This Sunday sees the start of the Great Yarmouth season with the prestigious and long running East Anglian Championship up for grabs. Some drivers find Yarmouth too far or too windy, some are not keen on the long journey or the Sunday nights...........while others revel at the coastal venue, here's our top ten East Anglian Championship contenders
612 Garry Sparkes - 7 x East Anglian Champion
There was a time at Yarmouth when Sparkie had it won the minute he pulled in the pits. That's the Sparkie that never missed a meeting, had numerous self built cars, and no children to worry about! Nowadays Garry Sparkes races when he feels like it, and has a much more relaxed approach to his racing. Definitely could win it, but it will take some hard, determined driving, which he is perfectly capable of.
60 Ben Marjoram - Defending East Anglian Champion
After a damaging first meeting back at Ipswich, people could easily forget just how good Ben can be. Early season Yarmouths last year saw Ben at his best, and a last bend grass track ride with Mark Smith saw him take Yarmouths British Championship home. Ben is becoming an unknown to the form books and i think that suits him at the moment, doesn't mean he couldn't spring a surprise though.
416 Mark Smith - East Anglian Champion 2006
After a confidence knocking 2010 Marks racing this year has been limited to one meeting on shale, and one in Scotland, at the minute Scotland was the best, but we haven't got to the Yarmouth meetings yet. Mark seems in a little bit of a rut at the minute but it will only take one good meeting to stop that. If this isn't the meeting, then maybe the next one at Yarmouth will be, its for the English Championship, which he would love to win for the third year in a row.
376 Steven Jackson - East Anglian Champion 2004
Seems a while ago since the Jackson/Smith Yarmouth days, but Steven still wins more than most at his sponsors track and can be dominantly quick here. Can be patchy at times but we are seeing less of that at recent meetings, and i think must be a hot favourite for his second East Anglian Championship
51 Colin Aylward
I wouldn't say that Yarmouth is Colin's best track, but i would say that i don't think that matters at the moment. Quick at every meeting and focused on getting the best out of whatever conditions/circumstances he may come across. Could quite easily take his first East Anglian Title.
69 Shaun Brooker
After 25 years has still never won this, ten years ago that wouldn't have been surprising as Yarmouth was definitely not a track for Shaun. Since the age has set in he has found Yarmouth much more to his liking, in fact most of his wins come from here (apart from the customary winternationals at Wimbledon). Shaun had the closest final win here last year against Jason Cooper.
161 Billy Smith
Its looking like things are starting to get good again for Billy, the last 2 meetings have seen him fighting for the right positions, and i think he will be up there Sunday, especially at Yarmouth. Whatever happens with Billy, be sure that the devoted family will be cheering him on in the bar and making sure he keeps them proud.
4 Liam Lambert
Engine problems made sure Liam kept out of the spotlight at Ipswich, and may still cause him grief Sunday. On the other hand its totally in his style to win the title and add to his Best in Britain and Midland titles already won in his short career.
233 Ben Munford
A Yarmouth star for a few years now but this year beginning to shine elsewhere, and looking really quick at times. My definite dark horse for this one just for sheer speed and with a few less cars on track, speed can mean everything.
114 Eddie Edmunds
Its Yarmouth, hes Eddie Edmunds, i can almost here the commentator saying it now and see Eddies arms waving from the cab. This year Eddies arms will be waving from the ex Cooper HCD and he may remind us that's its not all about the show, sometimes the winning is appealing too, whatever Eddie does, it will most probably be entertaining.
So that's our top ten for the East Anglian Championship, there are others who may feature too, Brett Wesbroom had a good showing in his first outing in the new car at Ipswich,the Meadows brothers can be quick at times, as can Dicky Raymond and Chris Capon.
Lets add to the action the new surfaced pit bend and remember what a difference it made to the caister bend when that was resurfaced, could be quick, and could be quite good!