BriSCA F2 final returns to Cowdenbeath

Crashes are an essential part of stock car racing

In stock car racing, crashes are an essential part of the rich mix of fast and furious racing, with drivers allowed under the sport’s rules to “take each other out”.

And this month, there’s going to be plenty of hard-hitting action at the Scottish home of stock car racing at Cowdenbeath Racewall. Returning to Fife for the first time in 12 years is the BriSCA F2 World Championship, which will see the cream of the sport battle it out over three days at Central Park, which has hosted stock car races since 1965.

Included in what’s expected to be a 39-car grid for the final on Saturday, 13 September will be two drivers from Holland, two from the Isle of Man, one from Belgium and four from Ireland, along with seven from Scotland.  Already through to the final are four drivers who have been or are World Champions.

Some of the final placings on the grid will be determined in the semi-final  on the Friday evening and from time trials on the Saturday schedule which will include races with saloons and  heritage cars.

They’ll help show how much the cars have evolved over the years and it’s hoped that some of the earliest cars ever to have raced will be making an appearance. The Sunday races, which start at 1pm, will feature the F2s, saloons and budget formula prostox drivers.

A highlight will be a guest appearance by the Formula One World and Scottish champion, Tom Harris, who will be driving a car owned by the reigning saloon champion, Stuart Shevill from Carluke, in both the Saturday and Sunday races.

It promises to be one of the biggest events in the stock car calendar with a capacity crowd expected. Thanks to sponsorship from Event Scotland and Fife Council, a new temporary grandstand has been erected above the terracing at the pit bend. It will give the extra 1,500 spectators a great view of the circuit and will increase the venue’s capacity to almost 6,000 – about four times the average number for a normal meeting throughout the year.

The venue has changed dramatically over the years from being a dirt track round the perimeter of Cowdenbeath FC’s grass pitch to a fully tarmaced racetrack. The original safety fence was replaced by a concrete wall when the track was renamed Cowdenbeath Racewall, but in between the stock car action, the football club still play on the central grass pitch which they rent from the owners.

Apart from the stock cars, there will be a build up to the main event with a motocross motorbike stunt show from the Extreme FMX Freestyle team, who will be hurtling through the air on their machines, pulling off spectacular tricks over custom-made ramps.

There will also be live music from The Favourz, a Fife-based five piece group, and fans will also be able to have their photos taken with the world finalists to raise money for the BriSCA F2 Drivers Benevolent Fund.

The action starts at 6.30pm on Friday, 12 September and continues on Saturday evening at 5.30pm, followed by a full afternoon of racing on Sunday.

Ticket prices start at £15, with entrance for the whole weekend priced £45 when booked online.