BriSCA F1 Season Picks Up Pace
24 May 2023
NAPA Racing UK’s Jack France debuted his 2023 Shale Car at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday, 25th March in its 2023 NAPA livery – as seen on NAPA’s BTCC, Porsche, MINI and Truck racers.
Spring sunshine eventually made way for rain, but that wasn’t until an action-packed race meeting was well underway. The blue number 216 car was running well, but it was the Grand Final where France put in his best performance and was rewarded by a 3rd place, picking up NAPA Racing UK’s first podium of the year!
“I’m really pleased with that result; the car has had an extensive rebuild over winter so it’s great to put in a good performance early in the season,” remarked Jack.
ROUND TWO
The next outing at Sheffield was unfortunately a meeting to forget as the car was damaged in Heat 1 after a first corner incident. The team worked hard to get the car repaired and improve the differential. As we went into mid-April, Mildenhall welcomed the BriSCA F1 cars for their first 2023 visit. France was running well on a busy circuit and finished 8th in Heat 1 and therefore straight into the Grand Final. “We had the fastest car out there, but the racing was furious,” commented Jack, having posted the fast lap of the race. Into the Grand Final and good progress was being made up to 4th. Unfortunately, while lapping a slower car, contact was made, which ripped off some of the rear axle brackets, resulting in retirement. The team moved straight to Northampton for more racing the following day. A poorer than usual start to Heat 1 meant the #216 machine had to work back up the field and it did, finishing a credible 9th and qualifying for the final. As the final got underway, the V8 powered machines thundered around the ‘Shaleway.’ France was at the sharp end running in 6th when a car spun in front of him and damaging the bumper.
“We had a brilliant car these last two race meetings, but the results have been tough,” concluded a resilient Jack.
ROUND THREE
Tarmac beckoned as the NAPA Racing UK BriSCA F1 team arrived at Skegness in May to race on a sealed surface in the purpose-built car for the first time. France, who has almost exclusively raced on shale in his stock car career, was soon getting to grips with the smooth grippy tarmac track. The plan was to develop the car setup, get some experience and take away some points. Skegness Stadium is a popular track and had drawn a big entry of cars and a big crowd. A credible 5th place finish in the Grand National was the highlight as the team look forward to building on tarmac performance next time.
BACK TO WINNING WAYS
Kings Lynn marked a return to the purpose build shale car at the sunny Norfolk venue in mid-May. The blue NAPA machine was ready to do battle and demonstrated this with a fantastic display in its first race. The crowd watched on as France put in a brilliant drive to win the race outright by some margin. “I’m so pleased to show what we’re capable of,” he exclaimed, “and we would have been very close to a final win if it wasn’t for a fan belt problem.” With a race win now achieved, it’s time to build on the momentum.
NEXT UP
Next up is the ‘Odsal Weekender’ at Jack’s home circuit on the 27th and 28th May. While the Saturday will follow the normal race format, the Sunday will run ‘New Zealand’ style. Drivers will draw grid positions out of a hat, then over 3 heats, a driver will start in a front, middle and back position. The results will then determine the points order grid for a feature final. There will also be a ‘Dash for Cash’ race with a monetary reward on offer.
It promises to be a spectacular race weekend.
Photography credit: Colin Casserley
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