Saloon Stockcar World Final Preview

[Jake691]

So all the qualify rounds are done. The grid is done. But who will win the biggest race of the year?
Saloon Stockcars 2015 World Final is now just weeks upon us with what looks to be the highest contested filed in many years with 40 Drivers battling over 12 meetings for the top 20 spots in the World Rankings.

Qualifying Overview

A generally great season from everyone's point of view this year. Not only have we had the action we've had the car numbers to go with it and that's created some top quality racing from Cowdenbeath to Taunton. A total of 40 drivers attempted to qualify for the 2015 World Final but unfortunately we can only take the top 20 so commiserations to those who haven't made it.

From the early point of the season we didn't have a stand out driver who took the lead of the points, drivers from 1st to 10th where separated by 24pts after WR3. It didn't come until WR5 when we saw complete domination for DanSkin at the sunny Skegness Stadium. Dan managed to take two heats and Final to grab a total of 53pts in one meeting. This put Dan straight to the top of the WR chart gave him a cushion of 30pts to the chasing drivers. From then on Dan become a target for many to try and knock him off the top step of the table and that crucial pole position place for the World Final, however at Arena Essex Dan was again able to fight off the competition and come away the 64pts which put him over 70pts out in front of the chasing drivers.

From WR6 drivers knew it was going to take something special to take Dan off his top spot and his run of form but Belle Vue was where Dan slipped up and Ben Chambers took home 4th in the Final but also top point scored with a total of 48pts, which was Ben's best points haul all season. Belle Vue was also a turning point in the season for a few drivers.

After Belle Vue drivers packed up and converted there cars to the Tarmac setups where they headed over the sea to Posterholt for there first ever trip to Holland. A long straight track with tight narrow bends is ideal for Saloon Stockcar action and heavy hitter Jake took advantage of this taking home 3 heat wins and top scoring this was definitely a turning point for himself. Posterholt also saw our current World Champion Kane_M take his best points haul of 31pts home which also started a turning point for his season.

So over halfway into the World Ranking events and it was already decided who was going to be sitting pole for the 2015 World Final with 150pts gap to Alex in 2nd and 200pts to LeeK in third it was certainly going to be hard to catch him. However WR9 took places at the tricky triangle, no not Pocono but Knockhill. Knockhill was another action packed meeting with Scottish drivers coming out in full force to try and take home all the points on offer, however it was again DanSkin who was able to walk away with 67pts.

With only 3 World Ranking events left we headed back to where the road to Gold started and that's Kings Lynn. Another action packed meeting was in store as the Steve Newman Memorial Race was also on offer as well as World Rankings, probably the best race of the season was produced from the Final which was won by 691 Jake. Jake also top point scored at this meeting gaining crucial points towards trying to grab a better position on the World Final Grid.

Moving onto the Final two World Ranking events it was again a master class from DanSkin bringing home over 60pts towards his World Rankings meant he had secured Pole Position for the World Final before the Final WR Event. However the rest of the grid was still to play for, with Alex picking up 48pts and Kane_M only picking up 23pts this meant Alex moved into the 2nd spot in the table.

So our World Ranking events where nearly over, our final one coming at Taunton where we saw a grid of 15 cars turn out to try and determine there Final Grid position. Reece took full advantage of the Final WR event and brought home 51 World Ranking points jumping him 3 spots on the World Final Grid.

So that's all of the World Ranking Events done, now it was time to just add in the Track Championship Points, Championship Points and the WR Event Points together to get our Final Grid.



Row 1


Row 1 of this years World Final have won a total of 15 Championships between them and that's DanSkin and Kane.
Both drivers have felt what it's like to be victorious in a Championship this year with Dan picking up the European checks,
and Kane adding the English which was held at Mildenhall to his list.

Both drivers have to be favourites for this years World Final. DanSkin with over 5 World Championships to his name,
will he be able to claim gold in 2015? Or will young gun Kane be able to be the first ever driver to retain the saloon stockcar World Championship.

Row 2


Row 2 of this years World Final has two youngsters and probably the heaviest hitters this season. Alex's season has been one to remember,
taking his first ever major title back in June his performance has been on the up each week. The guy sitting on the outside of Alex hasn't had the best of seasons,
Jake has been caught in a few battles which has hindered his performance this season but will he be able to bounce back at Mildenhall.

Just like the first row both of these drivers know what it's like to take the checkered flag in a Championship this year with Jake taking the Irish Open and UK Masters,
while Alex took home the Raymond Gunn and British. Will we see a new World Champion from this row?

Row 3


Row 3 of this years World Final has two of the surprise entry's into the top 6. Both Ben and LeeK have had a good season keeping out of trouble
and picking up consistent points at World Ranking Events. LeeK knows what it's like to taste victory in the biggest race of the season winning the
World Title back in 2011.

Ben has come close to success this year and within touching distance at British but it just wasn't to be. Will he be able to put his bad luck behind
him and focus on the most important race of the season? Don't count both of these drivers out to cause an upset.

Row 4


Starting the Second group for this years World Final is definitely a surprise and that's Reece Winch. Had a short time of being the guy to beat this season
but has slowly lost his pace in the last few weeks. Sitting to his outside is someone who knows what it's like to be a World Champion and that's Simpson.
Ryan's been consistent all season but just falling at the final hurdle.

Will Ryan be able to get to the front of the grid and cross the line first and be crowned 2015 World Champion? Or will Reece find form and become the
first driver to win the World Final in his debut year?

Row 5


Row 5 of this years World Final have two drivers from completely different ends of the points charts. Josh has done very well to get a Row 5 inside start with
only doing a handful of the qualifying meetings. While to his outside we have probably the crowds favorite and that's Ricky James who starts closer to the front of the grid then previous years.

We all know Josh is capable of winning a World Final and with his pace he surely has to be a contender on most peoples list, but will his grid position hinder him? Ricky again this year will be
looking for a top 10 finish and a great bit of racing.

Row 6


Row 6 of this years World Final has two heavy hitting drivers who aren't scared to stick the bumper in on the first bend. James has had an up and down season
start at blue and dropping down to white before finding himself an established yellow top, will the World Final throw up and surprise for the 977 car.

To the outside of James is our first and only overseas driver that has qualified for the 2015 World Final and that's Tim Verstappen. Tim is known to be a very heavy hitter in the saloons
and also has the pace to keep up with the front runners which is something you need for a World Final. But like Josh is he hindered by his grid position?

Row 7


Seventh Row of this years World Final see's our freshly crowned National Champion CB with regular driver Spike on his outside. Both drivers started the season at yellow,
but CB's season suddenly took off at Taunton when he came home 3rd in the British Championship. From then CB went onto win Final after Final and then came the National
Championship which was won on the Shale Surface.

From Row 7 these drivers are just hoping something happens in front of them and they manage to work there way through the field, but as ever Spike will be putting his front
bumper to use.

Row 8


Row 8 and towards the back of grid we see two friends take up Row 8. Mark Puxty and Jamie Ward both drivers who attend the occasional meeting but still manage to pickup
high points which is why they've managed to make the 2015 World Final Gird.

Jamie is always someone who comes out on track for fun and enjoys the hard hitting action in the saloons but will he tame it down and go for gold this year?

Row 9


Row 9 see's two lower grade drivers who again have put in some great effort to be able to make the 2015 World Final. Both Josh and Ryan are heavy hitters and enjoy the
Saloons Stockcars however are they just out on track for the ride or will they both look to take the checkered flag? Both drivers have some scores to settle on the track which could cause for some exciting racing in the World Final.

Row 10


Our Final Row of Qualifiers and it's again occupied by lower grade drivers. Both Martyn and Dode have only done a handful of meetings in the saloons this season but have both managed
to creep onto the back of the World Final Grid. Martyn is always on pace from the yellow grade but doesn't seem to have the luck to cross the line in first place however a top 10 will suit him from the final row of the grid.

Dode is another driver on the grid who we know is a hard hitter and will use his bumper on anyone in front of him which could again make for some interesting racing from the back.


Last Chance Qualifier

So that's the grid ready but there is still chance to gain a place into the Last Chance Qualifier on the night of the meeting. Top 4 from the LCQ will go into the 2015 World Final making it a 24 Car Grid.

Hope to see you all on the 2nd September at 8.30PM for this not to miss meeting!



Bookings
Any driver wishing to take there place on the grid or last chance qualifier should be booked in by 7pm the 2nd of September. Any driver booking in after that time may forfit there grid position.

Edited September 2, 2015 by Jake691

[Benchambers800]

Brilliant Jake! A great write up which will be followed by one of the best races, if not best meeting for a long time!

[Jake691]

[Seneschall]

this will be my second meeting in saloons, can'twait to race round personally my favourite saloon track out there.

[HGR#777]

 

Good luck guys for Wednesday!

Edited August 30, 2015 by HarryGrahamGaming

[JoshW]

Proper write up jake. How they should all be. Gonna be a brilliant meeting so get booked in everyone!