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 Updated 17/07/10: National Hot Rod Fantasy League
Story - Webmaster: Following a very successful and popular debut year, the National Hot Rod Fantasy League is back again for the 2010/11 season. On similar lines to the many fantasy football games, simply pick your team from a list of drivers and watch them rack up the points. Or not...
Free bragging rights and fantasy anorak tokens are up for grabs as you prove your knowledge of driver-form and winning ability. Access to the Fantasy League is via the nationalhotrod.com Forum, where there is also a thread dedicated to discussing the League, making your substitutions, and playing your Joker.
The National Hot Rod Fantasy League is administered independently of nationalhotrod.com, but enjoys the official endorsement of this website.
 Updated 27/06/10: New Grid Art Gallery
Story - Webmaster: Our good friend Clive Marchant has added a great gallery of the 18 qualifiers from the English Series, plus the 3 mainland Europe world finalists, to his excellent Grid Art website.
As Clive says, "As a way of saying good luck to the World qualifiers (English & continental) and making good use of some recent photos. I have uploaded a full set of qualifiers to my Deviant Art Grid Art Gallery. Sorry I don't have any quailifiers from the Irish series' photos, otherwise I would have included them too.
"My main goal is to support National Hot Rods so I'll take it as a compliment if people see my photos as being worthy of showing how proud they are of our favourite oval formula. If you can't beat them join them (or meet them half way!) Would be quite cool to see people posting copies of their favourite driver before the big weekend.
"There are no download restrictions or watermarks, my logo is displayed which is good enough. See what you think by visiting my gallery.
"Hope you like the idea. Have a great World Final weekend".
You can see Clive's work at http://www.gridart.deviantart.com/gallery/
Updated 19/06/10: Northampton testing 18/06/10
Story - Martin Kingston: The first of two National Hot Rod pre-World Final test days took place at Northampton on Friday 18th June, maybe not as many cars as expected but still some interesting ones. The only English driver present was Jason Cooper, while from Northern Ireland was Glenn Bell in his smart Tigra, Stuart Doak was present testing a brand new Tigra (while his older car remained in the transporter), and Maxwell Motorsport (with Keith Martin as a passenger) were there to take delivery of a brand new Haird Motorsport Tigra B for Terry, while Tommy had his Haird 206cc.
David and Chris Haird were both there, but without Chris's car as he felt it was going fine and “no need to mess about with it”. Terry Maxwell was delighted with his new mount, saying it was “too nice to race”, and he just wanted to put it in his living room and “look at it!”
Several people tested the car over the course of the session, and all were impressed, putting in some fast laps straight off. Hopefully the testing has proved useful for every one in preparation for the Thunder 500.
See more of Martin’s photos in the GALLERY
Updated 13/06/10: Show cars promote National Hot Rod racing
Story - Brian Lammey and Nick Thomas: Glenn Bell and Chris Foster had their cars on display at the Ballymena Carfest show yesterday (12th June) in Northern Ireland. Glenn picked up the prize for Best Motorsport Car, and was part of the Nuttscorner Oval display. Chris Foster's car was part of the Ballymena Raceway display. Meanwhile, the Suffolk Show in England was attended by over 100,000 visitors over two days. The Spedeworth stand displayed Chris Haird’s new National Hot Rod, Colin Aylward’s HCD Superstox and Stef Lloyd’s Legend.
NI photos by Brian Lammey, England photo by Steve Waller.
Updated 04/06/10: Testing at Northampton
Northampton are holding test/practice sessions on the Fridays before the T500 and Spedeweekend. 11am – 4pm, £40 per car.
Updated 06/05/10: New look for Armiger
Luke Armiger will return from his NHRPA ban at round 16 with new paintwork and signwriting. Photos with thanks to Richard Armiger.
Updated 01/04/10: Moody SLK ready to race
Story - Webmaster: Following on from our recent story on returning racer Tim Moody, this is the SLK earlier photographed during the build process. Now fully assembled, painted and signwritten, the unusual colour scheme will make Tim’s comeback unmissable.
Updated 26/03/10: Christie ready for Easter
Story - Webmaster: Crumlin star John Christie has spent the winter busily giving his Beggs Couriers/Wash ‘n’ Dash Tigra a complete makeover. Now ready for the Easter racing in Northern Ireland, John’s upgraded the car for the new 2010 NHRPA rules, as well as treating it to new paint and signwriting.
Updated 22/03/10: Easter venue switch in Northern Ireland
Story - BMR: Ballymena Raceway wish to announce that both meetings programmed for the Easter weekend (Good Friday and Easter Saturday) have been moved to the Nutts Corner venue. The classes participating and start times remain as per the original fixture list and the management would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause both drivers and spectators. Unfortunately it was not anticipated that the issues surrounding the Raceway track (see below) at the Ballymena Showgrounds would be resolved before Easter and this is the only course of action available to ensure that our fixtures can be fulfilled.
The management would like to stress that this is only a short term measure and are extremely hopeful that an agreed way forward can be reached with Ballymena Borough Council in the near future which will allow Stock Car racing to return to the Ballymena Showgrounds for the remainder of the 2010 season. Ballymena Raceway also wishes to express their gratitude to the Nutts Corner promoters for facilitating these two meetings at their venue
Updated 21/03/10: Petition to help keep racing at Ballymena, Northern Ireland
Story - BMR: In recent weeks Ballymena Raceway has come under pressure from the local council which runs the facilities. In a few weeks time the promoter will sit down with the council and present our wee sport, in a bid to show its importance to the local community, and keep the sport going.
A petition has now been set up to keep our racing at the Ballymena Showgrounds, home of Ballymena Raceway. We'd like to get as many signatures as possible to show the support for the continuation of racing. The petition is now online at these two sites:
http://www.ballymenaraceway.com
http://www.nif2.com/bmr_petition
Ballymena Raceway has a long tradition of running National Hot Rods, and to keep this tradition, signing the petition is quite simply a must to keep our tracks open and our sport alive. There can't be a single one of us reading this who can't relate to the importance of keeping our tracks alive. Many thanks in advance for your support.
  Updated 10/03/10:
Stuart Carter’s new SLK
Story - Webmaster: First photos of Stu Carter’s new for 2010 SLK. Now fully resplendent in new paint and signwriting.
This is the former Darron Lewis Ludlow Motorsport car, Stu having sold his Tigra at the end of 2009.
Updated 08/03/10: Corrie Beggs joins NI series
 Story - Darren Black: Randalstown teenager Corrie Beggs is the latest recruit to Ulster’s National Hot Rod ranks in this splendid Peugeot 206cc. The 16 year old is another product of Nuttscorner Oval’s Junior Production category, where he campaigned a Toyota Starlet for a number of seasons, and he makes the massive step up in the ex-Alvin Christie Ludlow Motorsport car.
 Corrie’s father Daryl is a long time supporter of Northern Ireland oval racing through his Beggs Deliveries concern, sponsoring numerous race meetings as well as the Tigra of John Christie and various 2 Litre Rods, and his son will now join the #962 machine on the local grids at Ballymena Raceway and Nuttscorner Oval in 2010. Following a few test sessions towards the end of last year, the car has now been rebuilt ready for Corrie’s debut over the Easter weekend. He faces a steep learning curve, but most definitely has both the temperament and the talent to succeed at his latest challenge. The National Hot Rods last two recruits from Junior Productions were a certain duo called William Buller and Glenn Bell, so Corrie most certainly has the grounding to help him become a welcome addition to oval racing’s premier category in the province.
Updated 06/03/10: Northampton Testing - Friday March 5th
More photos in the Gallery. Story - Martin Kingston: Another test day at NIR on Friday 5th March saw three cars at the track on a sunny spring day. Des Cooney had travelled over from Ireland to test his new Ludlow Tigra. As no practice is allowed in Ireland until the first meeting of the season there, this was to be his first outing in it. Shane Murphy was with Des, albeit without his new Tigra, as he was still waiting for some parts for it. After some initial brake problems - like no brakes - Des sorted the problem and got a good number of laps in. Changing set ups etc, he was well pleased with the outing and extremely impressed with his new mount - claiming the session had been well worth the visit. Shane too had a few laps in the Tigra, and was equally impressed and looking forward to getting his out on the track.
Phil Spinks was also present in his black un-signwritten Tigra. Phil was keen to get back into the swing of things and plans to try and qualify for the world, as at the moment he has no clashing work commitments. The day was spent trying diffferent settings, and by the end felt they had improved the performance and handling of the car considerably, ready for next weekend.
Lastly, and by no means least, was Jason Kew in his Ludlow SLK. In between his banger outings over the winter, Jason had been busy sorting the car out to the 2010 regs, and he also got a large number of laps in. Neal Smith was there as part of the Kew Team, and he too put some impressive laps in - showing he has lost none of his driving style in a National.
So thats it, winter’s over, spring's here and it all kicks off again for another season at NIR next Sunday.
Martin Kingston's photos in the Gallery
 Updated 02/03/10: Mark Paffey back in Nationals
Story - Webmaster: South-coast signwriter Mark Paffey is finally making his long rumoured return to the National class, after a long and successful spell back in 2.0L Hot Rods. Mark last raced National Hot Rods in the early 2000’s in a Mitsubishi Colt, but now finds the time is right to perhaps tackle some unfinished business at the top level.
 He has acquired a brand new Mercedes SLK from Ludlow Motorsport which is currently being assembled at his Hampshire base. The car will be powered by a brand new Dave Longhurst (DLRD)-built engine.
Mark’s hoping to get three race meetings in at least before the end of the current campaign in June - two world qualifying rounds, and the Thunder 500 - before undertaking a serious campaign for the 2010/11 season.
Or as he said: “If I’m fast enough for the first round in July!”
Updated 01/03/10: Ipswich Test Session
Clive Marchants photo album in the Gallery
Story - Nick Thomas: A good dry - if cool - night at Foxhall, ideal conditions for testing. All three new Haird Tigra B's present, with Haird, Murray and Godfrey. Although Mikey was struggling to cure a misfire all night Gavin and Chris looked quick.
Boardley had both the Tigra and the SLK out, Wayne Lee in the ex-Chris Haird 206CC, Colin Smith in the newly painted NEC Z4, Colin Gomm had his usual 206 with both Colin and Dave Longhurst behind the wheel, James O'Shea with his Haird Fiesta, Tony Moss in his usual Tigra.
Interesting newcomer is Carl Waller Barrett. Making the step from Stock Rods to NHRs in the ex-Steve Burgess 206CC, he has the very wise Andre Paternoster on his team as well, who has worked with a lot of the big names in Nationals over the years - Facey, Peck, Haird, Skitmore to name just a few. Carl was always quich in Stock Rods so could be one to watch, and remember what happened last time a driver called Carl came to NHR out of Stock Rods?
Both Simpson cars as smart and quick as ever, with Dick Hillard having a couple of outings in Jeff's car. Terry Hunn out in the Corsa, and I believe Dick Burtenshaw out in an unsignwritten Tigra. Lap times will all be on MyLaps from Monday. A lot of attention from the Mitsubishi rally car which spat fire all around the raceway in quite a spectacular display of flames and drifting. In answer to the hundreds of questions as to why it was there, it belongs to a local rally driver who wanted to do some tarmac setup work so asked if he could bring it along. We will try and get it back during a meeting for another go. Maybe a match race against a NHR would be good to see, as the lap times got close once he got used to the circuit. Good to see so many NHR fans at Foxhall, some of you came a long way, thanks for coming and have a great season. Nick, Foxhall Stadium. Clive Marchants photo album in the Gallery
Updated 27/02/10: Haird Motorsport test day
Martin Kingston's photos in the Gallery Story - Martin Kingston: Haird Motorsport had a test day at Northampton International Raceway on Friday 26th February, The day started off wet and windy, however, by lunchtime the rain had stopped and the brisk wind had dried the track to allow some serious testing to begin. Six cars were present, the Nationals being represented by the three new Tigra Bs of Gav Murray, Mikey Godfrey and Chris Haird. This was the first time that any of the cars had been out on a proper oval. Also there was Wayne Lee, in the ex-115 206cc. Wayne has been away from the Nationals for the last ten years or so, occupying his time with some rallying and karting, but felt he still had some unfinished business and has made a welcome return. Kim Weaver was also there with both his Haird 2.0L Corsa and his older car, and was joined by Hughie. A seized diff in the silver Corsa early on limited their testing somewhat.
Back to the Nationals and all were well pleased with their mounts, Godfrey commemting after his first couple of runs that the new car was “awesome”, a totally different monster to his Saxo. He spent all day grinning like a Cheshire cat, and when asked about his new mount toward the end of the day he just said "It's brilliant, just brilliant!” Murray was rarely out of the car and then only to make some minor adjustments, another well pleased and looking forward to the new season and developing the car further. Although arriving a little later than the rest, Chris too was satisfied with the way his "B" was going. David Haird was happy with how the day had gone, and judging by the smiles all round, so was everyone else. All were next off to Ipswich for the Saturday test, and looking foward to the start of the 2010 racing when, as last year, the Haird cars will be a force to be reckoned with.
Martin Kingston's photos in the Gallery
 Updated 23/01/10: Wilson Hamilton’s new Tigra
Story - Chris Sharp: England-based Ulsterman Wilson Hamilton’s new Vauxhall Tigra National Hot Rod is an ex-Ronnie McMillan car which Wilson bought on the mainland last year and rebuilt
The former Super Rod world champion still has his ex-Jeff Simpson Colt at home and intends contesting a few race meetings in the Tigra - but not a full season .
Photo - on track at Ballymena Raceway on New Year’s Day, by Chris 531
Updated 19/01/10: Four albums of NEC photos featuring new cars and new for 2010 refurbishments, by Martin Kingston and Steve Robey, NOW IN THE GALLERY
Updated 15/01/10: All-new Des Cooney Tigra - first photo
Story - Webmaster: Now freshly painted and signwritten, this is Des Cooney’s brand new 2010-spec Opel Tigra. The Ludlow Motorsport car is compliant with all the latest NHRPA rule updates, and ready for an upcoming test day at Northampton. Co. Tipperary-based Cooney is looking forward to putting his latest contender through its paces and racing it for real from April onwards.
Updated 07/01/10: Don’t miss British Champion at the NEC
Story - Webmaster: British Champion Andy Holtby heads the entry for the live indoor racing at the NEC on January 16/17. Andy hopes you won’t miss his Tigra under the lights, with its new glowing graphics freshly applied - especially the fluorescent nationalhotrod.com lettering!
Updated 04/01/10 National Hot Rod Winternational Championship
Ballymena Raceway, January 1st 2010.
Report with thanks to BMR/CA: Stewart Doak made the perfect start to 2010 with a hat trick of victories in the Winternational meeting at Ballymena Raceway on New Year’s Day.
The interesting entry of ten competitors which assembled to contest the championship included Republic of Ireland visitor Brendan O’Connell in his Peugeot 206cc, and ex-pat Wilson Hamilton, who brought his attractive Vauxhall Tigra along to Raceway for the first time. In the local ranks there was a National debut for Two Litre-Rodder Adam Heatrick in the Peugeot 206cc previously raced by his brother Mark, while John Christie was back behind the wheel of the Ford Fiesta which carried his father to world title success back in 1996 and 97. Glenn Bell put some more miles on his recently acquired Davy McCall-built Vauxhall Tigra, and former Stock Rod world champion Alastair Calvin had another outing in the Peugeot 206 occasionally raced by Mark Keys. The line-up was completed by Stewart Doak, Keith Martin, Mark Heatrick and Jason Winning, with all four driving their regular mounts.
Two reverse grid qualifying heats would determine the line-up for the Winternational Championship and it was Hamilton who occupied pole position for the first qualifier with O’Connell alongside on the front row. The pole-sitter’s Vauxhall Tigra didn’t stay there too long before it was tipped into a spin on the exit of Suffolk bend; Hamilton making it pretty clear who he felt was responsible for the rotation by taking a swipe at Mark Heatrick’s SLK as the field put a lap on the former Super Rod kingpin. O’Connell had taken up the running out front, but Doak had already charged through from sixth on the grid to second and quickly dispatched O’Connell too. Once in the lead Doak was never troubled, and opened his account for 2010 in comprehensive fashion. An entertaining scrap for second developed between Mark Heatrick and Martin in the closing stages with Heatrick just managing to keep his nose ahead all the way to the finish.
Heat two paired Martin and Christie on the front row and it was Martin who made the most of pole position to lead away. Second row starter Winning stuck at it for a few laps on the outside, before dropping back as Doak nipped under Christie at Fisherwick bend to run second. The Cirrus Plastics Vauxhall Tigra then closed in on the leader’s Peugeot 206cc and Doak immediately went on the attack around the outside line. A terrific - and fair - dice ensued for a number of laps, as the pair demonstrated great car control on the tricky track surface which prevailed during this cold afternoon. Doak eventually broke free from their scrap a few laps from home to claim his second win of the afternoon with Martin and Christie the next finishers.
Two heat wins ensured that Doak had pole position all wrapped up for the Winternational final where the reigning Northern Ireland Champion was joined on the front row by Martin. Mark Heatrick and Christie occupied row two, Bell and O’Connell shared row three with the remainder of the grid formed by Winning, Hamilton, Calvin and Adam Heatrick. Based on his heat performances it would have been easy to assume that Doak would simply disappear into the distance from pole position, but that theory was immediately dismissed as Martin tenaciously rode it out alongside the pole sitter for the first lap. Martin wasn’t giving this one up without a fight and the two leaders were inseparable over the opening tours as they circulated side by side. Just as the race fans settled back to enjoy a classic contest Martin went spinning out of contention after their cars touched down the back straight. Did Doak lean out on Martin, did Martin cut in on Doak, or was it one of those incidents which sometimes occur when two racers are competing on the limit? A clearly frustrated Martin obviously felt that Doak had played a telling hand in their clash and rejoined just ahead of the race leader. For a while it looked like Martin might influence the outcome of the final by baulking Doak’s progress, but the 2005 World Champion always had more class than that and eventually let the leading pack through before slipping quietly into retirement. With the interest now removed from the lead battle, attention switched to the squabble for second which was headed by Mark Heatrick. Christie was all over the back of the SLK however and eventually made a move stick that also opened the gate for Hamilton and Bell to relegate Heatrick further down the order. For a while it looked like Christie could mount a serious challenge for the top spot too, but Doak responded to Christie’s charge and increased the gap once again. With Christie’s progress being hampered by a slight misfire a stalemate ensured between the top two for the remaining distance as Doak secured the title for the second time in three years. The Portadown driver had been on it right from the first lap of the opening heat, and three wins out of three is an emphatic display in anyone’s book. Christie demonstrated that his Ford Fiesta is still a potent force with a strong charge to second and Hamilton will surely take encouragement from his most competitive outing in a while which netted him the final podium slot for third.
The new champion was presented with a set of Hoosier Racing Tyres courtesy of event sponsors Wash’n’Dash, Maxwell Freight Services and LM Paints, together with a £750 voucher courtesy of Ludlow Motorsport.
Heat One: 996 – 960 – 994 – 962 – 761 – 9 – 49 – 983
Heat Two: 996 – 994 – 962 – 960 – 983 – 9 – 904 – 761
2010 Winternational: 996 – 962 – 904 – 9 – 960 – 983 – 761 – 342
Updated 15/11/09 2010 National Hot Rod Calendar.
Story by Martin Kingston
Just 4 Fun Leisurewear & mkpics.net are pleased to announce our 2010 National Hot Rod Calendar. It is A4 in size with one month per page printed on quality graphics paper with a white metal spiral.
The Calendar features many of the top drivers of the 2009 season including multiple World Champion Carl Boardley, 2009 English Points Champion Chris Haird, European Champion Matt Simpson & British Champion Andy Holtby along with other drivers from the UK and Ireland. All photos are taken trackside by Martin Kingston of www.mkpics.net, an official ORCi & www.nationalhotrod.com photographer. It is only available exclusively from Just 4 Fun Lesurewear/mkpics.net - full details can be found at http://www.just4funleisurewear.co.uk/58227 It is priced at just £7 plus postage & packing of £1:50 to the UK & Ireland. They also have available a Scottish Hot Rod & a Classic Hot Rods Calendar along with a BriSCA F1 and the Official BriSCA F2 Calendar.
Updated 03/11/09 Tigra ‘B’ breaks cover
Story by Webmaster
This is the first sighting of the Tigra ‘B’ shape National Hot Rod panel kit from Boss Motors. This panel kit is destined for Haird Motorsport’s all new 2010 chassis and was on display at Birmingham Wheels on Saturday evening. The kit was only completed last Thursday, hence it’s still in white gel-coat - expect a completely built National Hot Rod with paint and signwriting at the NEC show in January. For more details, click the Haird Motorsport banner at the top of the page. Photos with thanks to mkpics.net
Updated 21/09/09 The 2009 NHRPA European Championship
Story by Tipperary Motor Speedway
Mr Bryan Allen is pleased to announce details of the travelling assistance that BAM Promotions is offering to drivers that enter the 2009 NHRPA National Hot Rod European Championship, on Saturday October 10th.
All visting NHRPA drivers who are booked in to race do not pay entry fees, and receive 4 free entry passes, (driver plus 3). Standard admission charges apply to any further persons (as at all tracks).
English and Scottish racers will receive €150 (euro), and Northern Irish racers will receive €70 euro. BAM Promotions look forward to welcoming as many drivers as possible to the Raceway in three weeks time to what is sure to be a great day's racing. Drivers: please book in with the NHRPA as soon as possible.
Gates to the raceway will be open from 1pm. Practice will be from 3pm - 5pm. Racing in the qualifying heats will start at 6pm, with the aim to hold the 50 lap European Championship final under lights at around 9pm.
Updated 26/08/09 British Championship/Irish Open Championship
Story by BMR
Drivers looking to race in the forthcoming Northern Irish championship weekend (Ballymena Raceway/Nuttscorner Oval, Sept 5/6) are urged to book in with the NHRPA as soon as possible. Thank you.
Updated 25/08/09 The 2010 South Africa Tour
Story by Webmaster: Once again it’s the turn of the National Hot Rods to tour South Africa in early 2010. European drivers taking part so far include Dick Hillard, Chris Haird, Les Compelli and Neville Stanley, for the race meetings that take in four SA tracks starting on January 9. Tour organiser Deane Wood has announced he has space for two more drivers to take part in the subsidised event - if you are interested in a winter racing break in the sun, contact Deane asap for more details on 01252 322 920
Updated 24/08/09 The 2009 NHRPA European Championship
Story by Tipperary Motor Speedway
Bryan Allen of BAM Promotions at Tipperary Motor Speedway has revealed that the 2009 NHRPA European Championship will be held on Saturday October 10th 2009.
Gates to the raceway will be open from 1pm. Practice will be from 3pm - 5pm. Racing in the qualifying heats will start at 6pm, with the aim to hold the 50 lap European Championship final under lights at around 9pm.
Allen said “Whilst we regret that the event won’t be a weekender, we are lucky that we still have the track at all, and are looking forward to welcoming all visiting drivers, teams and fans to what we hope to make a great and memorable day of racing for what is the last major title of the year. There will be assistance with travel expenses for visiting drivers and we’ll make further announcements as we get nearer the day.”
Updated 12/08/09 Andy Lane’s new Tigra
Story by Ludlow Motorsport:
Andy "it’s all about me" Lane debuts his new Ludlow Motorsport Tigra at Foxhall this weekend (15/08).
Andy's race technician for the meeting will be former Stock Rod world champion and south coast deviant Tim Moody - or Outsize Fella as he is known in the nationalhotrod.com Forum.
Good luck to the rest of the field, as they will need it racing against the highly erratic Ideal Commercials man. ludlowmotorsport.com
Updated 11/08/09 Ballymena 14th August NI WQ3
Story by BMR: The high-speed National Hot Rods return to Ballymena Raceway this Friday (August 14) to contest Round 3 of their World Qualifying Series. These explosive machines will set a scorching pace around the quarter mile oval as the drivers battle it out for those vital qualifying points.
Irish Open Champion John Christie heads the chart after the opening two rounds, with British Champion Gary Woolsey and World number two Glenn Bell also well placed. A fine grid of cars is expected with Keith Martin, Stewart Doak, Andrew Murray and Mark Heatrick also expected to go well.
Updated 29/06/09 World Final & Spedeweekend LIVE - 4/5 July
Story by Webmaster: If you're unlucky enough to be unable to attend this year's World Final and Spedeweekend, nationalhotrod.com will come to your rescue!
Saturday: As soon as the Hot Laps are complete, nationalhotrod.com will have the grid for the WF on the Home page. It's a tad too complex to add all the times set etc, but the grid itself should provide most of the story.
Then we'll have the results of the Support races uploaded as soon as each race is run.
Sunday: The World Final results and 2009 Champion of the World will be on the Home page as soon as the race is run. Should there be any stoppages/major incidents through the race, we'll have those, as they happen, too.
Then we'll have the result of the other Support race, and the Best in Britain, final, as soon as those races are run.
Updated 17/06/09 Stolen Stock Rod
Davy Evans Jnr. has been in touch with the disturbing news that his Vauxhall Corsa Stock Rod and car trailer were both stolen from the family home in Templepatrick on Sunday evening (June 14). Anyone offered a Vauxhall Corsa Stock Rod or trailer or even Vauxhall parts for sale should be alert to the possible source of these items.
If you have any information that may be of assistance to Davy in tracking the whereabouts of his property please contact him on 07720 716681
Updated 08/06/09 Pre-World Testing at Ballymena
Ballymena Raceway will stage an exclusive test evening for National Hot Rod drivers on Tuesday 16 June. The session will run from 6pm to 9:30pm, and is solely for NHRPA registered drivers. With no other formulas on circuit, this controlled test session guarantees drivers plenty of track time and will cost £25 per car. Any interested drivers are asked to book in with the promotion via telephone on 028256 45733, or by emailing bmrovalracing@yahoo.co.uk
Updated 07/06/09 From the NHRPA: Thunder 500 & Spedeweekend Instructions
THUNDER 500, SATURDAY 20th JUNE 2009
This meeting entry will be limited to 40 cars and priority will be given to World Qualifiers.
There will be 3 split heats.
The final will be limited to the 32 top points scorers on the day with the highest points scorers at the front of the grid.
Only 1 new slick or wet tyre will be allowed at this meeting.
Entry bookings for this meeting will close on 10th June 2009.
WORLD FINAL/SPEDEWEEKEND, 4/5 JULY 2009
This is a brief outline of the Spedeweekend events. A full racing schedule will be available from Spedeworth soon.
World Qualifiers:
There will be 34 cars in the World Final: 18 from England, 6 each from Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland, 3 from Europe and 1 from South Africa.
There will be no reserves.
The tyre allocation for the weekend will be 4 new slicks and 4 new wets. All new tyres must be used, not stock-piled.
Non-English World Qualifiers will receive travel money.
World Support Drivers:
The entry will be limited to 32 cars from England, NI and ROI, decided by positions on the WQ points charts.
The tyre allocation for the weekend will be 1 new slick or wet.
Non-English Support drivers will not receive travel money.
Entry bookings for this meeting will close on 10th June 2009.
Racing Format – Saturday:
Practice for World Qualifiers.
1 Hot Laps for World Qualifiers.
2 Heat One for Support drivers (all in) drawn grid.
3 Heat Two for Support drivers (all in), reverse of heat one.
Racing Format – Sunday
2009 World Final
1 Second race for World Qualifiers, reverse of World Final grid.
2 Best In Britain Final. The grid will consist of the top 15 points scorers from the two support races on Saturday and the top 15 points scorers from the two World Qualifier races on Sunday. The grid for these 30 drivers will be ‘out of the hat’, drawn by the drivers concerned. (All WQ drivers must race on Sunday, unless excused by the NHRPA).
RULE CHANGE
NHR.2 TYPE OF CAR: ‘The only currently approved Sports Car is the Mercedes SLK 55 AMG.’
Change to ‘The only currently approved Sports Car is the Mercedes SLK’
Updated 03/06/09 New Ipswich hotel details
Nick Thomas (Spedeworth) reports: A new Ramada Hotel has opened in Ipswich this week and they have got plenty of rooms available over the weekend of 4th and 5th July (Spedeweekend).
The Ramada Encore Hotel is located in the town centre in Ranelagh Road, close to the railway station, it has a car park, but not a massive one so is probably not best suited to transporters. Bookings and details can be found at www.ramada-encore.com or by calling 08448010485.
Updated 29/05/09 Reminder to all National Hot Rod drivers and officials
From the NHRPA: Please note that in the event of a tie in World Qualifying points at the end of the season, for 6th place in N. Ireland or S. Ireland and 18th place in England, the driver who will qualify for the World Final is resolved by lap times.
The driver who puts in the fastest lap goes into the World and the slower driver(s) go into the support races.
The usual rule applies to drivers who straddle groups in England. The driver with the fastest lap time stays in the group and the slower driver(s) go down to the front of the next group.
Also, as already advised, this year, the fastest driver in lap times goes on to pole position, no matter where he is from or where he has qualified in the points.
Updated 27/05/09 Carl Boardley’s SLK
Nick Thomas (Spedeworth) reports: Here it is, seen for the first time this morning on the Spedeworth stand at the Suffolk Show in Ipswich, Carl Boardley’s new SLK.
The show is on for two days and we also have Jason Coopers HCD Superstox on display, so two World Champions and both from East Anglia.
Spedeworth would like to thank Carl and Jason and their race teams for getting the cars ready for us in the middle of a busy time for all of them, both on and off the raceways.
Updated 26/05/09 New Heatrick SLK
Mark Heatrick took his new SLK, the second to feature in Northern Ireland, out for practice last Friday at Ballymena, but raced his regular mount. Photo with thanks to Brian Lammey.
Updated 12/05/09 Ipswich resurfacing ready for Spedeweekend
Nick Thomas reports: The bends at Foxhall Raceway are being resurfaced this week, this should improve the racing tenfold and provide a good outside line. The work is being carried out by Tarmac, who are using a special race track compound which they developed a couple of years back when they were awarded the contract to resurface Brands Hatch
The top surface is being planed by Steve Lumley Planing and D Haird & Co. The middle photo shows top National Hot Rod racer Chris Haird doing his day job driving the Haird tipper and getting some practice hot-laps in...
Updated 24/04/09 Andrew Murray’s finished CC
Although he raced it over the Easter weekend in Northern Ireland, Randallstown’s Andrew Murray - a former European championship place-man - has now had time to apply his AMD signwriting to the ex-John Holtby CC ready for the next NI meeting.
Updated 21/04/09 Irish Grand Prix winner set-up for Ipswich
A late entry for this Saturday’s English World Series round 13 at Ipswich (25/04) is Irish GP winner Tom Casey. Tom told nationalhotrod.com he thinks that he can afford to miss Tipp. this weekend and count Sunday as his dropped round, still maintaining a good chance of winning the Irish points. He plans to use Ipswich as a test session along with the crew from Ludlow Motorsport to set up the SLK around the World Final venue - especially as we understand that there is no Press/test Day this year.
Also in Saturday's entry list is Dubliner James O'Shea - as predicted recently in this website’s Forum. James may prove to be a more regular competitor in the English series. FULL ENTRY LIST FOR ROUND 13
Updated 13/04/09 Ross Loram’s new Tigra
First photos of Ross Loram’s new shape Vauxhall Tigra. Ross told nationalhotrod.com: “It was finished just in time for its first meeting yesterday afternoon (12/04) at Bristol.
“It's all been done completely from scratch, starting from a standard Tigra (we inadvertantly scrapped quite an apparently rare MTV-edition Tigra in the process!), so it's quite different to the Ludlow’s design.”
Updated 03/04/09 Eddie Wall’s SLK
First photos anywhere of the new Ludlow SLK freshly ferried over to Ireland in time for the resumption of racing at Tipperary on April 5. Built and painted in England, engine rebuilt by Trevor Hill and Son in Northern Ireland, and signwritten by Sign Shop in Ireland, this car is likely to be Eddie’s best yet. A form man over the last few months in rather more elderly machinery, Sunday’s race meeting will be used as a test day as Eddie puts the new machine through its paces.
Updated 15/03/09 David O’Regan’s Tigra
First pictures of National Hot Rod newcomer David O’Regan’s ex-Sylvia Tobin Tigra. Signwriting was added Saturday 14th March in readiness for a St. Patrick’s Day parade near David’s home in Co. Cork. David is no novice to oval racing having competed in - and won - many Production class races at Tipperary Motor Speedway, and will debut his new, much more powerful mount, at Tipperary on April 5. He is the son of 908 John O’Regan, who is also readying his older 206 for a spin this year.
Updated 02/03/09 Ipswich Test Session 28/02/09
Various new and refettled National Hot Rods took to the track on Saturday night at Ipswich for a pre-season test session. Mark Fuller debuted his #68 Saxo - a rebuild of an elderly ex-Colin Gomm Clio - and the new Ricky Hunn ex-Stroud Tigra was tested by Terry Hunn and Chris Haird. LAP TIMES As well as setting fastest time of the day in his National, World Champion Carl Boardley also tried out a Tony Roots CAMSO V8. These cars will combine with the former ASCAR/SCSA formula this year in a new class, European Late Model Series, racing mostly at Warneton, but also taking in a couple of rounds on Spedeworth short ovals.
Photos and additional reporting by Graham Brown. Martin Kingston’s photos from testing at Northampton on Friday 27th February in the GALLERY
Updated 06/02/09 Ricky Hunn Tigra - progress update
Latest photos from the Scrapco/Team Stroud workshops show the Ricky Hunn Tigra now adorned with its new 2009 signwriting. Thanks to Terry and Andy.
Updated 05/02/09 New Tipperary promoter
nationalhotrod.com has learnt that racing at Tipperary Motor Speedway will be promoted, with immediate effect, by Bryan Allen. Bryan is well known to most raceway visitors both as a former Hot Rod racer himself, and as the proprietor of Great Stuff Catering.
It is understood that he has taken an initial three-year lease to run the track, and a full set of fixtures for 2009 will be announced shortly.
Updated 24/01/09 New Tigra for Ken Marriott
These exclusive photos show the ex-William Buller/Clive Richardson Ludlow Tigra being readied for Ken Marriott to race in England this year. Thanks to Paul Birkin.
Updated 17/01/09 New Tigra for Ricky Hunn
Our exclusive photos show the ex-Trevor Stroud Tigra being prepared in the Essex workshops of the Scrapco/RJK Salvage team for Ricky Hunn to campaign this year. More photos to follow when the car is signwritten. Thanks to Terry Hunn.
Updated 12/01/09 Driver Awards results
The NHRPA/nationalhotrod.com Driver Award results and winners were announced at the NEC Autosport Show over the weekend of January 10/11 2009. The running of this year’s awards was a rather short notice affair, members of the Forum having less than a week to make their choices in the five categories. Nevertheless, as always, the voters consisted of fellow racers and fans of the racing, and as such provided a fair reflection of who impressed over the last twelve months.
The photo on the left shows NHRPA Racing Director and Motorsport News journalist Graham Brown presenting three-time World Champion Carl Boardley with his Driver of the Year trophy, sponsored by Spedeworth International.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to either vote online or at the Autosport Show
Results are as follows
Rookie of the year 1. Glenn Bell 2 Luke Armiger 3 Mikey Godfrey
Driver of special merit 1. Gavin Murray 2 Dick Hilliard 3 Chris Haird
International merit award 1 John Christie 2 Shane Murphy 3 Tom Casey
Best presented car and team 1 Malcolm Blackman 2 Carl Boardley 3 Chris Haird
Driver of the year 1. Carl Boardley 2 Gavin Murray 3 Chris Haird
The votes were counted and independently scrutineered by Marlene Clarke. Trophies are for the winner in each category. With thanks to Marlene Clarke
Updated 28/06/08 World Final Press Day news & photos
Twenty-three cars were in attendance in all, including a couple of drivers not in the World Final this year - 25 Keith Woods, 41 Carl Boardley, 61 Andy Holtby, 66 John Van Den Bosch (Car being driven by Chris Haird), 67 Dave Brooks, 85 Stuart Carter, 95 Gavin Murray, 115 Chris Haird, 170 Steve Thompson, 278 Colin Gomm (using the 206), 303 Matt Simpson, 427 Jamie Austin, 491 Colin Smith, 761 Brendan O'Connell (ROI), 911 Malcolm Blackman, 921 Des Cooney (ROI), 960 Mark Heatrick (NI), 961 Tom Casey (ROI), 970 Shane Murphy (ROI), 996 Stewart Doak (NI). Non-qualifiers - 38 Richard Smith, 53 Waine Souter, 402 Trevor Stroud
Quite a few drivers will be burning the midnight oil next week, as several of the cars had no signwriting, and the likes of Colin Smith and Dave Brooks’ cars looked like they had seen better days, and will probably need re-panelling.
Despite the dustiness of the track, Irish qualifier Des Cooney set fastest time of the day, followed by England’s Matt Simpson. Reporting by Steve Robey and Martin Kingston. See their two photo albums in the GALLERY
Press Day LAP TIMES
Updated 22/06/08 Hoosier Tire Challenge Final - Tipperary - June 21
Heat 1: 74 961 420 777 87
Heat 2: 74 961 777 420 87
Final: 74 961 777 420 87
Updated 15/06/08 Hoosier Tire Challenge round 2 - Tipperary - June 14
Heat 1: 961 200 74 777 982 777 87
Heat 2: 74 300 777 982 961
Final: 74 961(X-1) 777 982 87 300
Updated 08/06/08 Hoosier Tire Challenge round 1 - Tipperary - June 7
H1: 74 961 761 200 925 87 300 777
H2: 200 777 74 300 961(X) 925 87
Final: 74 961 200 777 300 761 925 87
Updated 08/06/08 Thunder 500 & World Final support racing information
From the NHRPA: Thunder 500: Only 1 new tyre will be allowed at this meeting. There will be no travel money for visitors.
World Support Races: The Support entry will be limited to 30 cars. Drivers must book in by 21st June (Thunder 500 meeting). Priority will be given to drivers who have raced throughout the season. New/returning drivers will be added to a reserve list and offered places on the grid if available.
Updated 05/06/08 Hoosier Tire information
Hoosier Tire Co. would like all drivers to be aware that the tyre service trucks will not be attending World Series 16 at Birmingham Wheels on June 14. Full service will be resumed at the forthcoming Thunder 500, Press Day, and World Final events as normal.
Updated 18/05/08 Revised Tipperary fixtures
Sun May 25 - NHR WQ15 plus all classes
Sat May 31 - NHR WQ16 plus all classes bar Fiestas
Sat June 7 - NHR Hoosier Tire Challenge rd1 plus all classes bar Productions
Sat June 14 - NHR Hoosier Tire Challenge rd2 plus all classes bar 1600HRs
Sat June 21 - NHR Hoosier Tire Challenge final plus 1600 Hot Rod Championship, plus all classes bar 1300HRs
Sun June 29 - Practice race day. All classes bar Fiestas
Sat July 13 - NHR 2009 WQ01 plus Production Championship plus all classes bar Fiestas
Saturday race meetings: practice from 5.15pm, racing from 7pm
Further fixtures to be announced. European Championship still as on original fixture lists.
Updated 29/04/08 From the NHRPA
With Mallory on the horizon again, please remember: No windscreens of any type (safety glass, laminated, perspex, or lexan) are permitted.
Updated 24/04/08 Z4 breaks cover
Exclusive first photos of the all-new Autocross Z4 which arrived at the workshops of Timms Autoteille in Germany at the weekend. Volker Timm told us “We hope you like the car as much as we do - we can hardly wait to see it on the track. As you can see, there is still some “little” work to do”.
Added 14/01/07 Hoosier sponsor RACEceiver deal
Roy Eaton, the NHRPA Chairman, has negotiated a sponsorship deal with Andy Postance and Martin Lamb of Hoosier Tires, to provide 2007 licenced National Hot Rod drivers with RACEceivers. These NASCARstyle devices provide one way contact between the Steward of the meeting and the drivers on track during a race.
RACEceivers are used successfully by 99.9% of USA oval racers. We believe that introducing these devices to our formula is a positive move towards cleaner, safer racing. A RACEceiver consists of a small battery powered clip-on device and two hearing-aid type transducers, which fit inside your ears. The headsets have sound cancelling foam pads to cut out external noise.
When fully operational, every driver will hear the Steward's instructions or comments at the same time, which we envisage will bring about a number of benefits. For example drivers can be warned or advised:
1. Where they should be on the grid, enabling grids to be formed up more quickly and efficiently, particularly for a restart following a red or yellow flag situation.
2. About a rolling or clutch start and how many warm-up laps to expect.
3. Of a spun or stranded car or other obstacles on track.
4. That oil is on the track, and where.
5. That a yellow flag situation is coming, and reminded to slow down, and not get out of the car.
6. That a red flag situation has developed, and whether outside assistance is allowed or not.
7. Driver x, you are baulking driver y, allow him room to try and pass you.
8. Driver x, you have been observed making contact on driver y, a penalty may be imposed.
9. Driver x, you have been black flagged for . . . , pull off the track immediately.
10. Driver x, your transponder is not working.
11. Driver x, please report to race control.
etc. etc.
Needless to say, it will take a little time for both drivers and officials to get used to the new system, but we are confident that it will bring big improvements as the season progresses.
Colin Gomm tested the new system for us last year and commented, "This is the best thing that ever came into the sport. It will improve safety and help the organisers run better meetings".
You will be issued with your RACEceiver when you purchase your 2007 NHRPA licence and be informed in advance when your racing area (England, N. Ireland or ROI) is licenced for transmission and fully operational. From this point in time, you will not be allowed on track without a RACEceiver fitted and working with charged batteries. Please do not turn up at any track and expect to race without both a current licence and RACEceiver - you won't. Provisional Licence holders will have a RACEceiver 'on loan' for each meeting until their licence is upgraded.
We are sure you will support us in making this a successful venture for the progression and stature of National Hot Rod Racing. If you have any questions or queries concerning RACEceivers, please contact he NHRPA:
Added 16/01/06 nationalhotrod.com Driver Awards
The winners of the nationalhotrod.com Driver Awards were announced at Autosport International at the NEC over the weekend, and the five major titles were shared by just three drivers. Top accolade, Driver of the Year, was scooped by World and European Champion Keith Martin, who also was awarded Driver of International Merit. Dick Hillard was voted Best Presented Car and Team, as well as Driver of Special Merit, and newcomer Matt Simpson was named Rookie of the Year. The awards were voted for by readers of this website.
nationalhotrod.com Driver Awards for 2005 (no. & name)(votes cast) (top eight’s only)
Rookie of the Year
1. 303 Matt Simpson (147)
2. 901 Ian Thompson Jr. (121)
3. 2 Ken Marriott (72)
4. 75 Nigel Steward (51 ineligible)
5. 221 Neil Reeve (43 ineligible)
6. 103 Alan White (31 ineligible)
=. 262 Brian Loram (31)
8. 32 Stevie Williams (18)
Driver of Special Merit
(the driver recognised by voters as having made a special contribution to racing in 2005)
1. 31 Dick Hillard (117)
2. 41 Carl Boardley (65)
3. 198 Andy Steward (61)
4. 639 Ricky Hunn (56)
5. 14 Phil Spinks (51)
6. 115 Chris Haird (50)
7. 844 Billy Bonnar (48)
8. 291 Mike Thurley(41)
International Merit Award
(special award for drivers that race OUTSIDE of the English World Series)
1. 994 Keith Martin (142)
2. 961 Tom Casey (90)
3. 901 Ian Thompson Jr. (78)
4. 467 Winnie Holtmanns (60)
5. 142 Mike Riordan (57)
6. 970 Shane Murphy (56)
7. 177 Les Compelli (38)
=. 962 John Christie (38)
Best Presented Car and Team
1. 31 Dick Hillard (105)
2. 303 Matt Simpson (94)
3. 911 Malcolm Blackman (84)
4. 41 Carl Boardley (53)
=. 115 Chris Haird (53)
6. 75 Nigel Steward (51)
7. 170 Steve Thompson (46)
=. 994 Keith Martin (46)
Driver of the Year
1. 994 Keith Martin (195)
2. 41 Carl Boardley (68)
3. 639 Ricky Hunn (66)
4. 901 Ian Thompson Jr. (59)
5. 198 Andy Steward (50)
6. 75 Nigel Steward (43)
7. 911 Malcolm Blackman (40)
8. 115 Chris Haird (38)
Added 12/07/05 Hunn-believable - how Ricky sealed the 2005 English Points Championship
The final World Qualifier for the National Hot Rods took place at the Birmingham Wheels track on June 5th – where the ever-popular Essex denizen Ricky Hunn sealed his first ever English Points Championship.
This was no easy title though; a season’s efforts were still in doubt right up to the last race of the last of a packed seventeen round campaign. Taking no chances, with several drivers still in contention with Ricky, he prudently brought both of the trademark yellow RJK Salvage Corsas; contingency should disaster strike…
After a couple of placings in the heats, everything rested on what Rick could pull out of the bag in the final, and what his fellow competitors were capable of. At the green Keith Woods took the lead with Neil Stimson into second. Exiting the second turn Dick Hillard got a tap and spun in the middle of the pack. This led to everyone taking avoiding action. Two cars, Ricky, and Rob Hadfield, cut across the infield and rejoined just ahead of the leading group. It took a goodly number of laps, but he managed to race in clean air and make up the distance to the leading group, and soon started to pick off the places.
At the flag it was a win for Chris Haird from Steve Thompson and Simon Bentley. Next up - following superb drives – were defending English Champion Malcolm Blackman, then Ricky Hunn and Dick Hillard. For Hunn, the tough drive from a lap down was all worth it. He had done enough to finish top in the points’ standings, and with it, crowned English Points Champion for the very first time.
Interviewed shortly after confirmation of his worthy title, Rick said “The racing overall was good, it’s just a shame there was only sixteen cars. People are not coming to the final round because they can’t make up group places. Why are they not coming to race anyway?
“The final should have been red-flagged, it left us with a lot of work to do which made it hard. Malcolm Blackman was up with the pack and I was a lap behind; thought the points championship had gone!
“I’m pleased to win the points championship, its something I have never done before, not even in my World Championship year.
”I’m really pleased for Matt and Trevor Stroud, they made this happen for us. I would like to thank them for what they have done. Since we got the new car and they came on board to help, its all turned round.
“I don’t know what they do to the car but it works…”
Gary Malkin & Neil Rowe
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