Yep, It's Autosport weekend again, an opportunity for those with new cars to show off their wares, and for the sport to publicised in the usual way. In a sea of orange catsuited ladies and exteremly shiny paint jobs, once again Brisca F2 was once again the centre of attention at the Oval Racing Experience.
Questions and Answers
Like many things, there were many questions to be answered.... would there be any shocks or surprises up the sleeve. Would their be any surprise announcements? Would stage host Steve Linfield break from the jacket and jeans combo?
Answers came thick and fast, firstly the new RCE superstox was unveiled for William Hardie (#72) however, the number and name from the otherside gave a clue as to whom might be racing it a couple of times. Bedecked with the #79, it was for one G Moodie Esq, to race Lochgelly for a couple of Saturday nights, as many thought would happen when the clash was announced with Cowdenbeath. Without any bluster or broo haha, it was announced, perhaps with some sensibility, as any such move could have been inflamatory has come I'm led to believe its going to be a few guest appearances and not a total switch or even a season of both.
Shut up and show me so pics
A new cage for the Macmillan (S1) world winning tar car, with some fresh paint and signs, and Zetec power, along with a brand new shale car for George, which was debuted in the Live Action Arena.
Some more stunning cars coming from the TMR workshops, a new one for Tim Bailey (817) in his trademark puce and more Martini colours for Carl Pilkington (728)
A brand new TLF car for James Rygor (783) bedecked in yellow and black, and now with added engagement ring, congrats to the Tiger and Tia!
Brett's Constable(91) and Townsend (710) also had cars there, as did shalers Martin Ford (19) Andrew Palmer
Potential Novice of the Year 2015, is Ministox convert Colin Thomson (726) who looks like he could following in the shoes of Liam Rennie as one to watch up in Scotland.
Live Action Arena....
I must admit, the Live Action Arena, promises bluster and razzmatazz and yes to a general motorsport fan can be fun, but to us hardened stock car folk, it seems we've gradually been dwindled out of the show as the individual shows for a one size fits all approach, which logistically works.
This year it had the feel it was going to be different. Crofty off the telly was hosting and then talked about a Skoda and was quite funny in knocking about with Pettr Solberg. However, some disappointment came about as Dave Richardson (not the RCE grand fromage) did the same old knockabout gags, and introduced a plethora of cars. Terry Grant came on to spin around, and so did Solberg, however, he killed the clutch and cooked the brakes, and left the arena, limping and down on power. The record attempt was a fairly good idea, but come on, who in the audience wanted them to fail and see a trio of mangled Fiat 500s!
Drifting, its like dressage for horses. All for show. Well done, you can drive erratically, and squeal and whinny around. Autograss, I don't know why they are indoors. It's not grass, it's a bit like having speedway on tarmac! Also Rallycross... bit random!
The best suited? Once again the 2's showed the rest how to play - now if every race could be like that, christ what a formula we had. Now, I know it's Strictly Come Brisca, but hell it was exciting!
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| Cheerio to Brisca?? |
Showstage...
Once again, Steve Linfield proved that he is a compere with compare, probably the best since Jerry St Clair, mastering the ceremonies with his usual aplomb. All that was missing was a house band and for him to crank out a few standards.
Once again, the Impact dancers did that, although I'm pretty sure I speak for all staff at the stand, that they are probably sick of Megan Trainor!
Saturday saw the usual presentations and interviews. The F1 Stockcar had a "Frankie" of Wainmans to be interviewed. Come 2pm, it was 2's at 2! World Champion George Macmillan was piped on stage by Mr Starter Dean Alexander, for a fun interview with the champ, which included an obilgatory GeoMac Selfie!
Steve Gilbert was interviewed as novice of the year, bit like a startled bunny in the stage lights, something he had never expected, and the poor lad was obviously worried about making a tool of himself. Still the lad took it in his stride, and bodes well!
Sunday saw Gordon Moodie take to the stand, playing ever the politician and going through the motions with Steve Linfield. A lot of potentially awkward questions were there to trip Moodie up and it appeared that he wasn't very happy.One could of said the decision to race superstox and be used as a pawn in a Scottish turf war, considering the end of season he had, maybe 2 fingers to Brisca, or maybe a decision he might later regret...
The Stand...
Imperious and dominating the skyline of the Oval Racing Experience, once again Brisca F2 proved itself to be golden again. With the most cars present of any oval formula once again, the stand looked professional and slick. With Mr Brown's Girl bedecked in the Orange catsuits, led by Ashleigh Reid, the girls had one more recruit, as the result of a bet with Paul Brown, Sarah Bowden- nearly twice the age of some of the girls rolled back the years and glammed right up. And she looked fab, not a day over 45. Not bad for an "old" girl, you might say!
Fixture lists were handed out, with a glaring error, a pre world final Hednesford weekend in August, to get cars dialled in. Indeed this is one of 5 f2 meetings at the Staffordshire Enormodull
Still it wasn't as bad as the F1 promotional material which had June in July and July in June, in the word of Maurice, the PitBored mascot, ooops...
POINTS OF ORDER!!!!
Not a lot of promotion for the F2 World Final, or indeed the F1 one, you'd think for it being the biggest opportunity to gain new followers and fans.Perhaps, collectively these events could be promoted better, but that would take a fair element of co-opera.... forget I said it!
One thing is apparent, that the caustic end to season 2014 has certainly paid its part. Bradbury, Aldridge gone. Moodie crossing the floor, and looking thoroughly unloved, it is a brave person that is currently glass half full. I personally think, with the Zetec, it is half full. A changing of the guard, time to move along if your not happy.
However, the reappearance of Red Jeff, the man who singlehandedly brought the sport of F2 to its knees because of his own pigheadedness, is behind another splinter F2 series, to run at the feral non "Orci" tracks like Swaffham. Driver involvement is probably at its highest for sometime, the Zetec project is that, and yes whilst some promoters continue to promote F2 poorly, there's no need for a poor F2 copy to be promoted. Coming together should be the way forward - otherwise it just bleeds of greed.
First show for me for Downforce, so a lot more interviews, I even have one of those cubey things to make me look properly professional. My remit was to get interviews of the movers and shakers and find a bit of a story behind the show for Ovaltalk, which in 2015 will be fortnightly.
Interviews with Frankie Wainman Jnr, George Macmillan Jnr, Paul Moss (mini), Jacklyn Ellis (pretty), Paul Brown (Scottish), Mark Sargent (luvyoubye), Steve Gilbert (young, no mutton chops) Racing Dolls's Ashleigh Reid, Niomie and Yazmin, and Mike Priddle (bleep) will be on Ovaltalk soon enough....or indeed the "Listen Up!" page
Not long now folks, start to breathe!
