News

1st February 2012 - AGM

A reminder that the AGM will be held on Sunday (5th February), at The Village Hall, Ashby St. Ledgers, CV23 8UN. Start time is 11am.

21st January 2012 - Cheetah Change

The club extends a warm welcome to new driver Tom Keep from Ludlow who will be racing the ex Phil Retchless Cheetah this coming season. Tom formerly raced F2 and will be competing under number 46 in the Midgets.

15th January 2012 - New Cars

More new cars under construction for the new season - these are for Gordon and Daniel Pooley who could well be aiming for a 1-2-3 (we'll leave you to pick who will finish where) in the 2012 championship.

31st December 2011 - 2012 Fixtures

Many thanks to Clifford Bunn for sending through the new season fixtures which can be found on the events page.

There will be 17 race days in total with several landmark events. One of the most exciting inclusions is the World Championship at Hednesford Raceway on Sunday 17th June. This marks the Midgets' first visit to the Staffordshire circuit since 2008. Hednesford, the UK's fastest oval, has previously hosted the National and European Championships but this will be a first time there for the club's premier race.

The 42nd running of the European Championship will take place at Northampton on 23rd September. It's only the third time the title has been contested at Brafield, the last time being back in 2004 when Alan Buckland took the honours.

Another major highlight is the two day visit to Scotland (14th & 15th July) which sees a Saturday evening race at Cowdenbeath followed by a first ever visit by the club to Spedeworth Scotland's newest track, Thunder Valley Raceway, Lochgelly.

30th December 2011 - New Stealth

Marc de Land has been over to Neil Clarke's workshop and has sent these pictures through of the work in progress.

We also gather that the Cheetah has changed hands - details of the driver awaited along with any other news - please send details if you have any news or are a new driver.

12th December 2011 - Racequip Back for 2012

Racequip UK have been delighted with this year's sponsorship of the Grand Prix Midgets and have renewed for 2012 including a directly sponsored meeting. Our thanks to them and here's looking forward to the new campaign.

5th December 2011 - News and Presentations

We were saddened to learn of the death of Jock McClure on 3rd December. Jock was best known as a Stock Saloon racer but he competed in the Spedeworth Midgets for a short while in the early seventies too racing a converted Formula Vee (right).

Marc de Land has provided some photos from the presentation night which took place last Saturday.

News or rumours from the event as follows... Gordon Pooley has built himself a new Scorpian for 2012, Daniel Pooley has now got Andrew Lewis car after selling his car to Dave Bonser and Leon Retchless's 99 car has sold to one of Chris Neal's friends.

The 2012 season is provisionally set to start on 18th March at Grimley.

2nd November 2011 - Bonser's FF

2011 newcomer Dave Bonser has bought Daniel Pooley's car for next season. Dave used the ex Allen Herbert BMC for his debut year with the club and took it to 13th in the points championship and two race wins in the club's visit to Knockhill. The Pooley car was originally a circuit racing Formula Ford which was converted to GP Midget spec and runs with a Vauxhall engine.

15th November 2011 - For Sale Page

Any potential drivers might be interested in the cars for sale page which is quite well stocked at the moment.

8th November 2011 - iFactor Final

The 2011 racing season closed on Saturday with three races including the iFactor final at Birmingham wheels. Daniel Pooley won the first heat from Jonathan Pooley with the pair gaining the same places in heat two. The final was win by Jonathan with Marc de Land second and Chris Neal third. Report. (updated 16th Nov)

4th November 2011 - Awards Evening

This years awards evening will be at the Camponile Hotel (M1 Jct 15). There will be food, trophies and a disco, with a 6.30pm for 7pm start. The all important date is Saturday 3rd December. Tickets available from Cliff Bunn or on the night, but please let him know if you want to attend. Tickets are £25 each and £12 for children.

18th October 2011 - Graham Hill Trophy

Daniel Pooley won the first race at Northampton with his brother, the 2011 points champion, Jonathan Pooley winning race two. The final for the historic Graham Hill Trophy was won for the third year in a row by Phil Retchless from Chris Neal and Marc de Land. Ironically, Damon Hill and his son Josh were only about 20 miles away from Brafield as Josh was competing in the Formula Renault races at Silverstone.

5th October 2011 - Results from Birmingham (updated 11th Oct)

Congratulations to Chris Neal who won the Dorrell Sports Flooring Trophy at Birmingham on Saturday. Thanks also to Peter Dorrell for his generous sponsorship of the event. Peter won the first heat with Andrew Bilby winning race two. Results and report here. Latest points here.

29th September 2011 - Results & Report from Aldershot

Heat one won by Jonathan Pooley by .122 seconds from Pete Dorrell in his new car. Heat two was won by Pete Dorrell and the final went to Daniel Pooley from Pete Dorrell and Chris Neal. Report and results here. Latest points here.

8th September 2011 - Points Championship updated 13th Sept

Latest points are online. Jonathan Pooley still on top with Steve Young also remaining in second ahead of Marc de Land. New British Champion and dad to be Chris Neal is into fourth. Marc's report from Birmingham is here.

6th September 2011 - British Championship

Congratulations to Chris Neal on winning the British Championship up at Birmingham Wheels on Saturday night. Jonathan Pooley was second from Marc De Land. The other races were won by Mark Hodges and Daniel Pooley. The club were pleased to welcome Tony Smith to the grid in his Dastle and Peter Dorrell returned with his immaculate Gazelle. Full report and results to follow.

30th August 2011 - Latest Points

The latest points chart is now on site. Good to see 2003 European Champion Daz Rycroft back in the listings after debuting his new car at Buxton.

16 August 2011 - Simon Pashley Trophy

Mark Hodges won the Simon Pashley Trophy up at Buxton this weekend with Jonathan Pooley winning the two heats. Mark is the 13th different race winner this season.

Other exciting news from new driver Tony Smith (#37) who will be giving his Dast-Fire (left) a shakedown run at Northampton soon. The car belongs to ex MARC racer Terry Baimbridge.

11th August 2011 - Latest News and Points

The results from the meetings at Knockhill and Cowdenbeath are now online. Also the latest points chart. Congrats to Dave Bonser on his first GP Midgets win.

4th August 2011 - Latest News and Points

Grateful thanks to Rod, Sue and Ben Pashley who have kindly offered a first place prize of £50 for the Simon Pashley Cup which takes place at Buxton on 14th August.

The latest points table has been published - thanks to Andrew Bilby. Marc de Land moves back into third and Daniel Pooley climbs back into the top six. Just five points separate the two top front engine cars. The report from the Derek Kisby Trophy meeting is now up.

21stth July 2011 - Derek Kisby Trophy

The Derek Kisby Trophy was contested at Yarmouth on Sunday with Luke Retchless taking his first ever win to add a new name to the trophy. Cliff Bunn was second with heat winner Marc de Land in third. The other heat was won by Daniel Pooley.

13th July 2011 - Latest Points

The latest points table has been published - thanks to Andrew Bilby. Chris Neal moves into third, Neil Clarke is up into 5th whilst Gordon Pooley jumps from 11th to 6th.

12th July 2011 - Pooley Retains European Championship

Jonathan Pooley retained the European Championship (report now on line) at Arena on Saturday night. This was the 41st running of the title and the second time it has been held at Arena. Steve Young was second with Chris Neal third. We were pleased to welcome back Dutchman Toni Scheepens who sadly retired from the big race. Gordon Pooley won heat two whilst, having won the championship from the front, Jonathan Pooley won the final from the back of the grid ahead of Chris Neal.

Good to see Klaus Kilianski and Peter Perry racing at this meeting too in their Hot Rods.

29th June 2011 - New Car for Lee Hazeltine

Thanks to Marc de Land for passing the news on Lee Hazeltine's new car (left) being put together by Lee and Daniel Pooley.

28th June 2011 - Northampton results

Results from the Northampton meeting are now online here. Congratulations to Chris Neal who took not only his first GP Midget win but his second as well. Marc de Land won the June Cochrane trophy final. Interesting to note that both cars are ex-Harry and Rob Sayell machines. Well built and well driven!

20th June 2011 - Lap Records

Marc de Land has been trawling the records to see who holds various lap records. The results are on the points chart page.

16th June 2011 - Latest Points

Thanks to Andrew Bilby who has sent though the latest points chart. Jon Pooley remains top from Steve Young whilst Phil Retchless has jumped into third place and also the lead of the front engine cars. Marc de Land improves from 9th to 6th whilst Mark Hodges is back racing and figures in the points for the first time.

7th June 2011 - Pooley's Third World

Jonathon Pooley retained the World Championship on Saturday night at Birmingham Wheels raceway. It was the first time that the World final has been run at the Wheels circuit. European hopes were dashed as Toni and Ritchie Scheepens both had engine problems leading up to the event. Despite this it is hoped that there will be some overseas entrants in the European Championship at Arena Essex next month. An on form Marc de Land took second place with Steve Young third. De Land and Pooley shared the honours in the support races.

27th May 2011 - Report from Yarmouth & Newsletter

Marc de Land's report from last weekend's meeting at Yarmouth is now online. The latest issue of Richard John Neil's Midget heritage newsletter is available too - if you would like to be emailed a copy please email him: ovaltrack@btinternet.com

27th May 2011 - Points and World Championship News

Jonathaon Pooley still leads the points chart and ineed the top three remain the same as after the previous round. Dan Pooley is up to fourth with Neil Clarke also climbing from ninth to fifth with Luke Retchless leaping from 11th to sixth. Welcome back to Marcus Retchless who also joins the 2011 list of racers/scorers.

The World Championship qualifying points meanwhile are calculated as follows... Drivers acrue points from the two "heat races" at each meeting, from the meeting following last years World or European Championship race, whichever was the latter as the same points chart is continued until this years European in July. Then from the meeting after that event we will start acruing points towards next years World and European championship races. Anyone whose name appears on this list will be deemed as having "qualified" to participate, as those with zero points attended and took part in qualifying rounds but failed to score points. Any other domestic driver who attends will be deemed to have not qualified but will still be able to take part, starting in graded order behind those who qualified. Although Toni Scheepens appears on the chart having scored points during a visit last year, as a continental driver he will be eligible to draw a grid position on specified rows along with any other overseas drivers who attend.

17th May 2011 - Pooley Stays Top

The latest points chart shows Jon Pooley still at the top of the table with Steve Young moving up one place into second. Chris Neal goes fourth from seventh and is the top newcomer. Cliff Bunn remains the top front engine car in third place overall.

15th May 2011 - Retchless Wins Southern Championship

Congratulations to Phil Retchless on winning the Southern Championship at Northampton on Saturday. Results and report here.

26th April 2011 - Pooley's Plumbing

Daniel Pooley won the Ryecroft Plumbing Trophy at Birmingham on Saturday with his brother, Jonathan winning the first heat. David Barry won heat two in what was his first meeting with us. Neil Clarke bagged a brace of second places to secure a decent points haul. Results here.

12th April 2011 - Pooley's National

Jonathan Pooley took a clean sweep of wins at Birmingham Wheels on Saturday 2nd April. Race one saw JP win the National Championship for the third time. Results and Marc de Land's report here.

31st March 2011 - West Country Challenge Report

Luke Retchless and Steve Young take a win each during the opening race meeting of the season at Grimley. Marc de Land was trackside. Chris Neal (left) is one of the drivers making his debut at this meeting. Andrew Bilby has also sent through the latest points.