National Hot Rod World Champions | Roll Of Honour | 1972 - 2022

Hot Rods or simply Rods refer to a number of British oval racing formula (not to be confused with hot rods, which are generally road-going modified vintage cars). Hot Rods were introduced at Hednesford Hills Raceway in the early 1960s as a British counterpart to NASCAR-style production car racing. The term 'stock car' was not adopted because it was already in use for a form of oval racing in Britain that had evolved in a very different way than American stock cars. In south west England, hot rod racing evolved from a class known as sports and production car racing, introduced at tracks such as Plymouth and St Austell in the 1950s. Hot Rod racing rules vary depending on promoters, of which there are many, but almost all are based on European or Japanese hot hatches and race on tarmac 1/4 mile ovals with deliberate contact banned, although accidents are common due to the large number of cars within a tight environment. The fastest and most expensive Rod formula are the National Hot Rods (not to be confused with the National Hot Rod Association) which use tube chassis, kevlar bodies and highly tuned 2 litre straight-4 engines. Hot Rod formulas also race in Ireland, continental Europe and South Africa. They have similarities with some of the more sophisticated mini-stock divisions in the USA. The World Championship for the National Hot Rods is staged at Foxhall Stadium in Ipswich in the first weekend of July each year. The 2 Litre Hot Rods are the next class down; their World Championship is held at various tracks in England, every third year at the Nutts Corner track in Northern Ireland.

First raced at Foxhall Stadium in Ipswich in 1972 where the championship has remained ever since. The title befitted the event for much of its early life as drivers from across the globe were invited to take part. Later years have seen the event take on a more domestic look although it includes some European and occasional South African representation.

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[dilligaf]

A little place like N.Ireland really dominated the sport for many years, 962, 932, 950, 944 etc etc, A small place with great talent..

[alangood]

That was a stroll down memory lane. Thanks.
In my opinion the Mk1 and Mk2 Escort days' were the best because the cars weren't too sophisticated by today's standards which provided much closer and more spectacular (over-taking) racing. Progress isn't always a good thing.

[stuartbutcher]

Brought back great memories watching this video! I’m am Ipswich lad so a bit biased!!!! But when glen bell won in the monsoon of 2012 wow

[ianburrell]

Great times....70s and 80s were the best though!

[garrywitcomb]

Some great footage
Brilliant 😆😆
Some of the greatest oval racers of all time 👍

[smokemeakipper]

A few inaccuracies. Colin White won his first championship in the Fiesta but the next two were with the Corrado. And Roger Peck won in the Union Jack Starlet, not the Fiesta. Great video bud. Long overdue on YouTube! Keep up the great work!

[ivorjones]

yes i was at henesford when martin morris did a demo lap in a hot rod ! it was a ford 8 with a mga engine init and it couldnt go in straght line a short time after he was there in anglia with a cortina gt engine in much better and the ford engine was soon upped to 1650 cc brill good days

[audspod]

Love this! Robert McDonald is such a great Champion. Just a wee bit worried if he can surpass Ormond Christie with five World Final wins!!

[paulskinb]

A few incorrect images, 942 Davy McCall in 1990 photo is not a National Hot Rod, thats a 1600 Hot Rod

[susanredfern]

U missed one out the lord of the mendips.🤪🧐😂