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2025-10-28
The final round of Stage 2, sponsored by JC Production, was staged at Mildenhall Stadium, Suffolk. In the week prior, the event was given a huge amount of hype. Would the racing on the night live up to it? Damn right it would...and more so! A contender for 'meeting of the year', it certainly was.
As stated, this was the end of Stage 2...the eight drivers, split equally over two groups, would see one from each drop out, in preparation for the third, and final stage. Group A, we had 212 Danny Wainman and 175 Karl Hawkins in a battle for that coveted third spot...1 Tom Harris already through, and 368 Callum Thornton having enough points to be comfortable. Group B and it was a 3-way battle between 526 Finn Sargent, 515 Frankie Wainman Jnr and 16 Mat Newson. Finn began the night in 2nd spot, 11 points ahead of Frank and 12 points ahead of Mat. Group leader 217 Lee Fairhurst elected to give Round 8 a miss, having pretty much secured that first place.
I personally love those big stock car meetings, the buzz around the terraces and the pits infectious. Mildenhall genuinely felt like a World Final, a large crowd, and many were simply there, as they did not want to be the ones to miss out. It was great to chat to fans and drivers, all dispelling their theories on what might or might not occur once racing got underway. You really cannot predict stock cars, but to have such drama going into the last meeting - the fact that Frankie Wainman Jnr could potentially not make the final stage, unthinkable at that sunny Round 1 Bradford back in late August.
The 'must see' Shootout Jnr draw took place to decide the grid positions, and brilliant to see such a sea of onlookers. 100% the drivers love it; if you are yet to witness, keep an eye on our socials as we strive to advertise 'the time' in advance. Three more opportunities!
Shootout Jnr draw
On to the racing, and in a 'BSCDA TV presenter first' Sophie Clark took to the stadium PA to share Shootout updates to those in attendance. What was the point situation, what did certain drivers need to do to aid progression etc. A great addition, and certainly from reading social media commentary, well received on the night.
Heat 1 saw the drivers in Group B on track - Finn, Frank and Mat. From the green flag, this trio engaged in an enthralling battle, bumpers exchanged lap after lap until disaster struck the 515 machine. A bit hit on Finn going into turn 1, and his car came to an abrupt stop. Racing continued, the meeting steward allowing Frank to get going again. Alas, it was to no avail; a race stoppage was called, and Frank moved to the infield. A dnf for Frank - drama already, and we had only just begun. For Mat and Finn, it was onto the Final qualification, which was achieved, Mat 3rd and Finn 6th.
Catching up with Frank post-race, he explained that every time the car braked, it kept cutting out. Not ideal and requiring a rapid fix before the Consolation.
Heat 2, Group A, and it was almost a fairytale start for 175 Karl Hawkins. Karl, 29 points behind 212, Danny Wainman needed to score big... and he looked determined to do so. Up to 3rd just past the halfway point, and Danny well down the race order, only to make a mistake entering turn 3. 346 Ashley England got up the inside of Karl, and inadvertently damaged the left rear shocker. Karl's race pace was gone, the car handling like a bag of cement on wheels. But, he stuck to the task at hand, and despite dropping down the field, crossed the line 8th. Meeting Final where the big points were at, locked in.
I would suggest that the vast majority of people in the stadium on Saturday night had their eyes firmly affixed to Frankie Wainman Jnr in the Consolation race. It was the 'last chance saloon' for the Silsden-based superstar. If Frank failed to qualify, his 2025 Shootout journey would be over. As I mentioned in last week's e-news, for whatever reason, Frankie appears to have a target on his back at the moment. The drivers in the Consolation race did not make it easy for him, Frank having to battle for every position, his car clearly not 100%. With a lap to go, Frankie was not in the Top 8, a place he needed to be. A big hit on none other than last week's rival 120 Casey Englestone, saw Frank gain a couple of places and cross the line......in 8th! You really could not script this!
Heading back to the Shootout Hub post race, a huge crowd had gathered...the result still hadn't been announced. Was he in? Such spectator engagement was brilliant to witness.
Meeting Final time, under lights, the cars gridded, anticipation building, a real sense that this could be a season-defining race for some of those involved. As the green flag dropped, I don't think anyone expected Finn Sargent to do what he did. Knowing that Frankie could decide his Shootout, he made the first move, following Frank into the fence in the opening lap. The intention to keep 515 there as long as possible and prevent any points scoring opportunity. It nearly worked, Frank managed to get free but then had to fend off further attacks from the 526 front bumper. While all this was going on, 16 Mat Newson once again engaged 5 Charlie Sworder, a battle he came off worse, retiring to the infield, just as a race caution was called.
At this point, Finn and Frank were languishing a good way off the leading pack; this yellow flag certainly played into Frankie's hand. As the cars awaited the restart, a conversation between 515 and 526 was witnessed, the content later confirmed in our BSCDA TV interview. With Mat out, Finn suggested that they leave each other alone and race for points positions - the intimation that it would be Mat who would be leaving the Shootout for good.
Clearly a beneficial chat for both drivers - a 5th and 6th spot were the rewards from a hard-fought race. How did that leave the standings? Finn was now through to Stage 3 and Frank 5 points ahead of Mat...it was all on the final race, the Grand National.
A clearly fired-up Frankie was in no mood for messing around and fired the 16 car hard into turns 3 and 4. The impact, a race-ending puncture for this likeable Norfolk racer. And that was it, Mat was out of the Shootout, Frank drove like it was 1990 and delivered an excellent 4th. Mission accomplished in the final round of a Shootout stage once again!
Just to recap on Group A, Karl needed to win really and Danny dnf...unfortunately for Karl, he only managed 9th. No doubt a disappointing end for Karl.
So there we have it...our final Shootout six who would head to Northampton Shaleway the next day for the third and final stage.
The weather forecast for Sunday wasn't looking great, with heavy rain forecast for much of the day. That said, the racing was still really good, and of course, full of Shootout drama.
1 Tom Harris made his intention to retain the Silver roof abundantly clear. A Heat and Grand National win alongside a Final 3rd delivered an impressive 43 points and a P1 table position.
217 Lee Fairhurst was 'next best' on the day, taking 26 points into Round 10.
526 Finn Sargent continued his strong Shootout performance with 22 points, and not far behind, 212 Danny Wainman on 16. Brother Frankie really did have a meeting to forget. Racing the borrowed 151 Bug Maynard car, Frankie could only muster 13 points. Already 30 behind Tom, Frankie will need a strong Bradford on Saturday. Finally, in the 6th, 368 Callum Thornton, who could only manage a heat 5th all meeting.
The full points table after the DS Builders-sponsored Round 10 can be found below.
BSCDA TV have put together four programmes on the back of last weekend's racing. We have one from Mildenhall and one from Northampton, plus our bonus features 'The Jack & Joe show' and 'Loose Women'. All are brilliant and certainly capture the emotion of this Championship. If you like what you see, why not add a comment? The best ones were included during the following week's content.
Up next, we head north to Odsal Stadium, where the Shootout gladiators will contest Round 10. This same meeting last year was epic! We all remember 1 v 515 v 138 v 217. I'll have a word, more of the same please! Racing gets underway at 5 pm Head over to our socials for all the details you need. It really isn't long until we crown our 2025 GBE UK National Points Champion; don't miss this one.
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