a disabled car while the race continues, as this is adjudged to be the safest option.
The largest association of European promoters has indeed mandated this, it is now a punishable offence to leave a car during 'green flags' unless deemed an emergency situation.
Some vehicle enthusiasts object to banger racing, claiming it is responsible for the destruction of classic cars and the reason why many models, such as the Ford Granada, have become rare.
