A spot of nuptial avoidance at Bummingham Wheels. 37 car all in, you're having a giraffe Incaworth. Next week we will have 3 heats and a consi at Crimond....
There was a lot of action mind!
Saturday, 30 April 2011
Sponge's Easter Final Video Selection Box
Northampton goes purple, and Sponge does too, with excitement!
...after a hot shoe shuffle across here's the Skegvegas final!
...its the final from Mendips...
Then next up is the Taunton final!
Spongecam@Stoxblog. You don't even have to leave your page
...after a hot shoe shuffle across here's the Skegvegas final!
...its the final from Mendips...
Then next up is the Taunton final!
Spongecam@Stoxblog. You don't even have to leave your page
Friday, 29 April 2011
Wedding Wonderings and a Worldwide Round Up..
SOMETHING OLD....
Well you can't get older than a wearer of a pringle jumper... and well teneuous as this link has been, it's been very busy on the jump front. Perhaps its the queue to get half price easter eggs, or to grab the last Cadbury Creme Eggs of the year...
886 Chris Bradbury (Kings Lynn 5/3/11 and Taunton 6/3/11)
968 Mickey Brennan (NIR 16/4/11 and Buxton 25/4/11)
605 Liam Rowe (Taunton 20/3/11)
797 Dan Moss (Taunton 3/4/11)
126 Jamie Avery (Taunton 20/3/11)
830 Andrew Bennett (St Day 27/3/11)
921 Jack Aldridge (St Day 27/3/11)
710 Brett Townsend (Brum 26/3/11)
101 Kelvyn Whalley (Buxton 25/4/11)
359 Gary Wrench (Buxton 25/4/11)
305 Colin Gregg (Skegness 25/4/11)
725 Paul Broatch (Skegness 25/4/11)
785 Liam Deeble (Taunton 25/4/11)
438 Mike Rice (Taunton 25/4/11)
702 Allen Cooper (King's Lynn 23/4/11)
836 Dave Pannett (Skegness 22/4/11)
SOMETHING NEW....
Coming to St Day on Sunday May 1st will be the Stoxblog Babes, including Shannon down below. Come and say hello, they don't bite, only if you ask nicely...
SOMETHING BORROWED.....
Well you can't get older than a wearer of a pringle jumper... and well teneuous as this link has been, it's been very busy on the jump front. Perhaps its the queue to get half price easter eggs, or to grab the last Cadbury Creme Eggs of the year...
886 Chris Bradbury (Kings Lynn 5/3/11 and Taunton 6/3/11)
968 Mickey Brennan (NIR 16/4/11 and Buxton 25/4/11)
605 Liam Rowe (Taunton 20/3/11)
797 Dan Moss (Taunton 3/4/11)
126 Jamie Avery (Taunton 20/3/11)
830 Andrew Bennett (St Day 27/3/11)
921 Jack Aldridge (St Day 27/3/11)
710 Brett Townsend (Brum 26/3/11)
101 Kelvyn Whalley (Buxton 25/4/11)
359 Gary Wrench (Buxton 25/4/11)
305 Colin Gregg (Skegness 25/4/11)
725 Paul Broatch (Skegness 25/4/11)
785 Liam Deeble (Taunton 25/4/11)
438 Mike Rice (Taunton 25/4/11)
702 Allen Cooper (King's Lynn 23/4/11)
836 Dave Pannett (Skegness 22/4/11)
SOMETHING NEW....
Coming to St Day on Sunday May 1st will be the Stoxblog Babes, including Shannon down below. Come and say hello, they don't bite, only if you ask nicely...
SOMETHING BORROWED.....
 |
| The last time a red top was this close to a white top, his brother joined in and he got banned! |
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| Trackstar's Trophy Totty had gone significantly down market |
Dominator standings upto Skegness 28/4/11
What a bloody job that was! Loads of meetings, and possibly the busiest period for F2's for quite some time. Only Tuesday off for some folks, and with another Bank Holiday Long weekend thanks to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Will and Kate, not Dave and Liz!). It's taken a bloody long time to work out all the points too for the Dominator series! So a few musings about the weekend. It seems Gordon Moodie's (7) spluttering start seems to be clearing itself and he's getting back in his omnious groove. Neil Hooper (676) and Richard Beere (254) appeared to be the toast of the westcountry. Numbers seem to be down everywhere, Bristol being a notable, only 31 cars racing, which for a qualifier is very surprising! Lots of movement on the chart with qualifiers and heavily populated shale meetings. The main benificiary seems to be Andy Palmer (606) who's transporter must be exhausted! This is all the meetings bar Knockhill, full results are not forthcoming at the moment, should be 24 for the top scorer though.
Right enough words lets have some figures...
Not quite the figures but certainly better than a spreadsheet. Meet Shannon everyone! She'll be at St Day on May 1st so look out lads...!
Here's the top 50....
Right enough words lets have some figures...
Here's the top 50....
| 886 Chris Bradbury | 759.5 |
| 606 Andrew Palmer | 583 |
| 921 Jack Aldridge | 564 |
| 401 Barry Goldin | 552 |
| 823 Sam Wagner | 509.5 |
| 154 Steve Green Jnr | 504.5 |
| 968 Micky Brennan | 502 |
| 871 Mark Simpson | 406.5 |
| 7 Gordon Moodie | 403 |
| 115 Mike Green | 380.5 |
| 744 Tom Smart | 369 |
| 445 Nigel Green | 348 |
| 866 Bob Griffin | 348 |
| 101 Kelvin Whalley | 340 |
| 783 James Rygor | 319 |
| 70 Brian Shadbolt | 316.5 |
| 702 Allen Cooper | 300 |
| 676 Neil Hooper | 299.5 |
| 662 Steven Wycherley | 299.5 |
| 522 Chris Mikkula | 291 |
| 375 Steve Murray | 289.5 |
| 231 Matthew Clayton | 282 |
| 226 Billy Webster | 270.5 |
| 254 Richard Beere | 270 |
| 641 Dennis Middler | 268 |
| 597 Barry Clow | 267 |
| 448 John Wright | 266 |
| 150 Mark Thoms | 265 |
| 377 Daz Shaw | 260 |
| 710 Brett Townsend | 252 |
| 665 Richard Clubley | 243.5 |
| 779 Cameron Pugh | 240.5 |
| 183 Mark Gunichard | 240 |
| 732 Daz Kitson | 234.5 |
| 276 Murray Jones | 232 |
| 441 Mickey Branston | 228 |
| 605 Liam Rowe | 224.5 |
| 78 Henry King | 224 |
| 647 Chris Burgoyne | 221 |
| 888 Paul Ford | 214 |
| 103 Carl Issit | 209 |
| 836 David Pannett | 207 |
| 955 Shaun Blakemore | 206 |
| 798 Mark Sargent | 201 |
| 379 Stuart Cayzer | 200.5 |
| 143 Marc Lammas | 197.5 |
| 935 Nathan Maidment | 197 |
| 64 Marc Fortune | 194 |
| 854 Robbie Dawson | 191.5 |
| 480 Garry Sime | 190.5 |
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Ringwood Return? Nice one Cyril???
Well normally in years gone by, we would all be heading to the Dorset/Hampshire border, to Matchams Park, for a qualifier at the well suited Ringwood Raceway on Good Friday. Originally a track that started in the 60's, with Gerry Dommett promoting, it consisted of marker barrels. It fell from the Brisca fold, and was taken over by Reg Slack, who gave the circuit a massive overhaul, and ran Superstox there. It wasn't until 1995, and as a direct result of Newton Abbot closing, Autospeed moved into town, with monthly events and Thursday night meetings during the summer. Car turnouts were either extremely good or extremely bad, and in its prime in this resurrection, countless local drivers (Locke, Boorer, Tim Jones, Graham and Alan Bunter) were regulars there. The track had a reputation of being an engine killer, and it was too fast for some. Its finest moment in the recent history of Ringwood was the holding of the 1995 World Final. Despite a hairy first lap roll for Mick Sworder (152) it was mostly dull stuff. Speak was in his pomp, and there was nothing Batten could do about it. It still remains one of the best sponsorship deals ever seen at a World Final Weekend. Every race winner won a set of shock absorbers, and there were prizes galore, including a white top only race!
Autospeed then concentrated their efforts on making the Good Friday meeting one of legend, and when Reg Slack passed away it became clear that the track was going to need a new owner. Step forward Deane Wood, with his first foray into promoting took over the track and allowed Autospeed to continue it's Good Friday tradition, (which is as much as watching "The Greatest Story Ever Told" which of course ends with John Wayne saying "He truly was the Son of God" to which my mind equates "what, Rob Batten"). Then rumours abound that Matchams was going to be sold for redevelopment and Trojan Promotions took over the stock car side of things.
More recently, the track had been in the news as the wider complex was part of the infamous "grotty grotto" scandal that affected the outbuildings.
Ringwood seemed consigned to the Brisca dustbin and seemed never to return.....until this popped up from current promoter Craig Robinson.
"Recent rumours surrounding Trojan International and Barford Raceway have been causing a stir lately, and I would like to update more on this matter:
An agreement has been made between Trojan International and Barford Raceway that will only better racing at Ringwood Raceway, Ringwood Raceway is still under our control at Trojan International.
In light of the agreement made, I can confirm that Ringwood Raceway will be licencing all drivers to ORCi with immediate effect.
We will be recalling all STAR licences given to date to our driver base, This will happen with immediate effect and we will be re-issuing all of our current licenced drivers with ORCi licence books as these have arrived today. (no addtional charge will be made). However all adult licences will from today be charged at £65.00 for the season.
Trojan International are pleased that we have agreed terms with Cyril at Barford and in view of our progress All drivers licencing with us will be able to utilise their licence at other Orci affiliated race tracks once received.
Drivers whom are licenced with us at Trojan International will be asked to book in with us in the first instance if you intend to race at another Orci affilaited race circuit/promotion, we in turn will then forward your booking to race. Likewise if you are not Ringwood Licenced but hold an Orci licence, we would ask that you contact your promoter to book in with us to race.
I would also like to add that we will be honouring all Orci bans.
We hope this will make for better racing, and we thank you all for your patience in this matter while negotiations were ongoing between myself and Cyril."
So Barford Supremo, Cyril Whitfield has gotten hold of a stake of Ringwood and brought it back into the ORCi fold. This can only be a good thing, if Brisca F2 can get back there, I do feel that some of the Spedeworth boys might be tempted to go for a 2 car situation and race a bit of Brisca. There is quite a suprising amount of South Coast driveres in the Brisca fold who would love to have a go at a track that isnt too far away. I think Arena would also benefit from a heightened attendence if, and I do stress if, these rumours are true.
Much as I hate the journey to Ringwood, the A35 with the pissy little Dorset villages with silly names, and the A31 with a roundabout every chuffing mile, I do miss the Good Friday's there. Northampton just doesn't have the same effect. I would have preferred Autospeed to go somewhere which we don't usually race, like an Aldershot, Eastbourne or something like it. Ringwood could be back on the map, so fingers crossed Cyril can pull it off...
Autospeed then concentrated their efforts on making the Good Friday meeting one of legend, and when Reg Slack passed away it became clear that the track was going to need a new owner. Step forward Deane Wood, with his first foray into promoting took over the track and allowed Autospeed to continue it's Good Friday tradition, (which is as much as watching "The Greatest Story Ever Told" which of course ends with John Wayne saying "He truly was the Son of God" to which my mind equates "what, Rob Batten"). Then rumours abound that Matchams was going to be sold for redevelopment and Trojan Promotions took over the stock car side of things.
More recently, the track had been in the news as the wider complex was part of the infamous "grotty grotto" scandal that affected the outbuildings.
Ringwood seemed consigned to the Brisca dustbin and seemed never to return.....until this popped up from current promoter Craig Robinson.
"Recent rumours surrounding Trojan International and Barford Raceway have been causing a stir lately, and I would like to update more on this matter:
An agreement has been made between Trojan International and Barford Raceway that will only better racing at Ringwood Raceway, Ringwood Raceway is still under our control at Trojan International.
In light of the agreement made, I can confirm that Ringwood Raceway will be licencing all drivers to ORCi with immediate effect.
We will be recalling all STAR licences given to date to our driver base, This will happen with immediate effect and we will be re-issuing all of our current licenced drivers with ORCi licence books as these have arrived today. (no addtional charge will be made). However all adult licences will from today be charged at £65.00 for the season.
Trojan International are pleased that we have agreed terms with Cyril at Barford and in view of our progress All drivers licencing with us will be able to utilise their licence at other Orci affiliated race tracks once received.
Drivers whom are licenced with us at Trojan International will be asked to book in with us in the first instance if you intend to race at another Orci affilaited race circuit/promotion, we in turn will then forward your booking to race. Likewise if you are not Ringwood Licenced but hold an Orci licence, we would ask that you contact your promoter to book in with us to race.
I would also like to add that we will be honouring all Orci bans.
We hope this will make for better racing, and we thank you all for your patience in this matter while negotiations were ongoing between myself and Cyril."
So Barford Supremo, Cyril Whitfield has gotten hold of a stake of Ringwood and brought it back into the ORCi fold. This can only be a good thing, if Brisca F2 can get back there, I do feel that some of the Spedeworth boys might be tempted to go for a 2 car situation and race a bit of Brisca. There is quite a suprising amount of South Coast driveres in the Brisca fold who would love to have a go at a track that isnt too far away. I think Arena would also benefit from a heightened attendence if, and I do stress if, these rumours are true.
Much as I hate the journey to Ringwood, the A35 with the pissy little Dorset villages with silly names, and the A31 with a roundabout every chuffing mile, I do miss the Good Friday's there. Northampton just doesn't have the same effect. I would have preferred Autospeed to go somewhere which we don't usually race, like an Aldershot, Eastbourne or something like it. Ringwood could be back on the map, so fingers crossed Cyril can pull it off...
Monday, 18 April 2011
Pringle Table!
Yup its time again to done the woolies, as it's time to incept the chart for the dodgiest of jumpers, the ones that your nan gives you at Christmas. Bradders still only has two, but its become a champion affair, as 2009 World Champ Mickey Brennan missed out on a win, cos he was too quick off the block.
886 Chris Bradbury (Kings Lynn 5/3/11 and Taunton 6/3/11)
968 Mickey Brennan (NIR 16/4/11)
605 Liam Rowe (Taunton 20/3/11)
797 Dan Moss (Taunton 3/4/11)
126 Jamie Avery (Taunton 20/3/11)
830 Andrew Bennett (St Day 27/3/11)
921 Jack Aldridge (St Day 27/3/11)
710 Brett Townsend (Brum 26/3/11)
886 Chris Bradbury (Kings Lynn 5/3/11 and Taunton 6/3/11)
968 Mickey Brennan (NIR 16/4/11)
605 Liam Rowe (Taunton 20/3/11)
797 Dan Moss (Taunton 3/4/11)
126 Jamie Avery (Taunton 20/3/11)
830 Andrew Bennett (St Day 27/3/11)
921 Jack Aldridge (St Day 27/3/11)
710 Brett Townsend (Brum 26/3/11)
Its the Dominator update - of sorts...
Yup, we haven't had one for a while. Firstly a point of order. This is up to and including the results of 16/4/11, missing full results from Mildenhall, Crimond and Arena Essex - which suprisingly, do not publish the laps on MyLaps, and the official sites don't give full reports. Cowdenbeath recently hadn't but the excellent meeting reports gave numbers of cars racing, so a semi thumbs up to them....
So without Arena (16 cars btw, wouldn't make much difference) and Mildenhall missing, which is often well attended, Chris Bradbury (886)'s lead has dramatically been cut, by new second place man 154 Steve Green Jnr. Neil Hooper rises into the top 30, with a bit of travelling, he's scored more than he did at St Day, where he top scored! Gordon Moodie (7)'s below his usual high standard start to the season is showing, a lowly 16th. With new grades coming, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top...
| 886 Chris Bradbury | 477.5 |
| 154 Steve Green Jnr | 440 |
| 921 Jack Aldridge | 438.5 |
| 401 Barry Goldin | 402 |
| 115 Mike Green | 364.5 |
| 968 Micky Brennan | 363 |
| 823 Sam Wagner | 346 |
| 606 Andrew Palmer | 313.5 |
| 445 Nigel Green | 307.5 |
| 783 James Rygor | 285.5 |
| 101 Kelvin Whalley | 273 |
| 522 Chris Mikkula | 260.5 |
| 375 Steve Murray | 253.5 |
| 641 Dennis Middler | 245 |
| 183 Mark Gunichard | 238 |
| 441 Mickey Branston | 228 |
| 7 Gordon Moodie | 225 |
| 647 Chris Burgoyne | 221 |
| 871 Mark Simpson | 213 |
| 276 Murray Jones | 210 |
| 866 Bob Griffin | 206 |
| 605 Liam Rowe | 198.5 |
| 744 Tom Smart | 195 |
| 676 Neil Hooper | 192 |
| 226 Billy Webster | 189.5 |
| 710 Brett Townsend | 187 |
| 286 Todd Jones | 186.5 |
| 702 Allen Cooper | 184.5 |
| 78 Henry King | 170.5 |
| 480 Garry Sime | 169.5 |
| 254 Richard Beere | 167 |
| 732 Daz Kitson | 166.5 |
| 231 Matthew Clayton | 164 |
| 70 Brian Shadbolt | 161.5 |
| 955 Shaun Blakemore | 159 |
| 662 Steven Wycherley | 156.5 |
| 779 Cameron Pugh | 155.5 |
| 150 Mark Thoms | 147.5 |
| 935 Nathan Maidment | 147 |
| 597 Barry Clow | 142.5 |
| 13 Danny Ford | 142.5 |
| 909 Andy Cattell | 130.5 |
| 64 Marc Fortune | 125 |
| 145 Graham Mole | 122 |
| 798 Mark Sargent | 121.5 |
| 290 Jay Tonkin | 121 |
| 299 Stephen Smith | 121 |
| 11 Graham Mallings | 120 |
| 836 David Pannett | 119 |
| 388 Ian Mallinson | 118.5 |
So without Arena (16 cars btw, wouldn't make much difference) and Mildenhall missing, which is often well attended, Chris Bradbury (886)'s lead has dramatically been cut, by new second place man 154 Steve Green Jnr. Neil Hooper rises into the top 30, with a bit of travelling, he's scored more than he did at St Day, where he top scored! Gordon Moodie (7)'s below his usual high standard start to the season is showing, a lowly 16th. With new grades coming, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top...
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Girls + Stockcars = FUN...
Just a few more pics of that shoot done by Natalie Autumn Photography for the site.
Various bits and bobs.....
ON THE WARD
The past couple of weeks have seen some brutal action. Young gun Dale Moon (302) broke his thumb at the 3rd April Taunton. A 6 week lay off is occuring for young Dale.
Hednesford - and in particular heat 2 was a particularly brutal affair. Off to Staffordshire General went Dave Harley (362) and Luke Loveland (120) and both were in a bad way. Thankfully both seem to be on the mend.
Over the water at Posterholt Danny Van Elst (B228) suffered a massive roll. It appears that he has broken quite a few verterbrae in what looked a frightening and scary incident.
Our best wishes to all involved and a speedy recovery, but lads, take it steady.
ON THE JUMP
Following a downpour before consolation at Taunton. Dan Moss (797) joined the Pringle Club. Incidently, two times World Champ, Colin Higman (778) admitted to having a Pringle jumper, apparently its standard issue when you join a golf club.
ON THE NAUGHTY STEP
We saw the evidence from Sponge earlier in the week. The troubles between the Jones Bros. Tag Team Extordinaires (276/286) and Simon Young (99) are all up before the BOC. Meanwhile the following day, Danny Ford (13) and Charlie Whitfield (301) had an alterication and therefore they are also up before the committee.
Blimey nice quiet weekend one hopes!
It's spraybooth booking time....
as the May grades are up. Every month her eon the Stox Blog, i'll give some thoughts as to the ups and downs and those who'll be changing grades.
The highlight is of course, Jack Aldridge (921) who has gone from white to superstar, and joins an elite bunch of drivers that have done the jump from bottom to top in the first grading period - and he's done the miles too, turning up at St Day. Whilst we are in the land of pasties and cider, Neil Hooper (676) proved that his new John Harding car is gonna be one to beat in the Westcountry, consistently being in the top 3 scorers for the local meets. Sam Wagner's (823) early season form and attendance record sees him get flashing, as well as tarmac specialist Steve Green Jnr (154).
Reds....
Firstly, lets look at the fallers. Henry King's (78) exile to Scotland (seriously he must have done something bad to end up there!) has also meant that he has lost his lights. A poor start to the season by his own standards has seen Nigel Green (445) also move to the front of the reds. Robbie Dawson (854) loses his flashing lights for now, due to a lack of Scottish meetings and the same could be said for shale specialist Andrew Palmer (606).
Of the red there are quite a few first time red tops. Marc Fortune (64) has proved that he's a chip of the old block (Dad John is current world champ) and gone white to red. Former Nationals Champion Brian Shadbolt (70) returns to red. Early season final winners Mark Guinchard (183), Mark Clayton (231), Bobby Griffin (866) and Garry Sime (480) upgrade further. Consistentcy was the key for Mike Green (115), Steve Murray (375), Billy Webster (226) and also Liam Rowe (605) who rises to red for the first time, much to the raptures of Janner Motorsport.
Blues
Westcountry reds suffer from the early season blues for the 3rd season in a row. This year it's the turn of Nathan Maidment (935), Chevy Mills (538), Paul Rice (990) and suprisingly Justin Fisher (315). There is a new Motorwold waiting for Justin, I do think he will be one to catch in early May. Also down is Chris Roots (677), and love traveller Tom Adcroft (768) Barford regulars Nail'em Broatch (725) and Paul Prest (49). Others going down include 103, 270, 662 and 795
It's a first time blue for John Hogg (92) , Rich Swales (162) and Dale Moon (302) and Tim Sugden (88) who's doing bits and bobs - he won't stay blue for long. Stox blog sticker resplendent Ewan McEwart (852) celebrates a blue roof too, aswellas Shaun Blakemore (955)
Also up are 11, 143, 150, 178, 287, 299, 448, 597, 631, 665, 830, and 835
Highlights from the yellows include drops for Novice of the Year Dan Moss (797), Matt Linfield (464), Chris Rowe (76) and former National Points leader at this point 2 years ago, the Skegness Swamp Donkey Mark Sargent (798). Other droppers include 14, 77, 198, 255, 260, 305, 321, 484, 494, 630, 670, 742, 780, 836, 977
Yellow paint comes out for the vastly improved Liam Deeble (785) and Son of Nail'em, John Broatch (72)
Rising also are 53, 161, 208, 275, 333, 560, 625, 652, 817 and 934
Whites
The following drivers haven't had the best starts to the season and thus drop to white
Superstars....
The highlight is of course, Jack Aldridge (921) who has gone from white to superstar, and joins an elite bunch of drivers that have done the jump from bottom to top in the first grading period - and he's done the miles too, turning up at St Day. Whilst we are in the land of pasties and cider, Neil Hooper (676) proved that his new John Harding car is gonna be one to beat in the Westcountry, consistently being in the top 3 scorers for the local meets. Sam Wagner's (823) early season form and attendance record sees him get flashing, as well as tarmac specialist Steve Green Jnr (154).
Reds....
Firstly, lets look at the fallers. Henry King's (78) exile to Scotland (seriously he must have done something bad to end up there!) has also meant that he has lost his lights. A poor start to the season by his own standards has seen Nigel Green (445) also move to the front of the reds. Robbie Dawson (854) loses his flashing lights for now, due to a lack of Scottish meetings and the same could be said for shale specialist Andrew Palmer (606).
Of the red there are quite a few first time red tops. Marc Fortune (64) has proved that he's a chip of the old block (Dad John is current world champ) and gone white to red. Former Nationals Champion Brian Shadbolt (70) returns to red. Early season final winners Mark Guinchard (183), Mark Clayton (231), Bobby Griffin (866) and Garry Sime (480) upgrade further. Consistentcy was the key for Mike Green (115), Steve Murray (375), Billy Webster (226) and also Liam Rowe (605) who rises to red for the first time, much to the raptures of Janner Motorsport.
Blues
Westcountry reds suffer from the early season blues for the 3rd season in a row. This year it's the turn of Nathan Maidment (935), Chevy Mills (538), Paul Rice (990) and suprisingly Justin Fisher (315). There is a new Motorwold waiting for Justin, I do think he will be one to catch in early May. Also down is Chris Roots (677), and love traveller Tom Adcroft (768) Barford regulars Nail'em Broatch (725) and Paul Prest (49). Others going down include 103, 270, 662 and 795
It's a first time blue for John Hogg (92) , Rich Swales (162) and Dale Moon (302) and Tim Sugden (88) who's doing bits and bobs - he won't stay blue for long. Stox blog sticker resplendent Ewan McEwart (852) celebrates a blue roof too, aswellas Shaun Blakemore (955)
Also up are 11, 143, 150, 178, 287, 299, 448, 597, 631, 665, 830, and 835
Yellows
Highlights from the yellows include drops for Novice of the Year Dan Moss (797), Matt Linfield (464), Chris Rowe (76) and former National Points leader at this point 2 years ago, the Skegness Swamp Donkey Mark Sargent (798). Other droppers include 14, 77, 198, 255, 260, 305, 321, 484, 494, 630, 670, 742, 780, 836, 977
Yellow paint comes out for the vastly improved Liam Deeble (785) and Son of Nail'em, John Broatch (72)
Rising also are 53, 161, 208, 275, 333, 560, 625, 652, 817 and 934
Whites
The following drivers haven't had the best starts to the season and thus drop to white
135, 234, 285, 376, 403, 496, 498, 541, 749, 844, 997.
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
689/189 Johnny Marquand.
The 1965 Brisca F2 World Champion, Johnny Marquand, has died.
The first Cornish World Champion, and the first true dominant force in the sport too. Many people of a certain age put him ahead of the likes of Batten, Moodie and Speak - and all this in a time, when every car had to be hit, no pullovers!
Coming from the little hamlet of Notter Bridge near Saltash his legacy of one of the sports first superstars will live forever in the history of the sport.
The first Cornish World Champion, and the first true dominant force in the sport too. Many people of a certain age put him ahead of the likes of Batten, Moodie and Speak - and all this in a time, when every car had to be hit, no pullovers!
Coming from the little hamlet of Notter Bridge near Saltash his legacy of one of the sports first superstars will live forever in the history of the sport.
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Spongecam - Exclusive!
The major talking point of yesterday's Brum. As one fan said, it was much of a muchness before this incident in the GN. Simon Young (99) clashed with both Todd (286) and then Murray Jones (276). The video follows from now a bit teasy and somewhat controversial finish to the evening's proceedings
UPDATE at 01:15am
Our sources have found out that both Jones are currently suspended pending the incidents tonight....
UPDATE at 01:15am
Our sources have found out that both Jones are currently suspended pending the incidents tonight....
Monday, 4 April 2011
Remembering Rog #95
Sunday 3rd April, and an overcast day greeted Smeatharpe Stadium as the drivers and Autospeed put on a meeting to pay tribute to Roger Wilcock, who passed away in November
I knew Roger outside of the sport for sometime. He worked for one of my dad's biggest customers during my formative years, and was a fellow Callington Young Farmer, when I started he was finishing - many an YFC disco would end up in some Wilcock hi jinx, usually in a fight or two! We had seen what a character he was in Taunton Speedweekends, the pig racing, the lighting of chest hair, he was one of a kind, both on and off the track, and I don't think the mould is available to make another.
Such was the measure of the man, that this meeting had to happen. His friends on and off the track made sure it was going to be a good un. Gordon Moodie travelled through the night, forsaking Buxton to come down and race and pay his respects. Rumour had it he was hoping to unleash the trolley that Dave Richardson had been creating, just in case the infamous Trolley Dash was repeated. Along came our Barry too for a play for the first time in a while, as this was a Goldin stomping ground of old.
Presentations were made to each competitor, and a vast array of sponsorship and trophies were on display was a real treasure to behold, prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd, meant that there was pleny of silverware, that if it was "cashed for gold" it would have singlehandely brought the country out of recession.
So to the racing. In practice, the lap record went. Barry Goldin (401) rediscovered the quick way to go round Taunton, then unfortunately in the meeting, re-learnt that she can be a cruel mistress! Heat 1 saw Matt Westaway (835) runaway, leaving Chris Bradbury (886) too much to do to overhaul the yellow top. In Heat 2 James Rogers (544) and Jack Aldridge (921) ran away it, until 1 to go when Aldridge pounced and Rogers spun, leaving Aldridge clear to take it. The highlight of this heat though, was the trading of bumpers between Gordon Moodie (7) and Neil Hooper (676), awesome stuff, and got the crowd going. Had it not been for Chevy Mills (538) being in the middle, this could have continued for laps and laps. Then, the heavens opened, it started spitting, and the recently returned regenmeister Jeremy Moss (707) was spotted by Andy Maidment (dad of Nathan (935)) doing a rain dance when it started it spit and spot with rain. Needless to say, the Moss tribe's rain gods were worshipped, as both father and son Jeremy and Dan (797) flew away in the consolation. However Dan was a little keen - he got docked for trying to keep up with Dad. However, with cars spinning everywhere, it was particularly tricky, and James Rygor (783) took the flag, but Paul Rice was flying about.
Final Time, and with the track damp, and a steady drizzle pouring down, it was one of those finals that could be deemed as controversial. Bradders got a trademark good start, which was a fine line between being a "Pringle". Matt Linfield was certainly quick and whether Bradbury would have caught him, if the blue top hadn't met the fence exiting turn 4. Bradbury won a clear half a lap in the lead from Hooper and an impressive drive by Jay Tonkins (290).
The Grand National was another soggy affair, and all eyes on Bradbury, to see if an "advantegous" start was achieveable, and also to see how far he could get up the grid. It was clear for the outset that he was on a misson, as he brushed aside Moodie with relative ease on the soggy track. Meanwhile the unfortunate Linfield was making up for his final disappointment as his self built car was skipping through the puddles, with Rich Swales (162) setting the early running.
So with soggy shoes, and pockets lighter from change being removed by the Marie Curie collecters (ably stewarded by Pit Lady Madge) it was time to go home from a meeting that I'm sure Roger would have loved, if not the weather...
Race in peace, Rog.
I knew Roger outside of the sport for sometime. He worked for one of my dad's biggest customers during my formative years, and was a fellow Callington Young Farmer, when I started he was finishing - many an YFC disco would end up in some Wilcock hi jinx, usually in a fight or two! We had seen what a character he was in Taunton Speedweekends, the pig racing, the lighting of chest hair, he was one of a kind, both on and off the track, and I don't think the mould is available to make another.
Such was the measure of the man, that this meeting had to happen. His friends on and off the track made sure it was going to be a good un. Gordon Moodie travelled through the night, forsaking Buxton to come down and race and pay his respects. Rumour had it he was hoping to unleash the trolley that Dave Richardson had been creating, just in case the infamous Trolley Dash was repeated. Along came our Barry too for a play for the first time in a while, as this was a Goldin stomping ground of old.
Presentations were made to each competitor, and a vast array of sponsorship and trophies were on display was a real treasure to behold, prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd, meant that there was pleny of silverware, that if it was "cashed for gold" it would have singlehandely brought the country out of recession.
So to the racing. In practice, the lap record went. Barry Goldin (401) rediscovered the quick way to go round Taunton, then unfortunately in the meeting, re-learnt that she can be a cruel mistress! Heat 1 saw Matt Westaway (835) runaway, leaving Chris Bradbury (886) too much to do to overhaul the yellow top. In Heat 2 James Rogers (544) and Jack Aldridge (921) ran away it, until 1 to go when Aldridge pounced and Rogers spun, leaving Aldridge clear to take it. The highlight of this heat though, was the trading of bumpers between Gordon Moodie (7) and Neil Hooper (676), awesome stuff, and got the crowd going. Had it not been for Chevy Mills (538) being in the middle, this could have continued for laps and laps. Then, the heavens opened, it started spitting, and the recently returned regenmeister Jeremy Moss (707) was spotted by Andy Maidment (dad of Nathan (935)) doing a rain dance when it started it spit and spot with rain. Needless to say, the Moss tribe's rain gods were worshipped, as both father and son Jeremy and Dan (797) flew away in the consolation. However Dan was a little keen - he got docked for trying to keep up with Dad. However, with cars spinning everywhere, it was particularly tricky, and James Rygor (783) took the flag, but Paul Rice was flying about.
Final Time, and with the track damp, and a steady drizzle pouring down, it was one of those finals that could be deemed as controversial. Bradders got a trademark good start, which was a fine line between being a "Pringle". Matt Linfield was certainly quick and whether Bradbury would have caught him, if the blue top hadn't met the fence exiting turn 4. Bradbury won a clear half a lap in the lead from Hooper and an impressive drive by Jay Tonkins (290).
The Grand National was another soggy affair, and all eyes on Bradbury, to see if an "advantegous" start was achieveable, and also to see how far he could get up the grid. It was clear for the outset that he was on a misson, as he brushed aside Moodie with relative ease on the soggy track. Meanwhile the unfortunate Linfield was making up for his final disappointment as his self built car was skipping through the puddles, with Rich Swales (162) setting the early running.
So with soggy shoes, and pockets lighter from change being removed by the Marie Curie collecters (ably stewarded by Pit Lady Madge) it was time to go home from a meeting that I'm sure Roger would have loved, if not the weather...
Race in peace, Rog.
Dominator Standings after 3/4/11
After a relatively quiet weekend, the Dominator standing proved to be again a dominant weekend for Mr Bradbury, and also Sam Wagner being one of few drivers to race both days, making strides up the top echelons of the table. Also into the top 50 (after Pit Lady Margaret asked) is Neil Hooper, proof that he is one of the top men in the westcountry and consistently in the top 3 at every meeting. Gordon Moodie's accent was helped by a good placing in the dry at Taunton, unfortunately early promise wasn't to follow in the Final and the GN in the wet.... so it stands like this....
DOMINATOR SERIES upto 3/4/11 TOP 50!
DOMINATOR SERIES upto 3/4/11 TOP 50!
| 886 Chris Bradbury | 413 |
| 921 Jack Aldridge | 327 |
| 154 Steve Green Jnr | 316 |
| 968 Micky Brennan | 305 |
| 401 Barry Goldin | 278.5 |
| 606 Andrew Palmer | 278.5 |
| 115 Mike Green | 276.5 |
| 823 Sam Wagner | 272 |
| 783 James Rygor | 253.5 |
| 522 Chris Mikkula | 212.5 |
| 445 Nigel Green | 209.5 |
| 375 Steve Murray | 209 |
| 101 Kelvin Whalley | 202.5 |
| 605 Liam Rowe | 198.5 |
| 441 Mickey Branston | 195 |
| 647 Chris Burgoyne | 194 |
| 641 Dennis Middler | 191 |
| 7 Gordon Moodie | 191 |
| 183 Mark Gunichard | 185.5 |
| 702 Allen Cooper | 184.5 |
| 871 Mark Simpson | 180 |
| 744 Tom Smart | 173 |
| 226 Billy Webster | 170.5 |
| 78 Henry King | 170.5 |
| 732 Daz Kitson | 166.5 |
| 231 Matthew Clayton | 164 |
| 70 Brian Shadbolt | 161.5 |
| 286 Todd Jones | 159.5 |
| 710 Brett Townsend | 159.5 |
| 276 Murray Jones | 156.5 |
| 662 Steven Wycherley | 156.5 |
| 480 Garry Sime | 154 |
| 150 Mark Thoms | 147.5 |
| 254 Richard Beere | 147 |
| 935 Nathan Maidment | 147 |
| 597 Barry Clow | 142.5 |
| 13 Danny Ford | 129.5 |
| 676 Neil Hooper | 129 |
| 145 Graham Mole | 122 |
| 798 Mark Sargent | 121.5 |
| 290 Jay Tonkin | 121 |
| 299 Stephen Smith | 121 |
| 11 Graham Mallings | 120 |
| 955 Shaun Blakemore | 119 |
| 388 Ian Mallinson | 118.5 |
| 198 Paul Nickelson | 116 |
| 866 Bob Griffin | 116 |
| 954 Jamie Beere | 114 |
| 143 Marc Lammas | 113.5 |
| 126 Jamie Avery | 113 |
Ben Fund Update
It's over to the Benevolent Fund organiser and coordinator Sharon Blood to update us on what's happening with the Ben Fund, with an update for April
A DATE WITH THE LADIES
The dates for the Annual Ben Fund Ladies Races have been announced.
Ladies Charity Shield - Crimond -9 October 2011
Bill Batten Ladies Charity Trophy - Stoke - 5 November 2011
Details on how to enter will be published in due course, but its a chance for the long suffering significant others to tell the fellas how its done. For the drivers, it will be a case of praying "please don't hurt my Baby", meaning the car, and not the missus!
Of course both races are all for charity, it would be nice if we could get a sponsor for both events so that each participant can go away with a trophy.
RANDALL RAFFLE
And because it is all in the name of charity we also have the Big Ben Fund Raffle, tickets available at various meetings throughout the season, the South West gets a visit in May, Scotland gets a visit in October and we visit everywhere else in between. Hopefully the prize will be on display around the Raceways come World Final time.
See you at the tracks
Sharon
A DATE WITH THE LADIES
The dates for the Annual Ben Fund Ladies Races have been announced.
Ladies Charity Shield - Crimond -9 October 2011
Bill Batten Ladies Charity Trophy - Stoke - 5 November 2011
Details on how to enter will be published in due course, but its a chance for the long suffering significant others to tell the fellas how its done. For the drivers, it will be a case of praying "please don't hurt my Baby", meaning the car, and not the missus!
Of course both races are all for charity, it would be nice if we could get a sponsor for both events so that each participant can go away with a trophy.
RANDALL RAFFLE
And because it is all in the name of charity we also have the Big Ben Fund Raffle, tickets available at various meetings throughout the season, the South West gets a visit in May, Scotland gets a visit in October and we visit everywhere else in between. Hopefully the prize will be on display around the Raceways come World Final time.
See you at the tracks
Sharon
Saturday, 2 April 2011
My view is somewhat coloured....
... yup it's time for another J-ho musing from yours truly. Now I am registered colourblind even though I've never had a problem distinguishing the red grass from the green sky, as a result of being uninterested and not wanting catch nits from the school nurse (it was tough living in Pensilva in the 80's), but even I can see that the rule of "neutral colours" simply isn't working. Back when God was a boy (hard to believe Bill Batten was once a spotty teenager), the rule book stated that your roof colour had to be painted down to the "waistline" of the car. The "waistline" being everything above the lower reaches of the cab. Everyone knew the rule and it worked. Then Brisca decided that the drivers number on the cab quarter panel. Then, the drivers (notably grade players) complained that they had to respray and re-sign aerofoils. And so they started to push the limit, and wrong colour/grade combos, and Brisca did act and brought in the "neutral colour rule".
Basically, it's a bit like Henry Ford's mantra - you can have any colour, as long as its not red, white, yellow, blue, gold, silver, black and white cheques, green and white cheques, gold stripes, silver stripes, red and yellow cheques. It's a bit like going into a fast food restaurant with posters of burgers and fatty foods outside, and being given a choice of salad, gravel, and granola (although there's not a lot of difference between that and gravel). It's not what you want, but its all you can have.
So colour choice is limited, and rather than do the side panels every month and a lot of drivers have taken this rule, placed Stevie Wonder in a trolley in B&Q, sun him around and got him to choose a colour which would be good for a car. So far since this rule has been in place, we have had orange, lurid lime green, pink, baby puke "beige", terracotta and cow excrement brown.
Yeeewwuuuch. Look at the Tractor boys in Gearsentearsland. They don't have neutral colours - the roofs are all correctly painted - and if a driver has a brown car, then its because they are mad, or thought that they could drive incognito on shale!
The waistline rule worked, the drivers followed it. When the numbers where added, drivers pushed their luck and were left with the neutral colour ruling. What would have been better is if the number rule was placed below the waistline. i.e underneath the cab. A bit like Mr Moodie below (although Gordon you haven't been 79 for a few seasons now!). Then it's not interfering with the waistline and just respray away without masking.
Result.
Also the rule book states ...
"Rule 217. Grading Colours
The whole aerofoil must be painted in grading colour"
The only people getting rich of this rule are the signwriters and local paint stockists. Lets take this picture of Gordon Moodie (7). The source of some debate over at Ftooz, with clockwork salesman like Dave Wayne getting involved by feeding the Moodie trolls, er I mean loyal fanbase. Now I showed this picture to my friend's 6 year old daughter, and asked her what colour the roof was. She replied silver - so then Brisca, if a child of 6 can tell the difference, why cant you? Signwriting jobs are expensive- even with the sticker brigade - so what is wrong with the panel being a different colour to that of those. I used to love the white panels with centre painted in the graded aerofoil. I do think it looks better too. Aslong as the perimeter is the same colour, its clear to see!
Its also about time the superstars had some kind of form of identifying themselves, with out the need for a closed circuit diagram. There are few superstars that actually bother with lights - the easiest way to identify them would be with a black roof or some other colour to distinguish, and distinguish them when they jump the start! Lights often don't work, a bit like daytime firework displays.
The argument has gone over time that "superstars would be changing roofs every month". Is that no different to any other grade? Take the perennial grade changers, those "purple" tops, too good for blue, not good enough for red. "I'm gonna keep my blue roof on 'cos that's what I'll be next month". Err, no. Start at the back and be a good boy now, says the Steward. This season I have only seen one superstar with the flashers going, so it's not like they make the effort anyway. With the new broom of Superstars about to be created, it would be nice if these newbies fully embrace this half arsed effort to show they are the best.
This rule is a bit like impressing the girlfriend to be with a new car.
"Look at my new GTi Sport babes, isn't it cool". "
Yeah my ex Darren had a GTi too, what's the difference?"
"Well mines got a set of complimentary pink furry dice and an extra cup holder"
"Hmmm, looks the same though hun"
But what if that GTi Sport was dramatically different, had a bigger engine, had a fancy spoiler and the like. Easily distinguishable to "Babes" that your motor is different to dear old Darren's. The "Superstars" would be different with a different roof colour to distinguish them from being "just another red top", and that girl would be in the arms of yourself and not back with Darren.
So with the application of common sense, rather than a jobsworth mentality would aide Brisca to earn some brownie points with the fans and with the drivers...
Over to you - use the comment button - I'm dying to know what you think...
Basically, it's a bit like Henry Ford's mantra - you can have any colour, as long as its not red, white, yellow, blue, gold, silver, black and white cheques, green and white cheques, gold stripes, silver stripes, red and yellow cheques. It's a bit like going into a fast food restaurant with posters of burgers and fatty foods outside, and being given a choice of salad, gravel, and granola (although there's not a lot of difference between that and gravel). It's not what you want, but its all you can have.
So colour choice is limited, and rather than do the side panels every month and a lot of drivers have taken this rule, placed Stevie Wonder in a trolley in B&Q, sun him around and got him to choose a colour which would be good for a car. So far since this rule has been in place, we have had orange, lurid lime green, pink, baby puke "beige", terracotta and cow excrement brown.
Yeeewwuuuch. Look at the Tractor boys in Gearsentearsland. They don't have neutral colours - the roofs are all correctly painted - and if a driver has a brown car, then its because they are mad, or thought that they could drive incognito on shale!
The waistline rule worked, the drivers followed it. When the numbers where added, drivers pushed their luck and were left with the neutral colour ruling. What would have been better is if the number rule was placed below the waistline. i.e underneath the cab. A bit like Mr Moodie below (although Gordon you haven't been 79 for a few seasons now!). Then it's not interfering with the waistline and just respray away without masking.
Result.
Also the rule book states ...
"Rule 217. Grading Colours
The whole aerofoil must be painted in grading colour"
Its also about time the superstars had some kind of form of identifying themselves, with out the need for a closed circuit diagram. There are few superstars that actually bother with lights - the easiest way to identify them would be with a black roof or some other colour to distinguish, and distinguish them when they jump the start! Lights often don't work, a bit like daytime firework displays.
The argument has gone over time that "superstars would be changing roofs every month". Is that no different to any other grade? Take the perennial grade changers, those "purple" tops, too good for blue, not good enough for red. "I'm gonna keep my blue roof on 'cos that's what I'll be next month". Err, no. Start at the back and be a good boy now, says the Steward. This season I have only seen one superstar with the flashers going, so it's not like they make the effort anyway. With the new broom of Superstars about to be created, it would be nice if these newbies fully embrace this half arsed effort to show they are the best.
This rule is a bit like impressing the girlfriend to be with a new car.
"Look at my new GTi Sport babes, isn't it cool". "
Yeah my ex Darren had a GTi too, what's the difference?"
"Well mines got a set of complimentary pink furry dice and an extra cup holder"
"Hmmm, looks the same though hun"
But what if that GTi Sport was dramatically different, had a bigger engine, had a fancy spoiler and the like. Easily distinguishable to "Babes" that your motor is different to dear old Darren's. The "Superstars" would be different with a different roof colour to distinguish them from being "just another red top", and that girl would be in the arms of yourself and not back with Darren.
So with the application of common sense, rather than a jobsworth mentality would aide Brisca to earn some brownie points with the fans and with the drivers...
Over to you - use the comment button - I'm dying to know what you think...
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