Perry at Foxhall International Raceway – Peter Barber Photography
National Hot Rods are completely different to anything Perry has raced before. We asked him what he loves about the formula, with the response of “there are so many things to list but it is just the most exhilarating thing when you are on the start line and drop the clutch, the noise, the handling even the smell of the cars is awesome”.
The formula recently visited Skegness Raceway, where Perry won both heats. He said, “the meeting at Skegness for me was one of those where everything just clicked”, having never raced at the track, Perry knew after practice that “we could be in for some great racing”. He says, “I found the track so good as you can overtake on the outside line”. Non-contact racing is common place at Skegness, plenty of non-contact formulas race at the track including their own GT Hot Rods, a similar sort of class to Stock Rods.
Perry fighting for position – Peter Barber Photography
Perry has already made it to blue grade at the age of 16! He said he’s “very happy with our first seasons racing and making the blue grade. For me it is unbelievable when you start with the blue and red graders, it makes you a better driver as you have to be on it straight away”. Like most Short Oval motorsports, as you get more points and experience, you move higher up the grades and further down the grid, making for some extremely exciting racing with cars constantly trying to move up the pack. Getting higher up the grades doesn’t just rely on talent, a whole load of car preparation is required to be on top of the game. Perry says, “I have to be totally honest with you, I am different from all of the other drivers as I am still in school doing my exams. But when I finish school each day I get on my moped (as I have no driving license yet!) and go down to my dad’s yard where I meet the rest of the team and we all get stuck in! From weighing, measuring, nut and bolting the car, checking everything over it takes a lot of time and effort to keep it up to scratch”.
Despite this, Perry has qualified for the World Final taking place at Foxhall International Raceway, Ipswich, in July. We asked what his plans were for the meeting and how he would take the race. “I am going to treat this meeting as I do all the meetings. I will have fun and enjoy it as much as possible because I am only 16 years old and feel I don’t have anything to prove as just qualifying at this age, in my first season in which I could only race 9 rounds, is an achievement in itself. So, for me, my mindset is, it’s a long race and anything can happen!”.
Thumbs up! – Peter Barber Photography
Perry would finally like to say "thank all the people who have supported me around the tracks throughout the season, everyone’s kind words mean so much. I would also like to thank my race team; they are the people that make it all happen. There is no need to mention them name by name as they all play a separate part, but without them, my dream couldn’t come true. At 16 years old, I feel really proud to be participating in this year’s world final and I would like to thank everyone who has helped me achieve this.”
We wish Perry all the best for his future racing career and this years World Final race, along with thanking him for his time and professionalism in this interview.