It seems that it's not just London that has lost most of it's stadiums, read what the Wall Street Journal has to say about racing in New York.

8/9/10  Sad news from Stoffie regarding John Vandekerckhove whose funeral takes place in Stasegem in Belgium at 10:30 next Saturday!



Very sad news from Warneton speedway as John Vandekerckhove, start marshall for 27 years at the Warneton raceway has sudden past away last Friday! He was the father of former spedeworth start marshall Christof who is now racing in 2lt hot rods.

 7/9/10 Three great meetings from Incarace over the weekend 11th & 12th September. Click here for previews.

 7/9/10 News from Incarace/Spedeworth..

The Classic Hot Rod fixture scheduled for Eastbourne this Saturday, 11th September has been moved to the following day at Hednesford Hills, Sunday, 12th September. This may seem a really strange change, but it fits in quite well at Hednesford with the non appearance of the Late Model Series cars from Belgium, and helps Eastbourne out a little as they have an overbooking of Bangers on that evening.

The Open Hot Rods from the Slick Cars have also been invited to Hednesford, and based on numbers on the day a decision will be made if the formulas will be run together on track, (but racing as separate classes for points and trophies), or race separately. Currently the bookings are looking very encouraging for both classes so we may well have 6 races between the two classes. Drivers can ring the Incarace office 0121-357 7328, our booking line on 0121-357 0007 or book in via e-mail at bookin@incarace.co.uk  

 6/9/10 Read what the Guardian has to say about the Radio 4 program that told us of Brian Sewell's love for Stockcar Racing

 6/9/10 Great write up from George Rimmer, many thanks to him. I have moved this up as there is now an additional piece (at the end of the report) that covers the 'modern' racers that also put in so much effort for the event.

                   Woodvale Show, Southport. 7/8 August: 2010:

Click here to see more of George's great pictures from this event and Barford, now including more pictures by Heritage driver Dan Jeffrey #20

It all started about three months ago. Ron Harney suggested a few local Heritage lads might want to put a stand together for the Woodvale Rally in Southport which is one of the biggest transport and classic vehicle shows of it’s kind in the UK. This year there were a record 74 car club displays, not to mention the hundreds of other events going on. Ron had displayed his car in 09’ and apparently got lonely, so a few mates stepped in to keep him company!! However, as usually happens with these formative ideas, things suddenly mushroomed and the ‘few’ cars became a dozen F1’s, with three juniors of Peter Fenton and Messers Whittle & Whitney, both ‘en route over to the IOM. It could have potentially been more, only Mike Shirley and Peter Gleave both had prior commitments that could not be changed.

After having done a previous ‘sales pitch’ to the official event committee, we were amazed to be allocated the third largest plot on the show ground, so the decision was made to set it out as a ‘pits scene’ with the coaches & trucks as part of the display. Plenty of period signage, banners and other associated ‘props’ all added to the overall effect quite nicely. Throw in an impressive array of various ‘modern’ cars (requested by the event organisers), and we were good to go.

As usual with weekend events, Saturday started quietly which gave everyone a bit of extra time to get set up. It was actually mid - afternoon before things became busy, but the interest from the many casual visitors, race fans and officials was very encouraging. (We later learned that we had been short listed for the ‘Best Display’ award – not bad for a first attempt out of 74 clubs!!). Sunday however was busy from first thing, with a steady stream of visitors passing through the site and plenty of interest to keep everyone busy. The centrepiece of the display was the iconic Bammy Challenger car, complete with an 8x4 display board, and the other cars were spaced around the site just as they would be in a ‘real pits’. Another nice touch was Kingsley’s ex Speight 374 car on a hook and still covered in shale from the old girls last outing at Coventry!! Although we were denied a parade for some apparent Health & safety reasons, we were allowed to start the engines up which was duly done at regular intervals. It became a real phenomenon however as each time the Challenger was started up with it’s glorious ‘straight through’ pipes, the crowds came flooding into the area like moths drawn to a flame!! It was also a pleasant surprise to be able to welcome Mrs Lucy Bamforth and her son who called in and gave the Bammy tribute display their approval and top marks.                    

All in all, it was a terrific weekend that seems to have been well received by both race fans and the general public alike. We were invited back for next year by the organisers who went to great lengths to express how genuinely impressed they were with the stock cars. Additionally, we were also approached by two other cars clubs with requests to put on a display at some classic shows in 2011. The number of old or lapsed fans and ex drivers who passed through the display was astonishing, many having no idea of the BriSCA Heritage movement or it’s work in getting the classic racers back on track. A final nice touch was Ron’s beautiful 1961 Zephyr 6 convertible which was suitably decorated with old retro stickers and event posters – it drew just as much attention as the stock cars at some points over the weekend!! 

We had been given 5,000 brochures to promote the Coventry W/F, half of which were distributed. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, no info or fixtures were forthcoming from any other tracks apart from Buxton. A pity really, as the interest from the public on ‘where’s my nearest track’ was quite incredible.

Heritage drivers, guests and cars present were as follows:

F1: Ron Harney 75, Steve Fiddler 309, John Stirk 65 (plus 102 ex Colin Baldry car), Kingsley Thorneycroft (Bamforth 3), Steve Plant 337, Tom Drabble 55, Niel Holcroft 495 (who also brought his modern F1), Rob Lane 374, Rob Bradsell 389, John Radcliffe and George Rudd. A certain Mr Dave Berresford was also present at the show to exhibit his beautiful Jowett which won an award.   

F2: Peter Fenton, Mick Whittle and Clive Beales. Dan Jeffrey was originally intending to bring his #20 car, but holiday commitments prevailed. True to form however, Dan kindly travelled up and joined us as a helper with his trusty camera, as did Stock Car Mag contributor Chris Clark. (GWR).

In addition to the fine array of Heritage cars on display, we also had a good range of ‘modern day’ racers who brought their racing hardware along for the public to see. This was actually a special request from the event organizers, who asked if we could have a few modern cars to illustrate how things have progressed over the years. In true oval racing fashion, several current drivers stepped up to the mark at very short notice and brought their cars along.

F1 drivers Wes Goodwin 295, Peter Kaulbarsch 411 and Niel Holcfoft 496, each brought their current BriSCA F1’s along which looked terrific on display alongside their older big league cousins!! Wes also brought his fantastic new super transporter coach that was only finished literally days earlier. Wesley and his family went to great lengths to allow the general public to come on board and take a look around. A remarkable gesture for sure - how many of us would like several hundred people tramping through their brand new home??!!  Wes had also gone to the trouble of having a board made and leaflets printed to ‘plug’ the BBC ‘Gears & Tears’ TV series. Both he and fellow BriSCA F1 driver Derek Fairhurst did a fantastic PR job with the visitors over the entire weekend. Morcombe based racer Peter Kaulbarsch and his new wife Gill cut their Honeymoon short by two days in order to kindly bring their stunning new tarmac F1 car (that has not even been raced yet), for the display - hence the wedding ribbons on the photos!! Local Southport F2 driver Hayden Barrington 470 was there with his F2 despite working nights and then making the trip to Wembley for the Community Shield game …. all in one weekend!! A final welcome addition to the ranks were the Ministox team of Arron and Charlotte Blundell which terrific on their stand. The two cars certainly generated a lot of interest - especially with the younger visitors, many of whom were very keen to learn more about the entry level division. Both of these young drivers were a credit to the sport in the way they dealt with the public and answered questions etc. A special mention must also go out to team owner and Dad Tim Blundell, who had printed plenty of leaflets and info brochures about Ministox at his own expense, plus he had arranged for fixture lists to be sent for distribution. A big THANK YOU is in order to all these good people who stepped in at such short and went to so much trouble to help out and help make the show a success.  

 6/9/10 Report from Northampton on 5th September

 5/9/10 Not sure how long this will be on the BBC site but thanks to David Kipling I can tell you that if you click here you can hear the program that has Brian Sewell saying why he loves stockcar racing. Young Mr Huggett is there as well. Well worth a listen!!

 4/9/10 I've been texted that the first six in the F1 World Final were...

 1, 515, 55, H217, 16, 4 

So for the third time in a row, Andy Smith it is.

 4/9/10 The latest edition of  Stox World (Issue 332) is now out. The F2 World Final is almost here and who can take on Mr Moodie? The F1 National Points Shoot Out is under way and looks as though it's going to provide some exciting competition. Read about what may well be BriSCA's last meeting at Scunthorpe. Don't miss the F1 2011 draft fixture list. There's news of some huge crowds and thoughts about what may be bringing the crowds back. Youngster takes the F2 World of Shale. Raffle winner to be out in a F1 shortly! The back page of this issue has an amazing picture of a F2 that must have had a lot of people more than a little concerned!!!! As well as the news and reports from F1 and F2 there are adverts from the BriSCA promoters so that you can plan your weekends ahead. Pick this issue up at a track or better still for details of where to subscribe, cost etc click here.

 4/9/10 Read what the Telegraph and Argus has to say about the Smith and Wainman battles and how they are bringing the crowds back to the ovals.

 3/9/10 The result of the Superstox final, on 2nd September, at Great Yarmouth was as`follows..

376 Steven Jackson, 482 Jason Cooper, 612 Gary Sparkes, 416 Mark Smith, 60 Ben Marjoram, 51 Colin Aylward

 3/9/10 Carlton Elliott has kindly sent us the latest points scoring for the BCL (F2). You can see the points totals by clicking here . You can also see the winners list for 2010/2011 by clicking here.  

1/9/10 The September Edition of Unloaded 7.3 Magazine is out now. Four mainland F2 drivers contested Manx Open Championship, read how they got on. There's a great report, with masses of colour photo's, from the 2010 European Championship. The Scottish Championship is also covered. David Hamar brings us all the news from the 'Shale Scene'. With the season coming to a climax for the F2's and the saloon' s there are previews galore in the 'For What We are about to Receive' article. The saloons have been tyre testing and the F2's have confirmed which tyre they will be using for the next three years. If like me you like BriSCA F2's and/or 2L Stock Saloons (not to mention ministox) pick the mag up at a track or subscribe, see my magazine page for details.

31/8/10 The September issue of Wheelspin, the official Spedeworth Magazine is out now. This issue celebrates the gradual knitting together of the Spedeworth and Incarace organisations with an indepth report from the National Championships that were held at Hednesford. John Sharp has a close look at the career of 2 Litre Hot Rod Champion Jason Wilks. The date for the Superstox World is approaching and Keith Hobson remembers, in words and pictures past World Finals. The National Bangers A60 Amble was one heck of a meeting and Daniel Rushden tells us who did what. September is a massively busy month for Spedeworth and you need this issue to see what you will have to look forward to. It's physically impossible to get to all meetings so catch up with the official mag. and find out what's happening behind the scenes too. Pickup the mag. at a Spedeworth track. The next issue is due out on 26th September.

31/8/10 News from the Publishers of Short Circuit.....

Unfortunately we are running so late with Short Circuit’s August issue that in order to catch up to a reasonable level we have decided to combine the August and September issues. All subscribers will have one issue added to their subscriptions to make up the full 12 (or 24) issues.

Earlier in the year the June SC was well on schedule and Oval Track Classic was also due out. Then myself, the publisher and person who puts the magazines together suffered a hand injury, making it almost impossible to type and difficult to put magazines together on the pc. After several weeks being slowed down to roughly 20% speed,  (and considerable pain!) a backlog soon built up, and with an unexpected rush of work from outside of the usual magazine business, making it impossible to catch up. The June and July issues suffered, thankfully I am now fully fit, and decided that Oval Track Classic was a priority after being ready to put together since early April, and is out NOW.

Expect a slightly larger than usual Aug/Sept issue out soon. It will take a bit of sorting with lots of behind the scenes admin so please bear with us – it should be out 10th September and normal service will resume with October SC with an aimed for publishing date of the first Friday of the month.

Anyone on the Demon Tweeks scheme – they usually know when we publish the magazine as they have a copy – any problems you can always refer them to me.

30/8/10 There were queues at the turn styles to get into Northampton on Bank Holiday Monday. The amazingly large crowd gathered to see National Hot Rod driver Malcolm Blackman #911 from Langley, Berkshire dominate the heats. However the man that won the final was 130 Andy Lane who was followed across the line by 162 911 500 72 60 115 95 61 303.

I have added 73 pictures from this meeting (that also featured Legends, Stock Rods and Bangers) to my gallery, click here to see them and as usual should you want a high res copy of any of them please email me.

30/8/10 Grahame very kindly sent us this item that he spotted in yesterdays Mail on Sunday.......