So with bright skies at the start, a trip to Buxton for the JHo funbus since the '09 world final, and Speak versus Moodie round 1. Somehow, history wouldn't repeat itself again?
So after a support heat which was won by 2010 World Champ, John Fortune (964), and then after some next generation Wainman, Sworder and Harrision fun in the Brisca Minis. and the hoppystox (aka Rebels). It was semi time.
Sadly, in the words of Peter Kay's dinner lady, "it's spitting" as the brolly brigade put up and then a heated debate on the start line of what was a gaitor and what was a crocodile, allowed the track to get sufficently damp to have an effect. In fact, it was as damp as a middle age lady reading "50 Shades" for the first time...
Once the racing started, after the first frantic lap for most semi finals, Barry Goldin (401) got away from Rob Speak (218), and further back Gordon Moodie (7) was making most of the mishaps ahead of him. Early casualties were Chris Burgoyne (647), James Thackra (324) and Andrew Palmer (606), which brought about a suspension. Chris Bradbury (886) had slipped back. Come the restart and Speak got on the Goldin back bumper, but struggled to get grip to pass, and the 401 machine went into the distance. The 218 car was struggling with the greasy conditions and falling back into the preying mantis of the number 7 car. With one to go, Moodie swooped on Speak, catching, latching and, just to make sure of any comebacks,dispatching. The hullabaloo that followed allowed Paul Ford (888) to take second from them, as the feuding champions were caught by the peleton of Bradbury and the Green brothers (115 and 154) going into the last turn. With Speak a potential passenger in a Bradbury based last bend shove, Moodie was beneficial of a diving Mike Green (115) who managed to straighten up the Scot to take third. This time, Moodie offered the hand, Speak accepted, but will Gordy live to regret this with Speak looking for a spot of revenge. To those there, a big hit indeed and a spot of revenge for the Moodster, but Speaky didn't look bothered. He laughed, and maybe there might be a laugh or two to come. Another driver, another race, Moodie might have gotten a month ban, such is the precedent this season.
A deep breath, and the lesser spotted semi 2 lined up. After a few frantic laps which saw Hooper (676) take a dive at fancied runner GeoMac(100) spinning on turn one. Jack Aldridge (921) led it away, and Aidy Whitehead (960) with John Dowson(494). Dowson's car looked better to the difficult conditions, and he took over the lead. Meanwhile, the Buxton specialist Mickey Brennan (968) had followed the Buxton version of the yellow brick road, had fought up to second passing Aldridge. And that's how it remained until chequered. Liam Rowe (605) gave the westcountry a cheer with 5th place on track debut, and Mark Simpson (871) broke the champions hoo doo and will defend his title from the body of the grid.
So with the 20 finalists completed, it was just a case of sorting out who was inside and who was outside. As we are Brisca F2 and not some lesser regional formula with delusions of grandeur , letting the Queen decide just isn't in our make-up. So the meeting final, as for the last 10 years, the first qualifier across the line got the inside line. Semi 1's 10th place Mark Gibbs (270) was leading all the way, taking fellow yellow Luke Maw (409). However as the boards came out, Jack Aldridge (921) caught for Semi 2. Last bend, Aldridge moves the plucky yellow out of the way and takes the inside line for his semi....
However, sadly quite a few decided to load up and head on home. The meeting final gridded at 5:30pm, adding further to the argument that 2 semis on one day is too much. It is effectively two championship races back to back, with all the planning in the world, a championship race can take at the least half an hour to run. Semi 2 always falls flat too. Those regional fans look on at our "funny" little meetings and can't understand why we do this. To be honest, it doesn't get any more people through the gate, and does away with the jeopardy of the top scorer sending their rival to a track they don't like. It does breed apathy at the semi stage too, "oh it's at xxxx, I don't think I'll bother". I've always wanted a semi final weekend. One Semi on Saturday Night, one on Sunday Afternoon, and perhaps a return of the coin toss. Or, after watching the cycling sprints in the olympic velodrome, the sprint. Imagine 3 laps of cat and mouse for pole position. A clear event and not confused!
Whilst I do think that it was good to see clear checks, and scrutineering clear to see, however it dragged out the meeting when it was done on track. Most motorsport has a parc ferme, and for championship meetings, I think they should have it for all competitors. A secure area where cars are presented a determined amount of time before (for example 10 minutes before) where a team of Brisca/Orci scrutineers go through the necessary race checks whilst a support race is on. This area would then after the race become the area for post race checks. What has to be apparent is that too many variations of scrutineering has to be stopped. Some turn up have a chat and put a passed sticker on, whereas others look at different things. Consistency has be achieved for the drivers, but the drivers should know the rules. The Brisca "50 Shades of Grey" has be remove from the interpretation, and clear clarification has to take place too. There is no clear technical leadership at the moment, and it is something that needs to be addressed.
So in comparison to last year, the meeting was much slicker. The ideas were good, but not necessarily the application. Profiles much better but sadly some drivers were deemed not even worthy of a line! Right, Saloon World, F2 English, the various youngster titles and a tribute to a legend
So the Grid looks like this...
Inside
World Final Outside
|
||
494 John Dowson
|
1
|
401 Barry Goldin
|
968 Mickey Brennan
|
2
|
888 Paul Ford
|
International Competitor
|
3
|
International Competitor
|
921 Jack Aldridge
|
4
|
7 Gordon Moodie
|
960 Aidy Whitehead
|
5
|
886 Chris Bradbury
|
International Competitor
|
6
|
International Competitor
|
605 Liam Rowe
|
7
|
115 Mike Green
|
871 Mark Simpson
|
8
|
218 Rob Speak
|
International Competitor
|
9
|
International
Competitor
|
124 Ollie Skeels
|
10
|
154 Steve Green Jnr
|
315 Justin Fisher
|
11
|
59 Lee Dimmick
|
International Competitor
|
12
|
International Competitor
|
836 Dave Pannett
|
13
|
854 Robbie Dawson
|
76 Chris Rowe
|
14
|
270 Mark Gibbs
|
International Competitor
|
15
|
International Competitor
|
Consolation Semi
|
16
|
Consolation Semi
|
Consolation Semi
|
17
|
Consolation Semi
|
Consolation Semi
|
18
|
Consolation Semi
|
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