Meeting Preview: 

The Brisca V8 Hotstox make their first appearance of 2025 at Northampton Shaleway this afternoon with plenty on offer for the drivers as they battle for the Brian Jolly Memorial trophy and continue to chase World Championship qualifying points for September’s World Final at Bradford.

Brian Jolly, known by many as Joe, was a huge personality in the Hotstox pits and was always prepared to lend a hand to any driver to help get them on track. Sadly, Brian passed away in May 2020. This afternoon sees the fifth running of the Brian Jolly Memorial trophy.
Amongst the drivers attempting to take home the trophy this afternoon is Brian’s son Guy Jolly (#222). Brian’s love of stock car racing lead to Guy taking the plunge into racing himself and he has never looked back, as he explains: “I got into the Hotstox because my dad had followed the F1 stock cars since the 1960s. He nearly had a car himself but he was faced with the choice of a stock car for himself or a ski boat for the family so he chose the latter. Dad had a keen interest in the racing and helped (F1 stock car driver) Paul Harrison (#2) at the weekends. Being involved with the Harrison team really made me want to have a go in the F1s but it was out of our budget. You can compete in the Hotstox for sensible money. I always supported Paul as a kid and my racing number has a link to his. Dad played such a massive part to us in life and racing and really pushed the whole team and loved his racing. We owe a lot to "Joe". Hopefully he still has a laugh at our expense when he watches down”.

2024 saw the Brian Jolly memorial being raced for at Mildenhall, in an emotional evening it was Guy who won the trophy. Guy: “If we rated the win, it would be next to world final on equal measure. I was a bit overwhelmed at the time. A lot of bits cross your head in the moment, memories, excitement, sadness. It's funny when you've just won your Dad's memorial. It's hard to explain, but I could see the joy on the team and family especially my Dad's brother's faces that made it worth while for us. On a personal note, I can see what people mean when they take a big win. It all seems a bit blurry. It was a great night for us all but in the moment it goes so quick. I’m just glad all the team were there for it.”

The formula last appeared here in October 2024 when the drivers competed for the 2024 European Championship. Shale specialist Paul Prest (#491) was the winner and will be looking to show that he is still one of the formula’s top drivers on shale. However with fellow superstar drivers Thomas Brighton (#329), Evan Bullock (#110) and Gilen Bullock (#10) also on track this afternoon it is hard to predict who will be taking the chequered flag!

Closer to the front of the grid will be Ruby Lomax (#369) who recently took her first Hotstox victory at Buxton, holding off a huge last bend lunge from inform tarmac driver Sophie Maynard (#154). Ruby shared on board footage on social media and it is certainly worth a watch to see Ruby’s incredible car control when holding on to take the victory. Joining Ruby in the white grade will be Hotstox newcomer Sam Knight (#202) in his retro looking car and the Queen of the fence herself Dannie Schoales (#137) who will be hoping for more luck this afternoon than she had recently at Great Yarmouth when engine troubles prevented her from racing.

The Hotstox return here on September 6th for the last meeting before the 2025 World Final. The Northampton Shaleway seems to suit the Hotstox formula superbly and there is sure to be plenty of fantastic action this afternoon as the Rover V8s race wheel to wheel!

Meeting Preview written by: Peter Savage