On 16th October 1954 the first Stock Car race meeting was held at Foxhall Stadium, 56 years later Saturdays meeting sees the 50th running of the Superstox World Final with the usual 6.45 start time.
Jan Scott won that first title back in 1961, Jan a former WW2 fighter pilot died last year but Stan Ingle, who won the following year and again in 1966 still holds fond memories of his Stock Car racing days “I remember winning a race at Reading back in the 60’s after Id fenced the local favourite driver, the promoter told me to keep my crash helmet on for the lap of honour” It turned out that this was good advice, Ingle continues “I came under attack from beer cans and even paint tins while taking my victory lap and had my car kicked in the pits afterwards, but they were great days and the fans were very passionate about their sport.” Stan Ingle, now 82 is not well enough to travel to Foxhall for this anniversary event but race fans will be able to see several of the big names from years gone by in Superstox racing at Foxhall this weekend, names like Dave Pierce, Bill Bridges, and Dave Willis who have all been invited along for the occasion.

So where do we look for a winner? Anyone in the know will take a look at the grid and look no further than the front row, with double World Champion Jason Cooper on pole and defending Champion Ben Marjoram beside him, it all looks done and dusted already, but take a look at the second row, they have Steven Jackson and Billy Smith right behind them and this IS a contact formula and anything can happen at the first corner, and often does. If you wind the clock back 10 years Mark Eaton started from 6 rows back, he went in with the bumper at the first bend and came out of the bend in the lead, Eaton went on to win that race and it is often remembered as an example of how to use a Superstox front bumper. Two more former Champions also in this year’s race could both win it, Shaun Brooker who took the win in 2007 is always quick at Foxhall. Garry Sparkes from Felsham hold the winners record having taken the crown on five occasions between 1989 and 2002. Sparkes is one of those drivers who you can never discount, especially when a Championship is up for grabs, so don’t write him off even from the 7th row. Local hopes will be on young Alex Meadows from Woodbridge, now in his third World Final and just 18 years old Meadows regards his local track as his favourite.

There are four big races for the Superstox to go for at this special meeting, after the World Final the drivers can race for the “Eaton Trophy” a magnificent trophy which has been sponsored by Les Eaton who founded the Spedeworth organisation with his late Wife Mavis back in 1961. Next up comes the Bob Nicholls Motorcycles trophy race with generous prize money and awards for the novice drivers. The top drivers will then contest the HCD Dash for Cash a short race over just 6 laps with £50 for the leader at the end of each lap and a big “winner takes all” prize fund.

National Hot Rods provide the support racing with round six of the 2011 World series sponsored by Haird Motorsport. World Champion Chris Haird returns to the scene of his greatest triumph back in July, he will be keen to get a good haul of points as he looks to gain on current points leader Scotland’s Willie Hardie. David Polley makes his debut in National Hot Rods, former F2 driver Polley has been welcomed into the formula and will be driving a Ludlow built Vauxhall Tigra, long term followers will be keen to see if he can emulate his Father George Polley who won the World title at Foxhall in 1976 and again in 1977. The current points chart is already building into another close chart with just 3 meetings worth of points separating the top 20 drivers. It will be a busy night for Jason Cooper, desperate for points in his National Hot Rod as he seeks to climb into the top 18 as well as racing his Superstox in the World Final.