Hot Rods (oval racing)
# Hot Rods (oval racing)

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.

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.

| 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 | Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic | 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 |

## 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
