linky

One addition.....Come on Lundy!

The price reduction is compensation for the loss of the pre meeting race Roy. Booking list looking good. Mr Lund, Mr Johnson, Mr Harris and Mr Dowson all welcome......

The first one might be a pre meeting race...…. Sorry couldn't resist. Rod - I agree a 40 car BV meeting would be fantastic. Its our first trip this year to BV and looking forward to it.

Thanks for the article Carl. There are a few websites named that have passed into internet history that I have spent many hours on. The internet has changed just about every aspect of life, including stock cars. No more waiting for next months magazines to find out the results or lining Mr Barbers pockets calling premium rate phone numbers. We have everything at the click of a mouse now and can all vent our opinions to the masses with very little effort. Some say it’s a good thing, some don’t but it’s here to stay. The internet was the main reason why I stopped buying stox magazines about 15 years ago. After gathering many boxes of mags and programmes there wasn’t the need to buy them given we have all the news at an instant on the web. There have been some fantastic sites with a wealth of info which you can spend hours on, but the big negative is that they can disappear in an instant to be lost forever, unlike my boxes of old Stockcar Supporter mags which I still flick through occasionally and will always be with me. To everyone who has spent hours creating the sites I have read and to all involved in running Stoxnet a big THANK YOU.

Brilliant list and hopefully a couple yet to be added. Really looking forward to this. Must be the biggest turnout since the last WF to be held at the track.

Thanks again team

Maybe by having a single access to the pits And wristbands on entry Deane can tighten up on possible freeloaders entering in the back of transporters. I have heard numerous tales over the years of people hidden in transporters. Nowadays when margins are tight a few more paying for entry could make a meeting viable. As for general spectators being charged for pit access, I think that would be very counter productive.

I think we have seen the last of Lundy on tarmac unfortunately. I’m just pleased he makes the odd trip out on the shale. Looking forward to this one. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea and perhaps a couple of times a year max, but the speed and sound of F1 around the huge track is one of the highlights of the season for me, even though it’s not typical of stock car racing. Hoping for 45 ish cars which should mean large fields in the heats.

It’s not about being negative or longing for the old days of Coventry. We have a situation where the best supported shale track is one of the most remote for a lot of fans and drivers, whilst tracks in a more central location are less well supported. In order to understand why this is, someone has got to ask the drivers and fans so that they can identify the issue and try to address it for the good of the sport. It’s not just one or two meetings, it’s quite a lot of shale meetings with below par turnouts. It may be something to do with prize money, facilities, race times or just personal preferences or cost of racing?. Shale racing is big in Holland and tar struggling but it’s the other way round here. Is this something to do with car specs/costs or the way meetings are promoted?. Coventry has gone and hopefully numbers will pick up a little on shale as the title meetings kick in.

29 cars on the first Saturday of the month and shale......The loss of Coventry has certainly taken its toll. Anita, it would be great if drivers came on here to explain their reasons why they dont want to race, not that they have to race as its a hobby after all. Only Nigel posts on here of the regular drivers, others are members but don't post. I would be interested to hear Matt's views on the turnout as a committee member. I'm not looking to apportion blame but the BSCDA need to find out why their members are not choosing to race at some meetings, and try to rectify matters. Considerable investment has gone into turning NIR into shale. The first year was difficult, mistakes were made, and a lot was learned. I feel things are coming together this year. If the BSCDA/drivers don't support it the fans won't, and I doubt Deane will run F1 at a loss indefinately. The only track which seems to have big driver support on shale is KL. BV, Stoke and Mildo have all had less than I would expect. I think there were cc 34 cars at the Stoke qualifier which for a Saturday night in a well located track is poor. I will start things off. My reason for not turning up is low number of F1s which means a 400+ mile round trip is not worthwhile. I have accommodation booked for the Euro's and hope that the numbers will be significantly up on 29. I suspect the dutch will come in force to push us towards 55-60 cars and hopefully a great weekend.

Strange that there are no Wainman on the list. Suspect that will correct itself shortly. Shale solus dates at NIR should be getting 45+ cars at least. The tar is still under there and may be back if cars and crowds go down.

Thanks all. The pit news together with the grids and results are really working well. Great job

I agree. That doesn’t explain the dip in driver numbers though. I like Belle Vue but must admit have not been this year due to low numbers. I know numbers don’t guarantee good meetings but it certainly helps. Hopefully numbers will improve for the qualifier.

Driver support for Belle Vue has been low this year. It has never been a 40+ car track but I would alway expect low to mid 30s. We have had low to mid 20s this year which I cannot explain. Unfair to mention specific drivers who may have other commitments or simply want to enjoy a bank holiday with the family doing something other than stock cars. There are a number of drivers fairly local to Belle Vue that have raced this year (or even this weekend)but are not on the booking list.

Great service as usual. Thanks all

Top service. Thanks to the three of you.

The three Amigos. Even better for 2019. Thanks all.

27 UK drivers is a little disappointing. Probably 8-10 more might have been expected. Hopefully there may be a handful of late bookings. I think it will bounce back for the qualifier. Sunday/Monday late afternoon starts do numbers no favours, but the promoter cant do anything about that. I might not speak for all but the number of formula also may put a few off. Sheffield works well with 2 formula and is steadily increasing car numbers despite its fearsome fence, whereas Belle Vue seems to struggle with numbers in a 4 formula plus caravan meeting. Maybe this is a factor?. I certainly would rather the meeting had fewer formula. The driver base in the north is reducing year on year as the sport moves east. I just hope Steve can find a replacement track in the North that can run Saturday nights to give the drivers up here more chance to race.

Great job. Thanks team

Great results service - thanks. News from the pits was a very welcome addition.

Seats are ok but not sure about food. Sheffield has decent food so we don’t bother taking it in.

Great to see 55 Finn and Sworder back out racing. I hope in Craigs case it isnt just a one off like last year.

Ordered last week and arrived today. Thanks Trackstar

Helpful emails before today, sensible chair policy that considers those less able to stand (or sit in cramped chairs)...well done Trackstar!. Tickets bought today and accommodation sorted. Looking forward to it already.

Thanks Jane, Nic, RoyB and anyone else I have missed for the results throughout the season. You do a brilliant job!