Carl H

I'm wondering if starting this preview thread so early was a mistake. It's far too early to have any kind of definite idea of the booking list, as drivers will still be trying to get their cars ready, etc. Anyone looking for somewhere to stay for the weekend, have a look at this thread :- Caravans and cottages available for the Skeggy speed weekend

As soon as any information becomes available, I post it on here. It's UK Open Championship on the BSCDA fixture list. The 'open' means anyone can enter, unlike other championships, such as the World, that you have to qualify for, and the British, which is (or used to be) a restricted entry.

Statement from Startrax We note the comments with regard the track being on the base on turns 3 and 4 - although to be absolutely fair, on many occasions that is quite normal dating back to 1999 - It was however 'smooth' - We are however scratching our heads a little. All that said it's 'stock car' racing not supercar racing! A lot of it is to do with track watering and with rain forecast in the morning we 'held off' and then sudddenly it turned quite hot and dried out fast, it has to be 'damp' to bind and I didn't want it over watering F1 wise which makes 1/2 a race 'bog monster' racing and cars just spinning out! Our track man controlled the dust well it has to be said, shale racing is difficult to master in such conditions. The second element is specific to F1's and the characteristics of the tyres over the last 2/3 years - You will notice at King's Lynn, Stoke and Coventry how the shale 'piles up against the fence' like a ski ramp - it didn't use to - That does not happen with any other formula, effectively they scarify and 'strip' the track and when it's dry, it's worse, it's not as noticeable on rope and post fences. The last F1 at Stoke, we had to have a teleporter to shovel it off - 16 races and 170 + Bangers last Saturday, no build up of shale! There is plenty of shale on both tracks. We have put on around 100 tonnes of shale at Belle Vue this year. Quite a lot of this was from Coventry and we are now thinking that this was 'light' in composition and not enough clay content in the mix as there is already a lot of limestone in the mix. We are therefore ordering another load for Whitsun with a much higher clay content. I must re-iterate the track itself was smooth. A lot has been invested in Belle Vue in the last 12 months, the considerable work last year in new drainage etc has however perhaps altered the shale/clay mix with limestone. I personally only saw the F1 Final & GN which from where I stood, I would rate a solid 7/10 cannot speak for the heats, however the elephant in the room is 'car numbers' which leads to people looking at other things. I believe 26 raced and thank you to every one, the numbers are something, frustratingly I cannot do anything about, shale is on a slow start this year, I do not believe we can do any more until more drivers surface. The sport has moved to the Midlands / East /South Midlands over the last decade is one reason as far as the driver base is concerned, Sunday's and Monday's are never as popular as a Saturday night due to work the next day with drivers or distance spectators - it is a conundrum. Rightly or wrongly, F1 fans are the biggest critics, discussion about numbers of formulae as an example, there are currently not enough F1's to contemplate dropping any! Mondays show lasted exactly the same as King's Lynn Saturday with 4 more races, on a Bank Holiday Monday we have to attract 'families' to 'watch cars crash' and the hard work 'promoting' paid off with the one of the best holiday crowds since 1999, in part Caravans [NOT F1's - sad fact of life ] I personally thought the F2's were excellent, Ministox on par and don't really understand John B re Bangers, saw the last race and plenty of cars still on track. I understand if your only interest is F1's then none of that may be of interest to you, but a sad fact of life, to 75% of the attendees it is, F1 just ain't as big as it used to be and at the moment we have to get behind it. Personally I find it all rather dispiriting at the moment F1 wise as I do agree it is all about cars on track. With 25/26 we did what we believed was best for drivers ie 2/3rds - perhaps we should have just shoved them all in ? I begin to feel we just cannot win, for hardcore F1 fans who vote a rather insulting 4, that's disingenuous to the drivers, the 'other' [no longer support] formulae,, staff and ourselves for the effort put in. F1 has changed, the driver base has changed and demographics - I could go on for pages being passionate about F1 about 'how' it needs to change and adapt, but you read some of this and the passion evaporates quite quickly, which is quite sad really as it was a really good event with positive feedback from a considerable number of new attendees - who may read this! Perhaps, if it's all about car numbers, to protect ourselves from much of the critique we should simply 'drop' the formula and promote the 'support' ? I could go on but reading much in recent weeks the more i write the more negative I will become - its infectious which is something we should all bear in mind! We have received a number of e-mails regarding both events over the weekend in the vein of one I copied below, the only negativity seems to be F1, let's just step back a minute and think that we don't bring about a self fulfilling prophecy. Thank you to the drivers for their support Steve Rees. Hi there,can i say the Stan woods 2017 has to be the best £18 i have spent, my bangers days started with mike Parker promoting hell drivers at white city in the seventies so i have been to a few.The organization and turnout of cars and spectators all contributed to night of fantastic racing,its a shame that i have to wait another year. Well done startrax.NICK.SMITH

So you can return to your car between races for refreshments, your medication, or just a sit-down. You might be able to stand up for the entire duration of a meeting with no problems, Harry - but not everyone is young, energetic, and in perfect health.

Press release from Skegness “The Boys are back in town” We look forward to our first Speedweekend of the year, and welcome back to three stock car formulas of Brisca F1, Brisca F2 and National Mini Stox. We welcome back to Skegness Stadium after an absence of a few years, a contingent of Drivers from Holland. The drivers add a new dimension to the race track and we welcome the fans that come along with them. Add to that what is always a large turnout of UK based F1 drivers, this weekend is shaping up to be a cracker!!! Saturday night is a WCQR for the Brisca F1s and Sunday the UK Championship in its 28th year, with 21 of these Championships being held at Skegness, the current holder is 11 Neil Scriven. The races on Sunday qualify for the UK Championship which will be run in graded order. The UK is sponsored by “The Kaleta Family” long standing members of the Skeggy officials team Eddie, Helen, and Richard. Admission is all pay at the gate, card payments can be accepted at the turnstiles only. Two Day Ticket Adult £40 Senior £36 Junior £14 Saturday only Adult £20 Senior £18 Junior £8 Sunday only Adult £22 Senior £20 Junior £8 Turnstiles open at 3pm on Saturday. Pitgate & Camping area opens at 2pm Saturday (PLEASE do not arrive before that time) Camping, caravans, motorhomes are only allowed to stay over on Saturday night and this is all through the back gate into the farmers field, £20 per unit, sorry but there is no camping, caravans or motorhomes allowed to stay on the carpark overnight. We appreciate your patience while our continued improvements to the Stadium facilities are carried out. There are bars & catering on site and a large covered Grandstand if the weather is a bit iffy, where you can see all of the racing at all times. Trackview parking is available where you can watch the racing from the comfort of your vehicle, just pay normal admission at the pit gate entrance and it’s an additional £12 for a car, £17 for a 4 x 4 & people carrier. Sorry we are not able to pre book spaces or have Transit sized vehicles or Motorhomes on trackview.

Wasn't Harry van der Spuij the first ever "foreigner" to win a Final when he won the Trophy at Harringay London ? I think he was the first driver from outside the UK to win a final while on a visit. That was 1971. The first ever meeting staged was at New Cross on Good Friday 1954, and the final was won by a French chap called Chevalier D'Orgeix.

Tonight's programme.

Another superb program by Stoxs Graphics, which covers the banger meeting at Stoke tonight and Belle Vue on Monday.

The tone of your question and your subsequent post read like you were complaining, rather than asking a question. To answer you, I'd say the main reason BV gets slightly fewer cars than KL or Stoke is that BV runs on Sunday and Monday evenings, which isn't an issue if you're fairly local, but if you have a long trek home and then work in the morning or kids to get to school, it's not going to be your first choice when choosing which tracks to race at. I think if you are expecting 50+ cars every Birmingham, then you're going to be disappointed. The April WQR aside, it usually gets broadly the same number of cars as Belle Vue. Cheers.

Or 32? A couple of changes to the booking list, but it's still 46 cars at the moment. 1 Frankie Wainman Jnr 2 Paul Harrison 4 Dan Johnson 16 Mat Newson 21 Mark Gilbank 25 Bradley Harrison 32 Chris Farnell 45 Nigel Harrhy 55 Craig Finnikin 73 Rob Cowley 152 Neil Scothern 166 Bobby Griffin 169 Billy Johnson 175 Karl Hawkins 183 Steve Whittle 192 Luke Dennis 197 Ryan Harrison 207 Ben Hurdman 212 Danny Wainman 215 Geoff Nicholls 216 Jack France 220 Will Hunter 244 Mick Rogers 249 Jonathon Gibson 259 Paul Hines 268 Richard Woods 278 Paul Hopkins 280 Colin Nairn 307 Tim Warwick 308 Stephen Malkin Jnr 335 Mark Woodhull 338 Chris Brocksopp 348 John Wright 364 Robert Plant 372 Colin Goodswen 390 Stuart Smith 415 Russell Cooper 422 Ben Riley 443 Richard Dickerson 445 Nigel Green 462 Scott Davids 463 James Morris 478 Shane Geary 483 Wayne Marshall 555 Frankie Wainman Jnr Jnr H295 Willem Zwerver

Unused spare wheel from my mum's 2001 Honda Civic. The tyre is like new - never been on the road. £15 I can bring it to Stoke on Saturday 29th or Belle Vue on Monday 1st.

Latest booking list 1 Frankie Wainman Jnr 4 Dan Johnson 16 Mat Newson 25 Bradley Harrison 32 Chris Farnell 34 Mal Brown 45 Nigel Harrhy 55 Craig Finnikin 84 Tom Harris 105 Chris Bonner 166 Bobby Griffin 169 Billy Johnson 183 Steve Whittle 197 Ryan Harrison 207 Ben Hurdman 212 Danny Wainman 216 Jack France 249 Jonathon Gibson 276 Mark Poole 293 Eliot Smith 313 Karl Roberts 348 John Wright 364 Robert Plant 390 Stuart Smith 422 Ben Riley 445 Nigel Green 462 Scott Davids 463 James Morris 483 Wayne Marshall 555 Frankie Wainman Jnr Jnr

Latest booking list. 1 Frankie Wainman Jnr 2 Paul Harrison4 Dan Johnson16 Mat Newson21 Mark Gilbank25 Bradley Harrison32 Chris Farnell45 Nigel Harrhy54 Sierd de Vries55 Craig Finnikin73 Rob Cowley152 Neil Scothern166 Bobby Griffin169 Billy Johnson 175 Karl Hawkins 183 Steve Whittle192 Luke Dennis197 Ryan Harrison207 Ben Hurdman212 Danny Wainman215 Geoff Nicholls 216 Jack France244 Mick Rogers249 Jonathon Gibson 259 Paul Hines268 Richard Woods278 Paul Hopkins280 Colin Nairn307 Tim Warwick308 Stephen Malkin Jnr335 Mark Woodhull338 Chris Brocksopp348 John Wright364 Robert Plant372 Colin Goodswen390 Stuart Smith415 Russell Cooper422 Ben Riley443 Richard Dickerson445 Nigel Green462 Scott Davids463 James Morris478 Shane Geary483 Wayne Marshall555 Frankie Wainman Jnr JnrH295 Willem Zwerver

Dan Johnson just booked in.

From the man himself....

The entry so far: 1 Frankie Wainman Jnr2 Paul Harrison4 Dan Johnson16 Mat Newson21 Mark Gilbank25 Bradley Harrison32 Chris Farnell45 Nigel Harrhy54 Sierd de Vries55 Craig Finnikin73 Rob Cowley152 Neil Scothern166 Bobby Griffin169 Billy Johnson175 Karl Hawkins183 Steve Whittle192 Luke Dennis197 Ryan Harrison207 Ben Hurdman212 Danny Wainman216 Jack France244 Mick Rogers249 Jonathon Gibson259 Paul Hines268 Richard Woods278 Paul Hopkins280 Colin Nairn307 Tim Warwick308 Stephen Malkin Jnr335 Mark Woodhull338 Chris Brocksopp348 John Wright364 Robert Plant372 Colin Goodswen390 Stuart Smith415 Russell Cooper422 Ben Riley443 Richard Dickerson445 Nigel Green462 Scott Davids463 James Morris478 Shane Geary483 Wayne Marshall555 Frankie Wainman Jnr JnrH295 Willem ZwerverOn the day admission is as follows; Adult - £18 OAP - £16 12-15 year old - £7 Kids up to 11 free Family (2 adults & 2 12 - 15 year olds) - £46 Save money and beat the queues with advance tickets, available here

A couple more ... 45 cars now.

A couple more have booked in... 1 Frankie Wainman Jnr16 Mat Newson25 Bradley Harrison32 Chris Farnell34 Mal Brown45 Nigel Harrhy55 Craig Finnikin84 Tom Harris105 Chris Bonner166 Bobby Griffin169 Billy Johnson183 Steve Whittle197 Ryan Harrison207 Ben Hurdman212 Danny Wainman216 Jack France249 Jonathon Gibson276 Mark Poole293 Eliot Smith313 Karl Roberts348 John Wright364 Robert Plant390 Stuart Smith422 Ben Riley445 Nigel Green462 Scott Davids463 James Morris483 Wayne Marshall555 Frankie Wainman Jnr Jnr

Nothing like being positive, is there...

Drivers booked in 1 Frankie Wainman Jnr 2 Paul Harrison 4 Dan Johnson 16 Mat Newson 21 Mark Gilbank 25 Bradley Harrison 32 Chris Farnell 45 Nigel Harrhy 54 Sierd de Vries 55 Craig Finnikin 73 Rob Cowley 152 Neil Scothern 166 Bobby Griffin 169 Billy Johnson 175 Karl Hawkins 183 Steve Whittle 192 Luke Dennis 197 Ryan Harrison 207 Ben Hurdman 212 Danny Wainman 216 Jack France 244 Mick Rogers 259 Paul Hines 268 Richard Woods 278 Paul Hopkins 280 Colin Nairn 307 Tim Warwick 308 Stephen Malkin Jnr 335 Mark Woodhull 348 John Wright 364 Robert Plant 372 Colin Goodswen 390 Stuart Smith 415 Russell Cooper 422 Ben Riley 445 Nigel Green 462 Scott Davids 463 James Morris 478 Shane Geary 483 Wayne Marshall 555 Frankie Wainman Jnr Jnr H295 Willem Zwerver

Press release from Trackstar The next stop on the road to gold is in store for the BriSCA F1 stock car drivers are looking to secure their places on the grids for the semi-finals at Skegness and Stoke in the latest world qualifying round. Local driver 16 Mat Newson comes into the meeting having won the final at Sheffield last weekend, so will be aiming to chalk up another on his home track. He beat Wainman brothers 1 Frankie and 212 Danny to the flag at the Yorkshire venue, with the pair also showing strong shale form. 1 Frankie Wainman has been showing strong shale form recently Throw in world qualifying points leader 4 Dan Johnson, early-season pace-setter 390 Stuart Smith Jr and superstar 445 Nigel Green, and we have a star-studded line-up ready to make sparks fly. Expect 445 Nigel Green to have a major say in where the Silverware goes That’s without even mentioning multiple King’s Lynn final winners 55 Craig Finnikin and 259 Paul Hines, plus one of the best performers at the track in 2016, 2 Paul Harrison. The first-named of that trio plans to race in Holland during the week alongside Danny Wainman, so will be hoping he’s not too jaded come Saturday night. 2 Paul Harrison & 212 Danny Wainman always go well at King's Lynn 335 Mark Woodhull is one of the less-heralded drivers who absolutely flies around King’s Lynn, while the likes of 244 Mick Rogers, 348 JohnWright, 415 Russell Cooper and 463 James Morris could be further ones to race to some success under the radar. Rising stars 25 Bradley Harrison, 422 Ben Riley and 555 Frankie Wainman Jr Jr will aim to continue their rapid rises, while at the other end of the spectrum, 73 Rob Cowley continues his farewell tour. We also welcome former BriSCA F2 man 278 Paul Hopkins for his first visit to the track in the Big League. Livewire 197 Ryan Harrison is booked in and is expecting to be debuting a new car.

Nigel Green replacing a bent back axle ready for Saturday.

Advert for the meeting appearing on local radio this week. 7266 - Startrax - Belle Vue (April 2016).mp3

Current booking list, as of 10pm last night. 1 Frankie Wainman Jnr 16 Mat Newson 25 Bradley Harrison 32 Chris Farnell 34 Mal Brown 45 Nigel Harrhy 55 Craig Finnikin 84 Tom Harris 105 Chris Bonner 166 Bobby Griffin 183 Steve Whittle 197 Ryan Harrison 207 Ben Hurdman 212 Danny Wainman 216 Jack France 276 Mark Poole 293 Eliot Smith 313 Karl Roberts 348 John Wright 364 Robert Plant 390 Stuart Smith 422 Ben Riley 445 Nigel Green 462 Scott Davids 463 James Morris 483 Wayne Marshall 555 Frankie Wainman Jnr Jnr