Rogers UK Oval Racing

Gary Picken has sent some very interesting info. about this great budget formula.

MODSTOX - WHAT IS A MODSTOX STOCK CAR? 

Modstox is a “budget” contact short oval formula started in 1993 by Harry Keeling, ex F1 driver 298 from the early 70s, who built a chassis to accommodate the Fiat 126 engine, gearbox and suspension to be used by his two sons for field racing.  This soon became popular with their friends and about 7 cars were built.

Late in 1993, the chance to race on Wednesday nights at Stoke with the Progressive 600 formula to fill in between their races became available. The formula continued to grow and by the end of 1995 over 20 cars had been built and meetings being held at Stoke, Buxton, Bolton and Grimley near Worcester.

Towards the end of the 95 season some cars were fitted with a “rear mounted” Reliant robin 850 cc engine, whilst retaining the Fiat126 gearbox to see how well they would perform.  The speed difference being quite apparent.

Following driver approval the 95/96 close season saw several new cars being built but this time in front engined Reliant configuration and also utilizing  the reliant rear axle whilst retaining the Fiat126 transverse spring front suspension. 

The formula continued to flourish at stoke right up to the end of the 2001 season which saw the closure of Stoke to four wheeled motor sport. With a lot of uncertainty over the 2001/2 closed season several top grade drivers made a move to F1’,F2 and V8’s whilst Brisca tracks were unfortunately unavailable to Modstox for a number of reasons.  From 2002/3 Modstox has continued at independent “grassroots” midland venues Trent (near Burton on Trent) and Grimley Raceway, whilst the closure of Trent at the end of 2003 saw modstox adding the clay/dirt tracks of Brampton(near Sheffield) and Ruabon(near Whitchurch) to Grimley for the 2004 & 2005 seasons.  Unfortunately the future of Ruabon  is uncertain for 2006.Consequently Modstox have negotiated the addition of Blyton near Scunthorpe for 2006 in addition to Brampton & Grimley.

Superficially the cars look similar to F1 and F2 cars but the detail reveals their cost conscious budget ethos.  The engine must be kept to standard 850 with limited modifications to cylinder head although a racing camshaft is allowed more on the grounds of “engine policing” rather than the need for more power.  The standard SU 1¼” carburetor is also retained.  Suspension utilizes leaf springs rather than expensive adjustable coilovers with rear axles being the Reliant robin although Bedford Rascal/Suzuki Supercarry axles are allowed from 2006 with a view to maintaining availability and reasonable cost.  Similarly the majority of cars retain their fiat126 suspension but with an eye to dwindling supplies metro and Bedford rascal hubs (complete with disc brakes rather than drums) have been introduced for 2006 either in fiat transverse leaf or fabricated beam configurations.  Allied to these budget measures are, no adjustable shock absorbers allowed, limited use of competition tyres (two being permitted on tarmac for 2006).  Cars cost between £400 and £1200 to buy.  Racing is generally limited to once a fortnight between April and October again in the interests of cost/hobby racing and making the winning of overall championships attainable to all drivers not just a select few.  And to top it all off you can start racing at the age of 14 so Modstox makes a sensible first step into the world of motorsport.  Proof of Modstox’s budget credentials was published in the 2003 national bible “Motorsport News” launched a competition to find the cheapest motorsport formula in the UK.  Modstox came 2nd... The winner …Lawnmower racing!!

If you are interested in finding out more about Modstox contact :

 Chairman David Roche(99)

 d.roche@btinternet.com or  tel 01782-516449 /07771-736840.

Vice-Chairman Gary Picken(93)

  gp93@gprracing.wanandoo.co.uk or tel 01782 327708 /07786 854534

 We will be pleased to send you our latest newsletter and Rules, together with a For Sale listing. You will not be disappointed with Modstox – a true full contact budget formula.

Alternatively see our website www.modstox.org

We look forward to seeing you at the races soon!

2006 Track Guide

For the 2006 season you can see or race Modstox at Brampton Raceway which has just been taken over by Steve Rees of Startrax (Shale/Clay track at Dinnington - South Yorkshire) Blyton ( concrete track near Gainsborough) and Grimley Raceway (Tarmac track - near Worcester)

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Brampton Raceway - Situated only 3 miles from M1 junction 31 - This clay track has been home to “grassroots” Banger and Specials racing for the last 30 years - It provides whole family entertainment with drinks and food available on site - This will be the second season of racing for Modstox at Brampton and hopefully will provide excellent entertainment for race fans and would be racers in the south Yorkshire/East midlands area. Race days normally Sunday and bank holiday afternoons. Contact Steve Rees 01484 850081

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Blyton Raceway - Situated just off the A159, between Gainsborough and Scunthorpe. A tight concrete track with Armco safety fence. This track is quite smooth but the tight bends make this agood action track. It offers good family entertainment with a good range of budget racing formulas. Food and drinks are available from excellent catering outlets. Race days normally Sunday afternoons with occasional summer Saturday night speed weekends. Contact Parvis 07956 496949

Grimley Raceway - Situated just off the A449, between Droitwich and Worcester. A tight Tarmac track with Armco safety fence. This track is quite smooth and the racing speeds are greater than shale and clay. It offers good family entertainment with a good range of budget racing formulas. Food and drinks are available from excellent catering outlets. Race days normally Sunday and bank holiday afternoons. Contact Alan Lewis 01886 832154

NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2006

Hi and welcome to the third newsletter of the 2006 season – this year has been a year of transition with modstox making steady progress throughout the year. The season did start slowly with the non opening of Brampton and some hurried rejigging of fixtures midseason but the season has seen car numbers slowly improve to mid teen numbers aided by successful debuts at warton and Belle vue together with an upsurge of northern interest firstly from the blackpool posse and later the swinton car project.. a resource which is still at the early stage but which has great potential for growth in 2007.. this potential for growth can only succeed if more cars are built and if the rumour mill bears fruit it seems a good number of drivers are planning new cars for themselves or to sell on as means to get more cars on track and help fund their own racing activities.. with continued driver enthusiasm and a fair wind it may be possible to see 20 cars on track by the end of next season - a major milestone for modstox.

CHAMPIONSHIPS
Congratulations first of all to Neil Mack(56) of Stoke for retaining his points title(silver roof) .The points title adds to neils British (gold roof), won at Belle Vue. Add to this the Northern & Midland title and the Champion of Champions title won on the last bend at the final meet of the season at Blyton and Neil has had the nearest thing to a perfect season a driver could have. Perhaps Neil should set his sights on the only title he hasn’t won for the 2007 season… the rollover trophy…im sure many drivers would like to “help him” to win that one in 2007
Credit should also go to “little brother” Craig Mack(156) who finished runner up to neil in the points and “stole” the tyrefit trophy from neil on the last lap at Grimley in august.
.Neil and Craig will no doubt give major credit to ace fettler dad Pat whose tireless efforts keep neils and craigs cars “on the button” at all times whilst pat is also seen getting many others back on track between races…you can see where the boys get their energy from.. A great Mack team effort in every sense.
An excellent Third place in the points in his first season in modstox went to Simon Wallace(119) of Blackpool which was a reward for consistency and he even managed to bag his first title the Shale Shifters at the inaugural Belle Vue meet, with his preference for shale expect him to push the mack boys even closer in 2007 aided and abetted by the blackpool posse as they benefit from a years experience in modstox.
Simon also takes the Newcomer of the Year title after a season long battle with teammate Dave Shaw(112) whilst the coveted Rollover Trophy was won by Neil Cooper(256) after a below par season in terms of results, expect him to bounce back in 2007.
A complete list of Championship title winners is attached. The only trophy left to win is the Driver of the Year trophy to be voted on at the AGM. Whilst talking of trophies a special thank you to Kev Picken for donating yet more “ unique” championship trophies in 2006 which not only look good but save the modstox club a lot of money .fitting perfectly with the Modstox budget formula ethos .

GRADING
As is often the case there are few changes in the final grading..the only changes being Dave shaw(112) ending up as blue whilst Nathan Picken(95) dropping down to yellow, Steve Denbigh(12) also moves back up to yellow. .However looking down at the final grading it is good to see Arron O (Olszewski) finish blue after some impressive performances. Poor seasons for 2005 reds Gary Picken(93) and Neil Cooper(256) down to yellows whilst the grading of Ricky/Ryan and Andrew (14/17/114) is unrepresentative since these boys all shared one car in 2006 and so with only 1 race per meet their averages are way down on what they could achieve. Finally a word for Steve Denbigh(12) not the best car ,maybe not even the best driver but you cant doubt Steve’s dedication and enthusiasm for racing as this one man band proved yet again modstox is the budget formula. He has to win the the top trier award (if we had one… I can feel a new trophy coming on kev!) ..racing at every meeting this season ..the only other driver to achieve this feat ..”mr perfect” neil mack

MECHANICS RACE
Modstox had their first ever mechanics race as a curtain faller to the season at Blyton on 1st October. Mechanics race – this event was the brainchild of Chairman Dave and I have to say I had a few fears re drivers writing off cars or worse still hurting themselves but the event turned out to be an enjoyable event for drivers and spectators (owners) alike and really helped to make the final Blyton meet a bit special for everyone. Despite losing the 95 and 356 cars due to damage an excellent 10 cars made it out for Modstox inaugural mechanics race ..a few last minute driver car change combos are detailed on the attached sheet.1st bend action saw kev(91) and ryan(17) tangle allowing ben(12) to lead with 256,99,6 and 119 following. 6 moved through to take a comfortable lead whilst teammates 256 and 99 tussled for 2nd whilst a recovering 91 made up a lot of ground only to clash with 17 again. Winner was Ian Broomhead in the 156 car.2nd was Dave Roche in the 99 car. And third Andrew Wood in the 256 car. Not a classic race in its purist sense but every driver seemed to enjoy the race and have a hard luck story to tell at some point during the race. Many thanks to all the drivers who gave up their cars for this race.. many thanks also for kev providing the trophies again and neil mack turning photographer to record the winners, the chairman is already planning the 2007 event!! Where he hopes to go one better!

 
  MODSTOX 2006 -RESULTS AT A GLANCE    
               
TRACK No. of cars/drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Blyton 8/10              
H1 112 17 56 NOF      
H2 56 356 119 112 156 12 95
F 56 156 356 119 95 14 NOF
  GN 112 119 56 356 156 95 12
Blyton 9/10              
H1 56 119 156 17 256 12 95
H2 156 56 119 114 95 12 14
F 56 119 17 156 12 NOF  
  GN 56 156 119 256 114 12 NOF
Grimley 9/10              
H1 156 56 17 12 99 112 NOF
H2 156 56 256 12 14 99 NOF
F 56 156 256 12 93 99 112
  GN C A N C E L E
Buxton 9/10              
H1 112 156 56 95 256 12 NOF
H2 56 112 95 17 99 256 12
F 56 156 95 119 12 99 114
Warton 10/11              
H1 56 119 114 99 93 12 118
H2 56 114 119 95 93 12 NOF
F 56 112 119 95 17 256 93
GN 56 99 256 112 12 NOF  
Blyton 11/15              
H1 99 119 356 276 56 114 95
H2 119 99 56 356 95 93 170
F 56 119 50 356 93 95 14
  GN 56 119 99 50 95 356 120
Grimley 11/12              
Tyrefit ch 156 112 95 114 99 256 356
H2 156 114 56 95 356 99 93
F 156 56 99 12 93 356 256
  GN C