Frankie is third Wainman wonder (From Keighley News)

Frankie is third Wainman wonder

9:42am Thursday 27th September 2012 in Sport By Sportsdesk

Twelve-year-old Frankie Wainman Junior, Junior became the third generation of his family to write his name into stock car racing history when he won the National Ministox Championship earlier this month.

‘JJ’, as he is affectionately known, took his first major title in the under-16 stock car class after putting in a near-perfect flag-to-flag victory at Barford Raceway near Barnard Castle.

For the Silsden-based Wainman family, stock car racing is in the blood.

JJ follows in the illustrious footsteps of his dad Frankie Junior and granddad Frankie Senior, both of whom have been crowned world champions in the sport.

Not to be outdone, big sister Pheobe has already shown herself a winner in the adult V8 class, while uncle Danny successfully competes with his dad in the Formula One class.

There was little time to savour JJ’s victory as Frankie and Danny were competing in the final of the F1 world championship at Skegness a week later, where Frankie was on pole position and Danny on the fourth row.

It was widely expected to be an unpredictable race of attrition and it did not disappoint.

Despite leading in the early laps, Frankie fell away as the race progressed, thanks largely due to the unwanted attention of his fellow competitors, but managed to battle back to earn a very creditable third place.

This season marks the 25th year of racing in F1 for Frankie Junior and he will celebrate the landmark this Saturday when the Wainman headquarters in the hills above Silsden will be open to fans.

The following day will see a special day of racing at Belle Vue, Manchester, where drivers past and present will celebrate Frankie’s racing career.