15 Nov 2023
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It has been an electrifying year for the NAPA Racing UK-backed BriSCA F1 driver, Jack France. After his incredible pole position start at the World Final, France’s eagerness to achieve more results throughout the season and focus on advancing car development became a driving force.
In early October, it was time to press the tarmac car into action at the ever-popular Skegness Stadium for a doubleheader. Armed with a new car for the start of the 2023 season, the squad had been working hard on setup. As the first heat got underway on Sunday, 8th October, the #216 machine got off to a good start, finishing in a credible 11th place. It was then onto the Final, with some more tweaks made, the distinctive blue and yellow car battled with the hard-charging field of cars. France held his own and came home in a fantastic fourth place.
Sunday brought further progress, with a stellar second place finish in the first heat, and therefore securing a place in the Final. Unfortunately, after a great initial half of the race, France suffered a puncture, ruling him out of contention.
“The tarmac car is really getting there now,” commented France as the race meeting came to a close, “with next year’s World Final being on a tarmac track, we’ve been experimenting to get ready” he added.
Returning to Odsal Stadium in Bradford, the team debuted a new rear suspension inspired by the Sprint Cars in the US. Despite having to adjust his driving style, France clocked up an impressive seventh place in the heats. With both the car and driver working well together, France chased through the pack, racing into the lead before an unfortunate electrical issue caused an early retirement.
Challenging rain-soaked conditions at Northampton Shaleway tested both machine and driver. The NAPA machine, undeterred, secured a pair of top 10 finishes, contributing valuable points towards the World Final 2024 qualifying effort.
November signals the last 3 remaining race meetings of the 2023 season. The NAPA machine was in fine form for the first heat of the day, pulling off some incredible overtakes to finish in a fantastic third position. The pace continued in the next heat as France carved his way through the field, carefully piloting his machine through very overtaking opportunity. World Champion Tom Harris was second but was unable to draw in the NAPA car which crossed the line to take a superb race win.
The Final got underway, and France was again on the pace. It was an action-packed race as drivers battled hard for one of the final wins of the season. A puncture sadly brought a premature end, but it had been a stellar drive. A puncture would once again strike at the very end of the last race, the Helter Skelter, despite this, France held on to finish in seventh place but had been running third.
Prepare for an exhilarating climax at the Gala Night in Skegness, serving as the thrilling conclusion to the action-packed BriSCA F1 season. The event promises a riveting spectacle, with special guests joining the BriSCA F1 cars. Noteworthy is the return of drivers from the British Touring Car Championship, including NAPA Racing UK’s own Dan Rowbottom, who will partake in a pre-meeting BriSCA Stock Car race. For more information, click here.
Photo credit: Colin Casserley and Thomas Ackroyd
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