2006 World Champion Chris Fort dominated proceedings at Buxton Raceway, Sunday 19th April with both heats, final and 6th in the Grand National from a lap handicap to bag a 61pt haul. 27 Hotstox were on duty but none were a match for the flying Fort.

Warm and sunny weather was a welcome surprise at Buxton. April tends to bring it's fair share of rain and the large crowd present appreciated the sun on their backs. Notable attendancees were 373 Rob Hartley and 355 Bryan Andrew making their season debuts - Bryan was still recovering from a nasty virus which kept him out of the action at Coventry two weeks ago. 77 Paul Heath made his return to racing in the ex Hartley car, 430 Paul Stevens debuted in the ex 81 Matt Smith car, Dunstable's 139 Stu Ridley likewise in an ex Les Redford car and 81 Matt Smith debuted a stunning new car which drew much attention in the pits and rightly so - it's a peach !.

Heat 1 was led off by 75 Terry Hawkins who was overhauled by 331 Jay Beaumont who led for just a lap before 373 Hartley took it up. Fort by this time (lap 6) was already up to 4th on the heels of 237 Daz Parker. Further back 210 Matt Smith and 131 Kevin Stuchbury were also making good progress from the back. Fort caught and passed Hartley with 4 to run and went on to take a comfortable win with Hartley 2nd and Stuchbury 3rd.

Heat 2 with no Stuchbury and Kellett who were suffering problems, saw 245 Martyn Stone briefly take the lead with Hawkins then Beaumont making it by to lead. Amazingly, Fort outdid himself as he was up to 2nd by lap 4. The race came under caution with several cars in trouble on the home straight including 314 Steve Bowman and Hartley who was unlucky as he was running 3rd at the time. Everyone exited their cars ok and the race resumed with Fort racing away from the field. 210 Smith and 575 Darren Cottrill battled their way to 2nd and 3rd respectively.

The final again saw Hawkins lead them away with Beaumont taking over on lap 3 and managed to keep the lead for 3 laps before having to give best to Fort who had carved his way through the field once again. 187 Craig Smith was showing well in 3rd with Cottrill in 4th. Fort romped home - lapping up to 11th place and 331 Beaumont was very unlucky not to hang on to 2nd place - succumbing to pressure from the bumpers of red top pair 161 Mark Allen and 575 Cottrill on the last lap coming home in 9th. 184 Carl Boswell scrapped his way to a deserved 4th place with 355 Bryan Andrew a decent 5th.

Fort took the handicap for the Grand National. No novices in the lineup and so 187 Smith led well for 6 laps until 237 Daz Parker went by 184 Boswell and the leading Smith. 131 Stuchbury made it back on track for this one but pulled off after a couple of laps473 Chris Bracher passed 281 Lee Summers for 3rd whilst Fort had caught the tail enders. Bracher then made it by Boswell for 2nd but could not hold off 161 Allen. Boswell and Summers had a good scrap for 4th but Fort caught the pair on the last bend and played the blue of the yellow in an effort to pass the pair. Boswell kept the momentum up and squeezed Fort to the inside as they approached the line. The pair locked horns and went across the line together - Boswell being given the nod. 237 Parker thus took a good win in the Andy Hulse car which he has the use of until his engine is ready.

A very good day's racing but, the field have some catching up to do as Fort is making it look far too easy.

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