Wood you credit it! Billy’s in a seventh heaven
GIVEN that this is Billy Wood’s first year in the pinnacle formula of short oval racing, the National Hot Rods, his placing of seventh in the World Final last week, was a major achievement.
Having graduated from the 2-litre stock cars mid-season, merely qualify for the motoring jamboree at the Foxhall Stadium, Ipswich, was way beyond the expectations of his supporters, and experts in the sport.
Wood, from Fleet, had qualified into the final on Sunday, through the English section, but also featured in the Best in Britain segment of the busy programme on the Saturday.
Driving in the second heat for the British drivers, Wood came home second and qualified for the Wild Card Final. Up against a tough grid of drivers, Wood finished in third position.
On the Sunday, his fastest lap from the previous day’s qualifying session put Wood an incredible tenth lap from all of the competitors, eventual winner, Chris Haird from Ireland, held pole position.
Come race time, the heavens opened making track conditions difficult, with several cars spinning out with damage.
Initially Wood slipped back into the pack, but some solid driving saw him work through the field to secure seventh position by the end.
The stock car action this weekend takes place at Northampton’s International Raceway, with the annual BriSCA European Championships arguably the quickest.
The massive weekend of racing, sees a triple figure entry of cars from all over Europe, compete in the F1, F2 and Rebels formulas.
Ryan Harrison took European glory in the BriSCA F1 Stock Cars last year, and went on to win his first National Points championship.
Former champions among the entry, include superstar driver Junior Wainman, Dan Johnson, and Tom Harris.
The large overseas entry from Holland can never be discounted either, with Daniel van Spijker and Joep Hendriks likely to be favourites from the Netherlands.
The BriSCA F2s always attend in immense numbers, and provide the most cosmopolitan entry of the weekend with England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Germany, Belgium and Holland all set to be represented.
The Rebels complete the meeting with the question asked, ‘Can anyone stop the Thompson brothers?’
Craig and Steve Thompson have won virtually everything in the formula between them over the last couple of years.
Qualifying races take place on Saturday night from 5pm, with the European title races on Sunday from noon.