Qualified for a Semi? Crashed out? Engine expired at the end of the straight? Got hooked up with someone you've never ever seen before today? Track too clean and not dusty enough for you?
Help is at hand for those drinking in the last chance saloon. 6 places are up for grabs, and as we all know from the last couple of runnings of the big one - you have to be in it to win it!
The consolation semi final are taking place, here's the runners and riders...
401 Barry Goldin 905 Rob Mitchell
641 Dennis Middler 59 Lee Dimmick
70 Brian Shadbolt 270 Mark Gibbs
844 Darren Phillips 871 Mark Simpson
126 Jamie Avery 768 Tom Adcroft
662 Steve Wycherley 494 John Dowson
990 Paul Rice 377 Daz Shaw
888 Paul Ford 259 Simon Farrington
302 Dale Moon 677 Chris Roots
488 Liam Bentham 725 Paul Broatch
650 Gary Stirk 744 Tom Smart
571 Darren Clarke 150 Mark Thoms
124 Ollie Skeels NI271 Gary Chambers
541 Luke Phillips 977 Dave Massey
143 Marc Lammas 103 Carl Issitt
448 John Wright 276 Murray Jones
231 Matt Clayton 116 Ashley Rundle
72 John Broatch 615 Josh Coleman
798 Mark Sargent 742 Nick Rogers
710 Brett Townsend 326 Johnny Hall
290 Jay Tomkins 254 Richard Beere
189 Paul Butcher
So with potentially 43 cars starting, who is likely to make the cut. With the total tarmac extremities of Hednesford taking their toll on the shale specialists, it's not surprising that the majority of the field are shale drivers. The biggest casualty from the semis, was 2003 World Champion, and reigning European and British Champion, Barry Goldin (401) who suffered from power problems. Indeed, when he was drawn in a semi, he was seen as a favourite for the title itself, cnsidering the British was won at Belle Vue. Many fancied shale drivers are there along side him, with Rob Mitchell (905), Daz Shaw (377), Brian Shadbolt (70 and the last shale world final runner up Mark Simpson (871) all with shale wins and considered favourites.
Hope is not lost, you are not making up numbers. Paul Broatch (725) almost pipped Bill Batten (167) at Barford in 2004, Batten himself almost nicked the title from Alister King (74) in 1990. Shale is unpredictable at the best of times and you could fall over anyone - and there is a precedent already - the Saloon Gold Roof won by ex F2 Driver Eddie Darby (677 (877 in F2)) who started in position 29, after winning their last chance!
Remember though....
You gotta be in it to win it!
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