United Downs Raceway Hosts Stock Car and Banger Racing Season Opener This Sunday

Motor racing fans in Cornwall won’t have long to wait for the first taste of short oval action in 2026.

On Sunday 22nd February at 1pm, United Downs Raceway in St Day will host the county’s opening race meeting of the new season. A strong entry of 2 Litre National Bangers is set to headline the afternoon, with Stock Rods and junior Ministox drivers also on the billing.

📷Getting ready for the new season - photos by Connor Minniss

2 Litre National Bangers: Hard-Hitting Action Expected

The 2 Litre National Bangers produced plenty of heavy contact and crashing throughout 2025, and similar action is anticipated this weekend.

Kieran Barrett of Indian Queens will be aiming to build on a strong finish to last season. His recent form has seen him emerge as the early leader of the Entertainers League table, which determines seeded qualification for major championships during the season.

Reigning World Champion Johnny James of Ideford, near Newton Abbot, is again set to head to the west Cornwall circuit. Among the highly fancied contenders for honours are brother and sister Lewis Fasey and Sophie Fasey of Sampford Peverell, near Tiverton.

There will be strong local interest too. Justin Payne of St Day and Jacob Read of Four Lanes are both expected to feature prominently. From the other end of the county, brothers Scott Gillbard and Luke Gillbard of Launceston, along with Morgan Hoskin of Trewint and Jordan Coleman of Bude, are also entered and typically play a big part in the on-track action.

📷New car in the Stock Rods for National Champion Callum Faulconbridge - photo by Connor Minniss

Stock Rods: Close, Non-Contact Racing

In contrast to the full-contact nature of the Bangers, the Stock Rods class is strictly non-contact.

Plymouth youngster Callum Faulconbridge heads an impressive entry. In 2025, Callum secured the National Championship title at Buxton in the Peak District. For the new season, he has a brand new car, which he tested for the first time during the Open Track Day at United Downs Raceway on 7th February.

Local racer Aiden Vincent of United Downs will also be looking to continue his momentum after capturing the West of England Championship last autumn.

Further local interest comes from Sean Gillett of Stithians and veteran racer Stephen Cock of Penryn. Teenager Christina Sillifant of Davidstow has refurbished her car ahead of the new season and will also be on the grid.

📷Heavy action in the National Bangers - photo by Kev Tucker

Ministox: The Stars of Tomorrow

The Ministox class features drivers aged between 11 and 16 and is widely regarded as the training ground for future stars of the sport.

Two girl racers are set to feature prominently. At the recent Awards and Presentation Evening for Ministox, Lexi Crosbie of Stithians received the Supporters’ Driver Of The Year award. Kaitlin Harris of St Dennis was recognised for her determined efforts with a Carry On Regardless merit.

With contact racing, close non-contact battles and the next generation of drivers all taking to the track, Sunday afternoon promises to mark an energetic start to the 2026 season at United Downs Raceway.

📷chaotic and spectacular action from the National Bangers - photo by Lewis Cronshaw

📷Getting ready for the new season - photos by Connor Minniss