World Semi Finals day has not been staged at Smeatharpe since 2009, but the 16 year wait looks set to end in style as the two semi final races feature a plethora of top names.

Each World Semi Final will see 28 drivers grid for the start of the race. Only the top ten drivers in each World Semi Final race will progress to the World Championship Final, which is scheduled for Cowdenbeath in Fife, Scotland, in early September.

World Semi Final one will see English Open Champion Charlie Guinchard of Cheshunt and Scottish ace Steven Burgoyne share the front row of the grid. Further back, reigning World Champion Luke Wrench of Crewe is also programmed for this race, and near the rear of the grid sits Matt Stoneman of Uffculme. Stoneman will be carrying the bulk of westcountry hopes in World Semi Final one.

The front end of the grid for World Semi Final two is dominated by Scottish drivers. Four times former World Champion Gordon Moodie of Kennoway and Glasgow’s George MacMillan are on row one, while former double World Champion Chris Burgoyne of Falkirk and Ryan McGill of Kirkcaldy sit on row two.

There will be heavy south west attention on two drivers further back the grid. Jon Palmer of Plymouth is the reigning Track Champion at Smeatharpe, while Tommy Farrell of Plymouth is the current British Champion. They will each be aiming to use local track knowledge to progress towards the front end by the end of the 25-lap race.

The Saturday meeting at Smeatharpe will also include Saloon Stock Cars as they set off on their pursuit of the silver roof, with the opening round of their National Series. Reigning European Champion Archie Brown of East Huntspill and Brad Compton-Sage of Templecloud are among the westcountry hopefuls. The Saturday line-up is completed by 2 Litre National Bangers.

The action will return to Smeatharpe Stadium on August Bank Holiday Monday which is the traditional date for Caravan Chaos – one of the most popular events with racegoers because of its almost cast-iron guarantee of destructive crashes. The Caravan Chaos event is the last race on the programme, as the circuit will be a scene of devastation after half a dozen caravans or more are towed to oblivion after crashes galore.

The Lego Trophy is up for grabs for the Bangers, who are set to appear in extremely good numbers, while there is another appearance from the Saloon Stock Cars.

The junior racers (11 to 16 year olds) in the Ministox will contest their Devon Championship, with Mason Sealy of Bishops Lydeard seeking to secure a domestic double after he won the Cornish title earlier this month at St Day near Redruth.

*Smeatharpe Stadium sets at the far west of the former Upottery Airfield. Construction of the airfield began in 1943, and was concluded the following year.

The airfield played a significant role in World War II. Some 30 years later, in the winter of 1973-74, Smeatharpe Stadium was created and since its opening in April 7, 1974, has been a leading stock car venue.