THE Devon and Cornish Championships for Bangers will be contested on successive weekends later this month.

Liam Shipway of Taunton will defend the Devon title at Smeatharpe Stadium in the Blackdown Hills on Sunday, October 20, as one of the feature events of the circuit’s penultimate fixture of the year.

The following week, Tom Shilling of Launceston, will defend the Cornish title at the United Downs Raceway, near Redruth.

The Smeatharpe fixture will also see the Formula Two Stock Car drivers competing for The Ladies Trophy, a truly stunning silver cup which was first raced for in 1996. One of the traditions of The Ladies Trophy race is that the winner is given a ‘champagne overcoat’ – which leaves the driver soaked in bubbly.

The junior racers (11 to 16 year olds) in the Ministox are also scheduled to race at the Smeatharpe meeting. Twelve year old Mason Sealy of Bishops Lydeard has enjoyed a stunning season, highlighted by victory in the British Championship at Crimond, north of Aberdeen, in late August.

When the youngster raced at Smeatharpe in September, it was his first home track appearance since taking the title, and he was afforded a lap of honour to celebrate his success. His smart Ministox, number 475, looked resplendent with the black and white chequered roof that signifies his status as British Champion.