Skegness Raceway 2024
Skegness Raceway 14 September 2024
The 2024 BriSCA Formula 1 stock car world final took place at Skegness Raceway. A decent afternoon’s entertainment on track from arrival set the scene for the main meeting. Despite not being a fan of the heritage cars taking part in races, the Gold Top demonstration run has changed my mind. The various eras represented brought back so many memories. So much stock car gold! Also on show was a World of Outlaws’ sprint car. With the mantra of WoW racing being “The Greatest Show on Dirt”, an exhibition run on tarmac was unique.
The opening race as has become the norm was the Semi-Final Consolation Race. Unsurprisingly this was a flag to flag victory for Lee Fairhurst 217. Also booking his place in the World Final was runner-up Liam Gilbank 20.
Title Race Highlights
At first the series of rolling laps included the grid going 4 wide. This is something taken from the USA and not seen in BriSCA F1. When the green flag dropped Tom Harris lead the way. Frankie Wainman clung on to the rear of car No 1 forcing it wide. Behind, a schemozzle blocks the track with Tom Harris tangling with Craig Finnikin coming to a stop in the turn 1 fence. As a result of needing to clear the track the red flags come out. A delay follows for Courtney Finnikin-Hansford who needs assistance.
As a full restart was due, there was a further break for mechanics to come on to the circuit to get as many cars as possible back in the running for the most important race of the year. The rules allowed for 2 mechanics per car with the drivers to remain in their cars.
Most participants needed help. However, Craig Finnikin, Danny Wainman, Dennis Tesselaar and Courtney Finnikin-Hansford retired from the race.
Take 2
The second attempt had the usual rolling lap with Tom Harris leading the way. Mat Newson made a challenge for 1st place bouncing the current world champion off the turn 1 fence. However, Tom kept in front of Mat. As the race developed Frankie got passed Mat for second. Shortly after there was a caution period to help Dutch driver Mika Ronitz H248.
This time cars came to a standstill on the home straight in race order. So, with Tom Harris, Nigel de Kock who was a lap down 525, Frankie Wainman and then Mat Newson at the head of the remaining pack, the restart was underway. As a result of the stoppage Tom had a clear track ahead and pulled away. Frankie had to set about closing the gap. In short, it came down to a tense last lap. Both cars were at full tilt down the back straight. Taking to the turn 3 kerb Frankie launched the 515 car at the rear end of the No 1 car. Both hit the fence hard recovering for s drag race to the finish line. The battered and bent Tom Harris car took the chequered flag first.
The International Stars
14 overseas drivers journeyed to the Skegness Raceway to give international flavour to the 2024 BriSCA Formula 1 World Championship. Pre-meeting publicity focused on the visiting professional American sprint car and midget car driver T-Mez (Thomas Meuserall). The full contact nature of the UK short circuit stock car racing proved to be the expected challenge. In spite of this he did get to the the end of the race. Albeit in 17th. But not last.
Time trials took place on the Friday of the 3-day meeting. This decided the grid order as;
H318 Rick Lenssen
H124 Wim Peeters
H229 Tsjalle Greidanus
H141 Richard Falkena
H6 Geert-Jan Keijzer
H248 Mika Ronitz
USA7 Thomas Meseraull
H337 Dennis Tesselaar
NZ23 Caleb Ashton
H14 Rick Wobbes
NZ56 Trent James
NZ133 Tyler Walker
H97 Luca Baegen
H195 Harmen Zwerver
Gallery Update
The Skegness Raceway album now includes the 2024 World Championship. In the first place, there’s a folder for the last chance World Final consolation race. Following that is one for the heat. In similar fashion, the main race is broken down as the parade lap, race and podium presentations.
