Spedeworth Seeking New Staff

Ever fancied becoming involved with Spedeworth Stock Car events in a constructive and positive way? Following recent expansion; Spedeworth are now seeking people to assist at our Southern tracks in Aldershot, Bovingdon and Wimbledon. Positions are available in various roles including: Commentator, Lap Scoring, Scrutineers and General Staff. If anyone is interested in any of these positions please do not hesitate to contact the office on 01252 322 920 or email us at southern@spedeworth.co.uk 

Rearranged Fixtures

After the cancellation of the Ipswich 19th April meeting we have rearranged Series/Championship dates for the V8 Stock Cars & Lightning Rods. These are both now being held at the Yarmouth Stadium with the V8 Stock Cars Mr Excavator Challenge Series Round being held on Sunday 27th July in place of the Norfolk Masters. The Lightning Rod East Anglian Championship is now being run on Sunday 31st August. The Banger Ipswich Track Championship Round will not be restaged.

Eddie Freeman - Superstox 255

We have sadly received the following from Superstox World Champion Shaun Brooker: "I just thought I'd let you know my father-in-law SX255 EDDIE FREEMAN lost his 5 year battle with cancer today (27th April). You may remember Eddie raced superstox from 1988 until he was diagnoised with cancer in 2002."

Everyone at Spedeworth sends our heartfelt condolences to Eddie's family and friends at this difficult time. Eddie's funeral is on Thursday 8th May at 12.45pm at St Martins Church, Fincham, Norfolk.

Aldershot Raceway (Paid Practice)

Spedeworth are delighted to announce that paid practise will be available at our new Aldershot circuit from next Saturday May 3rd. Drivers MUST pre-book through the office as spaces will be limited. Practice will be from 11am - 3pm.

Junior Rod Age Limit

Spedeworth would like to announce that the new lower age limit for Junior Rod drivers will be 10 years old. This is conditional on passing a competency based test including flag signals and driving capabilities. 

Ninja Kart Age Limit

Spedeworth are also delighted to confirm that the age limit for Ninja Kart drivers has been lowered to 6 years of age. This Formula generally races at the Bovingdon Raceway but will also have a event next Sunday (4th May) at the Aldershot Raceway.

Ipswich 19th April

We would like to apologise for the abandoned race meeting at the Foxhall Stadium, Ipswich on Saturday 19th April. This was at the request of the Police (to which they have our full support) who had to carry out a full investigation of the crash involving V8 Stock Car driver 525 Nigel Trench. Nigel had to be cut free of his car by the Fire Service and was taken to Ipswich Hospital for treatment. We are fully co-operating with the HSE who have taken over from the Police in investigating the cause of the incident and will inform us of their findings when it is available. We would like to thank all the Emergency Services who attended the crash scene and their invaluable help and guidance in freeing Nigel from his race car.

Our thoughts and prayers are with 'Big Nige' and his family at this time.

Caravans For Racing

There are a couple of Caravans being offered for the Ipswich Caravan Race in August. The first is from Mr Gardner who can be contacted on 01394 450777. The 2nd one is from Laraine who can be contacted Here

Latest Pictures from Aldershot

Although the Grand Opening meeting has been delayed, considerable work has been done since the last set of photo's appeared on this website. The top picture shows the catch fencing posts are in place whilst the other pictures show the tarmac resurfacing work which has now started and should be completed some time next week weather permitting.

Aldershot Raceway

Unfortunately due unforeseen circumstances Spedeworth are sorry to announce a delay in the opening of their new track at Aldershot Raceway. This has been due to recent bad weather and other unforeseen problems.

Therefore the opening meeting will be the 27th of April the Barry Collins Memorial Meeting with the first race scheduled for 1pm the 1300cc Stock Cars have been cancelled from this meeting.

Drivers that read this notice and have booked for either for the 13th or the 20th of April are asked to ring the office on 01252 – 322920 Mon to Fri 9 – 5. To confirm they have read this notice and we can then cancel their booking.

FAO All Drivers

The ORCi, in conjunction with BriSCA, have spent the Winter months addressing and evaluating the increasing legislatory requirements in our sport, both now, and over the coming years. This is particularly important in areas such as Noise and Health & Safety.

These are issues that affect the very continuance of our sport and ORCi / BriSCA promoters have committed a significant amount of money to evaluate and produce policies that will assist in the sports very survival and statutory compliance

Accredited professional consultants are being engaged to work with promoters in all specialty areas to complete this major task.

As you will imagine, the work carries a significant cost and considerable time input for promoters. This project is designed to ensure racing continues to grow and prosper for drivers as much as promoters.

Given the level of investment required, at a recent meeting of the ORCi it was unanimously agreed that from Saturday 31st May 2008 drivers of all formulae racing at ORCi tracks will be required to pay a nominal ORCi levy of £1 per competitor at each meeting they race in, as a contribution to help fund the project.  The Fund was recently originated by financial contributions sourced by promoters. This levy goes direct to the ORCi and is 'ring fenced' for the exclusive use of improving Health and Safety within our sport

We feel confident that drivers will agree that sharing this burden as a sport assists in protecting and benefiting the future for everyone involved.

Hazel Cooke

Chair – Oval Racing Council

Wrecked Banger Wanted

I've received an interesting enquiry from a chap who is on the lookout for a wrecked Banger, details are below:

Dear Sir

I am an artist and want to find a written off banger racing car (more damaged the better) for use in a forthcoming art exhibition in London.

If you could offer any advice information or leads in how I could purchase this banger car I would be very grateful.

I can be contacted on this email bgriffiths60@hotmail.com or on 07881 548350

If there is anyway of notifying teams, drivers etc of my interest prior to event at Wimbledon Stadium on the 23rd March that would be incredibly helpful.

If required information of my latest art exhibitions can be found at the following links:

Visit My Website
Visit My Website
Visit My Website

Many thanks in advance

All the Best

Brian Griffiths

Obviously we aren't going to know who has a wrecked car until the night but if anyone may be interested in this proposal then either e-mail me or contact Brian directly.

Yarmouth Stadium Practice Days

As from 23rd March 2008, we will be having open practice days every Sunday (race days only) at Yarmouth Stadium. Practice will be from 11.00am to 3.00pm, any drivers who turn up after 2.30pm will not be admitted to practice. It will cost £25 for all ORC drivers and formulas. Drivers wishing to practice must sign on and show their Licence Log Book before they can practice.

Booking In Procedures

We are only taking bookings for meetings 2 months in advance for all formula's and these can be done through the Southern Office, 01252 322920.

Pit Access at Foxhall Heath, Ipswich

Due to events at the last Ipswich meeting we must remind Drivers that due to Council restrictions and drivers continuing to ignore notices at the Stadium regarding engine noise, it is necessary to prohibit race vehicles, inc. transporters, into the pit area until after 4.00pm on Saturday evening race days. This will also mean that your race cars cannot be unloaded and worked on before that time. The car park will be open for early arrivals but Race vehicles will not be allowed into the pit area until instructed to do so by the Pit Marshalls. There is to be No Engine Noise Until 4.30pm.

Latest Aldershot Raceway Pictures

Yarmouth Raceway Pictures

Track resurfacing was completed yesterday in readiness for the new season of action at the Caister Road venue. The timing loop has now been installed and should be up and running for this Sunday's meeting featuring the Superstox East Anglian Championship, 1300 Stock Cars and Bangers.

Sad News

We have just received the sad news about ex Stock Car driver 402 Brian Sayers, he passed away on Sunday. Brian was a very quiet driver and just got on with his racing. He raced in the 70's with the likes of Eddie George, Foxy Dance and our promoter Deane Wood who remembers Brian very well from those early days.

The funeral is on Tuesday 18th March 2008 at 2.15pm at Hastings Crematorium, The Ridge, Hastings, East Sussex.  He will be carried by lorry from Geewoods in the same road.  The undertaker is AC Towner, 19 Market Square, Battle, East Sussex  Telephone 01424 775515.  It  has been requested family flowers only, but donations for Cancer Research C/O AC Towners. 

Yarmouth Practice - Sunday 9th March

For those drivers that wish to practice pre-meeting at Yarmouth Stadium on Sunday 9th March can do so from 11am till 3pm. Just turn up and pay on the day, no need to book. All ORC formula's accepted. (Not Bangers). 

Bovingdon Raceway on TV Thursday 28th February

For those that can remember back last year, those that came along to a Bovingdon meeting towards the end of the year will remember a wooden grandstand built on top of the area between the race track and spectator area. Well all this will be seen on next weeks episode of Trial and Retribution and the following week. It’s a story of two halves, featuring an arrest scene that took place at Bovingdon and was filmed during an actual race day.
Then the following week a fantastic stunt was filmed with a Porsche 911 being sent up a ramp and crashing through the Grandstand in a ball of flames. A fantastic story line involving two brothers. I am sure eagle eyed race fans and drivers will spot the raceway in these two episodes

Yarmouth Raceway

Fence work has almost been completed at the Yarmouth track in readiness for the Oval circuit to be resurfaced next week. Once the tarmac is down the timing equipment will be installed so the transponders will be in operation at the raceway for the 2008 season. Pictures to follow!

More Aldershot Raceway Pictures

Above shows the concrete wall that is being filled in behind the safety fence. It is 1 metre high x 600mm think with RSJ reinforcements embedded into it. The pitgate is now also in place and work is still very much on schedule. Further updates to follow next week.

Spedeworth Banger Rule Amendment

All drivers please note they DO NOT require 3'' Seatbelts with straps - this was a misprint in an earlier set of the New Rules. The Rule remains the same as 2007.

Superstox Rule Amendments

This rule was passed for inclusion in the 2008 rules by the Board of Control, but was omitted.
Page 10 - Flywheel
1. Only the 2.0 Litre Flywheel can be used, NO 16OOcc ones are not to be used after the end of June 2008.
2. Flywheels must be dowelled to the crankshaft.
3. The 2.0 Litre flywheel may be lightened, NO HOLES OR SLOTS its minimum weight is 12.7kg this includes the clutch assembly, dowels & bolts.
4. The flywheel may be balanced by spot machining only.
5. Steel flywheels are not permitted.
6. No competition clutches are allowed.

Latest Pictures from the Aldershot Raceway

The steel plate fence has now been fixed on 50% of the circuit with the pit gate also now in place. The fence that you can see is of the back straight and pit bend (turns 1 & 2 clockwise racing).

V8 Stock Cars - Sunday 24th February

Driver's bookings have been very slow in coming in for this meeting, if sufficient numbers aren't reached in good time (Wednesday) they shall be cancelled from this meeting and the date will not be rescheduled.

Drivers booked in so far:
2 Robert Beale
7 David Burton
42 Pete Blomfield
72 Colin Goodswen
85 Colin Moss
125 Peter Gray
324 Simon Turner
521 Alan Gray

This is the first round of the Mr Excavator Challenge Series and it would be very disappointing to have to lose a round at this stage after the Sponsors have put a lot of time, effort and money into getting a 'national' race series together that gives every driver a chance of winning something.

1300 Stock Car Rule Amendment

There has been a correction made to the 2008 specifications that were released on this website last week.

17. THE SPRINGS
1. Springs are free but you cannot fit the 57mm or 2¼” diameter competition type.

Extra Dates for 2.0 Hot Rods and 2.0 Stock Cars

The 2008 National Championship for the 2.0 Hot Rods will be held at the Northampton International Raceway on 26th October with a 1.00pm start. Also on the fixture will be the Spedeworth 2.0 Stock Cars and this meeting is to introduce the two formula's to the Incarace drivers and spectators who may have never seen the two classes in action before. There are also 2 Litre Bangers and Bombers (Rookie type Bangers) racing at this event.

Fixtures - Final Draft

There have been a number of changes to the Fixtures this week with the most noteworthy being the cancellation of 2 Aldershot meetings; 20th & 27th July. This is due to the MOD who need the pit area site for events they are holding over that fortnight. The Thora F1's & F2's have been added to the September 14th fixture at the Aldershot raceway. The Banger Southern Riot is now being held on the 3rd August.

Foxhall Stadium : The National Hot Rod Press & Practice Day is now being held on Friday 27th June with an 11.00am start time. The Brisca Formula 1 World Championship on the 20th September presentation starts at 5.30pm with the first race at 6.45pm. The National Banger World Championship on 15th November now has a 5.00pm start time.

Yarmouth Stadium: We can confirm that the Ron Emmerson Memorial Trophy will take place on Sunday 18th May for Under 1600cc National Bangers, Day Licences will be accepted. The proposed Spedeworth vs Tracstar Banger Team event on the 11th May has been cancelled.

Aldershot Track Work Starts

Work at the new Aldershot track site started this week with the dumpers and JCB's moving in to remove banking at the far end of the site (turns 3/4 for clockwise racing).

The yellow marks on the bottom right of the above picture is a quide for where the inner race line of the circuit will be. The race bends will be approximately 14 metres wide.

Although it may seem that we are a long way off from completion, work has been done in the last few months in readiness for the site work. The posts and platework have all been ordered and are awaiting delivery this week. The race control box was purchased from the the Yarmouth raceway (This was used during their redevelopment work). Seating area fabrication work is ongoing and will be delivered once the fence work is up. The entire race surface will then be relaid once everything is in place and the track size will be a little bit smaller than Wimbledon and this is hoped may also be suitable for National Hot Rod racing, to which we hope to run a demonstration meeting at some point during the year. Further pictures will be taken in the coming weeks.

UK team for 30 on 30 v The Continent!

The National Banger UK team to take on the best of The Continent has been finalised. The 2-leg event is a 30 on 30 and takes place at Warneton in Belgium on 13th April 2008 and Ipswich on 5th July 2008.

Interest in representing the UK was huge and many drivers have had to be disappointed, but a big thank you to those who made themselves available but did not make the final 30.

UK Team: 2 Jon Bricknell, 10 Paul Whiteman, 27 Dale Hughes, 45 Anthony Crowshaw, 51 John Worstencroft, 66 Dave Spooner, 70 Simon Needle, 82 Paul Tompkins, 133 Ben Wyatt, 152 James Dillon, 158 Shane Davies, 173 Steven Reynolds, 179 Shaun Rushton, 188 Matt Fuller, 190 Steve Bailey, 199 Jamie Wyatt, 202 Mike Kilford, 206 Dave King, 208 Jimmy Randall, 264 Mark Welland, 294 Lee Hughes, 325 Keith McMahon, 331 Jason Jackson, 363 Sam Trim, 379 Adrian Clifton, 396 Scott Mowlam, 474 Matty Threlkeld, 514 Marty Eighteen, 549 Phil Smith, 589 Simon Smith.

London's Low Emission Zone (LEZ) The Facts!

We are getting a lot of questions about the LEZ due to the confusing signs Transport for London have put up around the zone saying the LEZ comes in on 4th February. It actually only comes in on 4th February for lorries of OVER 12 tonnes unladen, so should not affect any Hi-ab lorries used to carry National Bangers. For lorries between 3.5 tonnes and 12 tonnes unladen the LEZ doesn't come in until 7th July, so drivers are clear to enter the LEZ without charge to get to Wimbledon until then. Confirmation of the above can be found on the Transport for London website, click on the link to the right of this text to read the relevant page.

1300 Stock Cars - 5mm Ironwork

All cars with 5mm ironwork have until Spedeweekend (5th July) to rectify the problem. Novas/Corsas with no front chassis ~ this will need to be rectified by the end of the season - the amount of chassis required will be monitored throughout the season.

1300 Stock Car rule Changes 2008

Following the recent issues with regards to the rules for the 1300 Stock Cars - the following changes for 2008 have been made. Nova’s and Corsa’s will need to put a chassis back in the front of the cars - drivers have the year in which to do this. The extent of this chassis will be monitored throughout the season. Ironwork - any trebling up of ironwork must terminate 6inches or 150mm before front/rear bumper. Valve seats - Valve seat angles must remain standard to the manufacturers angles OR if three angle seats are cut, it must be to the following specification: Angle 1- combustion chamber, 30º. Angle 2 -valve seat angle, 45º. Angle 3 - port throat, 60/65º. The valve seat width is free but no gas flowing or adding of material to the ports or combustion chamber is allowed.

Fixtures

There have been a number of changes to the Provisional Fixture List that was released a few weeks back. Please check the Race Dates page for the latest list.

For 2007 news click HERE