An Interview with BriSCA F2 Stockcar World Championship Semi Finalist 124 Ollie Skeels
(interview published August 13 2014 in the lead up to the World Championship Semi-Finals at Mildenhall on August 23)

Age: 19
Home Town: Wisbech
Occupation: Electrician
Family: Single
Racing career: Started racing aged 10 in Ministox at Yarmouth

This will be your third time in a World Championship Semi-Final where you have a pretty good track record having successfully qualified from the Semi-Final for two World Finals, how hopeful are you of repeating that success this year?
I’m definitely hopeful and my intention is absolutely to try and qualify, especially because this year the Semi-Final is at a track where I race regularly and can go well at but unfortunately I’ve not qualified very well this year so I’m going to be starting quite a way down the grid so I know it won’t be easy but I’m hoping that being on a track I know well might make a little difference. Ideally I would love to not only qualify but also try and get a good result to move me up the grid for the World Final a little bit but being realistic I have to accept I’m going to have to do well just to get in the top 10 and I think anything else will be a bonus.

Having had experience of Semi-Finals before and with a desire to qualify for the World Final, how much pressure do you think you will feel at Mildenhall on August 23?
I think there will certainly be a bit. There is always some degree of pressure and nerves whenever you race and in races like a semi-final that is always going to be a little extra and because I really want to qualify that will add to it as well, it always does when it’s a race you want to do well in. But being at a track I’m familiar and comfortable with will definitely help and in a way being towards the rear of the grid will help as well because the only way I can really go is forwards, unless I get taken out on the first bend (laughs).

How important will the first bend be?
The first bend and lap is important in any race I think but this will be especially important because I think everyone will want to survive it in one piece. I think being towards the back might be a little better than being in the middle of the pack because at the back you shouldn’t be anyone’s target so hopefully I will be able to hang back just a little and see how things unfold and go from there. I should think being at the back at the start means I’m going to need to use my bumper a fair bit to get through and try and get into the top 10 (laughs).

As you’ve mentioned you didn’t have a particularly good World Qualifying series did you?
(laughs) No it was terrible really, we just kept having so much bad luck. Hopefully I’ve had all my back luck in the World Championship series now and this means I’m due some good luck in the semis and hopefully the World Final as well but we’ll have to see.

Recent changes have seen attendance points introduced to the World Championship qualifying series and you have certainly benefitted from that because without them you may not have qualified, do you think attendance points are a good idea?
I do, and not just because of how much they helped me out. During the qualifying rounds we did the weekend with Coventry Saturday and St Day Sunday and then did Taunton on the Tuesday and we had a terrible time and I think I scored four (race) points from the three meetings but with the attendance points I finished the weekend with 19 points so it wasn’t a complete disaster and at least I had something to show for the 900 miles we’d done so I do think they are a good idea because it means all drivers get something even if they have a really bad meeting.

What do you think of your semi-final grid?
I think both races are going to be tough, there isn’t an easy or harder one if you ask me but I think my grid has a few more shale drivers in the race than the other one. That could work for or against me, you just don’t know. Sometimes having more tarmac regulars who are in unfamiliar surroundings can work against you because they might struggle and you can take advantage but on the other hand they could crash and wipe you out so you just don’t know and there are so many top drivers in the race that it’s never going to be easy getting a top 10 in a race as good as that.

Do you thinking having the semi-finals and the World Final on different surfaces gives greater meaning to this year’s World Championship?
I guess it does really. With the World Final at Cowdenbeath, that’s not going to be easy and whoever wins it will really have to work hard but it will be the same coming through the semi-finals at Mildenhall, this won’t be an easy World Final to win at all. I’m not saying it’s ever easy but this year will be especially tough.

Do you think the shale drivers will have much of an advantage over the tarmac regulars in the semi-finals?
I think so but I also think those who race at Mildenhall will have an edge because Mildenhall isn’t the same as other shale tracks, it’s very unique and I think one of the harder tracks so I think being at Mildenhall will be the key factor, not just being shale.

How do you feel your form has been at Mildenhall this season?
Pretty good really but again I’ve just had so much bad luck so I suppose my results and points don’t really show it as much as I would have liked but at Mildenhall that is the way it usually is, if your luck isn’t it you’ve no chance, it’s just one of those tracks. But we’ve been working hard with the car to keep making it better and we’ve played around with some things to improve it and I’m happy with it so hopefully it will all come together for the Semi-Finals.

You’ve qualified for the World of Shale Championship again this year, are you looking forward to that?
Yes I am because it’s always a good race and I’m pleased to get in it, I’m just again hoping my luck might change a little for it.

A big talking point this season was the reduction in prize money this season in F2s, what were your thoughts on that?
I don’t think it was the wisest decision and I think the reduction was a bit drastic to be honest and prize money should have stayed for up to sixth and maybe eighth place but I also think it would be good if we had start money like they do for Saloon Stockcars. It’s like attendance points because start money would help all drivers who race, even those who have a bad meeting.

Mildenhall is known for using red flags to stop races a lot more than other F2 circuits, are you happy for red flags to be used or do you think only waved yellow flags should be used?
I think it’s good that red flags are used myself. Yes it can interfere with a race sometimes but it’s good to know that if you are in trouble the race will be stopped to make sure you are ok.

Is there anyone else you would like to thank or mention?
Mum and dad for everything they do for my racing, Frog for mechanicing, all my sponsors, especially Darren and Belinda at Aggro Mec Services, Andy my engine builder and everyone else who helps.