WITNEY’S Terry Barber and Alan Cart-wright, from Black Bourton, took centre stage as Standlake Arena hosted their premier Banger meeting – the Heavy Metal Classic.

Although the duo did not win races, it was more their cars that caught people’s attentions.

Both had Lincoln Town Car Limousines – although by the end of the race they were almost unrecognisable.

Around 170 cars took to the track,with competitors and spectators alike travelling from as far afield as Holland and Ireland.

Barber’s car now takes the record as the biggest ever raced at Standlake in its 26 year history, with the Limousine measuring a monstrous 28 feet.

Event promoter Keith Hook said: “The Heavy Metal Classic is now one of the countries biggest events and it pushes the arena’s facilities to the limit.

“From the beginning of December the meeting takes over my life – this year we dealt with more than 300 racers phoning or emailing to book in.

“As the date gets closer, it’s a constant worry about the weather, enhanced by the fact that our medics travel down from Middlesbrough to cover our meetings.

“We were really fortunate though as despite being cold, the sun shone and the spectators flocked to the track.

“The continental supporters are so friendly and we tend to let them in for nothing as reward for their efforts in getting here.

“Thankfully the meeting ran through like clockwork with no major problems.”