Stockcar racers from England and Scotland travelled to the Isle of Man to compete with local drivers over three meetings at Onchan Raceway to decide the Pepsi Manx Open Championship.

The first of these meetings was on Monday and all races provided fast, close action with local driver Paul Fearn winning race one followed by fellow locals David Sutcliffe and Dougie Kinrade.

First-time visitor Les Smart led the early stages of race two until passed by Fearn who took his second win followed home by James Yule from Scotland and Kinrade in third.

The 16-lap final saw the lead change several times but in the end the Driver.co.im-sponsored trophies were presented to Kinrade who won ahead of 2015 and 2016 champion Garry Sime, another visitor from Scotland, and Sutcliffe. Sime took victory in race four from Kinrade and Yule.

Set-up changes to Aaron Vaight’s car and a new gearbox in Steve Smith’s car will see even more competition for the second leg which takes place this evening (Thursday).

The top five point scorers after the opening leg are as follows: 1, Dougie Kinrade 35 points; 2, Garry Sime; 3, Paul Fearn; 4, David Sutcliffe; 5, James Yule.

The local 1st Choice Windows-sponsored ministox drivers entertained the spectators with good, close and competitive racing - each contestant should be congratulated for their driving skills.

Race one was won by Harry Watson slightly ahead of Ted Davis, while Josh Watson was a clear third ahead of the duelling pair of Pemma Nissanka and Jack Dobson.

Race two must be the race of the season so far, with all cars circulating the track bumper to bumper as a slight nudge was all that was required to push the leader wide and a train of following cars would be through.

The lead changed on almost every lap but eventually Davis won from Dobson and the chasing pack.

Race three saw Davis again take the victory and the Driver.co.im trophies were awarded to: 1, Ted Davis; 2, Harry Watson and 3, Josh Watson.

The A&J Quality Butchers bangers were competing for the Onchan Commissioners Cup and action as soon as the green flag dropped saw chaos all around the raceway.

Josh Callin led initially until passed by eventual winner Ste Collister while Scott Farthing finished second ahead of Steven Guest. Commissioners Cup leader Ashley Faragher was spun out of third place on the last lap and finished out of the points.

Race two saw more carnage and another win by Collister with Farthing second and Jason Collister third. Faragher again crashed out so did not add to his points total, meaning that both he and Ste Collister entered the last race level on points, while Jason Collister was just one point behind with Spud Collister a further point behind in fourth.

Callin was the early leader until passed by Faragher who led until Ste Collister pushed passed taking the win, with Spud Collister completing the top three.

The Driver.co.im trophies were presented to: 1, Ste Collister; 2, Scott Farthing: 3, Spud Collister. Ste Collister was awarded the Commissioners Cup after scoring only one point more than Faragher.

Racing continues tonight (Thursday) and Saturday for the F2 Manx Open Championship and there’s action from the National Ministox.

John Whitehead