TWO stolen classic cars allegedly took part in a banger race in Ringwood on Saturday, August 6.

A 1965 Pontiac 65 Grand Prix, owned by Fred Fieber, was stolen from St Martin's Street, near his house, between 4pm on June 15 and 9.25am on June 16.

Mr Fieber, an illustrator from Salisbury, said he "resigned to not finding [the car]" until he received a message suggesting it had been spotted on a trailer at Matchams Park Stadium near Hurn.

Cars were arriving for the last ever banger race at the venue. 

Plans were submitted late last year to turn the raceway, located off Matchams Lane, into a retirement village. A consultation was running until July 27 and the proposal is still being assessed by Dorset Council planners.

"Frantic calls to the track and police were made to try and stop the race, unfortunately too late to save her from her fate on the track. I believe she only lasted a few laps," Mr Fieber said.

Dorset Police arrived at the scene to impound the remains of the car, which was repeatedly smashed on the track.

'Destroyed for a few minutes of fun'

Uncertain whether he will get another classic car, Mr Fieber said: "Obviously I am terribly sad about her demise, she survived over half a century just to be destroyed for a few minutes of fun."

The other car, a 1985 Ford LTD Country Squire, was stolen from Andover between 9pm on Monday, June 13, and 6.30pm on Tuesday, June 14. Both stolen cars had been stripped and painted light blue.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "We were called at 2.12pm on Sunday, August 7, to reports that two classic cars that had been previously reported as stolen from Wiltshire and Hampshire were at Matchams Park Stadium.

"Officers attended and both vehicles were recovered. The matters are now being investigated by those forces."

Bournemouth Echo sister title the Salisbury Journal contacted Ringwood Raceway for comment.