Statement from Spedeworth:

Spedeworth / Incarace would like to announce that following a letter of confirmation from GRA Limited it is now confirmed that the 2016/17 winter season at Wimbledon Stadium will be the final season of short oval racing at the Plough Lane venue before the site is closed for re-development.

The rumours have gone on for years about the demise of Wimbledon Stadium with everyone wondering at the end of every season if we will return for another year.

Thanks to many people behind the scenes, there have been petitions, negotiations and many forms of communication to keep stock car racing in the capital city. Thanks to all of the efforts from everyone Wimbledon Stadium has continued to run stock car racing over the past few years and we have witnessed some of the best moments in the stadiums history from fantastic Banger events to the domestic events which caught everyone by surprise with the quality of the racing on the night.

Unfortunately, the final decisions have been made by the local authorities and the vote was passed for the re-development of the site.

HOWEVER……

At this time of year fixture planning for the 2017 season is well underway and we are going to be organising some superb events not to be missed before the final meeting at Plough Lane which will take place on Sunday 26th March 2017 when we will bid farewell to Wimbledon Stadium.

The history of the sport at Wimbledon Stadium will never be forgotten and before the gates close for the final time we will be making even more memories that people will be talking about for generations to come.

Over the next few weeks the meetings will be announced via the Spedeworth / Incarace websites with some big surprises added to the mix so don’t forget to check the websites to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the upcoming news and dates for your diary.

Spedeworth / Incarace would like to thank everyone for their support over the years at Wimbledon Stadium from the drivers, officials, medical teams, stadium staff and of course all the race fans who have joined us come rain (and sometimes snow) or shine to add to the unique atmosphere that Wimbledon Stadium has always had.

Continuing with the 2016 half of the season at Wimbledon Stadium the next meeting is this Sunday (13th November) featuring the first half of the Best In Britain which includes the 1300cc Stock Cars, 2.0 Hot Rods, Lightning Rods and Superstox. First race starts at 5.30pm!

Richard Poulter took the final at at dry Ipswich on 22/10/16. George Turiccki was second with Niall Wood in third.
Sarah Cooper took her first win in the formula by taking Heat 1. Michael Mills took Heat 2.

Brett

25 Hot Rods are currently booked in to contest Round 14 of the Hoosier Racing Tire Series at Ipswich on 22/10/16.
The series is being lead by Martin Codling on 283 points with Lewis Shelley in second on 259 points and the World Champion Dan Smith in third on 254 points.
The National Hot Rods and Superstox are also racing, so this meeting is not to be missed, the action starts at 6.45pm.

National championship result:
1st Alex Crane 11
2nd George Turiccki 186
3rd Nick Ross 93
4th Luke Stonehouse 280
5th Paul Wright 43
An excellent race in wet, greasy conditions. Well done to Alex Crane, your new national champion 🏁🏁

Lucy Webster

26 cars are currently booked in to contest the National Championship at Birmingham on Saturday 15/10/16, racing starts at 6.30pm.

At a dry and sunny Northampton on 02/10/16, Paul Wright won the final from grid 4 and was well clear by the end of the race. Mr Consistent, Richard Poulter was second in all the days races. After winning both Heats, Martin Heath was third in the final to end a good days racing.
Brett

Paul from Whistlin Jack Smith's report:
21 cars started the day including Tony Moss in a new Saxo. James Forrest led the start of heat 1 until Martin Heath moved by, Forrest was suffering with engine problems and pulled off to the outside of turn 2 where Turiccki, Leech and Souter had also retired. Michael Mills was second over the line but ended up being docked.
For heat 2 with no white tops left, Mills led until 4 laps left when he left a huge gap exiting turn 4 and Heath dived inside, the pair made contact exiting the bend with Mills spun across the front of Heath to the centre. Heath took the chequers 4 laps later.
The points final saw the front six as Heath, Poulter, Codling, Wright, Gamble and Collison. Heath didn't make the best start from pole and Poulter was instantly into the led with Wright following by on the outside, a lap later he moved by on the inside when Poulter left a gap. Wright simply pulled away to win by almost the length of a straight. Thanks Paul - WJS

An excellent entry of 24 Hot Rods are currently booked in to contest Round 13 of the Hoosier Racing Tire Series at Northampton on 02/10/16. Martin Codling leads the series with 257 points, with Lewis Shelley second on 243 and Dan Smith third with 237. The action starts at 1.30pm.

George Turiccki takes Southern Championship on a fast and dry track at Eastbourne on 21/09/16. George also won Heat 1 with Gavin Botfield taking Heat 2.

Brett

There is a good entry of 17 Hot Rods booked in to contest the Southern Championship at Arlington on 21/09/16. The action starts at 7.15 pm.

The 2 Litre Hot Rods put on a great show yesterday in round 12 of the Hoosier Tyre series where 745 Dan Bennett was the man of the moment. Backing up the success he had here 14 months ago scoring a heat and final double with 98 Richard Poulter winning the opening race. As promised 18 cars showed up including a visiting driver from Holland in car 24, and 999 Pat Casey from the Republic of Ireland. The first race started off with 69 James Forrest and 328 Michael Mills banging door panels with Mills taking the lead at the end of lap two. Forrest's car looked rather unbalanced as he spun round 360 degrees on the next lap dropping him to last. Car 98 Richard Poulter made his way past the 566 car of Marc Crome to take second place, before setting about closing down Mills. 745 Dan Bennett had moved up to 4th place ahead of Robert Gamble having a good run car 133. Further back 186 George Turiccki was trying to pass Brett Collison in 275, and as they ran wide 565 Dan Smith was able to move past both of them in a three abreast move on the pits bend. Car 66 the Ex National Hot Rod racer Martin Heath was having a good run in his gorgeous new Peugeot before losing out in the second half. Meanwhile Poulter had caught up with race leader Mills. Taking a wide line on the Aldershot turn in an attempt to get a good exit, he tried to get alongside as they came down the home straight. Mills just managed to cut him off before sliding out wide on the exit allowing Poulter to sweep past. In the closing stages Bennett and Gamble took second and third off Mills, as Poulter ran out the winner. However Bennett was docked two places for contact during the course of the race, dropping him to 4th.

The Start of the second heat saw Mills take an early lead as James Forrest's woes continued with mechanical issues putting him out after just one lap. Mills then proceeded to open out a substantial lead with 566 Marc Crome in second place, but 745 Dan Bennett was a man on a mission wasting no time in getting past on lap 9. 186 George Turiccki was making good progress from towards the back, as was Dan Smith in 565. 133 Robert Gamble was having another good run moving up to third place, but up front Bennett was rapidly closing in on Mills. In the closing stages he caught up with the 328 car and with 2 laps to go he made his move! It looked easy! Bennett thus ran out the winner with Mills second and Gamble third just ahead of the hard charging Turiccki.

The grid for the final saw the drivers start in the order of points they scored in the heat races. Bennett was on pole ahead of Gamble, Mills and Poulter were on the second row with the two star men Smith and Turiccki on row three. At the start Smith got a flyer but he couldn't quite capitalize on it as Bennett lead them through the pits bend for the first time. Gamble and Mills made contact on the Aldershot turn as Gamble slotted into second place. Smith and Turiccki were already making use of their grid positions, making their way through into second and third positions by lap six. At the front Bennett just seemed to be controlling the pace and was able to hold a gap over Smith who had the 186 car breathing down his neck. Turiccki seemed to have the faster car, but the experienced Dan Smith would keep him at bay all the way to the chequered flag. But it was victory for 745 Dan Bennett backing up the success he had here 14 mouths ago. It may not have been a hatrick this time, but still a brilliant performance. 565 Dan Smith and 186 George Turiccki were second and third to round off a great day's racing
Report thanks to Tom O'Callaghan

This weekend the 2 Litre Hot Rods make their return to Aldershot for round 12 of the Hoosier Tyre series. Number 30 Martin Codling is currently leading the series after a heat and final victory at Eastbourne last time out. His closest rivals 118 Lewis Shelley and 330 Tyler Wilkin will be snapping at his heels, though it won’t be easy as Aldershot is a circuit which tends to favour more of the novice drivers! 16 cars are currently booked in, which is encouraging to see. One of which includes 999 Pat Casey visiting from the republic of Ireland. Others include the new English Champion Paul Wright in car 43, the return of Marc Crome in 566, the world champion Dan Smith in 565, and the winner of the Dutch open last weekend Chris Crane in car 75.

30 Martin Codling
66 Martin Heath
69 James Forrest
75 Chris Crane
98 Richard Poulter
118 Lewis Shelley
186 George Turiccki
268 Niall Wood
275 Brett Collison
303 Gavin Botfield
310 Sean O'Leary
330 Tyler Wilkin
565 Daniel Smith
566 Marc Crome
745 Daniel Bennett
999 Pat Casey

Thanks to Tom O'Callaghan

Round 11 of the Hoosier Racing Tire series took place at Eastbourne on 24/08/16. 12 cars started Heat 1 with Damon Wellman retiring with a misfire on the first lap. Lewis Shelley continued his good form by taking the win. 11 cars for Heat 2, this time Martin Codling also having a good run, took the win.
Martin then took the final from Daniel Bennett and Tyler Wilkin. Dan Smith was docked 2 places in this one.
Lewis now leads the series on 232 points from Tyler on 214 and Dan Smith on 206.

A field of 21 2 Litre Hot Rods turned up to contest the 2016 English Championship at Northampton on 14th August. The first race saw Paul Wright in car 43 starting from a very strong pole position, and he lead from the start ahead of 29 Duane Peacock with 146 Scott Morgan and 186 George Turiccki side by side for 3rd. At the start of lap 3 Turiccki took 3rd from Morgan round the outside and then almost immediately cut to the inside to past Peacock for second. Further back there was trouble on the final corner as 151 Robert Ashman was spun round taking out number 5 Marc Gould and number 2 Ryan Morgan in the process. Wright proceeded to pull out a substantial lead with Turiccki giving chase. In the battle for third place 303 Gavin Botfield was able to get past the 146 car of Scott Morgan, but no one could stop Paul Wright who came through to take the chequered flag ahead of Turiccki and Botfield.

The reverse grid for race two saw 330 Tyler Wilkin lead the pack away ahead of 310 Sean O'Leary and 280 Luke Stonehouse. At the end of lap one 35 Mitchell Souter was taken out by 75 Chris Crane, fortunately no damage was done and both were able to continue. With Wilkin pulling clear at the front, the race was really heating up for second place with O'Leary coming under intense pressure from Stonehouse, with the Crane boys and 133 Robert Gamble in hot pursuit. From towards the back Wright was making steady progress through the field. Back at the front Stonehouse found a gap on the back straight and after a lap of running door handle to door handle, he made his way past O'Leary to take second place.

For most of the second half, the Cranes had a great battle with O'Leary in the race for third. Chris eventually got through with two laps to go. O'Leary then tried to cut across the front of Alex who was already up his inside, the cars touched sending O'Leary into a 360 degree spin on the home straight! Miraculously everyone missed him, and in all the confusion Wright took advantage gaining about three places moving up to 7th! On the last lap Luke Stonehouse was right with Tyler Wilkin and challenging for the lead! Wilkin looked to have it covered but coming off the final bend Stonehouse got a great exit and they crossed the line together in what was a virtual dead heat finish, the first time I've ever witnessed a tie in my history of watching hot rod racing! If those photo finishes from the Olympics were anything to go by I'll tell you, you can't get any closer than that, and what a great race it was too!

During the English Championship nothing much happened with the exception of a clash between 35 Souter and 29 Peacock on the first corner. At the front though it was very much a straight forward race for Paul Wright in car 43 as he started from pole and lead flag to flag! A perfect way to put the disappointments of Spedeweekend behind him! The out going champion George Turiccki finished second in 186 with 280 Luke Stonehouse in third, and 75 Chris Crane in fourth.

Thanks to Tom O'Callaghan

20 cars are booked in to contest the 2 Litre Hot Rod English Championship at Northampton this Sunday! 186 George Turiccki defends the crown, though he will certainly have his work cut out with 43 Paul Wright and the new world champion 565 Daniel Smith all gunning for victory this Sunday! Other contestants include Alex and Chris Crane in cars 11 and 75, who could potentially threaten the front runners, along with veterans 310 Sean O'Leary and 303 Gavin Botfield. Who knows, there maybe a few other surprises along the lines!

2 Ryan Morgan
5 Marc Gould
11 Alex Crane
30 Martin Codling
35 Mitchell Souter
43 Paul Wright
69 James Forrest
75 Chris Crane
93 Nick Ross
98 Richard Poulter
133 Robert Gamble
151 Robert Ashman
186 George Turiccki
280 Luke Stonehouse
303 Gavin Botfield
310 Sean O'Leary
328 Michael Mills
330 Tyler Wilkin
565 Daniel Smith
745 Daniel Bennett

Thanks to Tom O'Callaghan

Stephen Emerson takes European Championship
Heat 1: 923, 950, 914, 943, 961, 976, 959, 8, 565, 71
Heat 2: 11 976 565 280 928 75 71 959 950 943
European:923 565 11 280 75
Results thanks to Tracey Poole