Welcome one, welcome all to the magnificent Mendips to another weekend of top-notch full throttle action. It promises to be a meeting of formulae familiar and formulae unfamiliar, with our guest formulas choosing Mendips for their big meetings, it’s a real fillip to have the calibre of these meetings.
The bouncy racers are back at the Mendips – this time without the fog, although the fog of war could be flavour of the weekend as their big one is contended, right here at Mendips. Destiny awaits the grid on what promises to be a legendary weekend as their Worldwide Rebellion gets underway.
Now, I did mention on comms when the Rebels were here last September, that the racing was so good, that wouldn’t it be a good idea to have their big one here. Half in hope, half in jest, but little did I know that we were going to have their major championship.
So when those preliminary fixtures for the Mendips season were announced, I was pleased to see that the Rebels had got 3 meetings here.
Two over this weekend and the aforementioned March meeting, with plenty of eager beavers in the pits ready to take to the track. Only, that the infamous Mendips mist descended in a scene out of 1950’s London. Pea was the soup of the day.
Disappointing for us as a promotion – only the 4th ever cancellation in the track’s history, but even more so for the Rebellers many of which travelled a fair distance for disappointment.
Since the formula started in 1994, with its first full season in 1995, the formula grew and the Worldwide Rebellion started in 1997. Mark Whorlton Eales was the first winner, his son Ant now one of the major stars in BriSCA F1. Adam Rubery was the most successful driver in the development years of the formula – he then went on to be a regular race winner here and became British Champion in BriSCA F2 All eyes are on Shay Murphy (1) – the winning most driver of the formula. No one has won more big trophies than the popular driver, who is after a record-breaking 5th Title!
Shay starts on pole and favourite and taking an instant like to the Mendips track with a win last September and will be one to watch if spectating and one to deal with if on the track! Danny Maddox (905) also was victorious in September Last year’s meeting saw plenty of tussles between the top drivers and there is a real chance of history in the making, or perhaps even herstory as Nicole Emmett (131), Katie Harris (281) and Megan Charlesworth (53) are no token entries, all are proven race winners.
Many drivers and pundits tell us that the likes of Jack Charlesworth (513) and Liam Brown (90) cannot be discounted, and the likes of Harry Graham (55) cannot be discounted if the inevitable pile ups come!
But that’s not it championship-wise as the World Masters is the top trophy up for grabs and the Rebel Flag Fin is up for grabs!
To our competitors – the very best wishes and whomever fate shines on, be lucky and go well!
The conclusion of the Summer Series is on a knife edge. The format of a random bucket draw, and then having the grid reversed before a points scoring closed grid format.
Both Tom (60) and Ben (66) Bristow lead the way, with the veterans Andrew Bressington (278) and Les Brice (700) keeping the young uns honest! Jason Oliver (303) tops the points with consistent point scoring Random draws give grades a rest and with 15 points separating the top scorers. A fascinating finish to the Summer Series takes place
A first ever visit for the formerly midlands-based formula Modstox, which is a basic stock car formula, where budget is the key attraction. Now regulars at Taunton and St Day, they have made themselves at home.
National Champion James Faultless (1) has been exactly that this year with impressive displays up and down the country. Max Harding (192) leads the points and is one to watch presently alongside Josh Malt (121) and Dan Baker (291) who has had a couple of wins in BriSCA F2 here at Mendips. A weekend of close-quarters action awaits.
The future of fast at Mendips are here for another trip around the raceways in their penultimate meeting of the season. Last time it was the return of Henry Chiplen (107) who took full advantage of a drop to blue grade, to take heat and final. Leo Harding (227) and Poppy Norton(334) finally getting the hang of it, with some impressive displays showing that their white grades won’t be standing too long. Harding impressively took the 2nd heat. Archie Bryant (511) and Austin Latimer (620) continue to trade places as the season speeds towards a crescendo.
Another showing from the B2B banger brethren as they were called in off the sub bench to join the party on Bank Holiday Sunday.
Despite only being added to the programme on the Wednesday prior, a dirty half dozen took to the track with the king of B2B, Mike Parry (328) turning up with his usual dirge, a true advert and pioneer for the formula.
Whether it's ugly, it's often French and/or super crap Jap rapid, in traditional red and white! Former Junior Rodder Dylan McDermott (36) joins us to play also, along with former fellow Junior racer Welshman Ieuan Preston (149). Nathan Higgins (915) is fresh from his caravan efforts to have a blast in the B2B. Giggles all round.
The road to the next PRI World Final starts today with essential qualifying round points up for grabs. Defending champion Rob “Roona” Bugler (262) will be looking to add to his burgeoning array of World Titles. Back-to-back PRI and World of Shale titles has placed him in the higher echelons of banger drivers. Fellow teammates Boogie (252), Big Mac (440) and lesser spotted Chaz Randell (333) will be looking to get points on board to assure them of qualification for next year’s big un!
The Faseys Lewis (186) and Sophie (286) will be looking to get points on the board. Mendips favourite Joe Odhams (154) will be looking for a good score to start the ball rolling, and Alex Knight (47) will be looking to get involved also. Nudge and spin the name of the game today with the emphasis on racing not wrecking.
Joining us for the first time in a few years is the future superstars of the country. The current crop is led by Harry Sworder (5), brother of former F1 Stock Car World champion Charlie and son of the legendary Mick Sworder former F2 Stock Car World Champion. Alfie Smith (642) has been consistent all season, and at the recent Buxton Weekender Mason Carberry
(23) took top honours and took regular wins from the white grade.
Plenty of familiar dynasties take to raceways. You might have seen their dad, grandad or even great grandad race!!!
It's gonna be a frantic weekend of race action….
Are you ready?
Cheers and gone
Jonny
1 Shay Murphy
14 Jake Butler
19 Tom Rodgers
20 AJ Davis
23 Mark Rodgers
27 Sam Parker
51 Ricky Johnson
53 Megan Charlesworth
55 Harry Graham
63 Scott Worville
66 Steve Willis
79 Jonny Kriv
80 Keith Murphy
89 Alex Montague
90 Liam Brown
118 Ashley Potts
131 Nicole Emmett
136 Alex Jacklin
157 Mark Osborne
175 Owen Gregory
193 Arron Chave
209 Ryan Leech
254 Reece Sharp
281 Katie Harris
365 Liam Conway
366 McKenzie Mcevoy
371 Matt Woolley
475 Ryan Gregory
491 John Gould
513 Jack Charlesworth
566 James Willis
592 Eric Newson
646 Stuart Taylor
905 Danny Maddox
60 Tom Bristow
66 Ben Bristow
112 Rich James
175 Kevin Oliver
224 Tom Lewington
254 Nigel Manaton
270 Alex Bressington
278 Andy Bressington
386 Bobby Stilgoe
429 Tristen Heathcote
445 Nik Loader
517 Scott Weldon
700 Les Brice
720 Dan Latimer
16 Daniel Gunfield
49 Jenson Bevan
99 Jenson Harris
120 Zach Stephens
133 Lana Jeanes
149 Liam Mitchell
184 Bailey Hogan
187 Lucas Knox
198 Bobby Norman
227 Leo Harding
334 Poppy Norton
429 Ollie Dalton
511 Archie Bryant
619 Emilie Waldron
620 Austin Latimer
768 Dominic Delahay
916 Benji Higgins
47 Alex Knight
188 Leo Knox
189 Jamie Knox
262 Rob Bugler
379 Sheldon Castle
389 Lennon Harris
440 Macauley Mills
549 Danny Levy
908 David Brown
23 Mason Carberry
35 Lillie Wright
51 Oscar Roach
63 Evan Walker
77 Harry Earl
84 Freddie Budd
103 Charlie Hardwick
110 Jaycub Scriven
124 Freddie Nunn
125 Lucy Conway
158 Harry Clement
174 Finley Kew
176 Jack Jones
317 Ruby Hardy
337 Toby Willis
612 Charlie Key
613 Imogen Summerfield
640 Sam Forster
642 Alfie Smith
666 Bradley Midgley
848 Archie Brooke
882 John Teddy Foster
36 Dylan McDermott
67 Ben Teakel
149 Ieuan Preston
162 Sam Brook
210 Ryan Brooks
220 Mike Stephens
227 Nick Harding
289 Toby Jackson
301 Bradley Nicholls
322 Rudy Brown
328 Mike Parry
381 Leigh Kellaway
383 Mason Giddings
555 Mike Cooper
722 Matt Harding
741 Harry Bishop
915 Nathan Higgins
1 James Faultless
4 Kirsty Conopo
6 Adam Perkins
10 Marcus Worth
22 Luke Wilson
30 Tim Dyche
46 Karl Brazier
73 Craig Underhill
83 Heidi Clark
111 Dan Billington
121 Josh Malt
130 Martin Dyche
159 Jon Cooper
192 Max Harding
205 Pete Walford
261 Simon Burgess
291 Dan Baker
330 Charlotte Dyche
455 Ryan Grindey
512 James Bishop
555 Sam Woods
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