The first Westcountry meeting of the new national Stock Car racing season will be held at Smeatharpe Stadium this Sunday (12 March), with the pit area set to be packed with a deluge of drivers eager to see the green flag drop. Nearly 100 drivers took advantage of the Open Track Day at Smeatharpe, which presented the opportunity to continue preparations for the new season.  Drivers were able to secure valuable track time to ensure the suitability of winter refurbishments of race cars, or in some cases, brand new race cars. Local Formula Two Stock Car racers Kurt Selway of Taunton and the Wellington pair of Charlie Knight and Dean Hawkins will each be embarking on their second full season of racing.  Selway was the most active in his debut season, clocking up 17 appearances, whilst Knight was the outscored the other pair, with more points gathered from the twelve meetings he contested.  Hawkins has his sights set on racing more frequently this year, after just a handful of outings in 2022.

Another Formula Two Stock Car driver eagerly awaiting the new season is Ryan Sheahan of Chard.  He suffered an injury last season, which sidelined him for a lengthy spell, but with his car in tip-top condition at the Open Track Day, he clearly demonstrated his keenness to return to competition. A further feature of the opening meeting, besides the Formula Two Stock Cars, will be the World Championship Wild Card event for the 2 Litre National Bangers.  A place on the World Championship grid at Mendips Raceway in September will be secured by the winner of the Wild Card event. Amongst the pre-race favourites are Steve Bailey of Whitestone, near Exeter and Terry Hill of Newton Poppleford. The race meeting begins at 1.00pm on Sunday 12 March.  It is headlined by the World Championship Wild Card for the 2 Litre National Bangers, and the first westcountry appearance of the new season for Formula Two Stock Cars.  There is also supporting race action for Saloon Stock Cars and Stock Rods.