ROB SPEAK CONTINUES TO ENTERTAIN THE CROWDS ON THE OVALS

ASCAR STAR ENDS HIS BRISCA F1 YEAR WITH A BANG AT WIMBLEDON STADIUM

Good Guys Oval ASCAR star Rob Speak has continued to entertain motorsport fans with his exploits on the short ovals in recent weeks.

Speak, who plans to concentrate on the Days of Thunder-style ASCAR series in 2003, was back behind the wheel of his 500bhp small block Chevy-powered BriSCA F1 stock car last weekend.

BriSCA F1 stock cars use similar power units to the ASCAR stock cars, but are notable because on-track contact is encouraged. Multiple BriSCA champion Speak is one of the all-time great short oval racers and the 30 year-old finished his BriSCA F1 season with a bang.

Speak led the BriSCA F1 Grand National Championship at Northampton International Raceway on Saturday night before a flat tyre forced him to retire from the race, but then made up for the disappointment by winning the meeting final.

The following evening at Wimbledon Stadium, Manchester-based Speak had the crowd on their feet after a dramatic turn of events with his motorsport nemesis, Frankie Wainman Jnr.

The sparks flew in the London Championship final at the London track with Speak on the receiving end of a huge Wainman Jnr attack, ending both their races in the fence and with damaged cars.

Both drivers licked their wounds and returned to the quarter-mile Tarmac track for the Allcomers' race where Speak gained his revenge on Wainman in spectacular fashion. After only half a lap Speak made his intentions clear, launching himself and the Yorkshireman into the wires in a shower of sparks.

In the true spirit of sportsmanship, the two drivers shook hands after they got out of their stricken cars.

Speak will return to Wimbledon Stadium in two weeks time, to take part in the World Banger Championship, having won a charity Banger event at Belle Vue, Manchester a fortnight ago.

Before that event, Speak will also try his hand at National Hot Rod racing at Hednesford Hills Raceway next weekend, before a possible World Championship bid next July.