Regarded as the fastest formula on the UK ovals, these specialised and highly tuned coupes and hatchbacks are amongst the most professional racing categories in UK Oval Motorsport.

National Hot Rod racing has come a long way since the 1970’s when legends such as Barry Lee, George Polley and Mick Collard thrilled us around the stadiums and on our TV screens. Evolution has seen the National Hot Rod of the modern era develop into one of the most sophisticated and highly specialised racing cars in the motorsports world – just ask Andrew Jordan, Tom Ingram, Aiden Moffat, Rob Austin, Rob Collard and Aron Smith of the British Touring Car Series who all had outings in National Hot Rods in 2015 - indeed 2016 BTCC Speedworks Driver, Matt Simpson is a former National Hot Rod European Champion!

This non-contact class can be seen across the UK from Scotland to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to the Midlands, South of England, Holland and South Africa.

With 20 – 30 cars often on track at the same time, National Hot Rod Racing requires the utmost in car preparation and Driver commitment offering Race Fans fantastic close racing action.

Built on specially designed spaceframe chassis, powered by race-tuned 16-valve engines and running on wide racing slick tyres, the speeds these cars can achieve in such a confined space has to be seen to be believed. There are a growing number of bodyshell styles to choose from through the Renault, BMW, Mercedes, VW, Peaugeot, Mazda and Vauxhall marques.

The rules for the formula are strictly controlled by the NHRPA governing body, with rules on chassis options, power-plants and tyres being controlled to control costs and maintain fairness.

As with any Elite Class of Motorsport, your budget to a degree may control your success on track but second hand cars can range from a four figure sum up to a five figure sum brand new ready to race. You can also self – assemble your own car as per the formula’s rulebook which can be accessed through the various promoters’ websites.

Race it. It is a non-contact sport and officials monitor the circuit closely and take action against those committing misdemeanours!

There are no entry fees for the race meetings and the licence fee for the yearly season is £110. With a large number of venues offering meetings for National Hot Rod Racing, drivers can choose to race as little or as often as they wish and may choose to broaden their racing experience by participating in events further afield across the UK mainland, from Scotland to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to the Midlands, South of England, Holland and even Tour South Africa if they wish!

Running costs are subject to damage but are in the region of +/- £1000 per meeting.

The drivers are some of the most skilful and talented on the ovals, circulating centimetres apart at full race speed with thousands of a second on track decision making. They all have one aim, to be World Champion, and compete in as many World Championship Qualifying Rounds as possible to claim their place on the grid at Spedeworth's Foxhall Heath Stadium, Ipswich at the annual Spedeweekend on the first weekend of July where only the best man and car can win the coveted gold roof and claim to be the World Champion!

 

Last updated  01 April 2020 15:52