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It has felt like a very long time since we were last talking 'Stock Cars and Shootout' in the same sentence, just the small matter of a World Final getting in the way! On that note it would be remiss not to acknowledge a brilliant drive from new World Champion 124 Kyle Gray. Leading every lap under intense pressure, probably the finest I have seen Kyle drive. A worthy winner and hopefully gives him the confidence that he can run with, and beat the best!
As a reminder, Stage 2 Round 1 was at Northampton Shaleway early September. 515 Frankie Wainman top scored, and had a pretty decent lead in his Group B. 16 Mat Newson, 212 Danny Wainman and 120 Casey Englestone are also in this group. There wasn't a massive points difference between this trio, and as such it felt like this would be where the battle would ensue, to enable progression to Stage 3. Stage 2 is four meetings, with three drivers going through. Saturday nights racing and the Group B contenders kind of continued where they left off. Frankie top scored, another 29 points on the board. Mat was the best of the rest, leaving Casey with some work to do in Sunday's Round 3.
So with 515 looking comfortable, 120 needing to score points, and 212 Danny Wainman looking the one Casey could most likely overtake to get third spot...it really does not explain, just what happened in Sunday's Final and Grand National. Writing this four days after the event, I still can't 'make it make sense'. Basically, and I may be wrong here, it looked like 515 Frankie Wainman Jnr started a battle with Mat and Casey, and excuse my French here 'for shits and giggles'! He really didn't need to from a points perspective, but he did anyway, landing a monster hit on the 16 back bumper, a few laps into Sunday's Final. This in turn propelled Mat into Casey's inside nerf, taking the immaculately prepared green machine, hard into the turn one fence. Mat recovered quickly, sending Frank into the fence the following bend, in short, repaying the favour. But that wasn't the end of it. Mat seemingly incurred a puncture, Casey, who had also got going, came up behind Mat going down the home straight...and proceeded to dispatch Mat into the same spot he was a lap earlier. It was a spectacular incident, Mat up and onto his side, bits hanging off both cars, race brought under caution.
Of course BSCDA TV headed immediately to the pits, seeking answers. And there was an odd vibe...everyone was pretty calm, matter of fact, nobody was outwardly cross with anyone. The explanation: quite simply Casey thought it was Mat who had put him in. Mat knew that's what Casey thought, both had clarified 'who had started it'...and for the removal of doubt, their race number did not start with a one!
For fans on the terraces not privy to this information, many were thinking Mat Newson's retribution on Casey Englestone in the Grand National would be the next instalment. Both teams were working hard to get the car's race ready. Mat, minus wing appeared first, and to the crowd's delight, Casey was the last to come through the pit gate.
Game on...but that initial anticipation quickly dissipated, as despite having the opportunity, Mat didn't touch the Englestone rear bumper. Strange...but as we now know, it wasn't. Mat, clearly satisfied that Casey was still on his Christmas card list, left him to seek the ultimate revenge, and he did just that. In an almost carbon copy attack, Casey arrived on the rear Frankie Wainman Jnr bumper as they passed the starter, and dispensed Frank fencebound, where he would remain until race end.
Three drivers at the top of their game, desperate to win this major championship...is this the end of it? Well, we'll find out at Mildenhall on Saturday night! Biggest beneficiary of these shenanigans, 212 Danny Wainman, taking a boat load of points back to his Silsden base.
Group standings and Casey remains in the elimination spot, twenty-four points adrift of Mat, thirty-two behind Danny. He has one meeting left to reduce the deficit, and we know very well that Casey is not shy of using that front bumper.
One thing to recognise is the investment made by Team Englestone. In the final race at Northampton, Casey came to an abrupt stop in a cloud of white smoke. With the engine very poorly, a decision was made...a replacement was required, and quickly. It just so happens it came with an actual car! I really cannot do the re-telling of this story justice, you have to watch BSCDA TV's Saturday recap, as John Englestone explains all...genuinely hilarious!
It was a much quieter affair over in Group A. As anticipated, 84 Tom Harris and 368 Callum Thornton dominated the results and comfortably booked their place into Stage 3. With 446 Joe Booth not on the grid, long distance traveller 418 Niels Tesselaar set about accruing enough points to provide a large enough cushion ahead of Mildenhall. He did just that, and it was probably the best I have seen Niels race on the hard stuff. Twenty-five in the bag and now thirty-six ahead of the Huddersfield Hitman...it could be Shootout over for the likeable European Champion. He's still got the Jack & Joe show though!
Chatting with Niels, similarly to Casey, he really wants to get to Stage 3 and have the full GBE UK Sponsored Shootout experience...and why wouldn't he!
An opportune moment to 'shout-out' the Skegness round sponsors, 'Shred & Recycle' and '11 Commodities' - a big thank you, your support is invaluable in making the championship what it is.
As mentioned Mildenhall Saturday night is the last round of Stage 2, we all remember last year's 515 v 16 v 526 battle, will we see something similar in 2026? It's certainly looking like a meeting not to miss. We will keep you fully up to date throughout the course of the evening with live points updates and results...our Socials are where it's at.
Following Mildenhall, we move swiftly into Stage 3...where we will know the final six drivers battling it out for Silver. This is next day at King's Lynn, start time midday.
Both events have a very healthy booking list for the last Shale Weekender of the season - just where has that time gone.
Looking ahead, and a major talking point. The recently re-scheduled Yorstox Stage 3 Round 2 meeting has been announced as Sheffield, on a Tuesday night. Unfortunately, defending champion Tom Harris cannot attend (quite rightly) due to a pre-booked holiday. This does throw a real curve-ball into the mix, and it will be fascinating to see how this plays out.
A real positive though to have Sheffield back on the calendar, and this will hopefully lead to further events next season.
We have two videos for you this week covering off the happenings from Skegness Raceway, including full conversations with Mat, Frankie and Casey.
If you are at Mildenhall Saturday, why not head over to the Shootout Hub for the Junior Grid Draw - the aforementioned three drivers will be in attendance, and you can judge for yourself if they are still friends!
Until next week....
Words: Jonathan Abbott.
Photographs: Colin Casserley
