Shootout Is Back!

Shootout Is Back!

2025-08-29

And just like that, it's Shootout time! I have to confess, I love the Shootout in its new guise...and clearly, fan reaction both online and at stadiums demonstrates a huge number of people feel the same!

On to 2025 with new sponsor GBE UK headlining the championship. A little different this season, in that Round 1 was taking place before the World Final. Last year, feedback from the drivers was that Round 1 the day after the World Final didn't really work...to facilitate the request, and to accommodate the required number of rounds, Bradford 23rd August would kick off the race for the Silver roof.

Pre-meeting, and it was the all-important Group draw for Stage 1 of the competition, held once again in the impressive South Stand. Big thanks to the Yorstox promotion for the use of this impressive facility. Just as a reminder how it all works. The 16 qualified drivers are seeded into 4 boxes for the draw. Box 1 containing the drivers who finished positions 1-4 in the season long points at Shootout cutoff (Buxton 3rd August). Box 2, drivers in points position 5-8 and so on. 4 boxes, 4 drivers in each.

The 16 drivers then race over 4 meetings, the aim to finish in the top 2 of the group to enable progression to Stage 2 of the Championship.

The draw was to be broadcast 'live' on the BSCDA socials and be bigger and better than last year. Ace 'man behind the scenes' Jordan Cooper wanted multi-camera angles, and perfect internet...prior investment in tech delivered on both counts. What let us down initially - one of the four microphones decided not to play ball. Nothing we could do - we were 'Live'! It did thankfully rectify itself however, with a bit of intervention from JC.

13 of the 16 qualified drivers were in attendance, resplendent in their new for '25 Shootout attire, along with invited sponsors. Anthony Flanagan from GBE UK (headline sponsor) alongside myself conducted the draw. BSCDA TV co-presenter Sophie Clark tasked with updating the Group chart, and getting the all important initial reaction from the drivers. The draw can still be viewed over on our YouTube channel. I maybe biased but it all looked and felt very professional, absolutely necessary for such a prestigious championship, and also a reflection on how the sport should be perceived to the outside world.

As the draw was taking place 'behind closed doors', we wanted to ensure that fans in the stadium could also be involved. A genius idea from 'Mr Shootout' Paul Hines was to have the 16 drivers' aerofoils, on the infield. As each name was drawn out, a radio link to AJ Hemmingway on the centre green passed on the information, and aerofoils duly moved to their respective position. It worked really well, very impactful, and the feedback was super positive. Massive thanks to Guy Parker for leading on this, alongside Jacklyn Fairhurst, Julie Finnikin, Liz Polley, Phoebe Wainman-Hawkins and Simone Hines. This quintet had the role of expertly moving said aerofoils, and did a fab job!

With the drivers drawn, this year's Charity partner announced we were ready to go racing! A top-level view of the Groups - they are all pretty evenly matched. Of course the top seed drivers are favourites to progress, but as we saw last year with 16 Mat Newson, it isn't going to be easy for them. Group D catches the eye...' Team Harris' has three cars in this one; 8 Catherine Harris, 368 Callum Thornton and 554 Sierd de Vries, at least one of them is going to be disappointed! Group B, you would suggest 1 Tom Harris and 55 Craig Finnikin are good for Stage 2, but both 526 Finn and 555 FWJJ excel on tarmac - a surface Craig rarely races. Group B are predominantly shale specialists, and Group A, well this contains the two Wainman brothers, and 259 Paul Hines, who is best friends with 212 Danny. There is nothing simple about stock car racing!

Onto the racing, at a very mild Odsal Stadium, Bradford. 42 cars booked to race provided the traditional two heat format for this Binnsy's Artwork sponsored round. The Shootout drivers were split equally over the two races. Groups A&B would race Heat 1, Groups B&C Heat 2.

Heat 1 and a great start for 138 Dave Polley taking the win. 16 Mat Newson and 175 Karl Hawkins the two other drivers in Dave's group picked up 3rd and 6th respectively, ensuring qualification to the meeting Final. When talking to the Shootout drivers, there is a sense from them that a heat race is all about Final qualification, as it is a Final where the big points are made. Group B covered off, on to Group A where 515 Frankie Wainman Jnr led the charge, delivering a 5th, both 212 Danny Wainman and 259 Paul Hines failing to finish. Danny with half shaft failure, and Paul with a deflated right rear tyre.

1 Tom Harris began his defence of the Silver roof by winning Heat 2, overcoming long-time leader 216 Jack France with a couple of laps to go. 55 Craig Finnikin also in Tom's group took 3rd, 526 Finn Sargent finished outside the qualification places. On paper Bradford Shale should have been a decent night points-wise wise for Craig, but his heat place would be his only result all night. Group D spearheaded by 217 Lee Fairhurst...he finished 4th behind Craig. 8 Catherine Harris, 368 Callum Thornton and 554 Sierd de Vries, also in Group D and are in effect teammates, racing out of the Tom Harris stable. As Stage 1 progresses, and as mentioned above, at least one is going to be disappointed come the cut-off. Both Catherine and Callum are by far stronger on tarmac, yet both delivered on the 'elbows out' Bradford shale. This year's Wildcard entrant Sierd did not look out of place at all, starting from the rear of the grid for the first time. Unlike Callum / Catherine he failed to make the meeting Final, but resolved via the Consolation race.

So, Sierd made the Final via the last chance race, how about the three other Shooter's that were unlucky at the first time of asking? Big tick...all in, Danny best placed taking home 3rd behind impressive white top 299 Nathan Harrison.

There still remains something magical about a Saturday night shale Final under the floodlights, as the cars begin their rolling lap and that sense of anticipation of what is to unfold, nothing beats it...Meeting Final Odsal did not disappoint!

138 Dave Polley was the first driver to make his intentions clear, a big hit on 515 FWJ going into turn 1 didn't quite pay off. Frankie rode the wall, but Dave 1/2 spun down to the infield. Dave rejoined at the rear, and it did look like any chance of victory was over for last year's Shootout Internet star.

Despite this 'Polley interruption' FWJ was leading Shootout driver as yellow flags were called on lap 5...up to 7th, with brother Danny a position behind. A further lap was run, before another pause to remove a loose wheel from the track. It was this restart that led to 'the big incident' of the evening. The leading train of 44, 216, 515, 242, 587, 212, 55 thundered past the starter, 212 Danny looking to make progress landed a monster hit onto the rear bumper of 587 Sam Brigg. The concertina effect took Sam and 242 Joe Nickolls into the wall, Joe impressively up on his side and then hooking onto the car in front...515 FWJ. While all this was going on, Danny took an outside line to elevate himself up to 3rd. If you hadn't yet got the memo...Shootout '25 has started!

Another caution. 55 Craig Finnikin with a flat tyre was out, FWJ had somehow survived and lined up behind brother Danny. Catherine H in 5th and 138 Dave Polley recovering well in 6th!

Surely that was it for drama...of course not. This is F1 Stock Cars Shootout style! With the race underway, a fast moving 138 delivered a fatal blow on the 515 machine, and a battle between 1 Tom Harris and 217 Lee Fairhurst ended with Tom abruptly coming to a stop at the end of the home straight.

Result time...Dave Polley took the win, 217 Lee 2nd and the 'big hitter' Danny W in 3rd. Finn Sargent and Paul Hines finished 4th and 5th. Round sponsor Chris Binns (Binnsy's Artwork), alongside partner Catherine Mann were on hand for the all-important trophy presentation.

Pit news, 515 undiagnosed engine issues, and he would not be out for the GN. Tom's sudden stop was due to an electrical issue. Catherine had progressed well, but power steering failure impacting the car's performance.

A very well-run meeting saw the Grand National and last race of the night on track around 9pm. Both Tom and Mat made up for their Final puntos nulos (bit of a nod to our Spanish speaking readers) with a 2nd and a 3rd. Neither could catch last year's Shootout entrant 216 Jack France. Dave Polley made it three points finishes from three races with a 9th and an obvious 'top points scorer of the night' accolade.

The group situation post Round 1 is as follows, and with three meetings until Stage 1 cut-off, it is already looking very, very interesting.

Attention now turns to the biggest race of the year, the BriSCA F1 World Final at Kings Lynn on September 13th. Shootout returns to Odsal Stadium on Saturday 20th September. For those planning to attend, ensure you visit our Shootout Hub pre-meeting to collect your wallchart and individual driver postcards. Also available from the Jacked Racewear stand will be this year's Shootout apparel, designed by Jacklyn Fairhurst. I can testify, really good quality and will be a great purchase!

Don't forget our Shootout video's have also returned. Round 1 now available on the BSCDA TV YouTube channel. Give it a watch, a 'like' and why not leave a comment, best ones will feature in our Round 2 episode!

There are a number of announcements still to come from Shootout HQ, including this year's Shootout Jnr competition; as always, our socials will have all the details you need.

If I could just leave you with the following three words: Shootout is back!!!