Introduction
The World Championship started in 1955 and was held twice that year with Northern World Champion Jerzy Wokitowicz (99) crowned at Belle Vue and Southern World Champion Mac McDonnell (35) crowned at Harringay. From 1956 onwards only a single World Championship Final has been held.
The World Championship is made up of UK registered drivers, who have to go through a qualification method, and overseas drivers. The overseas drivers are predominately made up of drivers from Holland who have their own qualification method to decide who will represent Holland in the World Final. Drivers from all over the world are invited to join the UK and Holland registered drivers with the World Championship grid having seen drivers from New Zealand, Australia, USA, South Africa, Germany, Belgium and Canada.
With eight World Championship titles to his name, John Lund (53) has won the most World Championships in the history of the sport, with the next active driver having only won three World titles, this could be a record that’ll stand for a very long time.
Only three drivers have managed to win the title three times in a row with Stuart Smith (391), Dave Chisholm (252) and Andy Smith (391) all achieving this throughout their careers.
Since the 2011 season, no driver has managed to retain the title. Tom Harris (84) is the only driver in this period to win the World Championship more than once.
Across the years there have been many memorable World Championships, none more so than Skegness in 2012, holding its first ever World Championship, no one really knew what to expect from the Lincolnshire venue. It didn’t disappoint as it turned into a race of attrition and the winner Lee Fairhurst (217) wining the race for the first time having started from the reserve slot at the back of a thirty-two car grid.
How it Works
Qualification – World Championship Qualifying Rounds
Qualification begins only a few weeks after the World Final with specially designated World Championship Qualifying Rounds (WCQR). These work exactly like any other meeting whereby drivers score grading points but points also carry towards the World Championship qualifying table.
Qualifying rounds continue into the year of the World Championship with all tracks holding at least one World Championship Qualifying round. The World Championship Qualifying rounds usually end at the end of June with points being totalled to see who will qualify for a World Championship Semi Final.
Qualification – World Championship Semi Final
The top forty-eight drivers from the World Championship Qualifying points will qualify for one of the two World Championship Semi Finals with twenty-four drivers in each Semi Final. These are usually staged late July/early August with one being held on shale and one on tarmac. Drivers are prohibited to swap Semi Finals and the only options open to them are race or cancel. If a driver cancels, their spot will be left vacant and the next driver in the points will be inserted into a new row at the back.
The Semi Final is run over twenty laps and usually doubles up as a Heat at the meeting its contested. The grid is formed in points order and as a closed grid.
Only the top ten from each Semi Final will transfer into the World Final.
After the second Semi Final has been contested, the two winners are gathered at the start/finish line for a coin toss to determine which driver will start in pole position at the World Championship Final. The winner of the toss gets to make the decision.
Qualification – World Championship Consolation
This is the final stop for the twenty-eight drivers who didn’t qualify through from the Semi Finals with only two spots left up for grabs. The World Championship Consolation is sometimes held on the World Championship night but has also been run at a separate meeting and sometimes at an entirely different track. The drivers are gridded in graded order with gaps like a normal race but the top points scorer within the grades start at the front rather than the back.
Only the top two from the World Championship Consolation will transfer into the World Final at the back of the grid.
Qualification – Defending Champion
On the rare occasion the defending World Champion is unable to qualify through traditional means, they are allowed to start at the back of the grid as the thirty-seventh car.
Qualification – Overseas
The identity of the overseas competitors are known before the World Championship Final. The Dutch registered drivers have their own qualification method made up of points/special meetings or Wild Card races. Drivers from further afield such as New Zealand don’t normally qualify and are invited to race.
The Overseas drivers take part in time trials before the World Championship to determine their grid positions. Usually drivers are invited to take part in a single lap against the clock, with the order reversed for the second runs. The fastest time overall will be located on row three.
The Overseas drivers start on rows 3, 6, 9, 12, 16, 17 and 18.
The Race
The race is held over twenty-five laps with a closed grid start, the order of which is decided by the World Championship Semi Final results and time trials for the overseas drivers.
Defending Champion – Charlie Sworder (5)
Title and Roof Colour
| Title | World Champion |
| Roof Colour | Gold |
| Number | The winner has the choice if they wish to carry the number 1. |
Most Wins By A Driver
| Rank | Driver | Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Lund (53) | 8 |
| 2 | Stuart Smith (391/1) | 6 |
| 3 | Andy Smith (391/1) | 5 |
| 4 | Peter Falding (33/1) | 4 |
| 5 | Johnny Brise (103) | 3 |
| = | Dave Chisholm (252) | 3 |
| = | Frankie Wainman Jnr (515) | 3 |
| = | Tom Harris (84/1) | 3 |
| 9 | Fred Mitchell (38) | 2 |
| = | Rob Speak (318) | 2 |
| = | Stuart Smith Jnr (390) | 2 |
Most Podiums By A Driver
| Rank | Driver | Podiums |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankie Wainman Jnr (515) | 13 |
| 2 | Stuart Smith (391/1) | 11 |
| = | John Lund (53) | 11 |
| 4 | Andy Smith (391/1) | 10 |
| 5 | Peter Falding (33/1) | 8 |
| 6 | Paul Harrison (2) | 7 |
| 7 | Frankie Wainman (212) | 5 |
| 8 | Dan Johnson (4) | 4 |
| = | Doug Wardropper (5) | 4 |
| = | Fred Mitchell (38) | 4 |
| = | Bert Finnikin (55) | 4 |
| = | Craig Finnikin (55) | 4 |
| = | Murray Harrison (97) | 4 |
| = | Ron Rogers (152) | 4 |
| = | Dave Berresford (260) | 4 |
| = | Dave Mellor (304) | 4 |
| = | Rob Speak (318) | 4 |
| = | Stuart Smith Jnr (390) | 4 |
| = | Doug Cronshaw (396) | 4 |
| 20 | Willie Harrison (2) | 3 |
| = | Johnny Brise (103) | 3 |
| = | Len Wolfenden (190) | 3 |
| = | Ryan Harrison (197) | 3 |
| = | Mike Close (199) | 3 |
| = | Dave Chisholm (252) | 3 |
| = | Mick Noden (306) | 3 |
| = | Tom Harris (84/1) | 3 |
| = | Lee Fairhurst (217) | 3 |
| 29 | Aubery Leighton (42) | 2 |
| = | Charile Finnikin (55) | 2 |
| = | Kev Smith (64) | 2 |
| = | Ted Pankhurst (104) | 2 |
| = | Des Chandler (213) | 2 |
| = | Jim Esau (244) | 2 |
| = | Alan Wardropper (245) | 2 |
| = | George Ansell (375) | 2 |
| = | Steven Cayzer (380) | 2 |
| = | Nigel Green (445) | 2 |
| = | Vic Ferriday (73/173) | 2 |
Full List Of Winners
| Year | Track | Champion | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Harringay | Mac McDonnell (35) | Joe Farley (98) | Percy Betts (80) |
| 1955 | Belle Vue | Jerzy Wotjowicz (99) | Vic Ferriday (173) | Steve Storm (3) |
| 1956 | Belle Vue | Johnny Brise (103) | Jimmy Glee (48) | Vic Ferriday (73) |
| 1957 | Belle Vue | Aubery Leighton (42) | Doug Wardropper (5) | Harry Foot (14) |
| 1958 | Belle Vue | Bob Reeve (0) | Graham Warner (3) | Aubery Leighton (42) |
| 1959 | Belle Vue | Johnny Brise (103) | Fred Mitchell (38) | Doug Wardropper (5) |
| 1960 | Coventry | Johnny Brise (103) | Fred Mitchell (38) | Doug Wardropper (5) |
| 1961 | West Ham | Jock Lloyd (131) | Johnny King (6) | Ted Pankhurst (104) |
| 1962 | Belle Vue | Fred Mitchell (38) | Ken Freeman (61) | Alan Wardropper (245) |
| 1963 | Harringay | Doug Wardropper (5) | Ted Pankhurst (104) | Rod Dore (35) |
| 1964 | Coventry | Trevor Frost (68) | Don Evans (37) | Nev Hughes (69) |
| 1965 | West Ham | Ellis Ford (3) | Alan Wardropper (245) | Ron Rogers (152) |
| 1966 | Belle Vue | Fred Mitchell (38) | Ron Rogers (152) | Charile Finnikin (55) |
| 1967 | Harringay | George Ansell (375) | Johnnie Pratt (394) | Ron Rogers (152) |
| 1968 | Coventry | Tony Neal (100) | Ron Rogers (152) | Charile Finnikin (55) |
| 1969 | Belle Vue | Stuart Smith (391) | Jim Esau (244) | Gerry Weir (13) |
| 1970 | Harringay | Jim Esau (244) | Stuart Smith (391) | Pete Webb (8) |
| 1971 | Coventry | Doug Cronshaw (396) | Ian Durham (311) | George Ansell (375) |
| 1972 | Belle Vue | Stuart Smith (391) | Mick Noden (306) | Doug Cronshaw (396) |
| 1973 | Harringay | Dave Chisholm (252) | Stuart Smith (391) | Doug Cronshaw (396) |
| 1974 | Coventry | Dave Chisholm (252) | Stuart Smith (391) | Mick Noden (306) |
| 1975 | Belle Vue | Dave Chisholm (252) | Stuart Smith (391) | Doug Cronshaw (396) |
| 1976 | White City | Stuart Bamforth (3) | Gordon Smith (293) | Frankie Wainman (212) |
| 1977 | Coventry | Mike Close (199) | Frankie Wainman (212) | Willie Harrison (2) |
| 1978 | Belle Vue | Dave Mellor (304) | John Hillam (229) | Glyn Pursey (175) |
| 1979 | White City | Frankie Wainman (212) | Mick Noden (306) | Bert Finnikin (55) |
| 1980 | Coventry | Stuart Smith (391) | Dave Mellor (304) | John Lund (53) |
| 1981 | Bradford | Len Wolfenden (190) | Brian Powles (154) | Mike Close (199) |
| 1982 | Belle Vue | Willie Harrison (2) | Mike Close (199) | Dave Berresford (260) |
| 1983 | Coventry | Stuart Smith (1) | Danny Clarke (203) | Willie Harrison (2) |
| 1984 | Belle Vue | Stuart Smith (1) | Len Wolfenden (190) | Dave Mellor (304) |
| 1985 | Bradford | Stuart Smith (1) | Len Wolfenden (190) | Bert Finnikin (55) |
| 1986 | Coventry | Peter Falding (33) | Dave Mellor (304) | Stuart Smith (1) |
| 1987 | Belle Vue | John Lund (53) | Frankie Wainman (212) | Dave Berresford (260) |
| 1988 | Hednesford | John Lund (53) | John Toulson (286) | Chris Elwell (501) |
| 1989 | Coventry | Ray Tyldesley (85) | Peter Falding (33) | Des Chandler (213) |
| 1990 | Bradford | Bert Finnikin (55) | Dave Berresford (260) | John Lund (53) |
| 1991 | Hednesford | John Lund (53) | Bert Finnikin (55) | Peter Falding (33) |
| 1992 | Bradford | John Lund (53) | Bobby Burns (471) | Peter Falding (33) |
| 1993 | Coventry | Peter Falding (33) | Paul Harrison (2) | Kev Smith (64) |
| 1994 | Bradford | Andy Smith (391) | Kev Smith (64) | Dave Berresford (260) |
| 1995 | Hednesford | Keith Chambers (250) | Murray Harrison (97) | Des Chandler (213) |
| 1996 | Coventry | John Lund (53) | Paul Harrison (2) | Frankie Wainman Jnr (515) |
| 1997 | Bradford | John Lund (53) | Frankie Wainman Jnr (515) | Peter Falding (33) |
| 1998 | Coventry | Frankie Wainman Jnr (515) | Rob Pearce (175) | Paul Harrison (2) |
| 1999 | Coventry | Murray Harrison (97) | Frankie Wainman (212) | John Lund (53) |
| 2000 | Coventry | John Lund (53) | Andy Smith (391) | Murray Harrison (97) |
| 2001 | Hednesford | Rob Speak (318) | Frankie Wainman Jnr (515) | Andy Smith (391) |
| 2002 | Coventry | John Lund (53) | Rob Speak (318) | Dave Johnson (383) |
| 2003 | Coventry | Peter Falding (33) | Murray Harrison (97) | Steven Cayzer (380) |
| 2004 | Coventry | Peter Falding (1) | Ed Neachell (321) | Steven Cayzer (380) |
| 2005 | Northampton | Frankie Wainman Jnr (515) | Dave Schaap (H007) | Andy Smith (391) |
| 2006 | Coventry | Andy Smith (391) | Frankie Wainman Jnr (1) | Stuart Smith Jnr (390) |
| 2007 | King's Lynn | Stuart Smith Jnr (390) | Frankie Wainman Jnr (515) | Andy Smith (391) |
| 2008 | Ipswich | Andy Smith (391) | Paul Harrison (2) | Ron Kroonder (H217) |
| 2009 | King's Lynn | Andy Smith (391) | Frankie Wainman Jnr (515) | Paul Harrison (2) |
| 2010 | Coventry | Andy Smith (1) | Frankie Wainman Jnr (515) | Craig Finnikin (55) |
| 2011 | Northampton | Paul Harrison (2) | Dan Johnson (4) | Andy Smith (1) |
| 2012 | Skegness | Lee Fairhurst (217) | Dan Johnson (4) | Frankie Wainman Jnr (515) |
| 2013 | King's Lynn | Tom Harris (84) | Craig Finnikin (55) | Ryan Harrison (197) |
| 2014 | Coventry | Craig Finnikin (55) | Stuart Smith Jnr (390) | Dan Johnson (4) |
| 2015 | King's Lynn | Rob Speak (318) | Frankie Wainman Jnr (515) | Mat Newson (16) |
| 2016 | Coventry | Frankie Wainman Jnr (515) | Rob Speak (318) | Lee Fairhurst (217) |
| 2017 | Ipswich | Nigel Green (445) | Ryan Harrison (197) | Frankie Wainman Jnr (1) |
| 2018 | Skegness | Stuart Smith Jnr (390) | Nigel Green (445) | Dan Johnson (4) |
| 2019 | King's Lynn | Tom Harris (84) | Ryan Harrison (197) | Craig Finnikin (55) |
| 2020 | Event not held | - | - | - |
| 2021 | Bradford | Tom Harris (1) | Lee Fairhurst (217) | Paul Harrison (2) |
| 2022 | Ipswich | Charlie Sworder (5) | Bobby Griffin (166) | Wim Peeters (H124) |
For more in-depth historical information in relation to the BriSCA F1 World Championship please follow the link below:
https://www.briscaf1stox.uk/website/champs_choices.php?champ=1