THE summer speed weekend of Stock Car and Banger racing at Smeatharpe Stadium on Saturday, 19 July, and Sunday, 20 July, will be dedicated to the honour of two legendary names from the sport.

Billy Batten won the Formula Two Stock Car World Championship on four occasions, including twice at Smeatharpe (in 1977 and 1982). Colin Higman was the first driver to win the Formula Two Stock Car World Championship in successive seasons, in 1975 and 1976. Their contribution to Stock Car racing has been immense, as emphasised by the billing of a weekend to remember Stock Car royalty.

The start of the weekend will feature The Master Trophy, which has been raced for in memory of Batten in each of the past two seasons. Dan Fallows of Stoke On Trent was the first winner, and last year it was Jack Prosser of Kidderminster who claimed the accolade. An enhanced prize fund has been accumulated, and the winner of The Master Trophy final will scoop a £667 first prize, in deference to Batten’s famous race number. The car which Batten drove to the last of his four World title wins, in 2004, will be on display, together with the replica of his 1981/82 ‘supercar’.

The Saturday night fixture will also see the return of the Saloon Stock Cars for the first time since the National Championship in June, and the prestigious British Championship for Ministox will be contested by an impressive showing of youngsters.

Thirteen year old Mason Sealy of Bishop Lydeard will defend the British title, while the hordes of junior racers set to journey south from Scotland will be led by David Philp Jnr Jnr, who is the reigning European Champion. Last summer, Philp Jnr Jnr won the ORC Championship at Smeatharpe, and will again be a leading contender for honours.

Sunday’s meeting will be dedicated to Colin Higman and a wide selection of race cars that he built during many decades as the sport’s leading car constructor, will be on display. Among them will be the car in which he won the second of his World titles. Another enhanced fund from sponsors has been assembled, and the winner of the Colin Higman Tribute final will scoop a £778 first prize, in deference to Higman’s famous race number.

The Saloon Stock Cars will contest a second day of competition, with the first staging of The Paw Lean Jeffery Trophy as their showpiece. World Champion Archie Brown of East Huntspill will head the entry, and some East Anglian involvement is due to be led by exciting young charger Levi List of Kings Lynn.

More hard-hitting action will be expected from the 2 Litre National Bangers, as they prepare to race at Smeatharpe for the first time since Mayday Monday. Sophie Fasey of Sampford Peverell plans to make her first appearance of the season, and the explosive Kenny Gabriel Jnr of Yate is another notable name on the entry list.

Completing the line-up on Sunday will be the Stock Rods, as they compete in their English Championship. Callum Faulconbridge of Plymouth won the English title at Smeatharpe last summer. He will face strong competition from Justin Washer of Salisbury and Callum Hosie of Newquay, who won the English title in 2023 and 2021 respectively.