Semi Previews - Semi 1.

All roads lead to Buxton this weekend. Lets have a look at Semi Final 1 - this one looks tasty! Words by Jonny Hoare, checked with a pedantometer by Mark Moon

Semi Final 1
886 Chris Bradbury Bradders has been in supreme form in the QRs including dropping a 28 score, with shale giving him the edge this year. However having gone through 2 chassis this season, he is currently without a car. Will be using the DP hire car.	1	218 Rob Speak What can you say about the 8 times world champ that hasn't been said already. Rob started the year racing shale using a Bingley car, lending Marc Fortune (64) his Elite. After big scores at Barford and Skegness, he finds himself in familiar territor. All eyes on him 1st corner
401 Barry Goldin Barry has seen both the titles he won last year disappear and will hope for better luck which saw his engine expire in the early laps. Will hope to be on the grid for the big one. No predictions, I don't want to incur the wrath of the missus to be if found to be incorrect!	2	647 Chris Burgoyne Last year he took pole in the final itself by winning the quieter of the two semis. This time he finds himself in a somewhat busier one this time round. It's ten years since he won the title - a frightening thought!
641  Dennis Middler Always racing with a smile on his face, and always chasing and travelling for the gold. If he qualifies the ladies will hope for another kilt display on the World Final parade lap	3	788  Stephen Mallinson A dual surface driver, who's early season form saw him rise to blue. Heavy scores from Arena and Hednesford along with a Sheffield top score see him start as the highest non star in both semis
854  Robbie Dawson The Scottish superstar returns to the track where he led the World Final. Consistency has always been his middle name and picks up pieces whilst others fall around him	4	823  Sam Wagner Sam has spent the season getting muddy on the shale. A new tar car is on the way, and maybe debuted today, if he stops abusing Bradders (and me) on Twitter! #sortitout
888  Paul Ford Ford's journey this year has seen him travel far and wide in search of gold, often foresaking his home track of Cowdenbeath. However big scores at the Wall and away day at Taunton see him rewarded for his travelling efforts.	5	606  Andrew Palmer The King of Shale is no mug on the tar either, however appearances on the hard stuff. Consistent in qualifying for the Big One, which he came astonishingly close to taking last year
72  John Broatch Son of former National Points champion Paul, he has hit the golden trail hard, taking in tracks far and wide, but large scores in the penultimate rounds cemented his place on the grid	6	488  Liam Bentham Both shale and tarmac have enabled Liam to get on the grid for the semis via big scores at Skegness and the rearranged Coventry saw him take his place
324  James Thackra The former British and European champion is a big race driver. However the gold roof is one that has escaped him. Not afraid of using the bumper to get ahead	7	154   Steve Green Jnr Very much a tarmac drive, and a Buxton specialist to boot also. Has to be wary of the charge behind, probably led by his brother Mike
522  Chris Mikkula A change from Randall to RCE has brought Mikkulla more local track success, but away from home has had success with his Kawsaki green chassis! Became a dad for the 2nd time and has got quicker. Perhaps to avoid the nappy change duty!	8	59  Lee Dimmick A steady red top and midland based racer has seen success at Buxton this season, but his place comes from a near perfect score at Northampton in April
995  Michael Lund  A large score at the opening round at King's Lynn has seen this shale racer tear up the charts but a surface not of choice may play to his downfall	9	115 Mike Green A first time superstar for Mike this year, might be a non starter due to work commitments, but as one of the Midlands top tarmac racers, should be in with a shout of qualifying
7  Gordon Moodie The Justin Beiber of Formula 2.His Gordyness has been somewhat vocal about not chasing the gold. Rumours abound that he has booked a holiday for the World Final weekend. If he turns up, eyes will be watching where he finished	10	835  Matt Westaway Matt lines up for his first ever semi. A former racer at St Columb, Matt started the season with a first ever red top, and a semi place as a result of a large score at the Bristol round. Has had some bruising encounters with comeback Semtex kid Dave Sansom (352)
186  George Turrucki Former Novice of the Year has spent most of the season on shale. People tend to forget that he was once a "Central League" winner. A hard charger and one to watch	11	409  Luke Maw Made fame a few years ago as a white top semi finalist, Luke races in a semi at one of his home tracks. Heavy scores at Barford and Buxton see him on the grid
38  Dave Polley* Although seen by most as one of the favourites for the title at the start of the season, misdemeanours at the Brum QR means unfortunately, Polley is banned for the next 12 months and thus misses this semi	12	615  Josh Coleman Another shale specialist, Josh took a career first final at the start of the season, and has ended up at the semi with a decent shale based scores. Another driver using a Polleysport hire car.
725  Paul Broatch Veteran Broatch has probably done the most qualifying rounds in search of home track golden glory. Although probably acting as wing man for son John, Nail'em will be hoping to be on track for Barford to repeat the feat of 2004	13	617 Carl Shield Speedway rider Carl has been a recent addition to the grid. With his trailing leg firmly tucked in, a trip up to Crimond certainly paid off, and joins the semi grid today
634  Paul Kitching A shale driver of some repute, Paul has been carving a way through the shaleways of the land. A large score at Sheffield's QR sees him on a rare tar appearance	14	169  Richard Stott Last years mid season sensation followed up a great debut season with a solid early season performance which has seen him hit star grade for the first time.