Super Simmo - Ruddy Muddy Marvellous!

Apologies for the delay in this report going up, a combination of driving back to Cornwall and being generally knackered from the trevails of the last couple of weeks of solid updates!
 
So I woke up at the crack of Dawn, which was a suprise to the girlfriend because she's called Sharon, and set out the plan for the big world final drive. Bacon butty in my fuel tank, diesel in the car, it was King's Lynn bound.With this World final being the most hyped ever, it was time to deliver!

The View from J-ho K Coral!

We arrived just after 12, in the field/car park, to a light shower. Ok, that was expected says I, clinging to my forelawn hope that the weather forecast might be right. On entering the track it was apparent lots of money had been spent since 2000, and it looked really good. A really professional looking stadium - exactly what the sport needs more of-  especially as many tracks are in various states of delapidation. We set up camp for the prime position, by the pit gate coming out the opening crucial bend, for that crash that was potentially going to happen between him and you know who.

With the big screen looking dominant on turns 3 and 4, and showing the various races past including the insomnia inducing semi finals. It was also good to see that a good build up was being used to its full abilities, with Steve Linfield and Matt Black doing interviews on the infield and in the pits. Indeed, it's something I'd like to see repeated if its feasiable, gives the spectator a further insight, and well, helps everyone see the celebrations. If the sport is to improve its profile, more gambles have to be made on this.

Another good idea on paper was the autograph sessions for the drivers, it was just a shame that not all the drivers took to it, there were a couple of disappointed young faces coming back. I was reminded by ex F2 driver Geoff Bunn, that in 1989 at Newton Abbot - all the competitors put their cars in the track for a meet and greet the fans session on the track, which was a nice touch. It would only take an hour to do, and with most competitiors there from the start, again something that could be tried again.

Now to the programme. £5 did seem a little steep at first glance, but with a free mini air blower thingy with your favourite driver to make some noise with it certainly worked. 56 full colour A4 colour pages (remember Unloaded is 32 and £3.50) with plenty of things that you need from a World Final Programme, welcome, insight, season review, history, driver previews, and interviews, and loads of opinion pieces from such luminaires as Rosevear, Linfield, Hughes, Bunter and Randall. There was also a piece by some bloke called Jonny Hoare, don't know who he is. It certainly ranks up there with the greats and there certainly is a challenger to the Autospeed crown now.

Nice touches in the pits meaning that each world finalist had a pit bay marked and in order, so that they came out in order and there was no sorting required. Time to go racing.

The international time trials proved one thing - the need for an international semi final. There were probably 5 dutch drivers probably more than capable of filling a spot on the grid, including some title contenders. Still the Dutch were flying, the Irish slowly getting to grips and the Isle of Man making up the numbers.

The consolation semi was fast and furious. Goldin got away as predicted, but the battle behind, with Lee Dimmick (59) showing a good pair of heels. In the closing laps it became a battle between the shale "specialists", with Mark Simpson (871), Steve Wycherley (662), Rob Mitchell (905), Brian Shadbolt (70) and Carl Issit (103) making up the lucky half dozen. After a support heat aced by Anthony Winters (260), and another brutal Saloon race. I don't think I've seen a dull one this season.

Then a period of track prep took place, and then whislt we like omens on this site, the saloon world final was shown on the big screen. Hmmm, that could happen again you know...

Then as the immortal words was said, it was also time to "Specatators, put up your brollies!", as the heavens opened with the mother of all rain showers. For me, 2 first time experiences, a wet shale race and a wet world final. Skeg 92 was the last world final run in wet conditions. So what would become of Moodie and Speak? Would Palmer go for it?

This video from Stevie1C1 from youtube shows the entire race.


 

So congratulations to Skegness stalwart and all round thoroughly nice chap, Mark Simpson (871) who showed whilst others lose their heads, only the coolest of the cool rise to the top. It was a race of attrition, a last man standing competition, more familar to bangers than Stock Cars, as out of the 38 that started - only 6 finished, and only 3 of those were on the same lap. We saw plenty of lead changes, plenty of bumper action, and yet, the weather spoilt it
Wet shale made it near on impossible to distinguish cars, (apart from the luminous Allen Cooper (702))and with the PA so quiet it was guess work for the majority of the fans to make out who was in the lead. There was a "dubious" yellow flag with about 6/7 to go, Moodie gone in the distance, Cooper catching, Cooper moving Moodie on to the mud, then Cooper drowning in the same mud, allowing Simpson to take it through. Of the 6 finishers, 4 came from the consolation, so proof that once again- you have to be in it to win it.

So to Simmo, everyone's favourite camp site owner, now Champion of the World, massive congratulations. I stood with a fair amount of Skeggy regulars and drivers, and the utmost respect was given.

Covered in shale, but covered in glory! Simmo's smile is golden

Again another driver who woke up that morning thinking, "it's not my year", has woken up on Sunday morning having taken the big crown. It's becoming a bit like the lifetime achievement award at the Brits, so next year the Gold Roof is going to Status Quo.

And now an appeal to Brisca F2.
Wherever the next world final is going to be, it has to be as good as this one, in build up, in presentation and in memory. Think very carefully where you take the title next year, maybe its time to scrap the rota system and give it to the tracks that will make a show of it.

Congrats once again to Mark Simpson  (871) - the 2011 Brisca F2 Champion of the World