31 July 1994, Hednesford, National Championship
Report by Richard Neil

The Midgets returned to Hednesford Hills for the first time since the early seventies on 31st July. The circuit which has hosted the National Hot Rod Championship since the year dot was appropriately the venue for this year's Midget National. An interesting meeting in prospect then, as very few of the drivers had experience of the fast Cannock oval. A good entry featuring all the regulars was boosted with a welcome visit from European Champion, Toni Scheepens from Holland.

Heat one saw 'local boy makes good' in the shape of Neil Clarke in his Alfa powered Ray taking victory from Tony Haynes, Nic Grindrod and Simon Hiles. With three out of the top four places being filled by Midlanders, the others went away to psyche themselves up for heat two.

Gary Piper lead away Barry Phillips at the start of heat two although fast moving Hiles soon charged past to take up the running. The race was then red flagged twice within six laps as Tony Haynes lost the nose from his VW and then Steve Piggins went almost flat out into the barrier on the first bend after the throttle stuck open. Steve was taken of[ to the medical centre as a precautionary measure and was thankfully in one piece, despite having a badly bruised leg. The re-start saw Clarke jump into the lead once again from Hiles who was quickly overhauled by a flying John Weston and Harry Sayell. This was the order they finished with Haynes netting fourth and Scheepens fifth.

Hiles made a demon start off the front row in the Championship race leading Piper with Clarke chasing his hat trick a few lengths back. Clarke soon caught and passed the two white graders and set about establishing a lead. This proved a difficult and ultimately impossible task as Sayell was in full flight and the King's Lynn man soon powered his way around the outside to take the lead. Back down the order, Nic Grindrod had a couple of spins, but recovered sufficiently to challenge for a trophy as he caught the duelling Hiles and Piper, the latter losing it on the first turn looking around the outside. Sayell, in an impressive drive, lapped the entire field on his way to victory. Clarke recovered from a spin on the final bend for second whilst Grindrod took an eventual third.

Two more wins for Nobby whilst Sonic retains the title. Toni Scheepens is a most welcome visitor. Nic Grindrod is placed second following a viewing of the race video by the Club Committee.