Former National Hot Rod World Champion Dave Longhurst, 230, ended his career in the formula with a dream finish, adding the London Open Championship to his CV on Sunday February 6th at Wimbledon Stadium.

Longhurst, who had previously won a heat, was determined to end his National Hot Rod career in a blaze of glory as he assumed pole position for the final. As the green flag fell he stormed away from the pack and despite continued pressure from Colin Gomm, 278, never really looked in danger of losing the lead. Longhurst treated the fans to a textbook drive around Plough Lane, lapping back markers to take the title ahead of Gomm.

Although the master driver will no longer be seen in action behind the wheel of a National Hot Rod, his many fans will still be able to see him in action in the 2.0-litre Hot Rod formula.

An incident packed evening saw the 2.0 Hot Rod London Open title fall to the formula’s current World Champion, 96 Kevin Randell, who beat 174, Jason Kew to the flag.

In the Stock Rod division a very hard fought final saw the laurels falling to 5, Chris Anderson who drove an excellent race to build up a commanding lead in the closing stages of the event. Second across the line was 213, Graham Moreton, followed by 447, Stuart Smyth.

Action of the full-contact variety is on the cards on Feb 13th when close on 200 Bangers pile into each at the London Open 2005 at Wimbledon Stadium, Britain’s finest stock car racing circuit.