WF2012- If This Trend is to be followed...(5 Days to Go)

With 5 days to go, and the last racing weekend before the Big One, the talk is who is going to do it.... so without going all John McCririck on you, here's a few salient points to be going on with if you are looking for a winner, with actual basis to the fact, and some clutching of straws!

History

All 3 World Finals held in the north east have been won by Westcountrymen.

In 1980, Plymouth's Dave Bunt (595) took victory at Hartlepool. He turned his silver roof into gold with an awesome drive in the north east, beating the locals!
Dave keeps his toe in with his daughter Sammy is one the mad haired marshalls at Taunton!



In 1986, with his number being 686, no one, yet no one was going to beat Gary Hooper (686) at the land of the Hanging Monkey. The ex pat Cornishman took the World title in what was a near faultless drive. Jimmy Moodie (7) became bridesmaid yet again for the 2nd year in a row.
Gary's son Neil (676) is in the consolation semi, and has work to do to get into the World and get in the race.

Finally in 2004, when the world entered Barnard Castle, it was near OAP, Bill Batten (167) who trundled off with gold.
Bill is back lately, and after a roll, is certainly looking the part again. If only he could drop to blue!

If this trend is to be followed....The pasty chomper nearest the front is Redruth's Liam Rowe (605) who has a long way to come, in more ways than one to the front...

Of course in 2004, it was tobe the starter on outside row 1 who takes the glory. After the first corner, Batten rode it out and took the win.
If this trend is to be followed.... Barry Goldin (401) will be hoping for a repeat performance of that particular role, but not a repeat performance of the race, where he spun and was hit around like a pinball!

Form

Form books usually help to discover who is likely to know the quick way round. But for many it doesn't matter if it is a strange track, miles away from home...

If this trend is to be followed....Unquestionably, the form man round Barford this year has been one G. Moodie Esq (7). He has taken the mick really, including a maximum this year. Imperious, if only he had taken the qualifiers more seriously, he could have been nailed on for the gold. However, it appears that he is only just Blu tacked at the moment, and with the slightest touch could be gone. So look at the likes of John Dowson (494) and Mickey Brennan (968) both multi winners there this year. As is a certain bloke called Speak, but he won't amount to much!

The Unlikely Winner

Local track glory certainly played into the hands of Mickey Brennan in 2009, and for Mark Simpson last year. The right driver at the right track, consistent, faultless and over the moon in taking an unlikely title.
If this trend is to be followed.....Contenders you have too look at the locals, Dowson, Pannett, and maybe a Broatch if he gets in

The Grandad Winner

Sanotgen Gold was on special in Newton Abbot

Bill Batten won the title at the grand old age of 57 years exactly in 2004.
If this trend is to be followed... The oldest contender this year already is probably Mark Simpson(871) but not by much, however there are plenty older in the consolation semi, Paul Broatch (725)