The Big Interview - Ryan Cattell (904)

The Interview train rocks up in the Midlands, and with the driver that probably would rank amongst the most unlucky at the mo. We found him under an upside down horseshoe under a ladder, he's Ryan Cattell (904)

As seen at a track near you, if your lucky! The RCE which has had numerous bad luck this season

NAME: Ryan Cattell
HOMETOWN: Hinckley, Leicestershire
AGE: 23
F2 DEBUT (Year/Track): 2010 Taunton Benevolent Fund Speedweekend
NUMBER: 904
PREVIOUS FORMULAE RACED: None
CURRENT F2: Tarmac RCE, Shale HCD/RCE
HIGHEST GRADE ACHEIVED: Yellow
ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE: Best white top at the 2011 Birmingham WCQR, 3rd in a final at Arena Essex
SPONSORS: Aquapurge, J.Roberts Painters & Decorators and Dad
NICKNAME(S): Lecatt, Riggsy, Junior
FAVOURITE TRACK: Tarmac Birmingham, Shale Stoke
TRACKS RACED: Arena Essex, Belle Vue, Birmingham, Coventry, Kings Lynn, Northampton, Mildenhall, Skegness, Stoke, Taunton

JH - How did you get involved in racing?
RC - My dad was a mechanic for Rob Cowley and Rob Pearce in the 80’s, so I grew up following F1 stockcars, as a youngster I was pretty quick in a go-kart but only had eyes for Stockcar Racing

JH - What made you want to race?
RC - Watching my favourite stockcar driver Peter Falding (ex F1 driver) as a kid, I always wanted to be a stockcar driver from an early age

JH - Talk us through your first meeting...
RC - Nervewracking! Going down to Taunton, a track that my dad had previously done so well at, with a car I had only just built and never tested, and lining up behind Gordon Moodie (7) in my first ever race, with my novice black cross was just amazing! The only thought going through my mind was “This is what I have dreamt of all my life”. Finished 90% of my races over the weekend with improving lap times, and came away grinning like a Cheshire cat, pretty perfect weekend if I am honest!

JH -  Whats been the best bits so far?
RC - Has to be 3rd in the final at Arena Essex, in tricky conditions and James Rygor almost catching me in the closing laps, and probably a close second would be last seasons qualifier final at Birmingham, quoted by Dave Goddard as race of the season at Wheels in 2011, being a part of that was immense, and finishing 9th too with all those top names around me!

JH - Whats been the low points?

Billy the Bus in actions at a Muddy Cov

RC - The worst would be having my throttle stick wide open as I took 7th place at last years w/y final at Arena Essex, that hurt! The others would be this season at Birmingham when I snapped my axle on lap 2, and the engine blew up also on lap 2 at Northampton the next day!

JH - You were quite vocal last year about race formats, is it something you believe strongly in?
RC - Yes! We all love hard racing, we all love the contact , it’s the reason we race stockcars and not hotrods. I only say this from experiences I’ve had where you go to a meeting and they just slap you in a heat with too many cars in, it’s a bit of a can of worms subject and I'm sure some people would disagree, but as a budget racer, it’s a little frustrating to go to a meeting do 2 laps and then spend the rest of the day putting the car back together just to get in on the trailor, simply because there wasn’t enough space on the track to get round the bend, e.g World Masters last year. Everyone has an opinion and I am sure some will agree and some wont, but it’s the promoters decision and we all have to respect that. If it hadn’t of been chewing on the NIR fence post above the wall! Maybe I would have a different opinion! Haha!

Dad gets the better of Ryan on this occasion

JH -Does a racing dad help or hinder?
RC - Most definitely help! He understands the cars, and as I am still learning he can advise me when I need it, and when I get frustrated I just need to remind myself I couldn’t and wouldn’t want to do it without him!

JH - Who's the better driver?
RC - Me of course! I am sure he would strongly disagree, I am 26 years his junior so that plays a big part of my answer.

JH - Why have you called your shale car "Billy the Bus"?
RC - Ha! After the car came back from RCE with the downbars and new panels fitted it is a lot bigger and bus like than when I raced it on tarmac in 2010 and 2011, and after a random conversation about Rob Speaks “Thomas the tank” we decided that ours would be “Billy the bus”

JH- What is your ambition to achieve in the sport?
RC - I think the same as everyones, to be world champion!, I do set my sights a little lower and give myself targets, and to just improve at every meeting I attend.

JH -Tell us your best racing based story...
RC -That’s a toughy! Probably the first time I raced against my dad at Birmingham in 2010, he was a yellow grade and I was still very new to the sport, glancing in my mirror to see him right on my back bumper, I just knew what was going to happen, then came the hit, took me wide expecting him to come flying past so I could return the favour in the next bend, only he never came past, 2 laps later the same again, and yet he still never came past, it wasn’t until after the race and some piss taking comments directed at him that he confessed that my mums voice was echoing in his head “ Don’t you hurt my boy”! Haha safe to say he has never lived that one down!

JH - Do you have any thank yous?
RC - The biggest thankyou has to be to my dad, he helps fund the racing, he backs me 100%, he drives the van up and down the country whenever we race, and no matter what happens he always has a plan! Other thankyous go to my sponsors Aquapurge and J.Roberts for their continued support in my racing, Alex my mechanic who does a top job week in week out down the workshop and at meetings, and finally my better half, for coming to meetings to support me and putting up with being a stockcar widow! Couldn’t do it without any of these.

Ryan Cattell was talking with Jonny Hoare

Steve Newman

Once again, the world of racing is in mourning of the tragic events of Saturday night's Mildenhall meeting, where sadly, Saloon Stock Car driver Steve Newman (311) lost his life during the British Championship final.


Some excellent tributes have been given by his home promotions Trackstar and RDC, and my memories of him are giving it balls and all at my local tracks. A real gutsy driver.



It's times like this that the racing community proves itself. In times of adversity, and like Dave Weare (78) the banger driver that was killed last year at Hednesford, the community rallies round.


The big idea is to make every meeting from now until the Speedweekend at the end of month a tribute to Steve, with his trademark yellow bumper adorning many cars up and down the land, in various formulae. Fans have been asked to wear pink on the Saturday of the Skeggy jamboree as a tribute to him.

Lee Clark (819) starts the trend....

His widow Kelly has been incredibly strong and all of the community will be making sure that the support is there if and when she needs it.



We here at the StoxBlog pass on our condolences to his friends and family, at this awful time.


So long Steve. Race in peace, friend.

Pit gate-gate Polley banned for 12 months

 Now, for those who were at the Brum Qr will not of failed to notice the non appearance of Dave Polley (38) in the consolation. Then the jungle drums of rumour kicked in, including a lot of bull shit from people who should no better or should keep their noses out, that Polley was too late to get in. From the horses mouth what happened was an elongated lifesize game of Mousetrap. After the numpties had their "say" the board of control had theirs and admonished DP with a twelve month ban.
In my opinion the ban is very harsh and once again the followers of the formula are left with more questions than answers. Again, whilst not justifying the actions of Polley in speeding off, the situation wasn't helped without a pit "runner" who makes sure that drivers are out, employed by so many tracks nowadays.
The myriad of nooks and crannies of the Birmingham pits makes it difficult to communicate. Perhaps if the paitence given to the Grimley hot rods and the bangers was afforded to the twos then this whole hullabaloo could have been avoided.

One of the more gifted and controversial

Badly handled by Brisca? Possibly...
Polley face not fitting? Could be...
Just remember though, its only a gameshow!

Racewall Promo Video

Normally when something comes from Cowdenbeath and declares its "viral", it usually ends the Glenrothes GUM Clinic.

But from our skirt wearing promoting friends GMP comes a great video which really does prove that great things have happened up there recently....

Warning: The following video contains scenes of under cooked burgers, men in skirts and dodgy Eighties promo music marked "Like Top Gun" (and was probably used to run down "Coming up on STV, Taggart, then Nicky Campbell gets us in a Spin on "Wheel of Fortune")

Lovely Jubilee..... continued

So with the Saturday celebrations with the King of Scotland reigning supreme over his subjects and Prince Aidy being the daddy at Brum, things headed towards King's Lynn, Barford and Mendips on Sea...

DOLLY DODGES DODGY DIRT TO WIN AT MUDDY LYNN

Every shale promoters nightmare befell Paul Butler as he woke on Sunday Morning - a massive deluge turning the Lynn track into a quagmire, reminiscent of the big one last year. After heat wins from the Cayzers John (495) and Stewart (380), Tom Smart (744) took heat 3, as the races became a war of attrition as numbers fell by the wayside. One of the most consistent shale racers this season has been Paul Wilson (925), lovingly monikered by us as "Dolly" (because of his number, think about it, what a way to earn a living). There certainly was a "Parton" of the ways as he came through to take the win, in what the promoter called challenging conditions. At least they kept on with it, unlike some other shale promotions!

BRADDERS BRAVEST IN BRISTOL BATH

Clean and green Mr Starter!

3 meetings run, and for the 2nd meeting in a row, another wet Bristol. Not just wet, sodden. Rumour has it Noah was there, as clerk of the course lining them up 2 by 2. The Lord must have something against Andy Chant!! Anyways, it was wetter than an otter's pocket, but after the pointless (national wise) Rookies Reward, which saw former stock rod driver Glenn Sanders (734) take his maiden F2 win, it was down to the nitty gritty of 2 out of 3 heats. Heat 1 went the way of teacher Phil Mann (53) who won the corresponding fixture last year. Lover of the back catalogue of post grunge band Garbage, Matt Linfield took heat 2. He's only happy when it rains! Heat 3 saw Chris Bradbury (886) looking to make full advantage with taking the Bristol track championship. Solid scores in the previous two meetings have seen him take both finals. In and out of the puddles the 886 machine took the final, and walked away with another 46 points. Mann returned to take the national.  However with Bradders main rival for the track championship, Neil Hooper (676) currently suspended, it looks as though another heavy score come the end of the month could see the Winnersh driver unassailable.


GORDON GRABS GLUT - A BARFORD BONANZA

Fresh from the news that Cyril scored another win over the NIMBY fratertinty that surround the track with regard to the World Final Saturday night meeting's planning application being passed. However a serious omen was launched from the bows of HMS Moodie, signalling his intent that he is the favourite to take gold come September. A triple for Gordon (7) as he took both heats and the final. Omnious.

Onto the Bank Holidays and like DFS and Safestyle Windows, you buy one, you get one free! We go far flung on the Monday as we head down to St Day....

JANNER WINNER AS ROWE TAKES BACK RED

Down in West Cornwall everything is done a little bit different. So it was no surprise that whilst the rest of the country had downpours. St Day was in sunshine. After heat each for downgraded TARTS Dan Moss (797) and Nathan Maidment (935) and one for new Dad Chris Mikkula (522). It was certainly a meeting for those who had been a bit below par but hadn't had the luck. Justin Fisher (315) found himself with a bagful of points including a second in the final and a national win. However the final was taken by last times dummy spitter, clear that if you persevere, karma comes back around, as Janner Motorsport's very own legend of the lovetap, Liam Rowe (605) took his first ever final win. With it he won the the Tyrone Snell Trophy, a magnificent piece of autosculpture, resplendent in Tyrone's trademark lime green. A massive trophy, its a good job Liam lives only 2 miles away from St Day as VOSA would probably pull the tow vehicle as soon as it left Scorrier! Not so happy was Mother Rowe, who after getting rid of the trophy some years ago after brother Ross won it. Where do you put it? Certainly not on the mantelpiece - it is a mantelpiece!


GORDON DELIVERS PEAK PERFORMANCE

If the fact that his holiness Lordy Gordy (7) was in good form at World Final venue Barford, then the fact that at the semi final venue, Buxton, he was equally as dominant, is very ominous come August. After Luke Maw (409) added to his consolation win at Brum in Heat 1, it rapidly became the Moodie show. The Scot took the remaining 2 heats and romped the final. However he needs some qualifying points first before we start painting it gold!

PANNETT AND PRESTON IMPRESS THEM AT SKEG

Meanwhile, over at the Fun Coast, numbers were down as people hit the bunting. However, it was the track that was sadly lacking in any usual Skeggy abundance. A lack of "star" attractions meant a dismal turnout, but didn't distract, as the racing was carved up between 2 drivers. The all in format paid off for Brum heat winner, lost Barford regular Dave Pannett (836) slipped down the East Coast a bit and ended up taking home a heat and the final, and a return to red. The other heat and the GN was won by Stephen Preston (864) who now has one of my stickers courtesy of a previous visit by a couple of my cheerleaders!

PALMER GETS THE BETTER OF SPEAK (NO NOT THAT ONE!!)

Off to Manchestaaaaa with a Gallagher swagger as Belle Vue was our destination. Manchester's favourite stock car son, Rob Speak (218) was back and meant business as he took two heats in the 2 out of 3 format in the borrowed Bingley mobile. Sam Wagner (823) took the other, and probably tweeted abuse to Mr Bradbury! The final saw Mr Palmer get one over on Mr Speak. No time travel back to 1994 and a Taunton ramming sesh, but Andrew Palmer (606) and his shale wares beat fellow experts previous final winner Michael Lund (995) and shale legend Andy Ford (13). Both Bradbury and Speak followed behind. The GN went the way of Ford.

The government in their infinite wisdom gave us UK folk yet another bank holiday. Still it stopped the St Day/Bristol clash! Why Tuesday though???

TIGER TAMES TAUNTON TORRENT

Off to a soggy Smeatharpe where F2 shared the bill with Crasharama 14. Cue a zillon hi vis wearing numpties waving in another follow in. Yawn. Two Thirds format were deployed yet again. Heat 1 went the way of Andrew Bennett (830) who's Harding could be used as a surfboard, such is its ability to skip on water. Fellow lover of wetness Matt Linfield (464) took the 2nd heat, and St Day final winner Liam Rowe (605) continued his successful weekend with a win in heat 3. The Final looked going the way of Linfield, however, with it looking like the Sussex man taking the win, commentator brother Steve must have given the curse, as with the boards out, the 464 ground to a halt, and The Tiger  - James Rygor (783) gleefully took the win. Also a winner in the infield sweepstake between marshalls and officials et al, that one Colin Higman, took the £1 wagers of Parkinson, Wadge, Rosevear et al and celebrated more than his 2 world final wins! Still as frugal, 50 years on! The GN was won by Tom Adcroft (768), who probably abusing Priddle !

PALMER STOKES UP A SECOND FINAL WIN

Go upside down? You Brett-er believe it!

Meanwhile, over in the Potteries, the kiln was lit, as the shale lifted on what was a relatively dry day. Well dry compared to relative run ups to previous Stokes with the cancellation of the previous Tuesday meeting at the Chesterton Oval. King's Lynn final winner Paul Wilson took heat 1, and a career first win for Kyle Taylor (136) in heat 3. However it was Belle Vue final winner Andrew Palmer who took heat and final. Like the previous day, Andy Ford (13) took the GN

Been a busy old week I tell thee, National points will be up and updated as soon as is possible....

Lovely Jubilee....part 1!

So crack out the bunting, and god save her maj, but cheers Liz, thanks for the extra day off and more racing opprtunities. Ker-actual-ching!

WHITEHEAD WINS WHEELS WORLD QR

The second city looked respondent in grey skies as the threatened rain stayed away (well until the National at least), for the annual qualifying round. 44 cars in the pits, a kind of standard turn out for Brum this year, and a distinct lack of travellers apart from John Broatch (72) who is of course after some points for a chance at home track glory later in the year. Perhaps tacking it on to the 2nd busiest weekend of the year wasn't the best idea. The lacklustre support combination of Bride and Groom Bangers and Grimley Hot Rods and with a clashing F1 meeting down at Cov, England on the telly, and to a very lesser extent, the final of "The Voice", and the saturation of meetings meant the crowd was thinner than my hairline.
A rarity for Brum as we were blessed with 2 heats and a consolation. Heat 1 saw downgraded Aidy Whitehead (960) speed off into a fair lead. There was even a period when the  cars were bunched together and were almost 6 abreast going down the straight. Not benefiting from this was Chris Bradbury and he found himself on the infield. Whitehead took the flag, before falling foul of the steward, and he joined the jumper club. Step forward Dave Pannett (836) who inherited the win. Reet canny be that. Heat 2 saw the early running taken by  Mark Gibbs (270) who's unlucky start to the season saw he drop to yellow. Great stock car action saw Mike Green (115) up the running with 2 to go.

The consolation saw 18 cars line up and 12 cars qualify. Race sensible lads and you should go through! Someone forgot to tell speedway rider Carl Shields (617) who obviously still had his left leg trailing to slow him down, and took out the entire whit grade in one corner! Graham Mallings (11) and Luke Maw (409) traded blows each corner. Maw took the win, and Ben Fund treasurer Sharon Blood took an earache from some over enthuastic fans of Mallings!

Final time, and after the green dropped, the Greens (154) and (115) dropped out, becoming early casualties. Whitehead (960) quickly took up the running, from Gibbs, but behind saw a stellar star battle between Bradbury, Pannett, Kelvyn Whalley (101), Barry Goldin (401), Jakc Aldridge (921) and Richard Bowyer (761). Whalley broke away, but the blows being traded where fair and good and proper!

In the national, it was Gibbs who got away from the pack, and the smile was as broad as the Aston Expressway!

knit 1, purl 1...

Points of order.... it was clear and apparent that Gary Wrench (359) 's bete noir, or if you rather, wrench, was the dreaded yellow flag. The white top got away numerous occasions only for his peers to cause trouble, evaporating that lead quicker than a Saharan rain shower. Pete Hobbs (8) had three races, and 3 big DNF's, including this little beauty, which took a while to unstitch....

GORDON GRABS 3 AT COWDENBEATH

After the 50 car meeting at the Wall last weekend, normal sub 20 turnout was resumed, and with that the Moodie/Burgoyne show. It was the sainted Windygates Wonder (7)that took both heats and the final, and only gremlins prevented him from making a severe dent in the double points, leaving Burgoyne (647) to take the GN. Notable performances of the night came from the rapidly improving Alan Edmiston (580) and stalwart Paul Reid (17)

So what will day 2 bring. Rain, and as Elizabeth would say - "Auf Weidershen!"