Motorsport: Third driver off to stockcar worlds

Rotorua drivers Kyle Fraser (92) and Bryce Steiner (118) had already made the field for the world stockcar champs in England this month.

A third Bay driver has been added to the local entries for the Formula 1 world stockcar championships in England this month.

Tauranga super stock driver Kerry Remnant has grabbed himself a last-minute opportunity to drive for a world championship, thanks to Rotorua Stock Car club secretarySonja Hickey.

The BriSCA (British Stock Car Association) Formula 1 world championship takes place in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, on September 18-19.

Already two Kiwi drivers will line up on the grid. Bryce Steiner was invited as winner of the World Individual Super Stock Championship (more commonly known as the 240s) in Rotorua in January, and Kyle Fraser has taken the second place available.

But when an American driver recently dropped out, championship organiser Guy Parker got hold of Hickey who, in turn, sounded Remnant out.

"I had no hesitation - it was an opportunity. I don't worry too much about the money - if it was about the money we wouldn't do anything," said Remnant.

It won't be a new experience for Remnant, who has contracted out of Baypark Family Speedway for the past two seasons, competed in the British event in 2003 and 2004.

"In 2003, I finished 9th in the world final, the following year there was a big pile-up and I burned my clutch out trying to get out of it."

The 9th-place finish in 2003 has given him something to aim at.

"I am going there to win, but knowing it's unlikely - but I'd like to better my previous result."

There will be 33 other drivers also trying to win.

The grid for the final has taken shape over a series of lead-up meetings.

On pole is current British national points leader Rob Speak, alongside Steve Smith Jr. On the second row is regular New Zealand visitor Frankie Wainman Jr.

Also in the field are British champion Lee Fairhurst, European champion Tom Harris and world champion Craig Finnikin.

The 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th, 15th and 17th rows are reserved for overseas drivers, with time trials taking place the night before to determine who will take which places.

Remnant said generally, the European cars had more "grunt" running big block Chevy motors, but the New Zealand-style cars had better suspension and breaks.

"Our cars are probably quicker around the corners, but theirs definitely have more grunt."

There are also different styles of racing - and also an expectation that the Kiwi drivers will "put the bumper in", he said.

"It's very much frowned upon, unless you are on the same lap as the other driver, and it means you can't work as a team - people say you [Kiwi drivers] should work as a team, but you can't really."

From what he has seen, he doesn't believe there have been many changes in the rules of BriSCA racing since 2004, but what he will lack will be seat time.

"In some ways, I will just be hanging on."

As for the forthcoming New Zealand season, he expects to have his car ready for the first time super stocks are on the programme at Baypark Family Speedway on November 21.