Hot Rods turn on the heat!
Thursday, 24 July 2008
Hot Rod drivers will descend on Nutts Corner this weekend to compete for the World Championship.
THE 2 Litre Hot Rod World Championship Final will be staged at Nutts Corner Oval this weekend during the biggest weekend of oval racing action ever staged in Northern Ireland.
The SpeedWeekend will also see the Lightning Rods contest their British Championship in what promises to be an explosive double-header of short oval racing.
Among the local boys, current British and Irish champion Wayne Woolsey from Portadown will be aiming to add the gold roof in his Tigra. Current European Champion Andy Best, who won the World the last time it was staged at Nuttscorner Oval in 2005, has been quiet this year but can never be discounted, along with 2002 World winner John Murray.
Add in Davy Clarke, Gary Wilson and Garry Campbell to name a few and it should be an action packed weekend of racing.
A host of visitors are also expected in both categories, and Ludlow Motorsport's Mark Paffey from Hampshire will be leading the Speedworth charge in the Hot Rods as he defends the title he won at Ipswich in 2007.
Former National Hot Rod World title holder Malcolm Blackman has also signalled his intention to travel to the event in the Mark Peck-owned car he's been campaigning in 2008 alongside his National.
Former double World-winner Kevin Randell will also be making the trip, with Chris Harvey and Sussex-based Kym Weaver two more of the 14 overseas entries expected to bid for the coveted World trophy.
Midlands-based racer Lee Parsons will visit Nuttscorner Oval for the third time this season to defend his British Lightning Rod Championship crown, and he will be joined by recently crowned European Champion Harry Skoyles and Spedeworth hotshots Craig Boyd and Mick Walker for the big race.
Hot favourite will of course be local ace Stephen Emerson, who last season bagged the World, European, ORCi and Irish Championships. Emerson has been in scintillating form of late, but can expect a tough time not only from the visitors but also from other local stars in the shape of Nigel Jackson, Gordon McKee and David Hearst.
