BriSCA F1 British Championship Podium as Semi Final Beckons
17 Jul 2024
It has been a jam packed few weeks for NAPA Racing UK’s Jack France as BriSCA F1 gets into it’s 70th year.
The team competed in their second International event of year, making the trip to Blauwhuis in the Netherlands to take part in the Kings Battle event on 9th and 10th May. The sport enjoys high popularity here and the Dutch organisers and fans are very welcoming to visiting drivers. A 5th place was the highlight with unfortunate punctures and a broken differential causing issues. The team put in a great effort and would like to thank Jelle and Niels Tesselaar for their help and hospitality.
It was a race back to the UK and a change of car as then Jack headed to Skegness for the weekend of 11th and 12th May. Jumping back into the tarmac car after 2 days racing on shale wasn’t a problem, with Jack piloting the car home to a pair of 5th place finishes along with a 9th and 6th. After 4 days of stock car racings in 2 countries in 2 cars, the NAPA racer had put in a good stint!
A week later, it was a 3rd trip of the year to Kings Lynn. The #216 narrowly missing out on a podium in the heat with a 4th but then getting a 12th place finish in the meeting Final.
France’s home track of Bradford would mark the 6,000th BriSCA F1 Race Meeting over the weekend of 25th and 26th May. On the first day, Jack picked up a good 6th place in the heat and therefore qualified for the Final. A strong 7th place finish in that race plus a 12th in the Grand National were a good points hall. This was followed up with a 3rd place in the heat on day 2.
The European Championship at Northampton was the next destination for the team for another weekend of racing on 8th and 9th June. The NAPA machine performed well here with Jack getting a pair of podiums, 2nd and 3rd, plus a 5th place finish in the Sunday Grand National. “We had some brilliant races in the heats at the European this year but things didn’t go to plan in the Main Final, which was a shame. BUT we’re got the British Championship coming up and we’ll come out fighting for that one!” commented a resilient Jack afterwards.
A rain soaked Odsal Stadium was the stage for the British Championship event this year on 29th June. This special event has 6 heats, with each driver competing in three to score points. The highest scorer starts at the front of the grid for the main British Championship race. Dutch driver Nigel de Kock had qualified on pole, Tom Harris alongside him with NAPA driver France on row 8. The Dutchman led into turn 1 but was punted wide while Harris dropped to 5th. Yellow flags signalled a full circuit caution on lap 3, bunching the pack together. Action ensured at the race got restarted with Harris taking the lead as Ryan Harrison, de Kock and Mat Newson tangled. While this was happening, France had been making good progress through and came through to clinch 3rd in the last few laps. Harris won the race to take home the British Championship trophy home for the second time. As we have in BTCC, post race scrutineering checks are carried out in BriSCA F1, a technical infringement on a competitor’s car was found which promoted the NAPA car to 2nd. “I was delighted with a podium finish at this special event, I was made even more memorable to do it with my new born son here”, commented Jack. Partner Christy and young Hunter France proudly joined him on the podium. The couple had welcomed their first child only 2 weeks prior to the event! A memorable time for sure.
BriSCA F1’s special World Final Championship
BriSCA F1’s special World Final Championship will be held at Skegness this year with Qualifying Events having taken place throughout the season so far. A strong season saw the NAPA machine in a good position. At the start of July, the points were calculated with reining champion Tom Harris coming out on top. He had the choice of taking part in the Semi Finals either at Hednesford or King’s Flynn, a shale and a tarmac track. His daughter made the decision, he and our very own Jack France will be taking part in the Semi Final at King’s Flynn on 3rd August!
________________________________________________________________
Follow @NAPARacingUK on social media to never miss an update!
________________________________________________________________
