WF2012 - The Contenders Insiders (7 DAYS TO GO)

So after the outside, lets have a look on the inside....
Pics courtesy of Martyn Robinson and Barry Weatherhead

494 John Dowson

Durham

The local to the racer has got a dream opportunity to take hometrack gold. An unlikely winner at Buxton sees the rapidly improving North Easterner, who is equally adept on both shale and tarmac. Rumours abound he's off to F1

If he gets away, local knowledge will make him hard to catch

968 Mickey Brennan
Nelson, Lancashire
The 2009 World Champion has a quiet season on the national scene, but has been quietly getting on with his business at the northern tracks of Buxton and Barford, so recent form should put him in good stead. Has used the bumper to full effect too!
Has to be one of the favourites, as in the kingmaker position, a 2nd gold perhaps?

921 Jack Aldridge
Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire
Youngster Jack can barely buy a pint, but certainly many think he is on the cusp of greatness. With a lot of his more experienced peers alongside him on the outside row, he could well still be there...
Every decade the youngest world winning record is lowered, Jack is certainly in a good position to do so.

960 Aidy Whitehead

Nelson, Lancashire

Aidy set the ball rolling with a near QR maximum at Birmingham, and has certainly hit the ground running. With a lot of fancied runners not completing the distance. Aidy found his car stuck to the wet Buxton like glue.
In it for the ride, I hope for his sake he's not the one taken for a ride round the plating

605 Liam Rowe

Redruth, Cornwall

Liam makes his world final debut at the track he made his semi final debut. With his schooling on the tight tracks of Taunton and St Day, the tricky Barford oval will be not much of a challenge for the plucky Cornishman

If he survives the first corner and stays out of trouble a good finish should prevail

871 Mark Simpson

Skegness

The reigning World Champ hasn’t had the best of defences, and only now, he’s getting up to speed. With broken bones and tarmac steed being a little temperamental. Goes into today’s race, probably with a bit more positive vibes, but a popular champion nonetheless.
Simmo will be either in the shake up or a pile up. Has proven history  to be the last man standing, but unlikely to add a second gold.

124 Ollie Skeels
Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Former Orci ministox driver Ollie starts the World in a mischief making position. Not afraid of using the front bumper, and if his last championship race appearance is anything to go by, expect a huge shove from the plucky youngster
Will cause the havoc, if he survives, a tricky customer to pass

315 Justin Fisher

Newton Abbot, Devon

Justin has had a hit and miss season this year. After clinching the St Day track championship, he has been in the thick of the accidents, including some really nasty roof scalping at both local tracks to him. However away from home a win at the Skegness Speedweekend
Will be picking up the pieces either one way or another, has the skills to get a top 5

836 Dave Pannett

Stockton on Tees, Cleveland

Another local to Barford, Dave Pannett has done the miles in search of the points. A good solid showing at Buxton sees him far enough to be avoiding the trouble infront...

In 2004 a local lad near the back came through to almost win, could Pannett do a Broatch in 2012?

76 Chris Rowe

Plymouth

Chris got into the world final, via big scores at Bristol and St Day, but he doesn't limit his racing to just the westcountry. A big fan of the blog, and all the young ladies that have come to see him when he won!

Too far back but certainly will enjoy the experience, always with a smile on the face