History of  V8 Stock Cars

Spedeworth V8 Stock Cars are purpose built, open wheeled, 5.5 litre engined single seater racing cars.

Above: Spedeworth V8 Stock Cars

They are designed and constructed to a strict specification and the preferred engines are Chevrolet 283, 302, 350 c.i vee eights.

How did they come to be?
In 1976, a group of southern based BriSCA F1 stock car drivers formed their own association (SCOTA), due to a lack of F1 meetings in the south.
Spedeworth were prepared to give them regular meetings, and for a few seasons they survived.


Above: SCOTA F1

Due to the high cost of maintaining the bigger, unlimited power cars, and the fact that car numbers were getting
low, it was decided to introduce a formula that would reduce costs. The cars were smaller, running on either
13 or 14 inch wheels. In the early days Rovers, Jaguars and even Ford V6s were used but as time has gone on,
virtually all cars are fitted with small block Chevrolet engines. A BRISCA promoter tried to introduce team
cars in the late 70s but the idea didn't take off. The six team cars he had were bought from him and they were
basically the first V8 stock cars, although at the time they were called 'Formula 80'.
 Cars of all types and descriptions were appearing, old F1 cars lightened with smaller axles and engines,
Superstox made heavier with Ford V6s fitted and new cars from the likes of Darkie Wright, had Jaguar
independent rear suspension. Some even had Jaguar V12s fitted. Over a period of time, the car regulations
were changed to the point that all cars had to run with regulation tyres as they do today.


One of the team cars all those years ago

As the cars got quicker, the Ford V6s, Rover V8s and Jaguars disappeared as they were no longer competitive. Today, some
of the cars run independent suspension, others have beam axles. Car preparation is generally excellent, bar the few, and there are
now a lot of competitive cars virtually on a par with each other that leads to some excellent, close racing with various different
race winners.
There were two periods over the years when this formula raced with the 'northern' hotstox formula, now known as V8 hotstox, but due
to differences between the formulas, they went their separate ways. The last time they were racing together, the two parties agreed that
the 'new' combined formula should be known as V8 stock cars. The 'Formula 80' name had been dropped quite a few years earlier in
favour of 'F1 V8 stock cars'. After a while, the 'northern' drivers decided to go it alone as their cars proved to be inferior to the
Spedeworth V8s - not surprising as the 'northern' cars were running Rover 3.5 litre engines whilst the Spedeworth V8s were running
small block Chevy's. Having said that, the hotstox were not prepared to alter their regulations to allow small block Chevy's, or even
alter them to allow the Rover engines to have Holley Carbs fitted. Instead, they expected the Spedeworth drivers to discard their engines
and fit Rovers. This resulted in both parties going their separate ways again with the Spedeworth drivers keeping the name'V8 Stock Cars'.
Hotstox reverted back to 'V8 Hotstox'. Both formulas are known by those names today.
It was a shame really as the combined formula of the Spedeworth V8's & 'Northern' Hotstox provided some fine racing.

Will they ever get together again?
Personally, I don't think so. The reason I don't think so is because since they went their separate ways, both formulas have progressed
within their own environments and both are formulas in their own right. Spedeworth V8s are now far quicker than they used to be due
to the cars handling far better than they ever did do. Most of the cars are on a par with each other now whereas in the past there were
 two or three who stood out from the rest, the remainder were probably on a par with the top Hotstox cars, hence the combination of
the two formulas worked at the time but wouldn't do today. The Hotstox formula have no doubt progressed as well but I honestly
couldn't see them being a match for the Spedeworth V8s in their current state. Both formulas seem to have got further apart than they
were when they were racing together. Hotstox now seem far bigger than they ever were and have a lot more metalwork in their cars.
Perhaps time will prove me wrong but personally I'd say 'No, they will not race together again'

Spedeworth V8 Stock Car

WHY NOT RACE A V8 STOCK CAR?
V8 Stock Cars are a comparatively cheap form of motorsport. They are also cheap to maintain. Engines last a considerable time and have been
known to last for many seasons with the minimum of maintenance. Tyres also last a considerable time. The cars are a nice size to work on
and you can transport them around with a car/van and trailer. The formula has moved forward in recent years, and the car preparation now
is generally excellent. FWJ, HCD, Colin Higman & Daz Kitson are just some of the well known car constructors who have built V8 Stock
Cars to date. You can buy a competitive car for approximately 3/5k, although there are many cheaper cars available. Some spend far more
than they actually need to, as in all formulas.
Remember, you can race a V8 Stock Car and still have a life outside of the racing, unlike some other formula's which take over your whole life.
If your serious about getting into oval racing, before you part with your money, think long and hard about getting a V8 Stock Car. The
affordable formula for the normal working man in the street.
You will not be disappointed!

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