The 2010 Season

The BSCDA F2 asked BriSCA F2 if a group of promoters would be willing to meet with Committee Members on the understanding that the BSCDA F2 Chairman, Jeff Lindsay, did not attend the meeting.  BriSCA F2 welcomed this request, and a meeting was held on Wednesday 3 March.  The promoters in attendance were the same four who attended the BriSCA F2 Forum in January: Dave Borthwick (ORC Chairman), Graham Bunter (BriSCA F2 Secretary), Hazel Cooke (2010 BriSCA F2 World Final promoter) and Crispen Rosevear (BriSCA F2 Chairman).  The BSCDA F2 were represented by Darren Bingley, Ian Gardiner, Trevor Harris and James Thackra.

ALL persons present considered the meeting was constructive and productive.  The members of BriSCA F2 (the promoters) and the BSCDA F2 (the drivers) had a number of topics to refer back to their full committees.  The BSCDA F2 was given reassurances that it does still have a significant role to play in the future of the sport, most notably with regard to input into car construction rules, which was the primary concern of the BSCDA F2.

With regards to this weekend's opening race dates for the 2010 season, the BSCDA F2 sought assurances that licences could still be issued in time for drivers to race.  Any driver who has not applied for a licence but who does wish to race this weekend, must do so IMMEDIATELY, to ensure the relevant paperwork is processed in time.  Note that bookings for Kings Lynn on 6 March closed some days ago, but Birmingham 6 March, Skegness 7 March and Taunton 7 March are still taking bookings.

Drivers who have concerns about any aspect of the new season, are invited to contact a BSCDA F2 Committee Member (please note the list above for those BSCDA F2 members who attended the 3 March meeting).

Update - 16 March 2010
Subsequent to the 3 March meeting, BriSCA F2 promoters were again disappointed and astonished to note the 4 March 2010 "Official statement by the BSCDA Drivers Committee", which noted: "...could result in drivers being requested to withdraw from racing, if that was seen as being the only course of action left open once all other avenues had been explored. That time has now come."  Hence, the statement effectively called for drivers to not race.

It was the understanding of the promoters who attended the 3 March meeting, that the BSCDA F2 would recommend to drivers that it was THE DRIVER'S choice, whether they raced or not, rather than call for drivers to withdraw from racing.

Given what was a constructive meeting with much to progress, this response came very much as a surprise and was dissapointing from whatever persepective one supported.  It has also proven unhelpful in the interim into reaching a fuller solution in a shorter timescale although BriSCA F2 promoters have moved forward with a positive announcement and continue to act in the best interest of the sport.

The quartet of BriSCA F2 promoters who did attend the 3 March meeting, presented the points that were agreed in principal with the BSCDA F2 representatives, to their fellow BriSCA F2 promoters at the recent Oval Racing Council (ORC) meeting.  As a result of the subsequent discussions, the BSCDA F2 has again been given strong reassurances and guarantees that once the BSCDA committee as a whole have addressed their Chairman's behaviour over the last 18 months, then:
- the BSCDA F2 will have a significant role to play in the future of the sport
- the BSCDA F2 will recommence its involvement in technical issues and car specifications
- BSCDA F2 Committee Members (when not competing in a race meeting themselves) will be given enhanced powers to assist Scrutineers on technical matters
- the BSCDA F2 will be invited to contribute to a review of technical procedures and processes 

BriSCA F2 promoters have also recognised that there is unmerited concern about Pay To Race.  To emphasise that Pay To Race is no closer to happening than it has ever been, BriSCA F2 are happy to confirm that the level of Driver Benefits (prize money, complimentary admissions, etc) for 2010, will remain as the minimum level for season 2011 and for season 2012.