History of Spedeworth V8 Stock Cars

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

Above: Spedeworth V8 Stock Car

They are designed and constructed to a strict specification and the preferred engines are Chevrolet 283, 302, 350 c.i vee eights. Prior to 1980, the formula was called Spedeworth F1 and the cars were the same as BRISCA F1.

 
Above: Spedeworth F1

Due to the high cost of maintaining the bigger, unlimited power cars, 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.

 

Above: one of the team cars                                           Above: converted F1 Jag powered car.
                                                                                    This car actually raced as a BRISCA F1
                                                                                    in its earlier days - Les Suckling built.

The six team cars he had were bought from him and they were basically the first Formula 80 cars, as this formula was then known. Cars of all types and descriptions were appearing, old F1 cars lightened with smaller axles and engines, Superstox made heavier and 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. This also meant that all cars ran on 13 inch wheels, once again, as they do today. 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.

There were two periods over the years when this formula raced with the 'northern' hotstox, now known as V8 hotstox, but due to differences between the formulas and neither side wishing to change, the two formulas went their separate ways. The last time they were racing together, the two parties agreed that the formula should be known as V8 stock cars. Upon going their separate ways the 'northern' sector, who decided to split again mainly because they were not prepared to run small block chevys, in order to make their cars more competitive, requested that Spedeworth rename their formula. Spedeworth declined the request so the 'northern' formula were  renamed V8 Hotstox.