So far, the initial 40 drivers in the inaugural series have put on a great show as we pass the halfway mark of the championship. As we know though, only the top 20 get through. So for that one person in 21st, there will be heartbreak at being so close… yet so far. After each round we sit down and talk to that driver. This week, it’s SSR’s Wayne Bourke.

Wayne, you are our driver “On the bubble” in  21st. The top 20 get through and lock in to the 2023 series, have you been happy with how your championship has gone so far?

It’s been a frustrating season for me so far, felt like we’ve had good pace in our SSR cars just haven’t had the results in the 89 Smith & Son’s car to show for it.

Before the start of the series, what were your goals? What does success in this series mean for you?

I felt before the season that I could be a regular top 10 to top 5 driver and could snag a podium every now and then. I think finishing the championship in the top 10 in points after the start I’ve had would be successful.

You have been very fast at a number of rounds, most recently you were fighting for a podium at Spa before it all went wrong. What will it take for you to get into the top 20?

I think with some consistent finishes I will be able to push into the top 20 in points.

How important is it for you to make the top 20 so that you don’t have to go through the qualifying series?

Pretty important as with a short series like the qualifier you leave yourself open to being involved in trouble which could leave you entirely out of the next season.

And finally what are your thoughts on the series?

I think the series is great, being able to race the same people week in and out. The racing has been really fun with how hard the racing is and the level of competition has been super high.

Thanks for the chat, Wayne, we wish you luck for future races and hope that you can get “off the bubble”.