It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of one of the most influential drivers in oval motorsport. Following a short illness a little while ago from which he had been recovering well, Dougie Warner passed away on Thursday 15th September.

Former BriSCA F1 stock car driver and Handsworth garage proprietor Dougie visited the USA in the early 1960s with Hednesford track founder Bill Morris, saw the NASCAR style of racing, and then returned home to create the first ever Hot Rod and became the first Hot Rod driver to take to the tracks. It really is as simple as ‘The rest is history’.

Although often out of luck in the big races when behind the wheel, Doug did win a couple of the famed ‘100 lappers’ at The Hills, but rated his victory over fellow greats Tom Laffey and Terry Haywood in the 1971 South African championship as his best ever drive.

Gordon Bland was instrumental in painstakingly restoring that famous ‘first ever’ #131 car over a number of years and was very proud to present the car back to Dougie at the Classic Hot Rod National Championship meeting at Hednesford Hills Raceway a few years ago. Dougie was kitted out in all of the modern safety gear and gave the car an emotional return to the track at a fair speed and then became the Pace Car for the big race.

The photo above could well have captured one of the most influential moments in Oval racing with Dougie (left) discussing racing with Bill Morris (centre) and Bill France (right), founder of Daytona and NASCAR.

Dougie will be sadly missed and our sincere condolences go out to his family at this very sad time.

We will announce details of the funeral in due course.