NEW promoter Russell Andrew has promised more of the same but better when the stock car season roars into action at Odsal next month.

Andrew and his ‘Yorstox’ partner Graeme Robson have taken over the reins at both Bradford and Sheffield from Steve Rees, who spent so much time, effort and money in resurrecting the sport at the famous West Yorkshire bowl last year after an absence of almost a quarter of a century.

Rees’ company Startrax oversaw a largely successful return, including staging stock car racing’s World Final in front of around 7,000 fans last August, but a rain-drenched end of term ‘firework spectacular’ left a dark cloud over all the good work which had gone beforehand.

Andrew, a travel and transport operator from Tideswell in Derbyshire, whose children Thomas and Hannah both race, insists that the problems experienced on that wet and muddy night have been addressed, with the track being completely relaid in time for this season’s grand opening on Saturday, March 26 (5pm start).

“We are putting down a different type of shale, but the main problem was the drainage,” explained Andrew.

“When we investigated, we found that all the drains were unconnected, but they have now been repaired and we’re confident that we shouldn’t have the same problem again.”

Other improvements, including a concrete strip down the inside of the straights, will also be finished in time for the visit of the BriSCA F1 and F2 cars in five weeks.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Some of the improvement work to the track going on down at Odsal.Some of the improvement work to the track going on down at Odsal.

Andrew added: “We are a brand new company and both of us have a son and daughter who race and we are putting a lot more investment into carrying on the good work that Startrax did in bringing stock cars back to Bradford.”

Yorstox plan to hold 17 full-contact banger and stock car meetings at Odsal between March and November, while also running events at Sheffield’s Owlerton Stadium.

The 2022 BriSCA F1 British Drivers Championship, where the much sought after ‘chequered flag roof’ is at stake, plus the BriSCA F2 World of Shale Final, are also set for Odsal, although the F1 World Final will this year be staged at Ipswich.

Local enthusiasts Tim and Eddie Collins, Gary Entwistle and David Allison enlisted the help of speed-freak and Channel 4 television personality Guy Martin in promoting the forthcoming season at Elvington Airfield last weekend.

Martin, who has 17 Isle of Man TT podiums and a host of land-speed records in various types of vehicle to his name, expressed huge interest in the 600 horsepower F1 stock cars when they took two along to the ‘Straightliners’ (drag racing) promotional day at the venue near York, which boasts a rare three-mile long runway.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Guy Martin discusses stock car racing with Eddie Collins.Guy Martin discusses stock car racing with Eddie Collins.

“We had a busy day giving out posters and sweets and allowing kids to sit in the cars as a way of introducing the sport to a new audience,” said Birstall-based Collins, who carries number 147 for the season.

ODSAL DATES:

Sat March 26 (F1, F2 stock cars)

Sat April 16 (F1, V8 stock cars)

Mon April 18 (F2, Ministox, Bangers)

Sat April 30 (Bangers, UK Mods)

Mon May 2 (F1, Ministox)

Sun May 28 (F1 World Champ QR, Saloons)

Sat June 11 (Pre-70 Bangers, Bangers)

Sat June 25 (F1, V8 Stock Cars)

Fri July 15 (F2, Ministox, Reliant Robins)

Sat Aug 6 (F2 World of Shale Final, Rebels, UK Mods, Bangers)

Sun Aug 7 (Rebels, UK Mods, Hot Rods + Support)

Sat Aug 27 (F1, V8 Stock Cars)

Mon Aug 29 (Ministox, UK Mods, Bangers inc caravans)

Sat Oct 15 (F1, Ministox)

Sat Nov 5 (F2 Heritage, Ministox, Bangers, Fireworks)

Sat Nov 12 (F1, F2 Stock Cars)

Sun Nov 13 (Grasstrack, UK Mods, Saloons, Bangers)