The roar of the engines, the crunch of metal, and the deafening cheers of a trackside crowd - it's not just banger racing that's got everyone talking, but also its unlikely twin on stage: theatre. 'The Kneebone Cadillac', a laugh-out-loud comedy penned by Carl Grose, has rolled into United Downs Raceway in Cornwall for a second stint, weaving the adrenaline-fuelled world of banger racing with the high-octane thrills of live performance.
For 14-year-old Lexi Crosbie, who's been hooked on banger racing since she was just five days old (yes, you read that right!), 'The Kneebone Cadillac' marked her first foray into live theatre. And judging by the beaming smile on her face, it won't be the last. "My whole family did" is all Lexi could say about the experience, a sentiment echoed by countless others who've left the show buzzing with excitement.
Banger racing, where stripped-down cars are modified for high-speed 'nudge and spin' action, is as much about spectacular crashes as it is about speed. And Leeta Rawling-Aldridge, a 27-year-old local care-home worker and seasoned racer, knows exactly why the crowd comes out in droves - "for the crashes!" Despite suffering recent injuries, including a fractured shoulder and sprained ankle, she's already plotting her return to the track, a testament to the sport's addictive pull.
The show itself is a non-stop comedy caper following young Maddy Kneebone as she navigates the world of banger racing after her scrapyard-owning dad's untimely passing. With a Cadillac and a secret gold stash thrown into the mix, it's little wonder co-promoter Crispen Rosevear describes the play as "continuously laugh-out-loud funny". And it's not just about laughs - for Rosevear, clearing the track's schedule for 'The Kneebone Cadillac' is a labour of love, driven by his deep affection for the play and its community spirit.
While banger racing remains a predominantly male-dominated world, there are signs of change on the horizon. Lexi Crosbie notes that when she started out, female racers often faced doubt, but are now actively proving their critics wrong. Nineteen-year-old Caitlin Emery, a multi-championship winner from a racing family, admits to pre-race nerves, but highlights the electrifying "buzz" of being behind the wheel. And with her national banger racing exploits, including the more extreme category that allows aggressive contact, it's clear she's not one to shy away from a challenge.