DanSkin Posted July 24, 2013 Report Posted July 24, 2013 This Thursday, 25 July 2013, takes us to Primo International Raceway, Northampton, to contest the European Championship. The initial 16 qualifiers were determined prior to the Arena Essex 18 July meeting and are now joined by 6 additional qualifiers from that Arena meeting as ‘last chance’ qualifiers. Barring no-shows (forced or voluntarily), the grid is now set for the big race, and in the event of missing drivers on the grid, we will be leaving gaps and introducing reserve drivers at the rear of the field (reserves are selected based on the Arena meeting points totals, and then National Points order). It’s two of those qualifiers from the last chance meeting who will take their places at the front of the grid on Thursday evening - Pinken #43 and Rickyljames #237. Both drivers put in steady performances last week to secure their places and both have wins to their name this season, so while it looks like a long shot, there’s nothing to say they shouldn’t still be up front and in with a chance during the closing stages. Defending European Champion Marten #291 also qualified (convincingly) through the last chance meeting, and is joined by fellow Dutchman Robin #87 who put in a rare F1 appearance last week to qualify. Both drivers are more than capable, and their qualification by this method gives them the benefit of starting quite far forwards on the grid. In fact, this year our Netherlands members account for just under a third of the grid, so there is a fair chance that we could again see a continental winner. Former winners on the grid include Marten #291 (2012), dode #151 (2011), LeeK #39 (2009) and DanSkin #236 (2006). Michael #2 and JK #16/#116 are the only drivers to have held the European title more than once (twice each), the latter did attempt the last chance qualification meeting but computer troubles mean that he will have to depend upon a large number of no shows to make the race. Harmen #262 was the fortunate/unfortunate pole-sitter for Monday’s UKDirt F2 European, however he was unable to replicate Barry Goldin’s flag-to-flag victory of the previous weekend, and will get another chance to take home a title this Thursday! If Ryan Harrison’s victory this weekend was anything to go by, then perhaps we should be looking to an in-form man, who isn’t afraid to use the bumper. And with two of the last three finals to his name, perhaps that man would be JakieJnr #305. In fact he’s taken 3 final wins already this season, including two on the tarmac at Arena Essex and Cowdenbeath. If we’re to look to Mr Harrison’s more troubled side, perhaps we could expect the honours to fall to dode #151 - one of UKDirt F1’s banning-est drivers in recent times… Whether either of those comparisons to Rhino are taken as complementary or derogatory remains to be seen… As is now the norm, we find some family ties on the grid - two sets of brothers take to the track for the big race in the form of Kane #238 / Jack #249 and Stox #246 / Liam #380. Recent outings in Jack’s stoxkart put Kane firmly in the “real-life-racer” crowd, giving him licence to further apply the bumper… not that he needed much encouragement! And not to be forgotten from the “real-life-racer” selection of entrants is Northampton track specialist Green #115 - suffering some bad luck in the BriSCA F2 European race while sitting second behind Mr. Goldin, Green qualified last week at Arena and despite limited appearances this season should not be underestimated! Good luck to all entrants! Entrants: 112 236 184 315 229 151 238 305 137 527 39 246 262 249 3 129 291 43 380 237 87 115 Reserves: (in order) 560 204 515 221 338 454 125 473 116 21 489 Booked in drivers are in bold. Please book in as early as possible if you're intending to race.
jack-249 Posted July 24, 2013 Report Posted July 24, 2013 Very sorry Dan but will not be taking my sport on the grid tomorrow Jack
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