Hot Rods (oval racing)

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Hot Rods refers to a number of British oval racing formula (not to be confused with hot rods, which are generally road-going modified vintage cars). Hot Rod racing was introduced at Hednesford Hills Raceway in the early 1960s as a British counterpart to NASCAR-style production car racing. The term 'stock car' was not adopted because it was already in use for a form of oval racing in Britain that had evolved in a very different way than American stock cars.

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In south west England, hot rod racing evolved from a class known as sports and production car racing, which began at to be held at tracks in Plymouth and St Austell in the 1950s.

The rules of Hot Rod racing vary depending on promoters, of which there are many, most vehicles are based on European or Japanese hot hatches such as the Vauxhall Tigra and races are conducted on tarmac ovals 1/4 mile in length. Despite deliberate contact between cars being banned accidents are common due to the large number of cars (30+) within a tight environment.

The fastest and most expensive Rod formula are the National Hot Rods (not to be confused with the American-based National Hot Rod Association) which use tube chassis, kevlar bodies and highly tuned 2 litre straight-4 engines. This formula also races in Ireland, continental Europe and South Africa. They have similarities with some of the more sophisticated mini-stock divisions in the USA. The World Championship race for the National Hot Rods is staged at the annual spedeweekend at Foxhall Stadium in Ipswich, which is traditionally held during the first weekend of July each year.

A smaller class known as 2 Litre Hot Rods are the next class down and are usually considered a stepping stone to the National class. Using smaller Hatchback style cars such as the Citroën Saxo. Their annual World Championship race is held at various tracks in England and Scotland, With every third running being staged at either of the two Spedeworth-sanctioned tracks (Tullyroan Oval or Aghadowey Oval) in Northern Ireland.

World Championship

First held in 1972, The World Championship Race for the National Hot Rods is considered the biggest and most important race of the year.

In its early years the title befitted from the invitation of drivers from across the globe. Later years have seen the event take on a more domestic focus, although frequently featuring European and South African representation where the formula also race.

    YearVenueWinnerCar Model
    1972Ipswich Flag of England.svg 108 Bob HoweFord Escort mk1
    1973Ipswich Flag of England.svg 351 Barry Lee Ford Escort mk1
    1974Ipswich Flag of England.svg 351 Barry Lee Ford Escort mk1
    1975Ipswich Flag of England.svg 304 Derek FiskeFord Escort mk1
    1976Ipswich Flag of England.svg 306 George PolleyFord Anglia
    1977Ipswich Flag of England.svg 351 Barry Lee Ford Escort mk2
    1978Ipswich Flag of England.svg 351 Barry Lee Ford Escort mk2
    1979Ipswich Flag of England.svg 356 Gordon BlandFord Escort mk2
    1980Ipswich Flag of England.svg 19 Mick CollardFord Escort mk2
    1981Ipswich Ulster Banner.svg 962 Ormond ChristieToyota Starlet
    1982Ipswich Ulster Banner.svg 932 Davy EvansVauxhall Chevette
    1983Ipswich Ulster Banner.svg 962 Ormond ChristieToyota Starlet
    1984Ipswich Flag of England.svg 88 Peter GrimerToyota Starlet
    1985Ipswich Ulster Banner.svg 962 Ormond ChristieToyota Starlet
    1986Ipswich Ulster Banner.svg 950 Norman WoolseyToyota Starlet
    1987Ipswich Flag of England.svg 306 George PolleyToyota Starlet
    1988Ipswich Flag of England.svg 63 Phil WhiteToyota Starlet
    1989Ipswich Ulster Banner.svg 950 Norman WoolseyPeugeot 205
    1990Ipswich Ulster Banner.svg 942 Davy McCallPeugeot 205
    1991Ipswich Flag of England.svg 413 Roger PeckToyota Starlet
    1992Ipswich Flag of England.svg 63 Phil WhiteVauxhall Nova
    1993Ipswich Ulster Banner.svg 950 Norman WoolseyPeugeot 205
    1994Ipswich Flag of England.svg 639 Ricky HunnPeugeot 205
    1995Ipswich Flag of England.svg 96 Ian McKellarPeugeot 205
    1996Ipswich Ulster Banner.svg 962 Ormond ChristieFord Fiesta mk3
    1997Ipswich Ulster Banner.svg 962 Ormond ChristieFord Fiesta mk3
    1998Ipswich Flag of England.svg 718 Colin White Ford Fiesta mk3
    1999Ipswich Flag of England.svg 718 Colin White Volkswagen Corrado
    2000Ipswich Flag of England.svg 718 Colin White Volkswagen Corrado
    2001Ipswich Flag of England.svg 175 John StewardVauxhall Corsa B
    2002Ipswich Ulster Banner.svg 942 Davy McCallPeugeot 206
    2003Ipswich Flag of England.svg 230 Dave LonghurstMitsubishi Colt
    2004Ipswich Flag of England.svg 911 Malcolm BlackmanPeugeot 206
    2005Ipswich Ulster Banner.svg 994 Keith MartinPeugeot 206
    2006Ipswich Flag of England.svg 41 Carl Boardley Vauxhall Tigra A
    2007Ipswich Flag of England.svg 41 Carl Boardley Vauxhall Tigra A
    2008Ipswich Flag of England.svg 41 Carl Boardley Vauxhall Tigra A
    2009Ipswich Flag of England.svg 41 Carl Boardley Vauxhall Tigra A
    2010Ipswich Flag of England.svg 115 Chris HairdVauxhall Tigra B
    2011Ipswich Flag of England.svg 911 Malcolm BlackmanPeugeot 206 CC
    2012Ipswich Ulster Banner.svg 9 Glenn BellVauxhall Tigra A
    2013Ipswich Ulster Banner.svg 962 John ChristieVauxhall Tigra A
    2014Ipswich Flag of England.svg 115 Chris HairdVauxhall Tigra B
    2015Ipswich Flag of Ireland.svg 970 Shane MurphyVauxhall Tigra A
    2016Ipswich Ulster Banner.svg 76 Adam MaxwellVauxhall Tigra B
    2017Ipswich Flag of England.svg 115 Chris HairdVauxhall Tigra B
    2018Ipswich Flag of England.svg 305 Billy WoodVauxhall Tigra A
    2019Ipswich Flag of Scotland.svg 17 Robert McDonaldVauxhall Tigra A
    2020Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic
    2021Ipswich Flag of Scotland.svg 17 Robert McDonaldVauxhall Tigra A
    2022Ipswich Flag of Scotland.svg 17 Robert McDonaldVauxhall Tigra A

    Numbering System

    As the sport developed across the country in the 1970s there was some confusion as drivers from different regions and promoters found themselves racing with the same numbers. The National Hot Rod Promoters Association (NHRPA) decided to introduce a national numbering system to help stop confusion, this format was used up until 1989.

    See also

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