With the 2011 season for the BriSCA F2 Stockcars now concluded at Mildenhall Stadium we would like to extend a big message of thanks to all the drivers and their teams who contributed to such a majestic season of racing for the formula at Mildenhall.
Despite this season seeing one less Mildenhall meeting for the F2s than usual and two of these events badly hit by wet weather we are delighted to report that no less than 99 drivers raced at the Suffolk shaleway this season, a drop of just 12 compared to 2010. It is also interesting to note that our overseas support was far greater in 2010 with 12 dutch drivers racing at Mildenhall compared to five in 2011 which means the amount of UK drivers who raced at West Row this season was almost identical to last year despite having one less meeting.
And with turnouts of between 40 and 57 cars, the average car count this season was 51, again very comparable to the 2010 average (which was 53 cars) despite this season not enjoying any 60 plus car turnouts when last year had three.
We are also pleased to say that we have applied to BriSCA for a return to eight dates again for the formula in 2012. It was never our intention or desire to run a slightly smaller fixture list at Mildenhall in 2011 but the availability of dates meant it was unavoidable and the excellent show of support shown by the drivers for our events has prompted us to aim for a return to eight dates which at present include a World qualifier, two World of Shale qualifiers, the July weekend event, the white and yellow grade series final and hopefully a championship event which is yet to be confirmed.
While no dates have been confirmed by BriSCA yet, we are hopeful that the BriSCA F2 Stockcar season opener at Mildenhall will be Saturday, March 24 next season alongside the Unlimited Banger BBA Supreme Championship and as soon as the dates are confirmed we will have them on the RDC website.
In the meantime we want to thank all the drivers and their families and teams for their support at Mildenhall this season and the superb standard of racing they have produced, culminating in the incredible BriSCA F2 Stockcar English Open Championship, certainly one of the best races at Mildenhall this season and one of the best finishes we have ever seen at the stadium. No doubt after that, the return of the formula to Mildenhall cannot come soon enough.
Perhaps helped by the slightly smaller fixture list in 2011 at Mildenhall, we saw 14 drivers record a 100% attendance record (compared to 10 in 2010) so a special thank you is deserving to 81 Mark Clayton, 150 Mark Thoms, 423 Neil Darby, 498 Derek Cayzer, 597 Barry Clow, 606 Andy Palmer, 611 Jason Horner, 619 Andrew Clarke, 623 Rob Dobie, 645 James Waters, 662 Steve Wycherly, 702 Allen Cooper, 744 Tom Smart and 765 Ritchy Kemp. We should also highlight Clarke’s efforts as he completed all seven meetings without scoring a single point, showing tremendous dedication to the cause.
Furthermore our congratulations go to 645 James Waters on winning the White and Yellow Grade Series Final last weekend and to 606 Andy Palmer who won the track championship for an incredible third consecutive time.
And of course once again, our congratulations to 742 Nick Rogers on his victory in the English Open Championship. In the process he became the 15th different final winner from the last 15 meetings at Mildenhall meaning no driver has won two Mildenhall Grand Finals since the start of the 2010 season and therefore the Breaking the Streak award will carry on until 2012. Also with the fastest lap time on Saturday night being a 13.413 from 377 Daz Shaw, the Fastest Man on Dirt trophy will still be up for grabs next season for the first driver to complete a lap in under 13 seconds.