The Kneebone Cadillac, a play by Carl Grose performed on the track at United Downs Raceway in Cornwall, has drawn banger racers and theatre audiences together, celebrating the sport's community and adrenaline. Director Kyla Goodey called it 'a bridging of worlds' as racers attended their first theatre show and theatre-makers embraced the sport.
Racers Embrace Theatre
Lexi Crosbie, 14, who started banger racing at age nine, attended her first theatre performance with her family at the track. 'I really enjoyed it,' she said. 'My whole family did.' Goodey noted that many racers, who rarely attend theatre, came to the show. 'That's exactly what we wanted,' she added.
The Appeal of Banger Racing
Banger racing involves stripped-down cars in 'nudge and spin' races where contact is limited but crashes are common. 'The crowd are there for the crashes,' said Leeta Rawling-Aldridge, a 27-year-old racer and care-home worker. Despite injuries like a fractured shoulder and sprained ankle, she remains focused on racing. 'I've never been nervous,' she said.
The St Day track, built on an old tin mine, is a hub for Cornwall's banger racing community. 'You turn up to a meeting and it's like you've got a whole family there,' Crosbie said. The play, originally a 2011 radio piece, was staged at Plymouth Theatre Royal in 2018 before returning to the track in 2024.
Play Captures Community Spirit
The high-octane comedy follows racer Maddy Kneebone as she deals with her father's death, a Cadillac inheritance, and hidden gold. 'You just do not stop laughing,' said track co-promotor Crispen Rosevear, who cleared the schedule for the show. He noted the play isn't a moneymaker but is done out of love. 'I do it out of my love for the play,' he said.
Changing Gender Dynamics
While male-dominated, racing is seeing more women. 'When I started, most of the girls were very doubted,' Crosbie said. 'But we're all trying to prove them wrong.' Caitlin Emery, 19, a multi-championship winner, said she still gets nervous but loves the buzz. 'When you're in the car, you forget about everything,' she said.
Addictive Nature of Racing
Drivers describe racing as addictive. 'If banger racing grabs you, you're hooked,' Rosevear said. 'It becomes a way of life.' Kerry Birch, a second-year racer and mother of four, said her seven-year-old daughter is eager to race. 'We're just trying to get the funds so she can get out there,' Birch said.
The show's pricing, with tickets starting at £1, reflects the track's generous ethos. 'I hope the show captures the spirit of going to the Raceway,' Grose said. 'Chaotic and thrilling and a little bit dangerous.' The Kneebone Cadillac runs at United Downs Raceway until 29 July.
