The first of 3 visits to the Peak District and some handsome weather warmed the large crowd. Unfortunately the spectators weren't the only visitors as it seemed humans were outnumbered by bugs, flies and crawly whatsamacallits. 240 Tom Conwell broke cover for the first time this year after spending the winter totally rebuilding the ex Mick Rogers supercar. Most people wouldn't recognise the car after Tom stitched on a new cage and finished the job off with a tasty black paint scheme. Also back was 205 Mark Hall who had been missing for the best part of 2 seasons. Mark was a regular week in week out, so it's good to see him back enjoying his Hotstox racing.

Heat 1

20 cars on track with 313 Andy Craven pulling off on the rolling lap, only to pull back on when his dying car suddenly came to life. 112 Jamie Marson made the early running, looking very comfortable. 42 Rob Barber looked equally good running second but came across a back marking Craven which allowed Marson to get clear. Further back, the usual suspects were making their moves as 131 Kev Stuchbury led the charge of the red brigade with 473 Chris Bracher looking strong from blue. 210 Matt Smith spun on the pit bend and couldn't rejoin, eventually parking half on the infield banking to sit it out. Bracher passed Barber with Stuchbury closing in. Stuchbury passed Barber and Bracher who also spun on turns 3 and 4. Stuchbury then passed Marson for the win with 161 Mark Allen - who was having his customary quiet but effective race - also getting by for 2nd. Barber was 4th with Frankie Wainman 5th and a returned to racing 205 Mark Hall who had started at the very back - a very good performance !

Heat 2

One more car for the 2nd race with 286 Dan Bradley arriving late. 161 Allen pulled off on before the race got underway and took no part due to a misfire. Marson determinedly cracked the bumper in to take it up with Barber again in pursuit once he had deposed Bradley. 212 Frankie Wainman gave Mark Hall a good crack into the pits turn and Hall spun. Bradley retired with a puncture and 210 Smith was hitting everything within reach. 575 Darren Cottrill and 355 Bryan Andrew were having a good scrap but this allowed Stuchbury to go clear of the reds. Hall spun again on the pits turn as Stuchbury reeled in the leading Marson. The leaders then all came to grief on turns 3 and 4 and 179 Arrowsmith said thank you very much and cruised by to take the lead. Marson hobbled off with broken steering as the rest untangled themselves and got going. A delighted Arrowsmith took his first ever win with Cottrill and Bryan his placemen.

The Final

22 cars gridded with Arrowsmith leading them away. 42 Barber came to grief on the first bend and rejoined at the tail. Marson slipped back and 373 Rob Hartley looked good, good enough to take it up as Arrowsmith fell back. 355 Bryan Andrew was on a mission as was 131 Stuchbury. Just before halfway 315 Rob Shackleton and 439 Jay Kellett tangled on 3 and 4 with Shackleton going in backwards bringing out a caution period with Rob winded. Kellett joined the tail as Shackleton exited his car and hobbled onto the infield. 373 Hartley headed the field on the restart with Bracher, Stuchbury and Andrew in line. Stuchbury muscled past Bracher then deposed Hartley who was holding his line well. 161 Allen closed right in on Andrew who inturn was by now breathing down Bracher's exhaust pipes. Andrew barged past Bracher with Allen in tow, Hartley spun and faced the wrong way to drop well down the order. Cottrill appeared from nowhere to pass Allen only to be baulked by a backmarker to allow Allen to retake 3rd with the race for 1st wrapped up by a flying Stuchbury. Andrew took 2nd and Allen ran 3rd into the last bend but Cottrill had other ideas as he timed his last bend attack to perfection to make up 3 car lengths to send Allen rattling round the plating. 212 Smiler took full advantage to nick 4th with Bracher snatching 5th with a recovered Allen coming home 6th.

A very good finish to the final with Allen as sporting as ever as he pulled alongside Cottrill on the start finish line to give the 575 pilot the thumbs up. Stuchbury simply had too much for the field again and I feel slightly sorry for Kevin who it seems is courting a small murmour of criticism for his dominance having taken every feature he has raced for so far this season. History is repeating itself as the Hotstox seem to produce a dominant driver year upon year. Only more cars will make those at the back work harder to get to the front. Unfortunately it is the British 'way' to knock those that win. Mentioning car numbers, it has to be said that it was a healthy turnout today and the racing was again, very good.