Steve Belfield Honoured at United Downs Raceway Bulldog Bash

Most people are winding down by 72. Steve Belfield is climbing back into a Banger.

This Spring Bank Holiday Sunday, the United Downs Raceway at St Day turns its attention to a man who has been racing Bangers for the best part of five decades. The meeting on the 24th of May at 1pm carries the name Bulldog Bash, and it doubles as a celebration of Steve’s long career behind the wheel.

Five decades and still going

Steve Belfield of St Erme is now 72 and in his fifth decade of racing Bangers. Originally from the north west of England, he had an involvement in Formula One Stock Car Racing before moving to Cornwall more than 40 years ago.

His first link to the St Day circuit had nothing to do with driving. Steve used his skills as an electrician to fix a troublesome PA system at the track. What happened next was down to his wife, Mary, who made secret arrangements with the Raceway’s promoters to have a car built as part of a charity event. When Steve turned up to check on the PA system, he was met with the surprise of an arrive and drive racing opportunity.

He took it. And 37 years on from that first time behind the wheel, he is still going.

Over the years Steve has raced a variety of cars and spent a long time as an integral member of The Renegades team, racing in their purple, yellow and black colours. This Sunday he will be joined on track by his son Carl Belfield and two grandsons, teenagers Jack and Dylan.

Spinning cars and prizes before the final

A wide variety of Bangers is expected for Bulldog Bash, with drivers given an assortment of choices over which cars are permitted depending on age and engine size.

The day builds towards the Bulldog Bash final, but there is more to win before then. Awards for Oldest and Rarest Cars and Best Presented Cars will be handed out, with selections made during the pre-meeting Grand Parade.

Plenty of local names are set to feature. They include former St Day Track Champion Phil Chapman of Redruth, father and son pairing Toby and Alfie Tiddy of Penryn, father and daughter duo Liam and Ruby Parkin of Troon, and entertainers such as Chris James of Camborne and Craig Deer of Roche.

Heavyweight Saloons return

The Saloon Stock Cars make the second of three appearances at the United Downs Raceway this season, bringing their rough, hard hitting style to the bill.

Bryn Finch of Menheniot and former Western Champion Taylor Whitford of Nanpean head the Cornish hopes. Bryn in particular will want to make the most of starting at the front of the grid. It was from a similar position that he grabbed a brace of heat wins during the qualifying phase of the National Championship at St Day last summer.

Also looking to return is Pete Hollett of Totnes, who suffered a work related injury that kept him on the sidelines through 2025.

Young guns too

There will be plenty of youthful enthusiasm on the day as well, with the infant racers of the BriSCA Micro F2 Stock Cars taking to the track.

Racing gets under way at 1pm on Sunday the 24th of May.