Warton Stock Car Club revs up for new season

Warton Stock Car Club’s 2026 season begins this weekend.

The traditional curtain-raiser is the Midwinter Open, which this year was pushed back by two weeks due to a national race meeting involving ‘Banger’ formula drivers clashed with the initial date in January.

It will take place this Sunday, February 8. 

There are four different classes of car racing on the day: 1600 Bangers, Ladies Bangers, Junior Rookies and Ministox.

It’s a ‘pay to race on the day’ event which anyone can enter themselves into up until Sunday. Dozens of drivers are already signed up.

Some highlights of this season will be the 25th anniversary of Metal Mania in May, the Caravan Carnage meeting on the Bank Holiday Weekend, the Season Finale in October and also the memorial days named after Anthony Heathway, Ted Southward, Alan Teal and Ken Allen.

This year, for the first time, the club will host a meeting dedicated to raising awareness about mental health: ‘Racing Minds’.

The meeting is being supported by popular racing organisations Team TNR and the Liverpool Invaders.

Stock car racing has enjoyed a resurgence in the past decade or so in particular.

Warton is the only club in Lancashire that has a short oval track, making the club that extra bit more appealing.

Cub committee member Shaun Twist and Joel Harris - of the very successful Hoggarth-Harris racing family - spoke to Beyond Radio ahead of the new season.

"We’re very excited, just to see everyone again more than anything, it always feels like a long winter," said Shaun.

“It’s a family atmosphere so it’s like you’re seeing family members again.

“It’s a full day’s entertainment and nothing beats it for value, with such a picturesque setting.

“Many families have got involved just by turning up.”

Joel said: “I can’t wait (for the new season). The season just gone, the racing was closer than ever and there’s a lot of new drivers over recent years who are coming forward now with races and podiums. 

“99% of people who do stock car racing absolutely love it, it’s a cheap yet fun hobby and a really good sport to get involved with.

“I’ve got mates who have just come down to watch and then they’ve got involved in the races themselves later on.”

All meetings take place at Sand Lane in Carnforth, with race days between March and September starting at noon and race days in October and November starting at 11am. Gates for every meeting open at 9am.

Adult tickets are between £12 and £15 depending on the meeting, 10 to 16 year olds go for £5 and under 10s get free entry.

This year’s races are as follows:

February 8: Midwinter Open

March 8: Practice Day    

March 22: Silver Wheels Cup

April 5: Easter Speed King

April 19: Anthony Heath Memorial

May 3: May Day Wacky Racing

May 17: Metal Mania

May 31: Ted Southward Memorial

June 14: West Coast Conflict

June 28: Stars and Stripes Wipeout

July 12: Warton Grange Cup

July 26: Invaders & TNR Racing Minds

August 9: Alan Teal Memorial

August 30: Caravan Carnage

September 13: Ken Allen Championship 

September 27: Warton Wreckers

October 11: Autumn Mayhem

October 25: Season Finale