MOTORSPORT: JONATHAN Pooley made history at Arena Essex on Bank Holiday Monday, winning the Grand Prix Midget World Final for the fifth time in a row.

He now stands equal with German ace, Klaus Kilianski with six titles in total.

Pooley lined up on the outside of the front row, with brother Daniel in pole position, however it was Jonathan that got the jump and led for all 25 laps.

His win came despite pressure from his brother as well as Dave Bonser.

With a couple of laps to go Daniel was looking for a gap inside and out when a burst hose deposited fluid onto his tyres and he went spinning out of the race.

Behind Bonser, Nick Price was promoted to a podium spot by Daniel Pooley’s misfortune.

On a soaking wet track, Daniel’s day got no better in the supporting event with a big spin arrested by a head on collision.

Jonathan showed his class by coming through the field to take the win, a feat he nearly repeated in the final race of the day, but Dave Bonser beat the flag.

A healthy Stock Rod entry provided the race of the day in the final with Jamie Collins holding off pretty much the entire field with much place swapping going on in his mirrors.

Steve Gooch looked the man most likely to deprive him of the lead but Richard Miles grabbedsecond place at the conclusion.

The ‘Lightning McQueen’ themed Toyota Starlet of Ian Heffernan took a popular win in the first heat. And in race two Ben Grant was the winner.

Several new cars from the Groom Motorsport stable boosted the Lightning Rod entry, but Daniel Jolly had a nightmare start. With the rain falling heavily, Anthony Lawrence won heat two with a great drive from the back, but he failed to make as much progress in the final, Luke Ashton-Jones winning easily in his debut meeting in the formula. The National Bangers provided the crash of the day in their first heat with John Small following Dave Bull heavily into the fence, Alfie Lee then destroying Small.

With a restricted entry there wasn’t too much crashing from that point on with wins shared between Jack Tuffen, Sonny Sherwood and Nathan Roberts.

The spinners special race again provided plenty of action, Karl Douglas impressing many with his sideways driving which was only brought to a halt in the Destruction Derby by a heavy shunt from eventual winner Joey Palmer.

This Sunday sees the Unlimited Bangers, Saloon Stock Cars, Junior Bangers and Mini Stox at 1pm.