DF Racing 2020…..a bigger crowd than this……probably!

So we’ve completed the 2019 season and rather than being down in the dumps about it we’ve been busy organising the 2020 race calendar, well at least Tushy has! It’s all confirmed and it’s now time for you to get on with earning those brownie points that will allow you to get involved in 2020. The racing will be a little different next year with several single boat events over a weekend to allow the bigger fleets we have seen to get a decent amount of racing in. We also have another away weekend with the DF95 at Lake Garda, an event that was well worth the visit last year. Dates for the Nationals are all included in the calendar including the newly formatted three day DF95 Nationals at Fleetwood.

Anyhow, take a look by clicking here.

You might have thought that the last event of the season would go out with a whimper rather than a bang, quite the opposite in fact, lots of great racing, plenty of amusing social and hey presto the season is over.

I’ve written a report, Sue has taken some photos, Peter has compiled the results, fancy taking a look at how it all played out? Clicky here to have a read. There will be an end of season overall report to come later this week.

So today was a day of a single half. The wind came out of the pump house corner all day in varying strengths and with slight variations in direction.

Whilst the course wasn’t champagne Fleetwood it was quite a good vintage and led to some close racing.

After four races it was Shaun Priestley at the top trailed by Buzz and Tim.

By the end of the day it was still Shaun at the top and Tim in third spot but Buzz had been replaced by John Brierley who sailed an excellent afternoon.

Results, right way up today, below along with the top five mugshots.

Full weekend and overall report coming early next week.

So it was a day of many halves, first we had just about enough wind to get started, so we did, then it went away and came back from another direction, then it went away again, then it came back from another direction and got up a bit for the last race.

Derek and his great race team made the best of the conditions and allowed us to get eight races in on perhaps four different courses, no small task!

In the end it was Shaun Priestley who took the day by 0.7 of a point from John Brierley with Ken Binks in third spot a handful of points behind. The top six were separated by less than ten points once again showing how close the racing is in this class.

Sideways results and the top five rogues gallery below.

Last day of school tomorrow!

Well with just a couple of days to go before the Fleetwood DF Racing TT event it’s probably time to take a look at who could do what at the top of the table.

Top three, but which order?

Essentially Tushy boxed the series off some time ago and counting 8 wins he cannot be beaten. The battle for second & third spots between Derek & Buzz might be more of a matey push and shove rather than a battle as Derek is on PRO duty this weekend and counting average points he is unlikely to score better than he is doing now. Buzz could have a good weekend and capitalise which would give him the second spot, however he could just as easily have had a rubbish drive up followed by a poor evening in the pub, then the bed might be lumpy and give him a poor night’s sleep which would put him in a bad mood at breakfast leading to an uncompetitive weekend of racing, he might even fall in the pond, who knows!

For me it is fourth, fifth and sixth spots that offer the most exciting prospect for position changes. John B, Peter and Ken are within spitting distance of each other which means there could be some gains to be made by either skipper, Ken is on mighty form with the DF65, John B shows well with the DF95 and Peter is the thinking man’s skipper and shows well with both boats, it’s anyone’s fourth spot.

Behind them in seventh and eighth it’s Nigel & Tim. Nigel will hope for some bad luck ahead of him but with 17 points to Ken ahead of him he really does need major disaster to occur. Tim won’t better his score as he isn’t competing and Wayne is too far adrift in ninth spot to mount any real challenge.

And so further down the table the scenarios are waiting to be played out, the weather could also play it’s part, will Derek be able to use the whole length of the lake, possibly not. Lots of exciting stuff to look forward to, including the usual sensible socials and also the end of season prize giving after Sunday’s racing.

Good luck everyone!

For an up to date entry list for both days please check out the event page.

See Wayne, clear line of sight……

Less than a week now until the gun goes on the final DF Racing TT Series weekend of 2019 and with nearly 40 entries for the DF65 and over 40 for the DF95 it promises to be a good weekend of racing. The wind looks reasonable, although it’s a little far out to make any promises that it’ll be straight down the lake with blue skies and a steady F4….but we’ll see what Uncle Derek can get sorted for us.

Entries are probably acceptable up until 5 minutes before the gun goes on Saturday morning so come along and have a go!

Full entry lists are available by clicking here.

The view from The Mount pub beer garden, a great view, including the Isle of Man, despite what Wayne thinks…..

We’ve had a communication from the Fleetwood race team who have sent us the entry lists for both days of the Grand Finale which happens in two and a half weeks. Get your entry in if you know you’re going as it will help the race team to sort out heat boards and it will also allow the galley to stock up on cakes and snacks!

It promises to be a fitting farewell to the 2019 season which has been a good one. If you aren’t sure you’re good enough, trust me, you are. There is plenty of local accommodation available around the town so there is no excuse!

Check out the event page for the entry lists.