Beck Row racer comes third in Hot Road World Championship

Hayden Ballard, of Beck Row, in West Suffolk, came third at the final of the Hot Road World Championship in Spedeworth's Foxhall Heath Stadium outside Kesgrave last Sunday.

Hot rod racing involves a large number of lightweight cars going around 90mph on a tight track.

Hayden Ballard went from 21st position to third place (Image: Hayden Ballard)

Mr Ballard described this intense form of racing and how much pressure he felt to succeed.

The 22-year-old racer said: “I was very nervous. I worked all year to do well in that one weekend so obviously I wanted to do well.

“Once you’re in the car you’re in the zone. When the green flag goes, you’re not as nervous anymore, you just focus on getting forward.”

He explained that 34 cars qualify for the final and he only qualified in 21st place.

The tightly packed cars go around the track at around 90mph (Image: Hayden Ballard)

“Two weeks before the final I won a mini championship called Thunder 500 so I was one of the favourites going into the world final and when I only qualified 21st we were gutted.”

Despite this set back, Mr Ballard still managed to take home a trophy and said he felt very proud after the race.

“We’ve got a lot of people on our team who help out, and they put in a lot of hours, so it made it feel like it was worth it for everyone.”

He added that one particularly important part of his team is his dad, Marcus: “My dad is with the car every day. Without dad we wouldn’t be doing it”, he said.

Hayden Ballard said he could not have done it without his dad, Marcus (pictured left of him) (Image: Hayden Ballard)

The intensity of the sport is part of what Mr Ballard enjoys so much: “I love the atmosphere. The buzz of how fast the cars go and how close the race is. It gives an adrenaline rush.”

Mr Ballard, who works with his dad at their company, Reliable Rentals, plans on doing it all again next year and the final will take place again in the first weekend of July in 2025.