Top 10: Classic banger racers
Banger racing. Love it or loathe it, there’s no more dramatic a way for a car to meet its end than on the short oval circuit – and there’s no denying the fact it’s an entertaining spectacle.
While many enthusiasts are opposed to the destruction of classic cars, it's important to remember that many of the cars used on track are well beyond economical repair. And, in fact, many of the parts taken off the cars that are broken will go on and help another classic stay on the road.
And although some banger racers have a bad reputation for seeking out and racing rarities, there are also plenty who have sold a car that was due to be raced because it is too rare.
Bringing up the rear, the Vauxhall Cavalier. Just as it did in the showrooms, the Vauxhall was always playing catch-up with its direct Ford rival on the banger track – but that’s not to say it didn’t enjoy its banger racing successes. If you couldn’t find a Cortina in time for a race, or were running on tarmac rather than shale, where the Cavalier’s superior handling would give you a competitive edge, it was a banger that gave a decent account of itself, but was never the class leader. Pretty much like its life before it reached the oval…
Rob Bennett on 14 January 2019
That was my car! ?? It was a 216 by the way, with the Honda D series engine, so no problems doing the gasket.Mr Christopher lloyd on 27 October 2021
........and the Ford Mondeo Mk1 and Mk 2 ? Pretty tough cars....i hit a group of trees with one, doing around 45mph.....lived to tell the tale........certainly saved my neck.....thank you, Moindy...
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