2012 World Championship Sem
Birmingham Wheels - 28th Ju
When the second Semi-Final was
staged at Birmingham Wheels on
Saturday July 28th, coincidentally
we also launched this magazine
on the same night. So, who
would join Wainman jnr on the
front row in the World Final at
Skeggy later in the year?
Four drivers withdrew, Andy Smith
jnr, my mate from Gt. Harwood
Dave Russo, injured at King’s
Lynn in May, Murray Harrison, and
Les Spencer. The lucky reserve
drivers were slotted onto the rear
of the grid, Dave Willis, Craig
Utley, Dave Plumbley, and Mike
Kingston. Willie Harrison the 1982
World Champion was on hand to
say the immortal words ...
“Gentlemen start your engines”
and the semi-final was on.
Tom Harris was first out of the
blocks and took the lead. Mick
Sworder didn’t waste time and
took Harris out wide, letting Lee
Fairhurst and Matt Newson
through.Sworder soon passed
Newson for second, while Harris
found himself back down the field
when Danny Wainman, Ryan
Harrison, and David's pushed
their way through. Rob Speak had
16
made a great start, storming
through in the early stages of the
race and was soon in the top ten.
By half way Newson had lost third
place and was fence bound
thanks to young Wainman.
Fairhurst up front and going well
had now opened up a good lead,
but after slowing on his entry into
the top bend Sworder pounced.
He didn’t need a second ask and
punted him wide around the spun
Neil Shenton car. This also let
Harris through for second place.
At this point the waved yellow
flags were thrown due to track
debris from the luckless Newsons
car, now parked on turn two. Race
Harris, Wainman, Harrison, Speak
and Gilbank and this is how the
race ended with Harris backing off
on the closing stages. As Harris
said afterwards: "who wants to
start the world final with Sworder
right behind you?”
The first ten were ... Sworder,
Harris, Wainman, Harrison,
Speaky, Gilbank, Utley, Davids,
Lund, Fairhurst snr.
Mick Sworder took the flag and
the front row of the World Final
grid alongside Frankie Wainman
jnr. The traditional coin toss went
Frankies way by phone, as he
was at a meeting on the Isle of
Man, and guess what? He chose
pole.
order on the restart was Sworder,
Harris, Fairhurst, Wainman,
backmarker Scriven, Harrison,
backmarker Clare, and Speaky.
As soon as the green flags were
thrown, Wainman launched
Fairhurst wide and took third. One
lap later, young Fairhurst slowed
then stopped. (Post race it was
found that the fuel tap closed off
the fuel after Wainmans big hit on
the re-start. )
The new race order was: Sworder,
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