NEIL SMITH WINS
UK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS ON HOOSIERS

HEDNESFORD HILLS, ENGLAND (July 31-August 1) -- National Hot Rod Racing came to Hednesford Hills Raceway in the heart of England last weekend for the U.K. National championships. Thirty-nine cars attended the two-day show with drivers from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Eire, Wales and Germany trying to qualify for the 75-lap feature event. 

Six heats were contested on Saturday with 26 cars in each race which consisted of  20 laps over the 1/4-mile banked asphalt oval. Each driver competed in four races winning points to determine their starting grid position for the "big race". Incredibly, there were six different winners with the heat races including current World Champion Malcolm Blackman, Neil Stimson, Neil Smith, Steve Thompson, Ricky Hunn and Adam Scott.  

When all the points had been calculated, the #657 car of Neil Smith was on the pole with #142 Mike Riorden from Eire in 2nd place after four consistent heat races. Row number two consisted of #271 Neil Stimson and #170 Steve Thompson. Lining up on row four were current World Champion #911 Malcolm Blackman and former World Champion #942 Davy McCall from Northern Ireland. 

Thirty-two cars lined up for the 75-lap National Championship Final on Sunday which only made it to the first lap before a major crash started by a spinning #942 Davy McCall brought out the red flag and saw six cars with extensive damage and unable to re-start the race.
 

On the re-start, #657 Neil Smith dropped to 4th place with #911 Blackman taking over the lead. With a typically aggressive drive, Smith soon made it back to 2nd and made a move on Blackman which saw the #911 car spin and crash heavily into the infield. This left Smith with a lead which he never gave up--although he did come under strong pressure from newcomer #170 Steve Thompson over the closing laps. Coming home in 3rd was #302 Deane Wood with a great drive having started from the sixth row.  

Neil was delighted with his first major championship in the class and commented, "It was a great race. It's the first time I have raced for 75 laps. Neil added, "The car was great and the Hoosier H12's stayed consistent throughout." 

The Hoosier 20.0x9.0-13 H12 is enjoying its 5th year as the chosen tire of the NHRPA. For more information about National Hot Rod racing in the UK you can visit their website at www.nationalhotrod.com  

The event was serviced by Andy and Looby Postance, and Martin Lamb of Hoosier Tire UK.  

The show now moves on to the Foxhall International Raceway, Ipswich on August 14th for the first qualifying round of the World Championship of 2005.

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