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1990
The Slotstox World Championship was again won by a driver from the host Aldershot Knights Slotstox Club: this time Les Munday.
This was conveniently arranged on the same day as the ‘real’ racing NHRPA Championships at Ipswich but
the Club was still sending several drivers.
At the Club, Christer Earrey was appointed Club chairman at a quickly arranged Annual General Meeting on 9th February
following the sudden resignation of Dean Cox on 2nd February. The hastily arranged Club Annual General Meeting also elected
a Club committee. With Kevin Wegg no longer writing Club updates, the September 1990 Spedeworth Wheelspin featured the first
Slot Stox / Slot Saloon report since then, now being written by Christer (F.F.S.C. Organiser). The article reported that
an all time high 42 drivers were representing the Club.
At the end of the season Christer Earrey was Club Organiser, Promoters were Robin Bater & Darrin Forsdyke, Board of
Control were Chris Bruce, Dean Cox & Clive Day, Scrutineers were Christer Earrey (Slotstox), Clive Day (Saloon slots),
Spares Consultant was John Devine, Points Chart was Peter Banham and Track Repairs was Noel Whinney.
Clive Day dominated the season winning the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship (by 2 points from Chris Butcher, with
the final round on 7th December and ending Paul Mower's three-in-a-row Slotstox Foxhall Points Championships), Slotstox Foxhall
Grand Prix Series Championship (with the final round on 30th November), Slotstox East Anglian Championship, Slotstox Suffolk
Championship (run as an ‘Open’ Championship), Slotstox Foxhall Championship as well as the Slot-Saloons
(previously Slot-Stock Saloons) Foxhall Points Championship.
This created a host of milestones.
Clive won the Slotstox Foxhall Championship for a second time following winning the inaugural Slotstox Foxhall Championship
in 1984 and became the second driver to win the Slotstox Foxhall Championship twice following Julian Beaumont (1986 and 1987).
Clive became the second driver to win the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship, Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship,
Slotstox East Anglian Championship and Slotstox Suffolk Championship in the same season following Paul (1987).
Clive became the third driver to win the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship and Slotstox Foxhall Championship in the
same season following Dean Cox (1985) and Paul (1988).
Clive became the third driver to win the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship and Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship
in the same season following Mark Cossey (the inaugural Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship in 1986) and Paul
(1987 and 1989).
Clive became the third driver and third in four seasons to win the Slotstox East Anglian Championship and Slotstox Suffolk
Championship in the same season following Paul (1986 and 1987) and Julian (1988).
The Slotstox Suffolk ‘Open’ Championship was sponsored by Empress Race Developments with 4 drivers
from the Aldershot Knights Slotstox Club – two made it through the heats but none to the final.
The Slotstox Foxhall Championship was held on the 6th and 13th July. Four qualifying heats were held on the 6th with
defending Champion Noel Whinney being the highest points scorer and Noel remained the highest points scorer after the remaining
heats on the 13th. The qualifiers from the quarter-finals had to go through an engine test as well as routine scrutineering
and for the first time in the Club’s history a driver was banned from the rest of the Championship proceedings –
this being Noel. Clive beat Chris Butcher in a run-off to win the Championship.
The Slotstox East Anglian Championship was held on the 12th October with 30 drivers racing and blue top George Palmer
finished fop of the qualifying heats points and eventually finished runner-up. Dave and Steve supplied the trophies.
At the birthday meeting on 11th May, in the Slotstox there had also been a run-off between Chris and Clive for the win
with Chris winning on that occasion whilst Slot-Saloon promoter Robin Bater beat Chris in a run-off to win the Slot-Saloons.
On 18th June, Club drivers visited the Aldershot Knights Slotstox Club for the Slotstox British Championship, enjoying
the visit even though none featured in the places, failed to know how the meeting was being run, had a consolation heat scratched
from the card due to time restrictions and were not even thanked for attending in the first place!! Gary Reynolds from the
host club won.
On 16th December, Julian won the Slotstox English Championship for a third time and third in four seasons following 1987
and 1988. Sponsors were Mr. Austin Mr. Markwell and 28 drivers were racing including 5 from the Aldershot Knights Slotstox
Club – with one of these, a white graded driver qualifying for the final - and a programme was produced for the
event costing 30p – Editor: Terry Newell, other snipets: Christer Earrey and Noel Whinney; Art Work: David Girling
and Typing: Duncan Love. With so many Club drivers racing, it was only open to the Top 20 drivers in the points with a reserve
list beyond those.
With a growing number of younger members finding it difficult to get amongst the trophies in the major championships,
the Slotstox Foxhall Under 15's Championship was introduced. This effectively replaced the Slotstox Novice Championship and
Steven Herd won the inaugural Slotstox Foxhall Under 15's (Junior) Championship held at the Gala Night meeting on 14th December.
Not missing out totally on championship wins this season, Paul won the Slot-Saloons East Anglian Championship on 19th
October with 27 drivers racing (with a fair amount of needle surrounding this meeting as it was seen that part time racers
had come back to win) and was 'Team Reg' Captain again as they defended the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship at the Gala
Night meeting on 14th December. 'Team Reg' team members were Robin Bater, Daren Earrey and Terry Newell.
Finalists in the Slot-Saloons East Anglian Championship were Chris Butcher, defending champion Clive Day and George Palmer.
Chris had earlier in the season won the inaugural Slot-Saloons English Championship on 12th September.
A new figure of eight track was under preparation, plans for a new five lane track as well as a new Rod formula to be
introduced meaning that there could be a two formulae meeting every week.
During August Club members made two visits to the dodgems at Felixstowe which were truly hectic sessions. Also, a venture
into the go-karts and John Devine taught son Brian why it wasn’t a good idea to drive near the fence!
In November, Club members and guests made a first visit to the newly opened indoor kart centre in Ipswich. With a large
element of Banger and Stock Rod drivers present, as as the Club regulars, this certainly provided a lot of action. Christer
Earrey was the winner.
1991
James Simmonds from the host Aldershot Knights Slotstox Club won the Slotstox World Championship on 27th November.
Another Aldershot Knights Slotstox Club hosted championship was also won by a driver from the hosts: the Slotstox British
Championship on 24th June. A strong turnout of 10 East Anglians made the journey down including Steve ‘Spike’
Rixon from the Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club having earlier in the season won the Club’s Easter meeting ahead
of Noel Whinney, Kevin Thurlow and Clive Day. Once again there were complaints about how the meeting was being run and it
also became obvious that may of the host club drivers were just as confused! The start was put back from 7pm to 8pm and qualifying
heats were held before the meeting proper. At one-point Club drivers were told that they would have to qualify as well, which
didn’t go down well having travelled over 250 miles and this was swiftly withdrawn! On to the meeting itself and
it became apparent that 70! Drivers had two qualifying heats and none of the visiting Club members progressed beyond these.
Christer Earrey continued writing articles on the Club for the Spedeworth Wheelspin magazine although reports had stopped
for the Aldershot Knights Slotstox Club.
At the Club, it wasn’t quiet over the 1990/1991 close season – 32 contestents took part in a pool
competition won by Paul Mower with Duane Collins runner-up.
There was then a quiz and after three count-ups it was decided that Team Reg were the masterminds!
In February, Club members and guests again visited the indoor kart centre in Ipswich. Another lively event with Daren
Earrey the winner, keeping it in the family after brother Christer won the November 1990 visit.
Two early season meetings were also cancelled due to snow and during June, July and August meetings were run fortnightly
other than the Slotstox Foxhall Championship.
There was a third visit to the indoor kart centre in Ipswich on 5th June with 34 ‘local Foxes’ drivers
and 6 ‘visting’ drivers much to the disapproval of the Foxes – the message being passed around
at this stage was to make sure the visitors didn’t make the Final; one way or the other! Another lively session
ended with Clive Day winning and Robbie Warner banned for life!
Paul Mower bounced back from a rather baron 1990 by winning the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship (fourth in total
and fourth in five seasons following 1987, 1988 and 1989) and Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship (third in total
following 1987 and 1989). This meant that Paul won the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship and Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix
Series Championship in the same season for a third time following 1987 and 1989.
This season saw the introduction of a new Slot Rods formula and Paul won the inaugural Slot Rods Foxhall Championship
on 15th November.
The first meeting for the Slot-Rods was on 17th May with 11 drivers but this still proved too many cars on a track designed
for contact as various penalties were dished out for blatant contact!
Daren Earrey won the Slotstox East Anglian Championship on 4th October. The second member of the Earrey family to win
the Slotstox East Anglian Championship win (and two in three seasons) following Daren's brother Christer winning in 1989.
Kevin Thurlow won the Slotstox Suffolk Championship for a second time following winning the inaugural Slotstox Suffolk
Championship in 1985. Kevin became the second driver to win the Slotstox Suffolk Championship twice following Paul (1986
and 1987).
The Suffolk Championship was run as an ‘Open’ championship with 35 drivers including four drivers
from the Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club. Kevin qualified highest scorer from the two qualifying heats but only qualified
for the final as the highest scoring third placed driver (this being a new way of determining final qualifiers from semi-finals
on the Club’s new five lane track) whilst Chris Butcher scored the first heat maximum 20 points on the Club’s
new five-lane track in the first semi-final. The final was probably the tightest contested Slotstox final to date with the
first three scoring 22, 21 and 20 points respectively and will be remembered for a long time in Slot racing circles.
Using the 1986 Slotstox Foxhall Novice Championship win as a stepping stone and after the first maximum on the new five-lane
track during the Slotstox Suffolk ‘Open’ Championship, Blue grade driver Chris won the Slotstox Foxhall
Championship held on 12th and 19th July. Not stopping there, Chris won the Slot-Saloons Foxhall Points Championship –
now nicknamed the “Thunderdrome” with Thunderdrome being a series raced for by the real Saloon Stock Cars.
Chris also captained the 'Jokers' team to win the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship on 20th December with team members:
the Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club duo of Anthony Webb and name sake but no relation: multi-champion Stuart Webb together
with Steve Rixon, John Devine, Darren Forsdike and Noel Whinney. The Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship was becoming ever
more competitive due to opposing cliques that had developed within the Club!
For the first time the Slotstox Foxhall Championship was open to visiting drivers and three from the Aldershot Knights
Slotstox Club travelled up for each of the two weeks making a total of 30 drivers for both weeks.
In addition to the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship, there were also individual championship wins in Slot-Saloons for
Noel and the Devine family. Noel won the Slot-Saloons East Anglian Championship on 25th October whilst John's son Brian
won the inaugural Slot-Saloons Foxhall Championship.
John won the Club’s 7th birthday meeting on 10th May with 28 drivers racing which was the first official meeting
on the new five-lane track – John being track builder! A few old faces turned up as well, if only to watch –
Club founders Kevin Wegg and Dean Cox plus Derek and Ian Taylor.
John and Brian were also dominant in the inaugural Slot Rods Foxhall Points Championship with John beating Brian by only
5 points. John also scored a fine 12-point third heat maximum during the Slotstox meeting on 19 April on the way to being
highest qualifier - as the other three drivers – Kevin Thurlow, Paul Austin and James Ellis, all failed to score!
Towards the end of the season, a new young driver Neil Clarke, made an immediate impact winning the Slotstox Foxhall Under
15's Championship on 6th December and then creating a shock result by winning the Steve Markwell sponsored Slotstox English
Championship on 15th December. Due to a lower than expected number of drivers at the Slotstox English Championship (including
the absence of visiting drivers and the defending champion Julian Beaumont) the championship format was changed from three
heats, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final to four heats, semi-finals and final.
With the Club committee elected at the 1990 Annual General Meeting all resigning, Club chairman Christer Earrey was left
in sole charge with only the continued and appreciated help of Steve Markwell running the meetings.
A new five-lane track made its debut and with programmes having been produced for several championship meetings and articles
having been included in the Spedeworth 'Wheelspin' magazine since the Club's formation, Christer Earrey produced for the Club
its own regular paper 'Slot Stox magazine'. Priced at 25p the cover had a foxes head imposed on a Slotstox designed by Paul
Mower and included amongst other things - fixtures, results, points charts, rule changes etc. Plus, on a more light-hearted
note - video reviews, driver profiles and much banter!
The first edition also included some thanks go to: on page 1... these being:
- John Earrey of Spedeworth International Limited for allowing us to race in the clubroom, and for all his help during
the year,
- Marion Newell for her sterling efforts behind the bar,
- L & L Electrical for the audio equipment set-up,
- To Steve Markwell for all his help on race nights,
- Wheelspin Magazine for all our published articles,
- To all the Drivers and Supporters of the Club.
Carl Brett, well known for spectacular crashing, won the inaugural Club 'Entertainer of the Year' award!
Club racer Julian Beaumont won a real ‘Banger’ race at the Foxhall Stadium, Ipswich.
1992
Due to a 'misunderstanding' with Club 'landlords' Spedeworth over an article in the Spedeworth 'Wheelspin' magazine, the Club
(even though run quite separately from Spedeworth) spent the first part of this season away from Foxhall Stadium; racing (still
on a Friday night) at the Graham Court Hotel and Restaurant in Anglesea Road nearer the centre of Ipswich. By May the Club
were back at the Foxhall Stadium.
Christer Earrey, son of Foxhall Stadium manager John Earrey, was still the Club chairman during this time with Peter Banham
the Club's racing manager.
Due to the move away from Foxhall Stadium, for May 1992 the Clubs regular magazine changed its name to the 'simply better'
Suffolk Slotstox Magazine - now priced 40p.
On the racing front, Club driver Paul Mower on 22nd November 1992 probably recorded the finest achievement of an illustrious
racing career to date by becoming the first driver to win the Slotstox World Championship at an 'away' club (Aldershot Knights
Slotstox Club). This would mean that the Club would host the Slotstox World Championship for the first time in 1993.
Added to Paul, Club drivers took the first three places in the Slotstox World Championship with Kevin Thurlow and Daren
Earrey finishing second and third respectively.
At the Club, Paul defended the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship for (fifth in total and fifth in six seasons following
1987, 1988, 1989 and 1991) and also defended the Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship with the final round held
on 27th November (fourth in total following 1987, 1989 and 1991).
Paul won the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship and Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship in the same season
for a fourth time following 1987, 1989 and 1991.
Paul won the Club's 8th Birthday meeting on 8th May and defended the Slot-Rods Foxhall Championship on 23rd October.
Paul won the Club’s birthday meeting for a second time having won the Club’s 4th birthday meeting in 1988.
Daren Earrey defended the Slotstox East Anglian Championship on 25th September and became the second driver to defend
the Slotstox East Anglian Championship following Paul (1986 and 1987). Daren became the third driver to win the Slotstox
East Anglian Championship twice following Paul and Julian Beaumont (1984 and 1988). The line up for the Slotstox East Anglian
Championship final included two lady drivers in Sharon Brett and Rachael Squirrell. Daren's win meant it was three Slotstox
East Anglian Championship wins in four seasons for the Earrey family following Daren's brother Christer winning in 1989.
As with Dean Cox and the 1985 Slotstox Foxhall Championship plus Paul Mower and the 1986 Slotstox Suffolk Championship:
with the Slotstox East Anglian Championship being jointly sponsored by Daren along with Robin Bater and Paul Mower, this was
a self-sponsored win!
Chris Butcher defended the Slotstox Foxhall Championship held on 10th and 17th July and became the second driver to defend
the Slotstox Foxhall Championship following Julian (1986 and 1987).
Chris became the third driver to win the Slotstox Foxhall Championship twice following Julian and Clive Day (the inaugural
Slotstox Foxhall Championship in 1984 and 1990).
Interestingly, the statistics for the Slotstox Foxhall Championship show that all of the finalists raced in a total of
45 races. Champion Chris won 17 of those races, compared with 3rd place Clive, 4th place Ashley Moore and 5th place Noel
each winning 14. Runner-up Mark Banham won a mere total of 2 races (and with 32 racing this number of race wins was beaten
by 2 drivers finishing outside the top 20 qualifying places for the quarter-finals!)
With the type of engine that drivers were using a topic of debate, Mark was also the only semi-finalist to be racing with
a MRRC 222 engine - the other drivers racing with either an SRS (including champion Chris) or Parma engine!
Following winning the 1990 Slot-Saloons English Championship, Chris won the Slotstox English Championship on 11th December.
Chris became the third driver to win the Slotstox Foxhall Championship and Slotstox English Championship in the same season
following Dean Cox (1985) and Julian (1987).
Chris also captained the 'Jokers' team to defend the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship on 4th December: the second team
and Captain to defend the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship following 'Team Reg' captained by Paul (1989 and 1990).
'Jokers' team members John Devine and Noel Whinney were also team members in the 1991 Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship
winning 'Jokers' team! Further 'Jokers' team members were David Cordle, Chris's sister Claire Butcher, George Palmer and
Mark Ashmen.
Chris also won the Slotstox Foxhall Turkey Challenge on 24th July sponsored by Paul Coman and Ashley Moore as well as
the 'Easter Entertainer' on 17th April. At the Easter meeting, Adam Markwell won the junior event and just missed out on
a double finishing as runner-up to Aaron Leek in the main meeting.
Chris also teamed up with Robin Bater and Anthony Webb from the Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club to form the ‘Steam
Team’ which was Team 3 for the Fen Tigers racing Metal Slotstox at the Seventeenth Southern Area Slotstox Nationals
on 15th February.
'Jokers' team member George also won individual championships: the Slotstox Suffolk Championship on 29th May and the Slot-Saloons
Foxhall Championship on 18th September whilst another 'Jokers' team member Mark won the inaugural Slotstox Foxhall Pairs Championship
paired with Steve Clarke. Steve’s son Neil won the Slotstox Foxhall Crasharama Championship.
Steven Herd won the Slotstox Foxhall Under 15's Championship on 16th October and sponsored by The Suffolk Slotstox Magazine
for a second time following winning the inaugural Slotstox Foxhall Under 15's Championship in 1990.
The Club's Slotstox statistics for the season show that thirteen drivers won at least one final - Paul winning the most
(8); twice as many as the next best Daren and Chris each with 4. With 40 drivers on the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship
chart: 33 drivers qualified for at least one semi-final and 30 drivers qualified for at least one final. Most semi-final
appearances went to Paul - 29 followed by Daren - 24 whilst most final appearances also went to Paul - 22, followed again
by Daren - 15 and John - 15. From semi-finals and final, Paul gained 139 Bonus Points for the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship,
almost double the next highest – Daren with 72.
Slot-Saloons and Slot Rod meetings became sparse (reduced during the season due to lack of participants) and by the end
of the season had disappeared altogether. This was after bar takings were down 60% at the Slot Rod Foxhall Championship with
the Club being informed that they were not allowed to have another meeting like that. There were 10 Slot Rod drivers at this
meeting (their supposed highlight of the season) whilst the supporting Slot-Saloons had 11 drivers – most of the
drivers raced both, some using the same car for both.
Having won in 1991, this season Carl Brett shared the Club 'Entertainer of the Year' with Daren. Club Driver of the Year
was Paul Mower and Improved Club Driver of the Year Aaron Leek. Club members voted for the winners and the Tony Lay Fan Club
sponsored the trophies.
The Club's end of season gala night meeting on 18th December was jointly sponsored by the Club and John Earrey and featured
1/24 scale Slot-Bangers and Caravans plus a Slotstox Ramp Race.
1993
Issue 13 of the Suffolk Slotstox Magazine at the start of the season was a special rule book edition (even including Slot
Stox Car Dimensions for the Aldershot Knights Slotstox Club!) costing 50p. This included ‘Notes from the Management’
written by John Earrey noting that with the erection of Di’s Diner six years ago and Maggies’s Parlour
four years ago, the bar the Club used was nowhere near as popular as it was some years ago, people tending to use the other
two bars. Therefore, sales had dropped considerably over the past two or three years except on Friday nights and the importance
of the Club to keep flourishing and to get a few more members (preferably drinkers) the better. Because of the drop in popularity
the ‘Old Bar’ had been neglected somewhat with money spent elsewhere and wondering if members might volunteer
their services to give the ceiling and walls a lick of paint. Brushes and paint will be provided.
The Editor added a note asking for help to finish building the Figure of 8 centre section of the track to accommodate
the Banger formula. Elsewhere there was a article on a ‘new for 1993’ Foxhall Video Club giving the chance
to watch some great crash compilations without the expense of splashing out for a tape that you will only watch once or twice.
30 different Video’s and a change of £1-00 per week (conditions applying!) There was also a video review section
with the videos being scored out of 10 – in this edition ‘Decade of Havoc’ was the first of
the first thirteen reviewed to score 10 out of 10.
Christer Earrey was Club Chairman, Points Chart(s) Co-ordinator and one of the Scrutineers alongside David Cordle (although
later in the season David became sole Scrutineer). Steve Markwell was Meeting Co-ordinator, Paul Mower was Technical Scrutineer
whilst John Devine was Spares Consultant. With Mark Banham ceasing to race, dad Peter was no longer attending the meetings
and so the position of Racing Manager was vacant.
The Easter edition issue 14 of the 'simply better' Suffolk Slotstox Magazine had a new cover designed by Paul Mower whilst
issue 15 was the 9th Birthday edition. Issue 16 included a ‘Viewpoint’ by Christer Earrey on the current
running of the Club and a video review by Steven Herd on one the videos available via the Foxhall Video Club – ‘And
They Walked Away…1 scoring 3 out of 10! It also featured a letter from Chris Butcher appreciating the chance of
reviving the Slot-Saloons if there was support.
The season began on 12th February with a Winter Warmer’s for Slotstox won by Christer.
This season saw two significant events.
First, saw the introduction of a 'new' formula at the Club: Slot-Bangers racing in the Foxhall (nicknamed 'Crasherama')
Points Championship and following previous championship wins in Slotstox and Slot Rods, Paul Mower won the inaugural Slot-Bangers
Foxhall Points Championship and the inaugural Slot-Bangers Foxhall Championship on 17th September (run on the new figure-of-eight
centre section built by Paul, Paul Austin, John Devine, Christer Earrey, Steven Herd and Aaron Leek). The Slot-Bangers had
eight meetings and a complicated set of rules for scoring including crashing on the figure-of-eight crossover and following
in!
Paul was once again Captain of 'Team Reg' as they regained the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship on 10th December: the
third Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship win for Paul as Captain and for 'Team Reg' following 1989 and 1990. Fellow 'Team
Reg' members of Paul included Robin Bater, Daren Earrey and Terry Newell all winning a second Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship
having been members of 'Team Reg' in 1990 plus Ashley Moore.
The second significant event saw the Club host the Slotstox World Championship for the first time in East Anglia on 31st
October and 'Team Reg' member Robin won the inaugural Club hosted Slotstox World Championship.
Apart from Paul (3), Robin, Daren and Terry (2), other drivers to have won the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship on more
than one occasion are:
Chris Butcher: 2 - Captain 1991 and 1992 Jokers;
John Devine: 2 - member 1991 and 1992 Jokers; and
Noel Whinney: 2 - member 1991 and 1992 Jokers.
Issue 18 of the 'simply better' Suffolk Slotstox Magazine was the 1993 Slotstox World Championship Special costing 40p!
This included warnings that drivers from the Aldershot Knights Slotstox Club would be fired up to take the title and the
Slotstox Premier event back down South including within the feature ‘A view from the defending champion’
by Paul - the first time a Club member had done so as Slotstox World Champion! There was a good showing of drivers from the
Aldershot Knights Slotstox Club but the Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club had gone their own way.
Along with Robin, Daren was another 'Team Reg' member winning an individual championship: the Slotstox English Championship
on 19th December sponsored by Steve Markwell.
Daren became the third driver to win the Slotstox English Championship and Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship in the same
season following Chris a season earlier and Paul (1989).
Daren was not the only Earrey winning this season as, despite not having the easiest time as Club Chairman, brother Christer
won the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship and also paired up with Sharon Brett to win the Slotstox Foxhall Pairs Championship
on 15th October. Sharon became the first Foxhall Foxes Slotstox Club lady driver to win a Slotstox Championship.
Christer won the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship by only 5 points with Chris runner-up.
Neil Clarke won the Slotstox East Anglian Championship on 1st October and on 15th October won the Slotstox Foxhall Under
15's Championship for a second time following 1991.
Neil became the second driver to win the Slotstox Foxhall Under 15's Championship twice following Steven Herd (1990 and
1992).
Issue 17 of the 'simply better' Suffolk Slotstox Magazine was Slotstox East Anglian Championship special edition costing
60p including driver profiles and a Grand Final Prediction including predicted points for the finalists! For the record three
of the finalists were correctly predicted – Chris, the predicted winner with 27 points finished as runner-up with
25 points, Paul predicted to finish runner-up (finished 4th) and Christer predicted to finish 3rd (finished 5th)…
whilst Neil wasn’t a predicted finalist!
Further to the letter in issue 16, this issue also featured ‘The Jokers Jottings’ by Chris. This
noted that good progress was being made with resurrecting the Slot-Saloons for the 1994 season… Chris had keen to
do since they stopped in 1992 and was even building most of the field. With cars built, building and promised this was into
the twenties – the first meeting was held on Gala Night. In the video review section Steven scored ‘And
They Walked Away…2’ - as the second video out 18 viewed – with a 10 out of 10 score! Steven
also scored video 19 viewed ‘And They Walked Away…3’ as a 10 out of 10 in the Slotstox World
Championship special issue 18! Issue 17 also featured a Championship Puzzle – with answers fitting around the centre
words of ‘East Anglian Championship’ – the answers in issue 18.
Following those wins in the Slotstox Foxhall Under 15's Championship, this season Steven won the Slotstox Foxhall Championship
held again over two weeks with the final held on 6th August. Chris was top scorer after the first four helds held on the
first week.
Aaron Leek won the Slotstox Suffolk ‘Open’ Championship sponsored by defending champion George Palmer
on 28th May with an 8pm start time; and Chris, whilst not achieving the number of championships wins of 1992, won the Slotstox
Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship with the 8th and final round, sponsored by Christer, held on 26th November.
With Christer winning the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship and Chris winning the Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series
Championship this was the first season since the inaugural Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship in 1986 that different
drivers had won these championships in the same season!
After a difficult summer of low turnouts for both Slotstox and Slot-Bangers: with the aim to gain some publicity, the
decision was taken to break from tradition of the Trophy presentations being held on the same evening as the End of Season
Gala Night and to hold these at the End of Season Disco in Di’s Diner on Saturday 4th December.
Other social events during Christer Earrey's reign as Club chairman included five-a-side and seven-a-side football on
the Foxhall Stadium centre green! The social side had been a major factor in the early years of the Club including the infamous
coach trips to Wimbledon Stadium and Yarmouth / Yarmouth Stadium organised by Supporters Club organiser Kevin Wegg!
1994
Issue 19 of the 'simply better' Suffolk Slotstox Magazine issued at the beginning of the season was a rule book edition also
including a wordsearch. Chris Butcher and Paul Mower were Club Chairmen – with Chris also Scrutineer and Slot-Saloon
Promoter whilst Paul was also Accountant. Steve Markwell was Meeting Co-ordinator, Christer Earrey was Points Chart Co-ordinator
and Trophy Consultant, Clive Day was Engine Tester, John Devine was Spares Consultant whilst Advertisers were Sharon Brett,
Claire Butcher and Rachel Squirrell. Banger Promotion was ‘Foxhall Review Magazine’ – a new
magazine covering all Stock Car meetings at Foxhall Stadium as well as ‘BIG’ meetings elsewhere and as
such issue 20 of the 'simply better' Suffolk Slotstox Magazine issued in May 1994 was the final one.
With the Club hosting their second consecutive Slotstox World Championship, Club driver Ashley Moore won the Slotstox
World Championship.
With Chris Butcher resurrecting and promoting the Slot-Saloons, the Slot-Saloons Foxhall Points Championship reappeared
with four rounds and continued to be nicknamed the 'Thunderdrome Series'. With the previous Slot-Stock Saloons being 1/32
scale, the relaunched version were 1/24 scale.
With the Club running Slotstox, Slot-Saloons and Slot-Bangers, the Team Meeting was not held n 1994.
Paul Mower again dominated the Club's season winning the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship (sixth in total, third in
four seasons and sixth in eight seasons following wins in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991 and 1992), the 'relaunced' Slot-Saloons Foxhall
Points Championship and defending the Slot-Bangers Foxhall Points Championship nicknamed the ‘Crasharama Series’.
Paul was not the only driver making headlines at the Club this season: Neil Clarke defended the Slotstox East Anglian
Championship on 30th September as well as winning the Slotstox English Championship for a second time on 11th December; proving
that being the surprise winner of the 1991 Slotstox English Championship was no fluke.
Neil’s Slotstox East Anglian Championship was a self-sponsored win as the meeting was sponsored by Neil, Neil’s
dad Steve Clarke and Noel Whinney.
Neil became the fourth driver to win the Slotstox East Anglian Championship twice following Paul (1986 and 1987), Daren
Earrey (1991 and 1992) and Julian Beaumont (1984 and 1988).
This meant Neil became the third driver to defend the Slotstox East Anglian Championship following Paul and Daren.
Neil became the second driver to win the Slotstox English Championship on more than one occasion following three-time
champion Julian (1987, 1988 and 1990).
This meant that Neil became the second driver to win the Slotstox English Championship and Slotstox East Anglian Championship
in the same season following Julian (1988).
Paul Austin won the Slotstox Suffolk Championship on 10th June sponsored by Sharon Brett, Rachael Squirrell and Claire
Butcher, whilst the outgoing Slotstox Suffolk Champion Aaron Leek won the Slotstox Foxhall Championship.
Outgoing Slotstox World Champion Robin Bater won the Slot-Saloons Foxhall Championship whilst outgoing Slotstox English
Champion Daren Earrey won the Slot-Bangers Foxhall Championship which, as in 1993, was run as a figure-of-eight event.
All the Foxhall Championships were held over the same weekend – 24th and 25th June with Club members camping
on the Foxhall Stadium centre green! This weekend coincided with Neil Clarke's birthday and Neil got a soaking on the Foxhall
Stadium centre green!
Four Club drivers visited the Aldershot Knights Slotstox Club in April with only Christer Earrey having a car eligible
to race and the others having to borrow cars from the hosts.
1995
Having resurrected and promoted the Slot-Saloons in 1994 (and still building Slot-Saloons), Chris Butcher was elected sole
Club chairman and a new 'Foxhall Foxes Slotstox' Magazine appeared - priced 50p (although the first issue was free when paying
subs) with the idea being to raise funds to sponsor Gala night, trophies etc. Chris also installed a new Perspex fence on
the start line for the benefit of the lap scorers and a practice track was set up and running as asked for at the Annual General
Meeting. Issue 2 featured a Banger Update by Brian Devine, a Find the Champion Puzzle and a crossword. There was also a
Scrutineers Hit List noting cars and the issues to be corrected!
Diane Brett was Meeting Co-ordinator and Points Chart(s) Co-ordinator, Noel Whinney and Graham West were Scrutineers,
Aaron Leek was Technical Scrutineer whilst John Devine remained Spares Consultant.
Teenage Club driver Ben Stiff won the Slotstox World Championship on 19th December.
Ben proved to be a versatile driver by, at the Club's end of season gala night meeting on 17th December, also winning
the inaugural Slot-Rubbish Rally Foxhall Championship as well as the inaugural Slot-Bangers Foxhall Pairs Championship paired
with another driver proving to be versatile: 1993 Slotstox World Champion Robin Bater!
Away from the Club, Robin won the Slotstox 'Club' Championship at the Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club.
Lady driver Rachael Squirrell won the Slotstox English Championship on 10th December having won the Slotstox Suffolk Championship
on 24th March. After winning the Slotstox Suffolk Championship, partner Chris suggesting in ‘Jokers Jottings’
within issue 2 of the Foxhall Foxhall Magazine that ‘After some very good performances since starting at the back
maybe she will stop complaining….OUCH*!*!!!.
Rachael became the second driver to win the Slotstox English Championship and Slotstox Suffolk Championship in the same
season following Julian Beaumont (1988).
Chris Butcher won the Slotstox East Anglian Championship on 25th August and defended the Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series
Championship with the final double points round held on 28th July.
Chris won the Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship in 1993 before the championship was re-formatted from having
all the rounds being held during one season to the rounds being held over the second-half of one season and the first-half
of the following season.
This was partly to give drivers joining or improving part way through a season a championship to compete for. Over its
first seven seasons in its previous format the driver winning the Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship had also
won the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship in the same season - Mark Cossey (the inaugural Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series
Championship in 1986), Paul Mower (1987, 1989, 1991 and 1992) and Clive Day (1990). Chris's win in 1993 was the first time
that the winner of the Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship had not also won the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship
in the same season!
Chris became the second driver to defend the Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship following four-time champion
Paul Mower (1987, 1989, 1991 and 1992).
Chris became the third driver to win the Slotstox East Anglian Championship and Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship
in the same season following Paul (1987) and Clive Day (1990).
Outgoing Slotstox English Champion and Slotstox East Anglian Champion Neil Clarke became the second driver to win the
Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship, Slot-Saloons Foxhall Points Championship (nicknamed the 'Thunderdrome Series') and Slot-Bangers
Foxhall Points Championship (nicknamed the ‘Crasharama Series’) in the same season following Paul Mower
the previous season earlier (1994).
Neil also won the Slotstox Foxhall Championship (beating Robin by one point in the final) and became the fourth driver
to win the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship and Slotstox Foxhall Championship in the same season following Dean Cox (1985),
Paul (1988) and Clive (1990). Four heats of the Slotstox Foxhall Championship were held on 19th May with the remaining heat,
quarter-finals, semi-finals and final held on 26th May.
Another Clarke family win as Neil's dad Steve won the inaugural Slot-Saloon and Caravan Foxhall Championship at the Club's
end of season gala night meeting on 17th December. Steve was also a member of the 'Hot Wods' team that won the Slotstox Foxhall
Team Championship on 8th December with John Devine as Captain. The other 'Hot Wods' team members were John's son Brian, husband
and wife Charles and Sylvia Atkinson plus father and son Keith and Carl Brett!
Having not been held in 1994, the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship was re-introduced this season sponsored by Keith's
son and Carl's brother Mark Brett.
John won the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship for a third time having been a member of the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship
winning 'Jokers' teams in 1991 and 1992.
John became the second driver to win the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship three-times following 'Team Reg' Captain Paul
(1989, 1990 and 1993).
Having not been held in 1994, with new youngsters coming to the Club, Jason Duff won the Slotstox Foxhall Under 15's Championship
at the Club's end of season gala night meeting on 17th December.
The Club's Slotstox statistics for the season show that six drivers achieved heat maximums - Neil Clarke, Chris Butcher,
John Devine, Rachael Squirrell, Brian Devine and James Mann. With 66 drivers on the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship
chart: 38 drivers qualified for at least one semi-final and 28 drivers qualified for at least one final. Most semi-final
appearances went to Neil - 28 followed by Robin Bater and John - 24 whilst most final appearances also went to Neil - 22,
followed again by Robin - 17 and John - 15.
1996
Having been the first lady driver to win a Slotstox Championship at the Club by
partnering Christer Earrey to win the 1993 Slotstox Foxhall Pairs Championship; and following Rachael Squirrell becoming
the first lady driver from the Club to win an individual Slotstox Championship (Slotstox English Championship
and Slotstox Suffolk Championship) a season earlier: on 1st December, Yellow grade driver Sharon Brett won the biggest Slotstox
Championship of them all by becoming the first lady Slotstox World Champion.
This followed on from Sharon becoming the first lady driver to win a Slot-Saloons Championship
at the Club by winning the Slot-Saloons Foxhall Championship on 22nd November.
Peter and Mark Banham sponsored the Slotstox
World Championship.
Outgoing Slotstox World Champion, Ben Stiff (the first teenage driver to win the Slotstox World Championship) won
the Slotstox Foxhall Under 15's Championship on 25th October and the Slot-Bangers Foxhall Points Championship.
Robin Bater won the Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship with the final round held on 23rd August.
With the Club now regular host of the Slotstox World Championship, the Slotstox English Championship and
Slotstox East Anglian Championship were dropped from the fixture list.
Outgoing Slotstox East Anglian Champion (although not able to defend!) and Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix
Series Champion Chris Butcher won the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship.
Chris became the first winner of the 'new' Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship annual trophy.
This expertly crafted trophy by Club chairman Chris contains, as the main feature, a metal replica Slotstox
on a plinth.
Noel Whinney won the Slotstox Suffolk Championship on 26th April and the Slotstox Foxhall
Championship held on 17th and 24th May.
Noel won the Slotstox Foxhall Championship for a second time following 1989.
Noel became the fourth driver to win the Slotstox Foxhall Championship twice following Clive Day (the inaugural Slotstox Foxhall Championship in 1984 and 1990), Julian Beaumont (1986 and 1987) and Chris
Butcher (1991 and 1992).
Noel became the second driver to win the Slotstox Suffolk Championship and Slotstox Foxhall
Championship in the same season following Clive Day (1990).
As with Dean Cox and the 1985 Slotstox Foxhall Championship, Paul Mower
and the 1986 Slotstox Suffolk Championship plus Daren Earrey and the 1992 Slotstox East Anglian Championship: with
the Slotstox Foxhall Championship being jointly sponsored by Noel along with Aaron Leek, this saw
a self-sponsored win!
Outgoing Slotstox Foxhall Points Champion and Slot-Bangers Foxhall Points Champion, Neil Clarke did
defend the Slot-Saloons Foxhall Points Championship.
Neil completed a Slot-Saloons Championship double by winning the Slot-Saloon and Caravan Foxhall Championship
at the Club's end of season gala night meeting on 13th December. The Slot-Saloon and Caravan Foxhall Championship
was won the previous season by Neil's dad Steve!
Again at the Club's end of season gala night meeting on 13th December, Neil won the inaugural Slotstox
Foxhall 'Wet Weather' Championship: this essentially involved wrapping tape around each of the tyres so as to give little
grip and replicate racing in the wet!
The 'Gumbys' team won the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship on 6th December (sponsored by the
'Foxhall Foxes Slotstox' Magazine) with Mark Banham as Captain. 'Gumbys' team members were
Keith Brett, Jason Duff, Gareth Parker, Mark West and #180.
Although the 'Clowns' team won all their four matches, it was agreed prior to the meeting that the winning
team would be the one with the most points - the 'Gumbys' team scoring 178 points compared with the 'Clowns' team 151
points.
Keith Brett defended the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship having been a member of the Slotstox Foxhall
Team Championship winning 'Hot Wods' team a season earlier.
Keith became the fifth driver to defend the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship following three-time champion Paul
Mower ('Team Reg' Captain 1989 and 1990 plus 1993), Chris Butcher ('Jokers' team Captain 1991 and 1992) plus John Devine and
Noel Whinney ('Jokers' team members 1991 and 1992).
The full list of drivers, like Keith, to have won the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship on two or more
occasions are:
Paul: 3 - Captain 1989, 1990 and 1993 'Team Reg';
John: 3 – member 1991 and 1992 'Jokers' plus Captain 1995 'Hot Wods';
Chris: 2 - Captain 1991 and
1992 'Jokers';
Noel: 2 – member 1991 and 1992 'Jokers';
Robin Bater: 2 – member 1990 and 1993 'Team Reg';
Daren Earrey: 2 – member 1990 and 1993 'Team Reg'; and Terry Newell: 2 – member 1990 and 1993 'Team Reg'.
Nathan Chandler won the Slot-Rubbish Rally Foxhall Championship at the Club's end of season gala night meeting
on 13th December.
With Chris Butcher continuing as Club chairman a Club committee was elected at the Club's Annual
General Meeting.
Due to the damage caused to the figure-of-eight centre section partly by the racing
and partly when taking it apart after each meeting, for the first time some Slot-Bangers meetings were held, with success, on
the 'oval' five-lane bendy chicane centre section track.
The Club's Slotstox statistics for the season show that one driver achieved two heat maximums - Noel
Whinney, whilst four other drivers achieved one: Chris Butcher, Aaron Leek, Rachael Squirrell and Mark Banham.
With 52 drivers on the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship chart: 35 drivers qualified for at least one semi-final and
29 drivers qualified for at least one final. Most semi-final appearances went to Chris - 23 followed
by Rachael and Mark - 21 whilst most final appearances went to Rachael - 17, followed by Noel - 15 and
Chris - 12.
1997
The Club's five-lane track sustained substantial damage at the Club's previous season's end
of season gala night meeting and this required substantial maintenance at the beginning of the season. Whilst this
was being completed all racing took place on the Club's four-lane track and following the successful Slot-Bangers
meetings held on the 'oval' five-lane bendy chicane centre section track during 1996; this included the Slot-Banger
racing for the first time.
At the beginning of April, Chris Butcher resigned as 'full-time' Club chairman through shortage
of time and for a while the Club was run by the Club committee elected at the 1996 Annual General Meeting.
Due to various reasons, including availability of spares, to a mixed reception a more
advanced Slotstox design with smaller wheels and shortened the wheelbase appeared at the Club courtesy of Noel Whinney
and Aaron Leek.
Following Ben Stiff in 1995, another teenage driver: this time Paul Glading won the Slotstox
World Championship on 7th December. As with Sharon Brett the previous season this followed Paul earlier
in the season winning the Slot-Saloons Foxhall Championship on 3rd October. Paul won a championship
in each formula this season by winning the Slot-Bangers Foxhall Points Championship.
Various
Club members contributed towards a general kitty to sponsor the Slotstox World Championship and Paul
led a family 1-2 with dad Jim finishing second. At the Club's end of season gala night meeting on 12th
December, Jim won the inaugural Slotstox Foxhall Grand National Championship after John Devine had finished
first in the qualifying points.
Jim and Paul also paired up to win the Slot-Bangers Foxhall Pairs
Championship on 15th August.
The remaining major Slotstox Championships were won by Noel Whinney and Neil Clarke.
Noel won the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship and also defended the Slotstox Foxhall Championship
(third in total having also won in 1989) held on 5th and 12th September.
Noel became the third driver to defend the Slotstox Foxhall Championship following Julian
Beaumont (1986 and 1987) and Chris Butcher (1991 and 1992).
Noel became the fourth driver to win the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship
and Slotstox Foxhall Championship in the same season following Dean Cox (1985), Paul Mower (1988), Clive
Day (1990) and Neil (1995).
Neil won the Slotstox Suffolk Championship on 21st March and the Slotstox Foxhall
Grand Prix Series Championship with the final round held on 22nd August.
Whist Noel took the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship title off Neil; Neil took the Slotstox
Suffolk Championship off Noel!
Neil became the third driver to win the Slotstox Suffolk Championship and
Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship in the same season following Paul Mower (1987) and Clive Day (1990).
Neil won the Slotstox Foxhall Pairs Championship paired with Jason Duff on 7th February
whilst Neil's mum Jenny won the Slotstox Foxhall Mechanics Championship (sponsored by the 'Foxhall Foxes Slotstox'
Magazine) at the Club's end of season gala night on 12th December!
Neil was the outgoing Slot-Saloons Foxhall Points Champion and Slot-Saloon and Caravan Foxhall
Champion. Mark Banham won the Slot-Saloons Foxhall Points Championship whilst Simon Turnbull won the Slot-Saloon
and Caravan Foxhall Championship at the Club's end of season gala night meeting on 12th December. Simon also
won the inaugural Slot-Saloons Foxhall Pairs Championship paired with Kieran Margetson on 15th August.
Mark also captained the 'Gumbys' team to defend the Slotstox Foxhall Team
Championship: the third team and Captain to defend the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship following 'Team Reg' captained by
Paul Mower (1989 and 1990) and the 'Jokers' team captained by Chris Butcher (1991 and 1992).
Mark became the sixth driver to defend the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship following
Paul and Chris along with Keith Brett (member 1995 'Hot Wods' team and member 1996 'Gumbys' team)
plus John Devine and Noel ('Jokers' team members 1991 and 1992).
This season Chris was a 'Gumbys' team member winning a third Slotstox Foxhall
Team Championship and first as just a team member.
Chris became the third driver to win the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship three-times following
Paul (Captain 'Team Reg' 1993 in addition to 1989 and 1990) and John (Captain
'Hot Wods' 1995 in addition to being a 'Jokers' team member 1991 and 1992).
Fellow 'Gumbys' team members included outgoing Slotstox World Champion Sharon Brett
plus Sharon's brother Carl winning a second Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship following being
a member of the 1995 'Hot Wods' team. Carl also won the inaugural Slot-Bangers Foxhall Destruction
Derby Championship (sponsored by Gareth Parker) at the Club's end of season gala night meeting on 17th December and at the
same meeting Sharon and Carl's dad, Keith, won the inaugural Slotstox Foxhall 'Wrong Way' Championship!
Other 'Gumbys' team members were Ron Ellis plus Brian Devine, like Carl, also
winning a second Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship having been a member of the 1995 'Hot Wods' team captained by dad
John.
Apart from Paul, Chris and John (3), Mark, Keith, Noel, Carl and Brian (2)
other drivers to have won the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship on more than one occasion are:
Robin Bater: 2 - member 1990 and 1993 'Team Reg';
Daren Earrey: 2 – member 1990 and 1993 'Team Reg'; and
Terry Newell:
2 – member 1990 and 1993 'Team Reg'.
Roger Adams won the Slotstox Foxhall Under 15's Championship on 24th October.
On Saturday 23rd August, thanks to Noel Whinney, the club was featured on the centre pages of the local 'Evening
Star' newspaper. On visiting the club an 'Evening Star' team of three challenged two of the Club members to a set of
races and the 'Evening Star' team won 13-10.
On 20th December, seven Club members made an eventful trip for the Slotstox Ely 'Open' Championship and
after finally finding the location, along with some Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club members: an Ely record of 27 drivers
were racing. Mark Banham won the final winning a hastily arranged bottle of wine! Another
driver winning a drink was Kieran Margetson - a second place in Kieran's penultimate race earned
a drink from Gareth Parker put up as an incentive when it appeared that Kieran would not finish any races and thus score
no points!
The Club's Slotstox statistics for the season show that eleven drivers achieved heat maximums with Mark
West leading the way with three - two of these coming in the two four-lane track heats at the Slotstox World Championship!
Three drivers achieved two: Neil Clarke, Jim Glading and Brian Devine. Other notable heat maximums
were for Hayley Ellis in the heats and Mark Banham in the semi-final at the Club's 13th Birthday meeting on 9th May.
These resulted in Mark winning the Club's 13th Birthday 'driver of the meeting' and helped Hayley win the Club's
13th Birthday meeting 'best White/Yellow grade driver'; whilst John Devine won the Club's 13th Birthday meeting final.
With 46 drivers on the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship chart: 31 drivers qualified for at least one semi-final and
25 drivers qualified for at least one final. Most semi-final appearances went to John, Mark West, Jim
and Mark Banham - 22 whilst most final appearances went to Noel Whinney - 18, followed by Neil
and Jim - 15.
Early in the season, the Club's 'Foxhall Foxes Slotstox' magazine featured a review of the Club's history
researched and written by Diane Brett.
On a light-hearted note, it also featured a scrutineers report by Noel Whinney including a points chart where
five points had been awarded for a pass and minus-ten points for a fail. Whilst certainly not the worst offender - the
chart did show Noel's Slotstox with a score a minus-five!
1998
Following on from the substantial track maintenance at the beginning of the 1997 season,
over the course of the 1997/1998 winter close season, various members re-laid the
five-lane figure-of-eight centre section to create a five-lane straight through centre section; together with the
addition of a post and wire fence to the entire five-lane track.
Only Slot-Bangers raced on the figure-of-eight centre section and its demise was due to the damage
caused partly by the racing and partly when taking it apart after each meeting.
The first meeting at which racing took place on the 'new' centre section was the Slot-Bangers
Foxhall Championship on 27th March. The Slot-Bangers Foxhall Championship was
held for the first time since 1994 and for the first time as an oval event: each of the 1993
and 1994 Slot-Bangers Foxhall Championship were run on the now replaced figure-of-eight centre section.
Jim Glading won a very low scoring Slot-Bangers Foxhall Championship final whilst the other three finalists contested
a run-off!
Aaron Leek won the Slotstox World Championship on 6th December whilst Paul
Glading narrowly missed out on becoming the first driver to defend the Slotstox World Championship finishing runner-up
by one point!
As for the previous
season, various Club members contributed towards a general kitty to sponsor the Slotstox World Championship.
Paul dominated Club's season becoming the third driver to win the Slotstox Foxhall
Points Championship, Slot-Saloons Foxhall Points Championship and Slot-Bangers Foxhall Points Championship in the same
season following Paul Mower (1994) and Neil Clarke the following season (1995).
nb: as the Slot-Bangers were racing to a set of 'new' temporary Slot-Banger racing
rules under the promotion of Keith Brett and Jim Glading; the Slot-Bangers Foxhall Points Championship was run as an 'Unofficial'
championship.
Paul also
won the Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship with the final round held on 17th July and the Slotstox Foxhall
Under 15’s Championship on 16th October.
Paul became
the fourth driver to win the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship and Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship
in the same season following Mark Cossey (the inaugural Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship in 1986), Clive
Day (1990) and Paul Mower (1987, 1989, 1991 and 1992) - these being the first six seasons the Slotstox Foxhall
Grand Prix Series Championship was held! This meant Paul became the first driver to win the the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship and Slotstox
Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship in the same season since the Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship was re-formatted
in 1994 from having all the rounds being held during one season to the rounds being held over the second-half of one season
and the first-half of the following season.
Paul became the second driver to win the Slotstox Foxhall Under 15’s
Championship a season after winning the Slotstox World Championship following Ben Stiff (1995 Slotstox World Champion
and 1996 Slotstox Foxhall Under 15’s Champion)!
Paul also became the second driver to defend the Slot-Bangers Foxhall Points Championship following Paul Mower winner
of the first two Slot-Bangers Foxhall Points Championship (1993 and 1994).
Paul's dad Jim,
in addition to winning the Slot-Bangers Foxhall Championship, won the Slotstox Suffolk Championship on 8th May and
defended the Slotstox Foxhall Grand National Championship at the Club's end of season gala night meeting on 11th December
after Aaron finished first in the qualifying points.
Jim also defended the Slot-Bangers Foxhall Pairs Championship held on 19th June but
whereas in 1997 Jim was paired with son Paul, this season Jim was paired with Keith Brett.
John Devine won Slotstox Foxhall Championship held on 11th and 18th September.
With growing relations between the Club and the Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club (mainly re-established
by Noel Whinney), the Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club hosted an inaugural ‘Open’ team event on 2nd May.
With the closure of the 'old' Wisbech Stadium, this was the first time an 'Open' championship
event had taken place at the Emneth Village Hall - the new home of the Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club.
This featured fifteen teams: five from the Club, eight from the hosts Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club, plus
one from each of the Ely Slotstox Club and to great delight the Aldershot Knights Slotstox Club (including
1985 and 1989 Slotstox World Champion: Gary Reynolds). After an all Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club final,
the first winners of the Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox 'Open' Team Championship were 'The Fen Stars' team with team members Julian
Moat, Steve King and Simon Drew.
In response to the good support from the Club at the Wisbech Fen Tigers
Slotstox 'Open' Team Championship: on 27th November a 'Wisbech Fen Tigers' team came, saw and conquered to win the Slotstox
Foxhall Team Championship; albeit at the end of a rather long night! Taking nothing away from a 'Wisbech Fen Tigers'
team racing on an 'away' track; a point to note should be that the 'Wisbech Fen Tigers' sent a strong team whilst
the Club's various teams consisted of drivers spread across all grades.
The growing relations between
the Club and Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club was continuing from the end of the previous season including some construction
rules being altered so as to accommodate each clubs Slotstox. Some Club members became regular visitors to
the Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club and with some success: the most notable being that apart from winning the Slotstox
World Championship; Aaron also won the Slotstox 'Club' Championship at the Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club. Paul
Glading finished third after a run-off (not realising that the run-off only consisted of one race!) Unfortunately, this
'visiting' success did not always go down well with certain Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club regulars!
Robin Bater won the Slot-Saloons Foxhall Championship on 13th November (sponsored by the 'Foxhall Foxes Slotstox'
Magazine) whilst Simon Turnbull defended the Slot-Saloons Foxhall Pairs Championship on 19th June. Simon was, this
season, paired with Ben Freeman. Ben also won an individual Slot-Saloon championship: the
Slot-Saloon and Caravan Foxhall Championship at the Club's end of season gala night meeting on 11th December.
With the cancellation of a planned Slot-Saloon and Caravan and Slot-Banger and Caravan meeting on 4th
September and after many attempts to get all the sections of track together (i.e. incorporating the two five-lane centre
sections - the bendy chicane centre section plus the 'new' straight chicane centre section); the Slotstox and Slot-Bangers
took part in a 'fun' Long-Track meeting. The racing was fast and furious; and apparently it was an effort for some of
the older Club members to see the other end of the track! Among all the many noteworthy performances; one was Roger
Adams' failure to score a point in three full heats of racing!
Gareth Parker won the inaugural Slotstox Long-Track meeting whilst Ben Freeman won the
inaugural Slot-Bangers Long-Track meeting. With the addition of further Long-Track Slotstox meetings; Gareth also
won the inaugural Slotstox 'Unofficial' Long-Track Foxhall Points Championship; spoiling Paul's clean
sweep of all the Foxhall Points Championships!
Not content with just winning the inaugural Slotstox 'Unofficial' Long-Track
Foxhall Points Championship; Gareth also won official championships in all three formulae: the inaugural Slot-Saloons Grand
National Championship (introduced following the popular Slotstox version) having also finished first in the qualifying
points, the Slot-Bangers Foxhall Destruction Derby Championship and the Slotstox Foxhall Pairs Championship paired
with Mark West.
Mark also won an individual Slotstox championship: the Slotstox Foxhall 'Wrong Way' Championship.
The Slot-Saloons Grand National Championship, Slot-Bangers Foxhall Destruction Derby Championship
and Slotstox Foxhall 'Wrong Way' Championship were held at the Club's end of season gala night meeting on 11th December whilst
the Slotstox Foxhall Pairs Championship was held on 31st July.
As with Dean Cox and the 1985 Slotstox Foxhall Championship, Paul
Mower and the 1986 Slotstox Suffolk Championship, Daren Earrey and the 1992 Slotstox East Anglian Championship plus Noel Whinney and the 1996 Slotstox Foxhall Championship; with the Slot-Bangers Foxhall Destruction
Derby Championship being sponsored by Gareth, this saw a self-sponsored win!
The Club's Slotstox statistics for the season show that eight drivers achieved heat maximums with two of
those drivers achieving two heat maximums - Robin Bater and Jason Duff. One of these maximums won Jason the
'driver of the meeting' at the Club's 14th Birthday meeting on 15th May. Kevin Loveland won the Club's 14th
Birthday meeting final and in the process 'best White/Yellow grade driver'. With 47 drivers on the Slotstox Foxhall
Points Championship chart: 30 drivers qualified for at least one semi-final and 21 drivers qualified for at least one
final. Most semi-final appearances went to Paul Glading - 22 followed by Mark West and Jim Glading
- 19 whilst most final appearances also went to Paul - 18, followed again by Mark - 13. 12 drivers
won a final: Slotstox World Champion Aaron Leek winning the most - 5 (out of only 7 finals) followed by Paul
- 4.
The Club's Slot-Saloons statistics for the season show that only one driver achieved a heat maximum
- Keith Brett. Showing the competitiveness of Slot-Saloons: with 28 drivers on the Slot-Saloons Foxhall
Points Championship chart: 23 drivers qualified for at least one semi-final and 18 drivers qualified for at
least one final. Most semi-final appearances went to Paul Glading - 6 followed by Gareth Parker -
5 whilst most final appearances went to Gareth and Carl Brett - 3. 5 drivers won a final with only Keith
winning more than one - 2.
It was love on the race track as at the start of the season as Club chairman and multi-champion Chris Butcher
married another multi-champion Rachael Squirrell!
After many seasons, this season saw John Devine resign as the Club's official spares consultant.
1999
Due to a reduction in the overall number of drivers racing and the growing prominence of Slot-Bangers (previously specifically
included only rarely on the Club's fixture list); Slot-Saloons and Slot-Bangers were run at the same meeting. Due to the
consequent time restrictions this meant the Slot-Saloons Foxhall Grand National Championship was dropped after only one season.
Aaron Leek became the first driver to defend the Slotstox World Championship.
Aaron became the third driver to win the Slotstox World Championship twice following the Aldershot Knights Slotstox Club
drivers Roger Gay (winner of the inaugural Slotstox World Championship in 1983 and 1987) and Gary Reynolds (1985 and 1989).
Once again, various members of the Club contributed towards a general kitty to sponsor the Slotstox World Championship.
Due to the deteriorating condition of the room the Club were using at the Foxhall Stadium, this season the Club hosted
the Slotstox World Championship at the local Rushmere Village Hall on 5th December. This required the five-lane track to
be kept in the garage at Carla and Mark West's mum's house (just over the road from the Rushmere Village Hall) overnight prior
to the meeting!
With the continuing stronger relations between the Club, Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club and Aldershot Knights Slotstox
Club, the Slotstox English ‘Open’ Championship was resurrected and hosted by the Aldershot Knights Slotstox
Club on 28th November. Noel Whinney won the Slotstox English 'Open' Championship having done much of the prompting to get
the three clubs racing together again. The 'Open' title being particularly relevant given the varying Slotstox construction
rules from club to club.
With drivers visiting from the Club and the Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club, this was the first time visiting clubs had
been to the Aldershot Knights Slotstox Club since Paul Mower won the Slotstox World Championship in 1991! Also the first
time visitors had raced on the Aldershot Knights Slotstox Clubs 'new' six-lane track. With the closure of the 'old' Aldershot
Stadium, this was also the first time a weekend event had taken place at the Badshot Lea Kiln - the new home of the Aldershot
Knights Slotstox Club.
The Club's drivers travelled via an eventful minibus journey - including a bit of swaying to Cliff Richards 'Millenium
Prayer' on the return journey!
At the Club, Noel won the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship for a second time and second time in three seasons following
1997 and won the Slotstox Foxhall Championship (held on 10th and 17th September) for a fourth time and third time in four
seasons following 1989, 1996 and 1997.
This meant Noel won the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship and Slotstox Foxhall Championship in the same season for
a second time following 1997.
Noel became the second driver to win the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship on more than one occasion following six-time
champion Paul Mower (1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992 and 1994).
Noel became the second driver to win the Slotstox English Championship, Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship and Slotstox
Foxhall Championship in the same season following Dean Cox (1985) (although it is worth noting that Dean did have the benefit
of racing for the Slotstox English Championship on the Club's 'home' track!)
Noel was Captain as the 'Jokers' team won the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship on 26th November (sponsored by the 'Foxhall
Foxes Slotstox' Magazine and The Brett's) for a third time following 1991 and 1992. The 'Jokers' became the second team to
win the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship three-times following 'Team Reg' (1989, 1990 and 1993). 'Jokers' team member Chris
Butcher won a fourth Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship having been 'Jokers' team Captain in 1991 and 1992 plus a member of
the 1997 'Gumbys' team.
Noel won a third Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship having also been a member of the 1991 and 1992 'Jokers' teams.
Noel became the fourth driver to win the Slotstox English Championship and Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship in the same
season following Paul (1989), Chris (1992) and Daren Earrey (1993).
Noel became the second driver to win the Slotstox Foxhall Points Championship and Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship in
the same season following Paul (1989).
Noel became the second driver to win the Slotstox Foxhall Championship and Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship in the same
season following Chris (1991 and 1992).
Away from the Club, Noel won the Slotstox 'Gold Top' Championship at the Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club. This meant
that Noel won a Slotstox championship at three different clubs in the same season.
Chris won an individual championship in Slot-Saloons: the Slot-Saloons Foxhall Points Championship for a second time following
winning the inaugural Slot-Saloons Foxhall Points Championship (1991).
Chris became the second driver to win the Slot-Saloons Foxhall Points Championship twice following Neil Clarke (1995 and
1996).
Chris won the Slot-Saloons Foxhall Points Championship and Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship in the same season for a
second time following 1991.
In addition to Noel and Chris, other 'Jokers' team members were Noel’s brother Kevin, Chris's wife Rachael and
to complete a family affair: Rachael's brother Anthony Squirrell! Also, Mark West winning a second Slotstox Foxhall Team
Championship following being a member of the 1996 'Gumbys' team. Mark also won an individual championship: the Slotstox Foxhall
Under 15’s Championship on 12th November (sponsored by Keith Brett and Jim Glading).
Apart from Chris (4), Noel (3) and Mark (2) other drivers to have won the Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship on two or
more occasions are:
Paul Mower: 3 – Captain 1989, 1990 and 1993 'Team Reg';
John Devine: 3 – member 1991 and 1992 'Jokers' and Captain 1995 'Hot Wods';
Mark Banham: 2 - Captain 1996 and 1997 'Gumbys';
Carl Brett: 2 – member 1995 'Hot Wods' and 1997 'Gumbys';
Keith Brett: 2 – member 1995 'Hot Wods' and 1996 'Gumbys';
Brian Devine: 2 – member 1995 'Hot Wods' and 1997 'Gumbys';
Daren Earrey: 2 – member 1990 and 1993 'Team Reg'; and
Terry Newell: 2 – member 1990 and 1993 'Team Reg'.
With fourteen teams racing, 'The Fen Stars' team from the host club defended the Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox ‘Open’
Team Championship. The 'Fen Stars' team consisted of Anthony Webb (another member of the 1991 Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship
winning 'Jokers' team!), Julian Moat and #674. The 'Fen Stars' team beat the Club's 'Dream Team' of Chris Butcher, Aaron
Leek and Noel Whinney by 1 point in the final. The 'Dream Team' were the first non-Wisbech Fen Tigers Slotstox Club team
to make the final and just failed to avenge the 'Wisbech Fen Tigers' teams' win at the 1998 Slotstox Foxhall Team Championship!
Jason Duff won the Slotstox Foxhall Grand Prix Series Championship with the final round held on 9th July and won a Slot-Bangers
championship double: the Slot-Bangers Foxhall Championship on 7th May (sponsored by Gareth Parker) and Slot-Bangers Foxhall
Destruction Derby Championship held at the Club's end of season gala night meeting on 10th December.
Outgoing Slot-Saloons Foxhall Champion, Robin Bater won the Slotstox Suffolk Championship on 4th June whilst outgoing
Slot-Saloons Foxhall Pairs Champion (winner for the previous two seasons) Simon Turnbull won the Slot-Saloons Foxhall Championship
on 12th November (sponsored by the 'Foxhall Foxes Slotstox' Magazine). Roger Adams and Carl Brett won the Slot-Saloons Foxhall
Pairs Championship on 28th May.
Paul Glading, whilst not winning the same number of championships as in 1998, did win the Slotstox Foxhall 'Wrong Way'
Championship at the Clubs end of season gala night meeting on 10th December. Paul won the Slot-Bangers Foxhall Points Championship
for the third-season-in-a-row and the Slot-Bangers Foxhall Pairs Championship on 28th May, paired with Mark Banham, for the
second time following 1997 paired with dad Jim.
This meant, Paul won the Slot-Bangers Foxhall Points Championships and Slot-Bangers Foxhall Pairs Championship in the
same season for a second time following 1997.
With Jim winning the Slot-Bangers Foxhall Pairs Championship in 1998 (paired with Keith Brett), Paul's win meant that
it was a hat-trick of Glading family wins in the Slot-Bangers Foxhall Pairs Championship!
Mark also won an individual Slot-Saloons championship: the Slot-Saloon and Caravan Foxhall Championship at the Club's
end of season gala night meeting on 10th December.
Jim did complete a hat-trick of Foxhall Pairs Championship wins (albeit in different formulae) by winning the Slotstox
Foxhall Pairs Championship paired with Gareth Parker. Gareth defended the Slotstox Foxhall Pairs Championship following 1998
paired with Mark West.
Jim won the Slotstox Foxhall Grand National Championship at the Club's end of season gala night meeting on 10th December
for the third-season-in-a-row after Jim's son Paul finished first in the qualifying points.
nb: (as in 1998) as the Slot-Bangers were racing to a set of 'new' temporary Slot-Banger racing rules under the promotion
of Keith Brett and Jim Glading; the Slot-Bangers Foxhall Points Championship was run as an 'Unofficial' championship.
With former members becoming welcome regulars at the Club's annual birthday meeting; Paul Mower rolled back the seasons
to win the Club's 15th Birthday meeting on 21st May (originally scheduled for 14th May but put back a week at the request
of these former members). Paul won the Club's Birthday meeting for a third time having also won the Club’s 4th
birthday meeting in 1988 and the Club’s 8th Birthday meeting in 1992.
The Club's Slotstox statistics for the season (not including the results for 3 December 1999) show that seven drivers
achieved heat maximums with Noel Whinney achieving three. 34 drivers qualified for at least one semi-final and 27 qualified
for at least one final. Most semi-final appearances went to Paul Glading - 26 followed by Robin Bater - 24 and Noel - 23
whilst most final appearances went to Noel - 20, followed by Robin and Paul - 14. 16 drivers won a final: Noel won the most
- 7 followed by Mark West - 4 and Ben Freeman - 3.
The Club's Slot-Saloons statistics for the season show that only one driver achieved a heat maximum - Noel Whinney. Showing
the competitiveness of Slot-Saloons: with twenty-eight drivers on the Slot-Saloons Foxhall Points Championship chart: 21 drivers
qualified for at least one semi-final and 19 drivers qualified for at least one final. Most semi-final appearances went to
Chris Butcher, Simon Turnbull and Paul Glading - 8 followed by Mark Banham - 7 whilst most final appearances went to Chris
and Mark - 5. 5 drivers won a final: Jason won the most - 3.
Having spent much of the season re-wiring the Club's tracks, Chris Butcher resigned as Club chairman with reasons being
a 'disappointing time racing' and a 'downturn in results'.
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