MOTORSPORT: A day that started disastrously for Andy Taylor was turned around in dramatic style as the Canvey Island driver grabbed a dramatic last corner victory in the Stock Rod final at Arena Essex on Bank Holiday Monday.

Taylor survived damage in the first heat to qualify but looked dead and buried in the final, with Dan Phillips racing into what appeared to be an unassailable lead.

But, under extreme pressure from Wayne and Carl Shackleford, Taylor caught Phillips and raced past him on the penultimate corner.

“What a great finish,” said Taylor. “I couldn’t believe it when the gap opened.

“I could see the rain coming in the first heat and there was no grip at all on turn one and I knew we were all going to crash!”

Elsewhere, the PRI Bangers saw Stanford-le-Hope’s Danny Mitchell take two accomplished victories, as did Grays’ Tommy Harding.

The Destruction Derby saw a huge fire break out in the Dan Nicholls car, as Aaron Harris won by virtue of being the last car running.

Dan Guidotti beat Anthony Lawrence and Jim Heard in the Lightning Rods final.

David Shearing won all three races in the Mini Stox.