Welcome back to the fold. Yes. Yes I am talking to myself here. It has been far too long since I have posted something, but rest assured I am here to rectify that situation right now.
Three rounds of the BDC have past, Driftland, Teeside and Birmingham. All have been different and all have been a challenge especially for the drivers. The fans along with the media and staff have all had to overcome the list topping challenge so far in the 2019 season. The weather! Mother nature most certainly has not been kind to Matt Stevenson this year. I fear as a past driver he has upset her in a way that the likes of us have never seen.
Driftland certainly threw up some interesting battles. Amongst the showers throttle control and a level head prevailed. Car control was top of the list, with keeping dry. and although the drivers battled hard with each other it seemed that it was a battle with their own cars and driving abilities that was the topic of the day. I always look at an event with a different eye than most. I would hazard to say that most togs look for their clients and that all important action shot that will set them apart from the crowd. Myself, I look for that human approach, what sets the drivers apart from the rest of the grid. I suppose it is all about getting in their heads and hoping to understand what makes them tick, not an easy task for anyone let alone me.
A level head prevailed and for the first time in that podium spot was the south west superstar Martin Wonnacott driving his re-energised JZX100. Now a part of the Pro-Drift Academy program as their UK driver Martin has consistantly driven his way through the field and been near the top if not at the top of the rounds.
Round 2 Results:
1st ~ Martin Wonnacott 2nd ~ Aurimas Vaškelis 3rd ~ Robin Neeson
Onto Round 3 and a return at short notice to Teesside. The weather not on our side once again. So much so that a huge rain storm on the Sunday resulted in the water having to be pumped off the track and qualifying have to postponed. The sun did shine for periods of time but never truly enough to dry the track but as before, the drivers never let that phase them 100%. It does I am sure prove difficult at times but a true professional never lets that get to em, lol.
Round 3 Results :
1st ~ Ricky Lawrence 2nd ~ Aurimas Vaškelis 3rd ~ Adam Simmons
Finally the catch up with round 4 at the famous non racetrack NEC in Birmingham. To get a track at such a place is a feat in itself, and Matt Stevenson had to jump through many hoops to get this one nailed. Following on closely from a previous BDC round two years ago, this track threw up some interesting challenges for every competitor. Rain, sun and weather in general(surprise i know) and as one driver mentioned to me over thirteen changes in surface during a single run. Yes that is thirteen changes in tarmac, etc and it generates thirteen different levels of grip.
Lots of wildcards at this round to. Some old faces and some new graced the track and battled as before with the elements and each other. Lets just say that up to now my travels with my camera have been and adventure, damp yes, wet yes, windy yes, but and adventure all the same. My checklist for further rounds does not have cameras at the top but wet weather gear!
1st ~ Alan Hynes 2nd ~ Martin Wonnacott 3rd ~ Oliver Bolton
A Pro-Drift Academy first and second lock out has propelled Martin to current leader in the standings sitting him well for a charge to the finals later this year.
Current Championship Top Ten Pro Class
| P | Name | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martin Wonnacott | 31 | 50 | 20 | 45 | – | – | 146 |
| 2 | Aurimas Vaskelis | 50 | 45 | 45 | 0 | – | – | 140 |
| 3 | Ricky Lawrence | 29 | 24 | 50 | 22 | – | – | 125 |
| 4 | Oliver Evans | 30 | 31 | 31 | 32 | – | – | 124 |
| 5 | Adam Simmons | 24 | 23 | 40 | 29 | – | – | 116 |
| 6 | Tomás Falvey | 31 | 30 | 23 | 12 | – | – | 96 |
| 7 | Oliver Bolton | – | 32 | 8 | 40 | – | – | 80 |
| 8 | Scott Cartledge | 40 | 0 | 19 | 20 | – | – | 79 |
| 9 | Kristians Burkovs | 21 | 29 | 21 | 6 | – | – | 77 |
| 10 | Stefan Stefanov | 20 | 19 | 26 | 10 | – | – | 75 |
Current Championship Top Ten Pro-Am Class
| P | Name | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lwi Edwards | 31 | 32 | 32 | 31 | – | – | 126 |
| 2 | Martyn Cowley | 40 | 40 | 20 | 24 | – | – | 124 |
| 3 | Josh King | 50 | 11 | 10 | 50 | – | – | 121 |
| 4 | Paul Cunnington | 35 | 35 | 11 | 30 | – | – | 111 |
| 5 | William Hanna | 19 | 50 | – | 40 | – | – | 109 |
| 6 | Ian Rutherford | 20 | – | 45 | 25 | – | – | 90 |
| 7 | Karl Farrar | 24 | 9 | 50 | 6 | – | – | 89 |
| 8 | Luke Barker | 31 | 21 | 13 | 23 | – | – | 88 |
| 9 | Matt Fountain | 6 | 30 | 6 | 45 | – | – | 87 |
| 10 | Deividas Petrauskas | 26 | 23 | 30 | 6 | – | – | 85 |
Current Constructors Championship
| P | Name | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tarmac Sportz | 50 | 50 | 57 | 96 | – | – | 253 |
| – | Lunatic School | 87 | 57 | 98 | 11 | – | – | 253 |
| 3 | Slide Motorsport | 59 | 58 | 78 | 35 | – | – | 230 |
| 4 | Lock N Loaded | 40 | 72 | 34 | 64 | – | – | 210 |
| 5 | Gentlemans Drift Club | 54 | 76 | 66 | 6 | – | – | 202 |
| 6 | Pro Drift Academy | 31 | 50 | 20 | 95 | – | – | 196 |
| 7 | Washloo | 36 | 39 | 60 | 53 | – | – | 188 |
| 8 | Zero Style | 41 | 30 | 74 | 28 | – | – | 173 |
| 9 | Skid Risk | 47 | 48 | 38 | 39 | – | – | 172 |
| 10 | SlowR | 38 | 32 | 54 | 31 | – | – | 155 |
gwmedia.uk 