THE Wainman family have been making their mark in stock car racing for years, but their latest achievement might be their biggest yet.

The Silsden natives secured a 1-2-3 finish at the BriSCA F1 Stock Cars European Championship on Sunday, July 24, with Frankie Wainman Jnr taking top spot, daughter Phoebe coming home in second, and son Frankie Jnr Jnr finishing third.

It was the first full-family podium in the sport's 68-year history, but it nearly didn’t happen at all, with confusion after the race in Northampton seeing the trio placed third, fourth and fifth.

After a lengthy review, the top-three finish was confirmed for the family, and they were able to celebrate their achievement a bit closer to home, with a mini-parade at Odsal last Saturday.

Keighley News: The Wainmans eventually got to stand on their podium, even if it was makeshift one in Bradford at Odsal Stadium, not Northampton.The Wainmans eventually got to stand on their podium, even if it was makeshift one in Bradford at Odsal Stadium, not Northampton.

Wainman Jnr was still on cloud nine when he spoke to the Keighley News, saying: “It’s something you wouldn’t even dream of as a dad.

“I’ve won majors before, but to have a 1-2-3 with my son and daughter was something I never thought would happen, especially with the sport's quality.

“Even putting the family achievement aside, Phoebe achieved the highest-ever finish by a female at a European Championship.”

It was nearly fourth instead for Phoebe, with her dad explaining: “Everybody there was a high-quality racer.

“There’s a very strong stock car scene in England but we also had some of the top guys from the likes of Holland over for the European Championship.

“It was quite a messy race, and it ended with only us three on the lead lap.

“The race win was awarded to a different driver on the day, and we were only placed third, fourth and fifth.

“But then it came to light that there had been drivers that weren’t in the correct positions for the race, including the top two.

“The guy who initially got second complained, as he felt he had won.

“But after the footage was reviewed, the result was awarded in our favour.

Keighley News: The winning car in Northampton for the European Championship final, Frankie Wainman Jnr’s 515.The winning car in Northampton for the European Championship final, Frankie Wainman Jnr’s 515.

“Because of all that, we didn’t get to have the podium ceremony in Northampton, so we had our trophies awarded to us six days later at Odsal.”

Talking about his daughter’s progress in a male-dominated sport, Wainman Jnr said: “As a woman, what she’s done is unbelievable.

“I support her where I can, but she’s the one who sits in the car, and it’s a full-contact, brutal sport.

“The other drivers aren’t any more lenient on her because she’s a woman, they treat her like anyone else, just like with the other five or six girls that regularly compete.

“Phoebe is clever in traffic, and in each race, she has a presence on track.

“She’s now at star grade (red-top roof) and her result at the European Championship has qualified her for the end-of-season BriSCA National Points Shootout.

Keighley News: Phoebe Wainman only just came behind her dad, she and her 211 car taking second place.Phoebe Wainman only just came behind her dad, she and her 211 car taking second place.

“She’s the first-ever female to qualify and it’s only the top 12 drivers who make it. Amazingly, four of the 12 are Wainmans, as there’s me, my brother Danny, Frankie Jnr Jnr, and Phoebe.”

Was there ever any pressure on Phoebe and Frankie Jnr Jnr to follow in Frankie Jnr and Danny’s footsteps, as well as Frankie Snr before that?

Wainman Jnr said: “We’re all very close as a family.

“I’ve done it for so long that I’ve won something like 37 majors, which I feel blessed to have done, and I don’t expect anyone to match that.

“We get a bit of stick, with me and Danny racing and now my kids competing too, but it’s all in good heart.

“Frankie Jnr Jnr has really come into his own in the last few years for example, and he can hold his own against the best of them.”

Keighley News: Frankie Wainman Jnr Jnr finished third in the 555 car.Frankie Wainman Jnr Jnr finished third in the 555 car.

Before that National Points Shootout at the end of the year, the Wainmans are off to the Netherlands for the World Cup later this month, then the World Championships are in September.

But Wainman Jnr is not thinking of going out on a high, saying: “I’ve always said that while I’m enjoying the sport, I’ll keep doing it.

“At the moment, other drivers are coming through with money, and are maybe consistently better than me.

“But on my day, I’m still one of the ones to beat.

“I’ve won many majors, and been in loads of finals, even one at Bradford last weekend, and it does spur you on, even though I’m not expecting to win loads more.”