2 Litre Hot Rods World Championship

The World final returns to England but heading away from the Spedeworth tracks to Hednesford on Sunday 16th August with Brisca F2's and Bangers in support. As usual the battle between the Northern Irish and England will be hard thought, but the chances of a Irish win might be slim. From 1998 onwards the winner has always been native of the host country, can anyone break this?

The Favourites
Last year's winner Wayne Woolsey had a rotten trip in his last trip over to England at the Spedeweekend, although relatively quick he failed to trouble the lap scorers. Skip forward a few weeks to the European and he set the fastest lap on the way to finishing second.

Mark Paffey must enter the race as favourite, for the past ten years whenever he has been active in the class he has been winning championships although only taken the World title once. At times his cars looks like it is on rails, if he gets out in front he will not be stopped.

Before getting into National Hot Rods Malcolm Blackman was a top name in the class, the World was one of the few titles he didn't win, he came close in 1998 after putting in one of the most memorable charges before tangling with Davy McCall. His desire to win is still strong, but unlike '98 the drivers racing now are far more competitive, any top driver will find it hard to move through the pack.

Shane Murray put himself on pole for the European but fell back in the slippery conditions, since stepping up to the class he has looked very strong. Definately has the pace and has proven himself away from the Irish tracks.

Mark Cooper has yet to win anything major in this class but has been always been quick; a 3rd, 4th and 5th is great form in this race. He knows how to bring the car home and has won big titles at the this track in Lightning Rods.

Those five seem to have great pace but the track hasn't been raced on by many, the above five have raced in other classes and that will definately favour them. Paul Wright, Kym Weaver, Jason Wilks and Will Reed are still danger men but jumping onto the top step may be too much. Further down the ranks Richard Poulter, Carl Pye and Mark Madill could sneak a top 5 finish. Four previous champions could start the race; with Randell and Goodswen joining Woolsey and Paffey. Goodswen's win in 2006 showed that class isn't as cut and dry as many predict.

This is not the first time the class has raced at Hednesford, way back in 1991 (when 1600 crossflow power being used) the British Championship was held. That title went the way of Dave Longhurst, with current Spedeworth promoter Deane Wood taking sixth place. Since Deane took over Spedeworth and then Incarace he has gently been pushing the class to these tracks. Last year the National Championship was held at Northampton, that title will be held at Hednesford later on in the year.

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