Hot rod racer Mark takes podium place in photo-finish

National hot rod racer Mark Shelper bounced back from a disappointing Sunday to gain a podium place in a thrilling finish at yesterday's (Monday 25 August) world championship qualifying round.

Bristol-based Mark, whose Peugeot carries the Weltch Media logo, led for most of the first heat at yesterday's Ipswich meeting, before David Brooks and Chris Haird got past, leaving Mark to hold off the challenge of Ryan Morgan - beating the Welshman to the line in a photo-finish.

Mark's Peugeot (788) battles with David Broooks's Ginetta (67)

"In heat 2, I was running second until a few bumps put me to to the outside," Mark told us. "After a restart I finished in the lower places.

"In the final, again I got into the lead from pole and had a decent gap till the quicker drivers came through. After the restarts the car had too much push, and with others on the outside I couldn’t drive as fast as the car could go in clear air."

It was a much better day than Sunday's event at Great Yarmouth, when battery trouble thwarted any hopes of success.

"Thanks to everyone for their help over the weekend," said Mark, "especially Chris Haird, who lent us a battery for yesterday."

The Weltch Media logo on Mark's car

The team is sponsored by The Injection Centre, JB Race Engines, Harrison Bryant Motorsport, Picksons, Arebee Signs, and Woodfield Stables.

National hot rod racing is the top level of short track racing in the UK, featuring lightweight, space-frame replicas of roadgoing sports cars and coupes, using modied 2-litre engines, producing around 240bhp.

Weltch Media has supported Mark and Team Shelper Racing with promotional expertise since 2022. In the past we have worked with Legends Car racers Ben Power in the UK Championship and James Holman in the Irish Championship. We’ve also backed James in several online iRacing events.

Action photo: Martin Kingston

To see how we could promote your race team, organisation, event, or venue, contact us and check out our success in publicising the Formula 2 stock car world championship final at Mendips Raceway.