Willis: Pickups could still thrive
The Pickup Truck Racing Championship could receive a boost from moving away from Rockingham in the future, according to one of its competitors.
The circuit announced it had been sold last week ( see story left) and its motorsport future beyond the end of 2018 is unclear.
The Pickup Trucks are the only championship that visit the Corby venue regularly to compete on the oval, and although long-time frontrunner Mark Willis is sad to see the venue disappear, he believes it could encourage new competitors to join.
“I think there’s mixed emotions,” said Willis. “It’s upsetting that it is going, the racing there is great. But people don’t come and watch it.
“Maybe we can have some different venues now. We might get an Oulton Park date, and Anglesey.”
The championship started in 1997, with the Rockingham oval not open for competition until 2001.
“The championship survived alright before the oval came along,” added Willis. “Racing at Rockingham is very competitive and the damage you can sustain from the wall, it might have put some drivers off joining in the past. If the oval’s not there [on the calendar] it might gain more attention if it’s going back to a ‘normal’ series, if you like.”
● Willis is likely to miss the next Pickup round at Snetterton on September 8/9 due to bruising after a crash at Rockingham this month. He hopes to return for the final at Rockingham on September 22/23.