Semi Final Previews

[Budge313]

After what has been the closest world qualifying points race in recent memory, we finally settled the grids at Barford on the first of August, below is a preview on each of the qualifiers.

SEMI 1:

On paper this race looks by far the harder of the two races, as it contains no less than the current World, points, British, European, Scottish & Gold cup champions as well as a former world champion.

ROW 1

Danskin 236:

Grabbing pole by just a handful of points at the last round, nobody can argue Dan is the in form driver throughout UKDirt at the moment having recently picked up the F1 & F2 British titles in quick succession, and adding the Saloon European a few weeks later. If he can survive the first lap carnage then he should go on to win this one. Prediction: Win

Drumbstick 1:

Reigning world champion Drumbstick has had a bit of a mixed year, and has finished second in no less than 3 championships, including the British and UK Open. A strong average and a Scottish championship have been some consolation. Drum and Danskin clashed in the recent gold cup meeting, which resulted in Danskin facing the wrong way and Drum picking up yet another second place will there be payback? Prediction: Top 3

ROW 2

Dode 151:

Dode will be retuning from a few weeks ban at this meeting, so should be fresh and eager to get back in the groove quickly. Dode had a stellar start to the season, leading the points after the first grading period he has settled in well at Superstar. A great drive to win the F1 European recently proves he has the racecraft when the mood takes him, but a short temper can sometimes make him an unpredictable presence. Prediction: Top 5

Tosh 164:

Tosh picked up his first major rFactor title at the European a few weeks ago, and with the world final being on his preferred surface of shale he must fancy his chances if he can come away with a good result here. Starting from Outside row two may not be the optimum place, but with a long run down to turn 1 Tosh has the savvy to make it work for him and nobody would be surprised to see him leading out of turn 2. Prediction: Top 10

ROW 3

Leek 39:

Like Tosh, Leek has recently picked up a his first title and the semi final meeting should be the first time we see him wearing the gold stripe. Also like Tosh, Leek much prefers the loose stuff and must fancy himself in the world final if he can get a good result in his semi final. Prediction: Top 3

Dave 488:

Head of F2 admin, Dave puts in more work than anyone to make sure we can race week in week out. Unlike the previous two drivers Dave much prefers racing on the hard stuff. Often has more pace than I think even he realises, as long as he believes he can qualify going in to the race then should have no problems doing so. Prediction: Top 10

ROW 4

Hooty 256:

Hooty has not raced much in recent weeks, preferring instead to steward and keep a watchful eye over everyone else, sizing up the competition perhaps? Every time someone writes one of these previews they mention Hooty as a former banger world champion, but that disguises some raw pace the "Chippy Comet" often displays. Should easily qualify and a top 5 is not out of the question.
Prediction: Top 10

Lew 495:

Never afraid to mix it with anyone, Lew has been quick at times this season but his reputation as a hard hitter seems to be growing quicker. No doubt Lew will be planning to shake things up in turn 1, and most of the cars infront will be glad he is on the outside. Prediction: Just to miss out

ROW 5

Lee 531:

2009 world champion Lee has not raced much in 2011, but when he has there has been plenty to suggest he has not lost any of his raw speed. Starting just inside the top 10, and on the inside I fancy Lee to put himself in prime position for the big race be sneaking inside the top 5. Prediction: Top 5

Skeet - 318

Skeet cannot race the world final, so has decided to give up his semi final place to a reserve.

ROW 6

Johno - 632

Johno has struggled at times this season on tarmac, but his huge F1 experience has given him the know how of how to get a result when you need it the most and I think this should be enough to see him qualify. Rumour has it that Johno might even have a new car for the occasion, although I am not sure he knows it yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Prediction: top 10

Robin H87:

2010 National points champion Robin has been conspicuous by his absence this season, murmurings are he has a girlfriend who is keeping him busy but I think he is still being flogged from claiming he is a honouree Englishman I am just not by which side!!!!!!!!!!!! Prediction:Top 10

ROW 7

Scootaah 129:

New to UKdirt in 2010 Scootah quicky established a reputation as a hard hitter, however a number of race wins including a final have proved when he gets his head down he has natural raw pace. I think he should sneak in to the top 10 here, although one things for sure he will be buried in Johno's back bumper in turn 1. Prediction:Top 10

Jedd 65:

Jedd will be banned for his semi final, so will not be racing

ROW 8

Si 31:

Not the first real F2 racer on the semi final grid, but the only one to suffer a serious injury in 2011, after hitting the wall hard at Taunton. Despite this Si has been an almost ever present and has showed a steady improvement throughout the season. If Si had drawn semi 2 I might fancy him to make it but in what is no doubt the harder looking of the two races I think he may just miss out. Prediction: Just to miss out

Samwit 954:

Another driver new to UKDirt in 2011, and another to quickly build a reputation as a hard hitter. A strong first grading period forced Sam up to Red to soon, but having now settled at the lower grades he is no doubt a driver who can establish himself higher up in time. Prediction: Just to miss out

ROW 9

Harold 599:

Long time UKDirt racer Harold may have made some enemies at times, but by turning up more often than not and plugging away he has also earned the respect of his competitors. Will probably struggle from this far back, but if it becomes a race of attrition then he may sneak in. Prediction: Just to miss out

Leech 774:

New F2 admin Leech has not raced as much as he would have liked in 2011, and as a result has sometimes struggled from Red. No doubt he is a talented driver, and if he was a few rows further forward I think he would be a nailed on certainty to qualify however with such a quality field he may find it hard from back here. Prediction: Just to miss out

ROW 10

Gary 79:

Former Scottish champion Gary has been limited for time this season, due to crashing his real car a bit too often. A driver with undoubted speed when he puts the time in, he has struggled this season and I think the task may be a bit hard from back here. Prediction: just to miss out

Rudeboy 473:

A driver who has struggled in the F2 mod and I think for this reason has not raced much in the past couple of months. He will probably not qualify, but I hope he takes his place on the grid, as he has done very well to qualify ahead of some very quick drivers. Prediction: just to miss out
Edited August 11, 2011 by Dave488

[Dave488]

SEMI 2:

Even tho this race may be seen by some as the "easier" race of the 2 it is by no means an easy race at all, it contains the current irish champion/current national points leader and a ex british chmapion, not to mention multipul "heat" champions that will be hoping to make their mark in rfactor

ROW 1

TomD-112

Currently leading the national points by 213 Points is TomD#112, Sitting on pole position for Semi-2, Tom must be favourite to win this semi-final he is really unstoppable this season! I am sure Tom will be all out to win it to gain that big front row position in the World Final! Prediction: win

Green-115

Green#115 has had a good first season of racing in UKDirt, Sitting in 6th In the national points charts but aswell as having a good season he has managed to make a few enemy’s along the way With Trav#365 sitting behind him will he be able to get away? Prediction: top 3

ROW 2

Southy-277

Its been a good year for Southy#277 so far this season will his luck continue for the Semi-Final on Monday evening, Inside row 2 should see Southy with a good finish, only having done 13 meetings this year currently sees Southy sitting in 13th in the National Points Chart. Prediction: top 5

Trav-365

Trav#365 will be sitting on Row 2 outside this Monday evening at Hednesford raceway, He tells us that Tarmac is not his preferred surface to race on, but with his recent performance on tarmac could see him in with a good shout!, with the world final being on shale, he should be aiming high! Prediction: top 10

ROW 3

Nezza-46

Nezza#46 has been going well this season keeping the red roof grade all season! He is the only person in a Higman Chassis in this Semi and inside of Row 3 should see him going well… he has the pace and race craft if everything goes right he should be in for top 5 finish. Prediction: top 10

Mike-315

The first and only Dutch driver on the grid is Mike, he has had a up and down season so far, he will be hoping the luck Is on his side for this meeting I am sure, with only doing 12 meetings this season and a average of 28.67 shows that he has the pace…. He also knows how to use the bumper if it is needed! Prediction: top 5

ROW 4

Gary-131

The 3rd blue top on the gird is Gary#131, with recently getting a new wheel to race on he is on the pace, I am sure he will be giving it his all to at least get a top 10 finish, He is not very lucky in the race meetings but if he knuckles down and gets a good start he could get a decent finish. Prediction: just to miss out

Aub-188

Aub#188 has not done many meetings this season, Will he be making his semi-final this year?... only time will tell, if he does then I am sure he will be pushing hard and using the bumper to get passed the few cars infront of him, a top 5 finish I would of thought! Prediction: top 3

ROW 5

Cobbers-155

Cobbers#155, a new comer this season has not had the best of seasons and only doing 9 meetings but still getting onto row 5 Inside can’t be bad! He is not 1 of the quicker drivers in the Semi-Final so i think he will be hoping for a crash in front of him so he can get away from the drivers above him! Prediction: top 10

Mav-641

Mav#641 Sitting on the outside of row 5 Behind top dog Aub#188, If Aub decides to race I am sure Mav will try and stick behind Aub to try and to the front of the pack as quick as possible, Mav#641 is a trier and will not give up this position without a fight. Prediction: just to miss out

ROW 6

Kendo-912

Kendo#912 was a very quick racer in the ‘Heat’ days and he is slowly but surely getting quicker and quicker each week in rFactor, with the recently new bought RCE and Race Engine, I am sure kendo will never be far away from the front on the leading pack, Will he scratch this new car at this meeting!? Prediction: just to miss out

James-560

James#560 had only just recently joined UKDirt again and giving rFactor ago, it is fair to say he has picked everything up and is going really well and on pace, I’m sure he won’t be losing that red roof anytime soon with only doing 6 meetings and still this high up on the grid, will he be able to fight his way to the front? Prediction: top 10

ROW 7

Spike-221

Row 7 inside of the semi-final we have Spike#221, former ex F2 driver so he has the knowledge how to set these cars up and using the bumper very hard, the rows infront of him should be holding on tight, if Spike has the right setup on the night he should be in with a top 10 finish. Prediction: top 10

SpikeJNR-172

Here we have son of Spike#221, SpikeJnr#172 2nd yellow top on the gird, he has not been racing much lately so will he make a re-appearance for the Semi-Finals? He is a trier and will not give up to easy, im sure he will be hoping for a top 10 finish, but time will tell! Prediction: just to miss out

ROW 8

Ryano-760

Here we have Ryano#760, he is more than just a banger man and does know how to get a F2 around the raceway when he really wants too, but as you can imagine he is not afraid to use the big steel thing at the front of the car. Will Ryano be able to knock his way to get a top 10? Prediction: just to miss out

Marky-18

Marky#18, Real life driver Mark Clayton, He has only done 3 meetings all season and that was at the start, we have not seem him for quite some time now, will this be another driver re appearing to race the semis to try and get onto the World Final grid? Prediction: just to miss out

ROW 9

Craig-122

Craig#122 not so long ago joined UKDirt but has shown he already knew how to drive a F2! With Craig comfy at blue with a average of 28.33 he should be hoping to score some points and work his way up the grid but from this far back will he be able to make the world final gird? Prediction: just to miss out

StoxJack-249

Stoxjack#249 is of yet another one who has recently joined the UKDirt online race scene but with previous experience else where saw jack come into Ukdirt at blue top and has kept it with the recent grading period, I think he will find it hard to get to the front starting this far back on the grid but I may be wrong? Prediction: just to miss out

ROW 10

Waqar-199

Wagar#199 the only white grader on the grid! I am sure he is very pleased to be here, Wagar doing 21 meetings and only scoring 42 points shows that he hasn’t quite yet got to grips with the F2’s, he will never stop trying and is improving week in week out, I don’t think wagar will make the world final grid but will give it a good go! Prediction: just to miss out

DaveBoy-380

Daveyboy#380 will be starting on the last row outside, im sure he will be giving a big ol push going into turn 1 but with his recently new Randall Motorsports car will he change his mind get this head down and battle his way through the pack, as from previous experience we all know that he is quite use to started from the back and working his way to the front, will he be able to do it?! Prediction: just to miss out

CARS BOOKED SO FAR:

booked in bold not racing in red

SEMI 1

236 - 1
151 - 164
39 - 488
256 - 495
531 - 318
632 - 87
129 - 165
31 - 954
599 - 774
79 - 473

SEMI 2

112 - 115
277 - 365
46 - 315
131 - 188
155 - 641
912 - 560
221 - 172
760 - 18
122 - 249
199 - 380

RESERVES IN ORDER ARE:

550 - Lars
351 - BFD
848 - BullyJnr
313 - Budge
233 - Grasser
185 - PickworthNZ
94 - Tom-brad
808 - Bobdejong
136 - Kruiz
363 - Walker
496 - Wrighty
220 - Dougieford
2 - Pusher
33 - Jakie
114 - Shane Thepain
429 - SammyT

so thats all the runners in both semi finals, hope to see you all booked in for monday night on the ukdirt site, hednesford should produce some cracking racing all night, SO GET BOOKED IN NOW!!

IF YOU ARE NOT RACING AND YOU ARE IN A SEMI PLEASE COULD YOU LET A ADMIN MEMBER KNOW ASAP! Edited August 15, 2011 by Dave488

[Dougieford220]

I hope theres some sorta Virus going around so everyone is ill to qualify LOL, there gnna be 2 heats, final and allcomers for every1 else??

[drumbstick]

I hope theres some sorta Virus going around so everyone is ill to qualify LOL, there gnna be 2 heats, final and allcomers for every1 else??

 

Yes there will be a normal meeting as well

 

On a side note my G25 went pop last night, eeeek

Edited August 12, 2011 by drumbstick

[Aub]

I hope theres some sorta Virus going around so everyone is ill to qualify LOL, there gnna be 2 heats, final and allcomers for every1 else??

 

Yes there will be a normal meeting as well

 

On a side note my G25 went pop last night, eeeek

 

Aww well that's cheered me right up!!! Happy Friday people

[drumbstick]

I hope theres some sorta Virus going around so everyone is ill to qualify LOL, there gnna be 2 heats, final and allcomers for every1 else??

 

Yes there will be a normal meeting as well

 

On a side note my G25 went pop last night, eeeek

 

Aww well that's cheered me right up!!! Happy Friday people

 

Love ya too

[DanSkin]

Nice preview.

 

Interesting to see drumbstick is getting the excuses in early...

Edited August 12, 2011 by DanSkin

[Dougieford220]

Yeah well he needs excuses haha jokes

[Robin87]

I'm not sure if ill be racing tomorrow

[Dave488]

you have a bit of time to decide robin i will close semi grid bookings at 7 tomorrow

 

list has been updated and there is a new skinpack out that you will ALL need you can find it >>HERE<<

[southy277]

Looking forward to today's semi final's - just hope it is good fair racing. Good luck all!

Edited August 15, 2011 by southy277

[Lee]

Good read, looking forward to tonight now

[drumbstick]

Good read, looking forward to tonight now

 

You best book in then