Burgoyne Delighted with Pole

647 Chris Burgoyne starts the World Final in pole position. It is somewhat unusual for Burgoyne to start the World near the front – since his World win in 2002 he has struggled to qualify for the World. Indeed Chris’s Hednesford performance saw him qualify for a World Final without needing to use the Consolation Semi for the first time since 2004!

Chris would no doubt have preferred for the big race to be on tarmac but does enjoy his shale outings... “I would have preferred a Shale Semi Final really yes. I do enjoy racing shale though - it certainly makes for a far more level playing field. Shale racing needs so much concentration to be honest with you - you can be winning a race for half a lap and a back marker can take you out so easily, that’s just shale racing. It is really proper stock car racing and it is something that you just have to live with. You never know someone near the back could come through to win.”

“The World Final is the race that everyone wants to win, I am just happy to be on the front and if I can lead for a few laps that will do for me. You can only take it as it comes. I would just like to get through the first few laps with no damage and take it from there. The first corner could be very hairy scary or it could go quite smoothly. It is all down to what kind of start I get or Robert gets or what others behind do.”

Chris still has the record of being the youngest ever World Champion – “I was just 18 when I won it - it was a good achievement and I loved every second of it, you get a good buzz from winning stock car races and believe me winning the World Final is a good, good buzz!”

647 Chris Burgoyne - Pole Position Man