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.
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.
Most vehicles that race are based upon European or Japanese hot hatches, although compact cabriolet cars such as the Vauxhall Tigra are also widely used. As time has moved on, the sport has evolved to allow sportier cars such as the Ginetta G40, Lotus Exige and Mazda MX-5 to be raced, in order to increase the variety of cars on track. Races are conducted on tarmac ovals 1/4 mile in length. Despite deliberate contact between cars being banned, accidents can be common due to the large number of cars (30+) racing 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 Vauxhall Corsa and 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.
Year Venue Winner Car Model 1972 Ipswich 108 Bob Howe Ford Escort mk1 1973 Ipswich 351 Barry Lee Ford Escort mk1 1974 Ipswich 351 Barry Lee Ford Escort mk1 1975 Ipswich 304 Derek Fiske Ford Escort mk1 1976 Ipswich 306 George Polley Ford Anglia 1977 Ipswich 351 Barry Lee Ford Escort mk2 1978 Ipswich 351 Barry Lee Ford Escort mk2 1979 Ipswich 356 Gordon Bland Ford Escort mk2 1980 Ipswich 19 Mick Collard Ford Escort mk2 1981 Ipswich 962 Ormond Christie Toyota Starlet 1982 Ipswich 932 Davy Evans Vauxhall Chevette 1983 Ipswich 962 Ormond Christie Toyota Starlet 1984 Ipswich 88 Peter Grimer Toyota Starlet 1985 Ipswich 962 Ormond Christie Toyota Starlet 1986 Ipswich 950 Norman Woolsey Toyota Starlet 1987 Ipswich 306 George Polley Toyota Starlet 1988 Ipswich 63 Phil White Toyota Starlet 1989 Ipswich 950 Norman Woolsey Peugeot 205 1990 Ipswich 942 Davy McCall Peugeot 205 1991 Ipswich 413 Roger Peck Toyota Starlet 1992 Ipswich 63 Phil White Vauxhall Nova 1993 Ipswich 950 Norman Woolsey Peugeot 205 1994 Ipswich 639 Ricky Hunn Peugeot 205 1995 Ipswich 96 Ian McKellar Peugeot 205 1996 Ipswich 962 Ormond Christie Ford Fiesta mk3 1997 Ipswich 962 Ormond Christie Ford Fiesta mk3 1998 Ipswich 718 Colin White Ford Fiesta mk3 1999 Ipswich 718 Colin White Volkswagen Corrado 2000 Ipswich 718 Colin White Volkswagen Corrado 2001 Ipswich 175 John Steward Vauxhall Corsa B 2002 Ipswich 942 Davy McCall Peugeot 206 2003 Ipswich 230 Dave Longhurst Mitsubishi Colt 2004 Ipswich 911 Malcolm Blackman Peugeot 206 2005 Ipswich 994 Keith Martin Peugeot 206 2006 Ipswich 41 Carl Boardley Vauxhall Tigra A 2007 Ipswich 41 Carl Boardley Vauxhall Tigra A 2008 Ipswich 41 Carl Boardley Vauxhall Tigra A 2009 Ipswich 41 Carl Boardley Vauxhall Tigra A 2010 Ipswich 115 Chris Haird Vauxhall Tigra B 2011 Ipswich 911 Malcolm Blackman Peugeot 206 CC 2012 Ipswich 9 Glenn Bell Vauxhall Tigra A 2013 Ipswich 962 John Christie Vauxhall Tigra A 2014 Ipswich 115 Chris Haird Vauxhall Tigra B 2015 Ipswich 970 Shane Murphy Vauxhall Tigra A 2016 Ipswich 76 Adam Maxwell Vauxhall Tigra B 2017 Ipswich 115 Chris Haird Vauxhall Tigra B 2018 Ipswich 305 Billy Wood Vauxhall Tigra A 2019 Ipswich 17 Robert McDonald Vauxhall Tigra A 2020 Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic 2021 Ipswich 17 Robert McDonald Vauxhall Tigra A 2022 Ipswich 17 Robert McDonald Vauxhall Tigra A 2023 Ipswich 20 Derek Martin Vauxhall Tigra A 2024 Ipswich 17 Robert McDonald Ginetta G40R 2025 Ipswich 17 Robert McDonald Ginetta G40R 2026 Ipswich 9 Glenn Bell Ginetta G40R
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.
Incarace 1-299 Spedeworth 300-599 PRI 600-699 West Country (Autospeed) 700-799 Scotland 800-899 Northern Ireland 900-999
See also Stock Car Speed Association, American-style stock cars in Britain.
External links National Hot Rod website , Waterford Raceway, Short Circuit oval racing in Waterford Ireland Photos from Hot Rod World Finale Ipswich 2011 whistlinjacksmith.co.uk - Hot Rod website National Hot Rod Photo Gallery