Banger Racing, What Exactly Is It?
Banger Racing or Rookie Banger Racing is a type of motorsport event popularised in Europe and especially Great Britain, but also on short tracks of the United States, in which drivers of old vehicles race against one another around a race track and the race is won in terms of the first car to the checkered flag, all the while (in Europe primarily) attempting to deliberately wreck the opposing vehicles. The race tracks are usually oval but on occasion are constructed in a figure eight design.
Banger Racing vehicles are normally scrap cars, with the favourite cars being the MK2 Ford Granada and the XJ Jaguar for the unlimited cc meetings. With the Nissan Bluebird and Primera being the favoured tool in the under 1600cc class.
Banger Racing has evolved a lot over the last 10 years or so and there are further dimensions to this sport apart from the actual racing - one is the quest for interesting vehicles to wreck and race. In addition to this there is a recent trend for high quality professional car preparation both in terms of performance and physical appearance, with many drivers spending a lot of time and money. These developments move the sport away from the 'scrap-car', cheap motorsport area but provide a higher profile entertainment spectacle.
Banger Racing is distinct from the American 'demolition derby' as the objective of that motorsport is not to do a set number of laps, but to simply smash and destroy and ultimately immobilise the oppositions vehicle, until only one vehicle is left, which is deemed the winner. On many occasions though the last event of the day at a Banger Racing event may be a demolition derby (DD).
There are many different styles of Banger Rracing throughout the UK. Each style, or category, has its own set of car preparation rules and offers a slightly different entertainment style. Please click on links below to visit each individual page.
