Essex-based Concord Autograss Club got it's racing season underway in fine style on Sunday at its track at Stonehams Lock, Boreham.

Class 1 got the racing underway with Dunmow's Steven Lodge dominant all day, with the 16-year-old winning his first ever race in the senior category beating last years champion Tom Bell in the process.

The final win inevitably went to Steven, with Bell doing the early chasing before giving way to Boreham's Craig Shelley to take the second place spot.

Team mates Anthony Jackson and Steven Hathaway, both from Bicknacre, battled all day in Class 2 in their identical MK 2 Escorts, with the former getting the final win over the latter, whilst Hornchurch's Colin Smith grabbed third spot.

The Class 3 final included just two cars, but it provided the closest race of the day with just inches between them all the way to line. Mike Thurley, from Thetford, put in the drive of his life to hold off reigning National Autograss Champion Dave George, from Braintree, however, Dave pressured Mike wide on the last corner, to win by the closest of margins.

As expected in class 4, Woodford Green's Dave Ferguson took a commanding victory over Keith Saunders from Sible Hedingham.

Braintree's Roger Chapman and Steve Earl from Westgate battled throughout the race for third, with the Kent driver just getting the verdict, in Chapman's old car!

In the Ladies, Linda Hall's Mini led for 3 laps until Trish Simmonds-Grant came through to take the win, with Cathy Harrison passing on lap 5 to take the runner up place in her class 7.

Classes 5 and 6 raced together, with Justin Drury from Chrishall in Hertfordshire way out front in his Mini. Hatfield Heath's Bow Sapsford came second in his Nova, being pushed hard all the way by the best of the Class 5's, Chris Earl's Mini.

After a close start in the Juniors, Boreham's Lewis Shelley took a fine win in the final, with Andrew Battle, from Saxmundham, an impressive second. South Woodham Ferrer's Steven Cumbers put in a mature drive to third.

The award for the most spectacular race of the day must go to Class 7. Cambridge driver Colin Coupland battled hard with Dunmow's Steve Sewell, but eventually Colin regained his early lead and flew past up on two wheels, with Sewell taking second place.

During the heats, Burwell's Mick Seymour had been struggling to keep up with the flying car of Darren Lodge from Dunmow in Class 8, but come final time, Seymour took the victory from Lodge with Chelmsford's Barry Hathaway chasing them in.

After last years champion, Cressing's Jason Ross blew a head gasket in heat 2, Ongar's John Bashford had a super battle with Ipswich driver Darrell Cook in the Class 9 final, as Arthur Bales cruised to third with an ill sounding car.

Class 10 drew the days racing to a close with a dominant performance from Bocking's Steve Clark taking the win from Colchester's Niall Cutts.

The next scheduled race meeting at the Boreham track is on May 16.

So close . . Mike Thurley and Dave George during the Class 3 autograss final.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.