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Editorial section

23 Apr 2004
Guest editorial by Chris Featherstone, BFPCR Secretary;
opinions expressed here are those of the guest editor only!

Still anyone's title!

This year's new points system is already coming into its own. Points-wise, we are just one-ninth of the way through the season. If a team could win all the remaining races, they would take at least 40 points off everyone. Therefore, a 25-point deficit at this stage is by no means the end of anyone's title hopes. Everyone still has a chance.

Whilst BSE and Random must be disappointed with the start of the year, they both must be congratulated on taking that step into the dark and trying to make a big leap. No big leaps are without a risk, however, but it is understandable, with the recent QAD and PTO performances, that the current fashion is for short-wheelbase machines. If BSE and Random's cars get even close to matching the performance of QAD and PTO's, they both now have a solid team base to really go places and both could go right to the top this year.

Oaktec also had some reliability issues but their speed is in no doubt. Obviously, the performance was somewhat overshadowed by their juniors astonishing run to third overall but I wouldn't be surprised to see a strong challenge at Leicester, built on the first day sprints. It was, of course, Yello Velo who were the last junior squad to cause such a stir in PC1. Since then, their sole race win (South Berks. 2002) has not yet taken them to the expected heights. However, Geoff Brown has certainly responded to the new ''aerodynamic'' challenge and, despite still having no crucial floor pan, the car was impressively quick in the straights at Thurmaston.

PTO and GCR have now shared 1st and 2nd for the last four consecutive races, none of which were decided by more than a few laps. The racing has been physical, technical, tactical and totally absorbing. Both teams still look keen and hungry, and the battle between them looks, at the moment, like going all the way for the top prize. However, the possibility is definitely there for them to cancel each other out whilst any of Yello, Oaktec, QAD, BSE or Random sneak up ahead.

That's not to mention the big PC2 contenders: Swebbelli trying to hold onto the title, Oaktec (nothing more needs saying) and the rejuvenated Killay who, bar around a dozen rolls, might well have beaten the reigning champions. With equally thrilling battles emerging in PC3, PC4 and PC0, just about every team still has a great chance of gaining big results throughout the year. With speed and, above all, reliability the key, it is going to be a thrilling season. Oh, and next race we have Italian, French and new British teams joining us too! See you there.

Mr Secretary.

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