Standby for a StatBlast!

The season is over.

The scores are in.

They have been checked and totalled.

Now its time to see who was the Daddy. Who beat the most.

Shale versus Tar

Track by Track

Region by Region

Month by Month.

The Dominator. Why? Cos you gotta beat them all.

End of Season. That's a bit of a Brummer!

So the nights have drawn in. Woolies have be pulled out, and well hark, if thats not the dulcet tones of one Nodward Holder being gentled warmed in prepartion for its annual slice of yuletide PRS.

But, one last meeting please Mr Brisca man.... Ah ok.... Hows about a spot of Birmingham Wheels, share it with the 1's, ok, chuck in a few gimmicks... that makes it exciting...

So, there we were, parked oursleves on the West Bend, and for the first time this year, a meeting was held in entire darkness, including practice too.

Yep, it was time for the first time in a few years for Jonny to decend on Brum for the first time in ages. The racing didn't disappoint either. A packed crowd - I don't think I've ever had so many people barge through or try to nick our spot, bloody rude and the clipboard crew gave me evils! By the way, with all the results on the internet, and Mylaps, do they really need to do that. But then they are F1 fans, happy with the same old same old. No need for rudeness and especially some consideration for the smaller fans who couldn't see cos some fat arse was in the way.

So heat 1 saw a few jnames that failed to make it in the Shoot Out have a play for the remaining two places. Such was Nigel Green's (445) keenest to get going, perhaps the biggest pringle of the year was missed by the steward. When the yellow was removed and the Green dropped, the Green was already dropped and he saw yellows! Anyways an easy win.

Next up was the main event. A graded race in closed grid, it was always gonna be carnage on Lap 1, and favourite Gordon of The Moodie (7) crashed out, leaving Pretty Polley charging into a clear gap with a charging Jonny P (24) and Big Boy Bradders (886). Bradders dispensed with the Plymouthian, and set out charging down Anakin! Now the talk of the 'net was Bradderz right hand down on Nigel the previous week. He wouldn't do that again would he? Oh yes he would, and to make sure he drove towards the parked cars. This slowed Bradbury, but slowed Polley more! This allowed Jon Palmer (24) to catch, and with 2 to go, it appeared to far back...with one to go, Bradbury looked goof and as the final turn came, the Motorworld went in like an Exocet and aimed for his target. Said missle must have be fired from an American war ship as it missed its intended target, but full marks with distinciton for having a crack, Jon! Biggest last bend lunge ever....

The meeting final turned into a clash of the titans, however it was Moodie who took the win from Bradbury, and it could have done with a yellow or two more, to have made it more exciting....

And then, F2's first dalliance into the murky world that brought down and sullied Ant and Dec's squeaky clean image- the text vote for the "People's Champion" race. It gave some interesting results, more a case of rousing family members and facebook friends to text to the comm box there racing number. Some lovely touches in the race. The retiring Andy Catell (909) and Nathan Maidment (935) were two worthy entrants. I voted for Nath about 10 times, 1. cos Andy told me too, 2. I thought it would be nice and his mum would be proud, and 3. he took one for the team with the Stoneman incident!. Sadly only one vote counted as Dave Goddard said that, I felt cheated like a GMTV phone in contestant. Ah well, just a bit a of fun. It reminded me of the TOCA shoot out that the Touring Cars used to have, and I remember that time when Nigel Mansell fresh from his Indycar success guest drove in it and crashed spectacularly! Not a lot of laps, but a dash for the line. So they lined up 3 a breast, in 3 lines, and went hell for leather. Some of the favoured runners went out, including a brutal assault on Nigel Green by Jon Palmer, which left the RCE somewhat bent! With him and Polley bringing out the yellows, all eyes were on Paul Ford to see whther he could hold off the charging Moodie. All was good, and with a showman's hit, Moodie took the running, and rounded off a cracking nights racing.

Plans are afoot to make next year bigger than ever, with a bit more build up, and sponsorship, this should be come an awesome addition to the calendar. I would love to see a few more cars, and a mandatory race stoppage, with the half way, with one car dropping out every lap until there are 2/3 left. Then Stop them, and clutch start it, one lap to the flag! Now that would be freakin' awesome...

The Brisca Minis are interesting to watch for who might be coming over to annoy us in the 2's. It was the last meet for many of the youngsters, and it produced some cracking racing.

For the tractors, the only thing "gala" about the meeting, was probably the melon in the Wainman's picnic. It seems a lot of the star drivers chose to bow out the national series finale the weekend before at Belle Vue, including the retiring Andy Smith, leaving us with a reasonable field, but not one to shatter the earth. Lots of ex 2's drivers wer racing. Star of the show was Mick Sworder (150) now seeming to enjoy racing with a smile, such was the start line banter with Messrs Harris, Bradbury and Wainman. Add to that the Westcountry's former finest, Timmy Turtle and Jamesy the Singer, and remember that newly crowned Silver Roof, Craig Finnikin, had a daliance of the pinto kind in a former time. Sadly apart from this, they failed to ignite the crowd, and was very much a going through of the motions.

Now Birmingham has a special place in my heart, it remains the venue of Team Lampy's finest moment back in 1994, the first ever white top F2 final winner at the asphalt track, and it does produce some great racing, and I'm upset that the cruisers and boy racers that used to congregate outside on Landor Street are no longer there - maybe something to do with the speed humps! We must save tracks like this - if it goes for redevelopment we need to get a venue that is befitting to replace it. However, if it does survive, a bit of TLC will keep the wolves from the redevelopment door...

And the final word comes from the Maidment joke book. A christmas present for none of the family...

"What has Jon Palmer (24) and KFC got in common?"

"They both do Milky Bar Crush'ems"

See you at B&Q....

Jonny

Long time no blog....

If this blog was a child, I'd have social services knocking at my door, and Jeremy Kyle on series link. With a combination of cold, cough and general man fluness, a new job with early starts, a couple of royal visits to Jho Towers from the missus, and the start of my pantomime, oh yes it is ... means there hasn't been an update in a while.... So in traditional fashion, here's one of my lazy ass piss takey bits..

JINGLE JANGLE....

With the passing of the legend Sir Jimmy Saville, the BBC has released some of the letters that were sent into the cigar chomping DJ. Some interesting replies from some familar faces in their formative years, that might or might not have been sent, to the tracksuited one.....

"Dear Jim...Please can you fix it for me to have flying lessons. Signed Justin Fisher, Newton Abbot"

Now then, now then, jingle jangle, jewellery, jewellery, young man. it appears you 'ave 'ad plenty of experience of flying and my help isn't necessary. So would you like to go snorkelting with Cannon and Ball?





This one comes in from Surrey, it goes...

"Dear Jim, Please can you fix it for me. Signed Todd Jones"
Now then young man, you bend it, you mend it. Hows about you play snooker with Pepsi and Shirley



Here's another

"Dear Jim, please can you fix it for me to have a new pram. My current one isn't big enough for all my toys, and they keep on getting thrown out. Yours, Lil Davey, Manea, Essex"

Now then, now then young man, you are in a stroke of luck. A chap in Darleyford called Simon found most of the toys that you threw away. Be a little more careful next time, still Simon  likes horses, perhaps you can join Rolf of the Harris in a chorus of  "Two Little Boys" uhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhurrr

and our final letter comes from Bonnie Scotland it goes.........

"Dear Jim, please can you fix it for me to win the World Final. Signed Wee Gordy (7) from Fife"

Uhhuhuhuhuhuhuuhur, now then now then, I'm not falling for that. Write your own punchline, I don't want to wake to a deep fried mars bar and bottle of irn bru in my bedd... uhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhurrrr


Well Jim has fixed for you and you and you and............

Dan Wheldon - A Spectator's tribute

Now the entire motorsport community was shocked by the passing of Dan Wheldon last weekend at the Las Vegas Speedway. The tragic events, combined with the passing of Dave Weare, have really hammered home the importance of the risk that the drivers take


The following was written by Adrian Rickard, who some years ago in happier times shared a Hospital Radio studio with yours truly. He had a first hand experience of the sad events of last Sunday. Here is his account from his viewpoint, courtesy from Across the Bricks. 

The 13th Lap : Dan Wheldon (1978 - 2011)

Editor's note: The following is a contribution to AcrossTheBricks from our good friend Adrian Rickard, who was in attendance of the IZOD IndyCar World Championships in Las Vegas as well. I found it to be a very moving piece, and I have the utmost gratitude and respect for Adrian (@rkid84) allowing me to share this tremendous piece of writing.

This is something new to me, I have never put pen to paper, or finger to button to reflect on a life lost in such tragic circumstances, nor do I think do I want to again.  I have been a motorsport fan for over 15 years, and in my time I have seen serious crashes on television, sadly some fatal.  But last Sunday brought my worst fear in life to a horrid reality.

I am talking about Dan Wheldon dying in a crash at the Indy Car World Championship race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  I don’t intend for this to be an obituary, there are far more talented wordsmiths who can tell you everything you need to know about Dan’s career, those who knew him both professionally and personally, many I have read in a beautiful manner from fellow competitors and those in the media.

I was sat in the grandstands towards the pit exit watched the first twelve laps unfold, good progress, Dan had made up a few spots, but as any fan of oval racing knows, 200 laps is a long time, until the thirteenth lap started, I saw one car lose its grip hit another and a pendulum effect that took out more cars than I could see.  My most vivid memories are about four or five cars catching fire, the instant flashes as contact was made with barriers, other cars, and more seriously, the fencing.  Clouds of white smoke bellowed into the clear skies, quickly turning black, this is when sudden realisation hit me that this was not just a few cars ‘coming together’ to coin a Murray (Walker) phrase, I could see that there was barely over half the cars still running the lap as the red flag came out.   The jaw dropped, eyes gapped wide open, I think I muttered ‘oh shit’ to the people sat around me.  Trying to work out the cars, who was in the pit lane, who was on the leader board, my mind wasn’t working.

Slowly (understandably), news came through on track PA who was involved, who had got out ok, and gone to the medical centre, and who we were waiting news on.   Still no news on Dan Wheldon, my phone buzzed, a text from back home in the UK, “that was a mess, Mann hurt, Wheldon trapped”.  Many drivers have spoken of the surreal nature of the events and how it looked, the same was in the stands a couple hundred meters away.

Then came the ninety minutes of waiting... there is something of a British saying, “no news is good news”, not in motorsport, drivers crash, they get out, wave to the crowd move on.  Every minute that ticked by fear overtook hope, mumblings and speculation grew, the car was tarped up (covered in a tarpaulin), others compared it to when Greg Moore was killed in the last CART race in the 1999 season with the lack of news.  Natural gut feeling took over, everyone knew it before it was announced.  A drivers meeting was called, that passed, stories of drivers breaking down crying.  I think we all knew then.

A press conference had been called, the Indycar CEO, Randy Bernard's voice came over the tannoy. I didn’t see the screens at first, the only word I heard was ‘passed’ and something about a parade, I then found out the race had been called off, this was inconsequential, I didn’t want to be there now.

Without pushing the patriotic side, there were seven British drivers in the race, I bought myself a union (jack) flag, with the intention of getting the British drivers to sign it, was going slow gave up so went for the whole field.  I had this draped over myself, just shocked, I never thought I would see a fatality at a race, let alone someone who I was a fan of and had a massive amount of respect as a person for.  Suddenly it hits you, I was gone head down, lost the battle with holding it together. A number of people, none of whom I have met before, and likely never will again came up to me consoling with me shaking hands, although the American public had taken him to heart, Dan was still a Brit.

The parade of the drivers who were still able to drive their cars around commence, to the sound of Amazing Grace and Danny Boy, it was such a heart wrenching moment, beautifully observed by all watching, twin checkers waved at the fifth and final lap.

Being parked infield I knew it was going to take a while to get out, needed to do something to keep going, I went down to the pits and paddock still draped in the flag, just as I walked in turned towards the Indycar garages I saw Martin Plowman (who drove in three races this year), who I had met earlier in the pit line prior to the start of the race in happier times, we looked at each other, eyes covered by sunglasses, but we knew what lay beneath, he grabbed my hand and we hugged, just not knowing really what to say, he checked I was ok and able to get back, which took me aback, I had just lost a favourite driver, he had lost a friend. 

For about an hour I walked around the paddock area, waiting to go back to the hotel, I managed to speak briefly with a few other drivers, expressing my sympathies and best wishes.  I was able to chat with one driver who said what the meeting was like, I won’t give details but it was hard to listen to, but understood why the decisions were made about the race.

One thing that this tragedy confirmed is what a close community Indycar is, like no other high level competition I can think of, between the drivers, their crew, teams and fans.  I was lucky to meet with other fans over the days leading up to the race, had arranged to go out to a benefit concert that Sunday night, but with events happening, I dint feel like going, so messaged them and got them together at the hotel for a drink to remember Dan and just get us through the night, 6 of us were there from all corners of the country (and world), apart from those who were related, none of us had met before this race weekend.

So a few personal recollections about Dan Wheldon, like I said before there are plenty more who can offer a more personal look at his career but I can add that I the 3 times I have met him this year he has always been great to talk to, interested and appreciated the support of someone flying across the Atlantic to support the series.  He had a great charisma and love of Indycar and beloved in what the series was doing and where it was heading (only just discussing this at the Fan Village at Mandalay Bay during a webcast), not forgetting his ability on the race track either, a series champion, rookie champion, and a two time Indianapolis 500 winner.  Most of all a caring father, son and husband, something that hits home the most having seen some great pictures of him and his family after his Indy 500 win this year.

He will be sorely missed by all those who knew him on and off the track.

A final note, the flag, I had all bar three drivers signatures on it, but I did get Dan Wheldon’s, which I got when walking around the paddock on Friday morning near his garage.  I approached him asked him if he didn’t mind, as per usual, not at all, we had a brief chat about the race when we heard a large bang, we both looked up, and back towards the back of the track, there was a brief flicker of flames from a car travelling from turn 2. He apologised that he had to go check on who it was and if they were ok, running off towards the pit area and his crew.  Little did we both know 48 hours later our attention would be focused again on turn 2.

“People ask me why, when I sign off I say 'until we meet again'. Because goodbye is so final. Goodbye Dan Wheldon.”  - Marty Reid, ABC / ESPN Commentator

Adrian Rickard

Saints and Sinners

The Cornish season drew to a creschendo with nearly 30 cars in the pits for a spot of end of season shannigans, including a rare double Deeble display! With a new toilet block and a new green "board" to start the races, it was time to say farewell to United Downs for 2011

On a damp track, focus turned to the Whites and Yellows final, and the resident regenmeisters, steering wheel babysitter Andrew Bennett (830) and the father and son pairing of Jeremy (707) and Dan Moss (797), who with a name like moss usually thrives in damp conditions. Bennett took the win, along with the mother of last bends which Dan Moss became the main beneficiary with Dad crossing the line on top of Jamie Beere (954).

With one on the tight track championship, attention focused to the Stoxblog Babe botherers Justin Fisher (315) and Neil Hooper (676). Fisher was 10 points ahead going in. However, this allowed the returning "Naughty" Nathan Maidment (935) to get away. With his 3 month ban done with, he was itching to get it going - that he did! With the chequered came the doughnuts, and well, he deserved them with the past couple of months he has had - and well who can blame him! I bet there was someone up there smiling on him. Jay Tonkin (290) ended his Cornish season like he started it - with a busted blue roof after another rollover!

"I just bledey signed it n'all"

Hoops scooped heat 3, and then it was money time on the Old Motorcycle Club Trophy, a trophy with a huge heritage and worth a tidy sum! With each lap hitting a bonus of £25, Liam Deeble (785) was tempted out by his janner mates to come and play - and led 3 laps. But the impressive drive of the final was Dale Moon (302), who despite the stoppage still lead until, under pressure from Hooper, clipped the kerb, which allowed Hooper to retain the Old Motorcycle Trophy. The Track championship gap was now 3 points.... and Hooper had a handicap.

With the support of the "WAGS" firmly behind him, the Flying Fish only had to hope that Super Hoops finished no better than 10th if he wasn't to finish. However, he got off to a flyer, and set about catching the lead pack to truly cement his chances. With a mental table in this writers head like the Duckworth-Lewis method, it became apparent what Fisher had to do. Finish the race, and hope he had enough of a buffer between him and the reigning track champion. However disaster was to befall the plucky Newton Abbot driver, he got caught up in an incident with Bennett and Moon. He had a serious case of Speak bumper. And with no Eddie Darby to try and drive it out. So with his car going backwards, and smoking front right, Fisher had to try and defend from his Motorworld buddy Hooper. With the boards out, Hooper pounced, sending the 315 machine wide, however in the melee, a bevvy of cars joined the party and Hooper went into the Tip Bend and didn't come out. Car stricken. Game over. So for the 5th season, the track championship went down to the last race, proving that St Day is a track where everyone can have a go!

In other news.....

..the burgeoning relationship between TART members Dan Moss and Jessica Maidment has had a profound effect on the Fowey based youngster. Now with fellow TART's had been trying an experiment with different power sources - but as the Novice of the Year found out, Pintos and Duratecs have nothing over the power of a woman! So Dan has gotten himself a girl, and with that girl, comes a different kind of horsepower.

love me love my stockie just doesn't have the same effect

"Can you hear something? Nay!" What a wag about a nag!

Look out for next year's sponsorship deal from Evostik and Pedigree Chum on the 797 machine!

... Les Palmer truly showed support for the season long championship of the Pringle-  he wore a lovely purple and white number. It had to be seen to be beleived, sadly no pictures!

... it seems that Nathan Maidment (935)'s nemesis' Matt Stoneman, is still having a dramatic effect on the plucky Milborne Yellow top. In fact, it appears in a strange Dr Who type fashion that one time Nice Boy Nathan is turning into his arch rival, as in the GN, not only did he join the Grand Order of the Pringle (some might say unjustly) but then remonstrated his innonence with the officials. He then performed a lovely set of non celebratory doughnuts, to match his celebratory ones after Heat 2!

So another cracker of a season at St Day. Worth the extra miles folks. You don't need a great number of cars to have a good St Day, and if you haven't roughed it at St Day, you haven't lived!

Abandon all hope....

Firstly an apology for not updating this sooner. A culmination of reasons - a busy time away from the sport culminating a new job, the rugby and the first man flu of the winter. So let's have a round up....

BARF-BADOS CALLING

Marmite it might be, but 2012 F2 World Final is up in the land of the free roaming livestock. Barford Raceway. It's been met with howls of derusion aswell as joyful from the hardcore that race there week in, week out. Whilst the racing is good, the facilities are far from good. When it held a semi meeting, complaints were amde about basic things. Whether it is a good thing for the sport is a debate for after, but we wait to see if they can get near to the plaudits of King's Lynn's build up and presentation.

SHOOT OUT!

So after Brisca 50 last year, the same format was taken to this years effort named "The Shoot Out". Not to be confused with the equalling confusing National Series Shootout that the Formula 1 guys have to play with. The Gala night should be a good conclusion, and the People's Champion race - sounds like Speak versus Moodie all over again, and with the retirement celebrations over in the 1's.

LUSKY CALLS IT A DAY

Sad to say that one of the true greats of the sport is calling it a day. 1987 World Champion Dave Luscombe (642) is hanging up his helmet. His Randall has been sold and the East Allington has said that's yer lot. More of an occasional racer of late, he could still mix it with the best. With the European and Nationals titles on his bonnet, aswell as the Scottish, he was certainly one of my favourites when I was younger. One of the true racers has gone.

A sad weekend for the sport

At Hednesford yesterday, our sport of short track oval racing was hit a devastating blow. At the Pre 68 banger meeting, a driver was killed.

When I heard the sad news of the death of Dave Weare, (78) who drove Bangers with Autospeed, it sent shivers down my spine, and my thoughts went instantly to the family and friends, the spectators who witnessed it and the officials who had to deal with it.

It is something, that gratefully we seldom see, but this doesn't make it easy for any involved.

Driver and spectator safety should be, and always be paramount. We are responsible for our own actions ultimately - these accidents happen.

The investigations and whys and wherefors will no doubt take place, but one thing we should never forget is the risks that these drivers make for the sake of entertainment.

And as a final point, to the sick scum of the earth that are posting pictures of the event on the various forums and on Facebook, have some moral fibre. Or failing that some intelligence or the merest hint of a brain, and remove this. There's a family without a dad, brother and son tonight, just put yourself in there shoes.

I hope Incarace hand out life bans to these people, they don't deserve to be fans of our sport.

RIP Dave - race in peace, mate.