CLEAR evidence the new national short oval racing season is approaching at a pace can be found with the announcement of some notable early dates at Smeatharpe Stadium.

Sunday 16 March is the first meeting of the new season, and as the event will feature Formula Two Stock Cars, Saloon Stock Cars and 2 Litre National Bangers, it is wholly understandable why the organisers have given the day a tag line of ‘Back With A Bang’. Each of the classes on duty that day serve up hard-hitting action.

The 2025 season is a significant one for the non-contact Stock Rods, as the formula is changing to a new control tyre. For many years, the Stock Rods have run on a Yokohama tyre, but with production having ceased, it was necessary to make a change. Hence, for the season ahead, drivers will switch to a Hifly tyre.

Smeatharpe will again host the English Championship for the Stock Rods. This is set to be a summer time fixture, with the exact date still to be finalised.

It was at Smeatharpe on August Bank Holiday Sunday that teenager Callum Faulconbridge of Plymouth claimed the 2024 English Championship in a controversial contest.

Cornish stars Callum Hosie and Simon Bassett had disputed the lead in the title race for a number of laps, but clashed late on. In their tangle, Bassett suffered extensive damage to the front end of his car, and Hosie was penalised for his aggressive challenge that led to the clash. Thus, even though Hosie crossed the line first, he was subsequently docked in the final analysis, and thus Faulconbridge, who crossed the line in second place, was elevated to the position of race winner and new champion.

The first Open Track Day is on Saturday 18 January, and that is then followed by Sunday 16 February.