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.

    YearVenueWinnerCar Model
    1972IpswichEngland 108 Bob HoweFord Escort mk1
    1973IpswichEngland 351 Barry LeeFord Escort mk1
    1974IpswichEngland 351 Barry LeeFord Escort mk1
    1975IpswichEngland 304 Derek FiskeFord Escort mk1
    1976IpswichEngland 306 George PolleyFord Anglia
    1977IpswichEngland 351 Barry LeeFord Escort mk2
    1978IpswichEngland 351 Barry LeeFord Escort mk2
    1979IpswichEngland 356 Gordon BlandFord Escort mk2
    1980IpswichEngland 19 Mick CollardFord Escort mk2
    1981IpswichNorthern Ireland 962 Ormond ChristieToyota Starlet
    1982IpswichNorthern Ireland 932 Davy EvansVauxhall Chevette
    1983IpswichNorthern Ireland 962 Ormond ChristieToyota Starlet
    1984IpswichEngland 88 Peter GrimerToyota Starlet
    1985IpswichNorthern Ireland 962 Ormond ChristieToyota Starlet
    1986IpswichNorthern Ireland 950 Norman WoolseyToyota Starlet
    1987IpswichEngland 306 George PolleyToyota Starlet
    1988IpswichEngland 63 Phil WhiteToyota Starlet
    1989IpswichNorthern Ireland 950 Norman WoolseyPeugeot 205
    1990IpswichNorthern Ireland 942 Davy McCallPeugeot 205
    1991IpswichEngland 413 Roger PeckToyota Starlet
    1992IpswichEngland 63 Phil WhiteVauxhall Nova
    1993IpswichNorthern Ireland 950 Norman WoolseyPeugeot 205
    1994IpswichEngland 639 Ricky HunnPeugeot 205
    1995IpswichEngland 96 Ian McKellarPeugeot 205
    1996IpswichNorthern Ireland 962 Ormond ChristieFord Fiesta mk3
    1997IpswichNorthern Ireland 962 Ormond ChristieFord Fiesta mk3
    1998IpswichEngland 718 Colin WhiteFord Fiesta mk3
    1999IpswichEngland 718 Colin WhiteVolkswagen Corrado
    2000IpswichEngland 718 Colin WhiteVolkswagen Corrado
    2001IpswichEngland 175 John StewardVauxhall Corsa B
    2002IpswichNorthern Ireland 942 Davy McCallPeugeot 206
    2003IpswichEngland 230 Dave LonghurstMitsubishi Colt
    2004IpswichEngland 911 Malcolm BlackmanPeugeot 206
    2005IpswichNorthern Ireland 994 Keith MartinPeugeot 206
    2006IpswichEngland 41 Carl BoardleyVauxhall Tigra A
    2007IpswichEngland 41 Carl BoardleyVauxhall Tigra A
    2008IpswichEngland 41 Carl BoardleyVauxhall Tigra A
    2009IpswichEngland 41 Carl BoardleyVauxhall Tigra A
    2010IpswichEngland 115 Chris HairdVauxhall Tigra B
    2011IpswichEngland 911 Malcolm BlackmanPeugeot 206 CC
    2012IpswichNorthern Ireland 9 Glenn BellVauxhall Tigra A
    2013IpswichNorthern Ireland 962 John ChristieVauxhall Tigra A
    2014IpswichEngland 115 Chris HairdVauxhall Tigra B
    2015IpswichRepublic of Ireland 970 Shane MurphyVauxhall Tigra A
    2016IpswichNorthern Ireland 76 Adam MaxwellVauxhall Tigra B
    2017IpswichEngland 115 Chris HairdVauxhall Tigra B
    2018IpswichEngland 305 Billy WoodVauxhall Tigra A
    2019IpswichScotland 17 Robert McDonaldVauxhall Tigra A
    2020Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic
    2021IpswichScotland 17 Robert McDonaldVauxhall Tigra A
    2022IpswichScotland 17 Robert McDonaldVauxhall Tigra A
    2023IpswichNorthern Ireland 20 Derek MartinVauxhall 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

    See also

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