Title - British Championship
Venue - Lochgelly
Date - 18th June 2011
Here's our thoughts on the drivers booked to race
60 Ben Marjoram - Defending Champion
Best British Finish - Winner 2005, 2010
Ben the two of us need look no more, we've both found what we were looking for, and that's specsavers, for whoever filled out your tyre numbers at the English! Joking aside, its good to see that whatever happened with the tyre numbers at Yarmouth, Ben can put it behind him and keep chasing those championships. 6 majors to his name shows that Ben can drive a championship and whatever it takes, will go for the win. In fact this race last year saw him remove Mark Smith on the last lap to win. Not raced at Lochgelly yet but never discount Ben from a championship, he doesn't like being second!
3 Murray Ford
Best British Finish - n/a
It would be unfair for me to comment on Murray's chances , as i have not yet seen him race. I do know that his lap times are pretty good and that he will be no slouch, 3rd in the final last time out proves this.
4 Liam Lambert
Best British Finish - rookie
3 months ago i would of said Liam was a massive danger for any race, but it seems he is going through a settling down stage at the moment, however we will excuse that as he has not long made double figures in the appearance stats. If Liam turns up in the frame of mind he did at Coventry, i imagine his settling down stage will be over.
7 Glen Salmon
Best British Finish - No Finish
I'm not sure if Glen has the full ambition to win as some other drivers do, but i thought that in 95 and 96 when he won the world final, and that's where he revels. Glen is another of those thinking drivers, wont get too involved in battles, and sometimes goes unnoticed to the front, but generally if he gets there, he stays there. Not raced at Lochgelly yet so that may count against him, but fresh off the back of a final win at Eastbourne, which may spur him on.
17 Ryan Eaton
Best British Result - 6th 2008
Championships elude Ryan, in fact wins do too, but that's not down to lack of ability, or machinery, it seems to come down to luck. Ryan can be up there with the best, or down there with the worst, but he will still be fighting and making sure of every place.
23 Matt Carberry
Best British Finish - 8th 2010
Matt hasn't raced much this year , and seems to have struggled when he has. Its good to see Matt make this journey however and if he stays around i imagine he will get it sorted, as he did when he won the European in 2009, but not this time i feel.
35 Chris Stewart
Best British Finish - rookie
Once again i cannot comment on Chris' chances as i have not seen him race, i imagine some local support should help him along.
53 David Frame
Best British Finish - rookie
Slightly unfair to call David a rookie, he has raced this track as much as anyone and although
I'm unsure on his car choice for the British i imagine he will be somewhere up there.
51 Colin Aylward - Current World Champion
Best British Finish - 3rd 2001, 2006
4 final wins this year , and one of them at Lochgelly. Not always the outright quickest, but one of the best at reading a race there is, just lately consistency is his middle name, 7 top 3 finishes in his last 9 races says consistently good! If anyone beats him, they will probably be the champion.
57 Jack Hughes
Best British Finish - 10th 2010
Fair play to Jack for making this trip. I'm sure Jack will admit that he doesn't come here as one of the favourites, but he will come anyway, because winning isn't everything to him, taking part, trying hard and enjoying being part of it are reasons for Jack to race, which are reasons i feel some of the big guns should remember at times.
69 Shaun Brooker
Best British Finish - 5th 1991, 1997
Shaun can be unbelievably quick at times, and other times be nowhere, at the English this year he was quick, coming from the back to lead the last lap. If its his day, nobody will touch him, if it isn't, you may not even know hes there, if hes second on the last lap and gets waved by, i don't think you will see a clean pass this time!
74 Lliam Bruce
Best British Finish - n/a
Has had some good results at Lochgelly this year, but may get overshadowed by the big names, can be very quick though. If yellow graded, could be a good outside bet for the Scottish Open on Sunday.
114 Gav Millar
Best British Finish - n/a
Only raced 2 meetings i think this year, but has 2 wins to show from them, again a real danger for the Scottish Open.
123 Dave Miles Jnr
Best British Finish - 2nd 2007
I think Dave will do well to equal his best finish in a British Championship yet, being second to Dave Pike in 2007, but i don't think its impossible. Dave is another driver who has really good meetings, or really bad ones, I'm guessing he wants this to be one of the good ones.
124 Dave Miles Snr
Best British Finish - 4th 2007
Its was a good day for the Miles family at the British in 2007, and as with son Jnr, i feel Dave will do well to match that, good they are making the journey though and again watch out for Snr in the support races.
136 Pip Williams
Best British Finish - 3rd 2007
Pips return was not outstanding, suffering from engine problems all day, but like Marjoram, Pip is an all out driver who, if in with a chance, will take it.
146 Steve Donnavan
Best British Finish - rookie
Currently 3rd in the Scottish Points and becoming something of an ever present, Steve seems to stay in the results and out of trouble, if he does this Saturday, he could end up with a top 6 finish.
161 Billy Smith
Best British Finish - 3rd 2010
Everything about Billy shouts Major Championship win, hard driving, committed and an experienced Dad helping him. I wouldn't bet against him winning if in a position to do so, but i wouldn't also bet against him retiring in his usual spectacular fashion.
176 Alex Meadows
Best British Finish - 11th 2010
Yellow grade is not a fair level for this talented and hard at times driver. No surprise to see Alex booked in as he does every meeting possible, my personal tip for the Scottish Open.
177 Stuart Gilchrist
Best British Finish - rookie
I imagine the Scottish fans are getting bored with the name Gilchrist, but theres a reason for that. This man is good, make no mistake and has mixed it with some of the best open wheelers in his time. Those Scottish doubters may just become big fans when they watch him up at the top end of this weekends racing. I feel he has a real chance of taking this title.
233 Ben Munford
Best British Finish - 8th 2008
Ben gets better year after year, and the HCD really seems to suit him, hasn't quite got the race experience to win a big one yet i feel, but certainly has the speed.
369 Paul Langridge
Best British Finish - No Finish
Paul is now firmly settled into Spedeworth Superstox and shows up well on occasions too. Not quite ready to take a major yet i feel but is turning into a great traveller for the sport and seems committed enough to win this one day.
376 Steven Jackson
Best British Finish - 2nd 2006
Amazingly Steven hasn't won this before but 3 other majors and countless points championships show that he certainly can. If at his best he will win, if at his worst, could still be close. Already won a final here this year.
416 Mark Smith
Best British Finish - Winner 2006
Mark kept up his record of leading every major championship at some point at the English last month (even if it was for half a bend), and has every chance of continuing that on Saturday. If he remains in the lead at the end is another story but a very impressive Ipswich proved that theres life in the old carcraft car yet. Could be the kind of race that suits Mark.
419 Chris Capon
Best British Finish - rookie
Chris started his superstox career very well, taking a couple of wins along the way, but got a hasty promotion to blue grade and then took a nasty knock at Yarmouth which has made us see much less of him. I don't think hes here for the win, but has shown its not out of the question one day.
426 Richard Raymond
Best British Finish - 15th 2009
Dicky can spring a surprise at times, but i don't think it will be in the British, Scottish Open is possible though for this well experienced oval driver.
432 Micheal Robinson
Best British Finish - rookie
Good to see Micheal booked in here. He is settling in very well and could fair well in the support races.
453 Kenny McKenzie
Best British Finish - rookie
Only raced in one meeting as I'm aware, so not much to go on, but someone for the locals to support I'm sure.
477 Colin Frame
Best British Finish - rookie
Current Scottish Champion and most probably Gilchrist's nearest challenger in Scotland at present, i imagine Colin could easily make top 6 if all goes well for him.
482 Jason Cooper
Best British Finish - Winner 2008, 2009
The only other 2 time winner of this apart from Marjoram. Cooper has been having a lean spell by his standards, but that doesn't mean its out of the question that he could make it 3 British Titles. If things go well for Jason a top 3 is very likely.
483 Sarah Cooper
Best British Finish - 13th 2009
Sarah is getting better every meeting but i feel she may get overwhelmed by some of the bigger names in this race, good outside bet for the support races though.
515 Jordan Aylward
Best British Finish - rookie
Jordan has already raced here once this year and has good results and better action pictures to show for it, dont think this will be his day but hes in no hurry, being one of the youngest drivers out there.
517 Martin Coles
Best British Finish - rookie
Made the switch from Brisca f2s well, and nearly could have won the English if it wasnt for getting involved in a battle with Steven Jackson. Hasnt shown too well at his last couple of meetings but still i expect him to be towards the top end on Saturday.
So theres the contenders, i thought i would leave you with some British Championship facts:
- The first British Championship was held in 1961 at Eastbourne and was won by Jan Scott
- Saturday is the 9th running of the British Championship in Scotland
- Derek Fiske has won the most British Championship with 4 wins, joint second are Dave Pierce and Stan Ingle on 3 wins each
- The last Scot to win the British was Dave Moir at Cowdenbeath in 1986
- Ipswich has hosted the most British Championships with 11
- Only 2 drivers have had back to back British wins, Derek Fiske (3 in a row) and Jason Cooper (2009 & 2008)
- 9 drivers have won the British and then won the World Championship in the same year, those are:
Jan Scott (1961)
Stan Ingle (1962)
Tony Maidment (1963)
Martyn Brand (1988)
Garry Sparkes (1989 and 1993)
Darren Innocent (1991)
Mark Kelman (2003)
Paul Poulter (2004)
Jason Cooper (2008)
Lets go racing, British style!