Now 11 years ago it was King's Lynn turn to hold it for the first time. The first world final of the millenium was due to be held on the 17/18/19 September on the shale. However, in the week leading up to the final, the UK was paralysed by fuel blockades at the terminals and refineries across the land. All because the price of a litre of fuel reached an astronomical 89.9 pence a litre!
Panic stricken fans and drivers alike were worried about getting enough petrol to go across the country to watch- and considering at the time it was Scottish and Westcountry F2 fans that were responsible for the majority of the spectators at the time, the decision was made to move the Big One to October 13/1ttl
It was also the first World Final held in deep autumn - it was very cold on the terraces at the Saddlebow Road arena. It was also the start of new era. The behemoth that stood over the gold for many years, Rob Speak (218), had left for the F1's but returned to play with a Randall Motorsport car, that in season 2001 was driven by Dave Luscombe (642) (and is still racing in the capable hands of westcountry newbie Lewis Holden (950)), As defending title holder, he took his place at the very back.
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| Pic of Speak in 2000 WF Courtesy of Robspeak.com |
At the front of the grid was front row starter from 1998 and 1999, Daz Kitson (732) and alongside him, was westcountry warrior Peter Gilbert (542). First corner saw, Gilbert go round, and not come back, and with that Kitson drove away, but got caught up with an incident with about 5 to go. The man on shale at the time Bert Finnikin (559) was catching and catching and catching, and the last bend just wasn't close enough. That was the closest Bert came to doubling up his F1 title. Kitson held on to take his first title, taking the big step up from 2nd place to the top step. The gold went to Huddersfield and remained there until August 2002.
Why my knowledge of the race is sketchy, is because of what happened afterwards. It was a late finish, and there were 4 of us going, me, Lampy, Grampy Lampy and our then mechanic, Tool. All in a Nissan Terrano. With wheels picked up from Wayne Helliwell in the boot, we park in the complex.
A gift of the stock car gods was given - a Sierra had been abandoned by the roadside of the track entrance, and to the Saloon Stock and F2 boys, result says they, free spares. In fact many a person were heading over to the car to strip bits from it. We parked fairly close to this car, the right side of the boundary.
So, in a state of serious CBA'ness, the decision was made not to go for the tent option, and all of us deicded to sleep in the Terrano. Not the most pleasent nights sleep, and those who have shared speedweekends know that I simply don't sleep. Add my figidityness and the monumentual sound of Tool's snoring, meant I was wide awake and bored. Having read Unloaded, the paper and the programme best that I could at least 5 times over. I turned round, and I saw an orangey glow coming from the Ford behind.
The following is an accurate representation of the events...
"Marc"
"uuuuuhhh"
"Marc" (nudge in the chest)
"Fuck off Jonny, go back to sleep"
"Marc!!!"(more frantic nudging) "That car's on fire"
"Fuck off Jonny, you're seeing things"
"Marc - that fucking car is on fire behind us"
(a turn round) "Fuck it is too! Neil!"
"uhh?"
"Neil, that cars on fire behind us"
"eh, fuck it is too!"
Cue Lampy getting out of his sleeping back in record time and driving the Terrano to a safe distance away, as Tool rung the fire brigade and me and Grandad roused others nearby.
After the fire engine and fire was put out, we set on our merry way down the M11 at silly o clock, stopped at the services for some fried scran and ended up at Lakeside- awaiting the Novice of the Year at Arena.
I'm hoping that I remember this years event for the racing!
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