Racing to the top

Working his way up the ladder is something Hednesford Hills Raceway owner Philip Bond knows all about after starting work at the thriving venue more than 30 years ago and eventually making it his own.

The 63-year-old took a job there in 1973 as a race official and his hard work and dedication caught the eye of owner Bill Morris.

Mr Morris retired in 1983, leaving the business to son Martin and Philip Bond but Mr Bond eventually bought Martin out in 1997 and has been at the helm ever since.

He now runs family business Incarace, which also owns raceways in Birmingham and Northampton, with his wife and son Mark.

People from all over the world have sat in Hednesford's former reservoir to see stock cars speed around what has become one of the country's oldest raceways.

Hednesford Hills Raceway is a name synonymous with racing in the stock car community and can attract crowds of up to 8,000 people a time.

Mr Bond said: "There are people in countries such as America, Australia and New Zealand who know exactly where Hednesford is purely because of the raceway.

"It brings millions of pounds of business into the area each year and petrol stations, pubs and fast food restaurants tell us they are extremely busy on race days and some ring us to see what times races are finishing to prepare for the rush."

An open day is being held at the venue on March 4 for people to watch a practice day taking place in preparation for the new season which starts on March 18.

The raceway, off Reservoir Road, began life as Scott House Reservoir in the late 1800s until becoming redundant in 1912 after developing a leak due to subsidence caused by mining works.

In 1954 stock car racing was introduced in the UK and the bowl became a racetrack, attracting crowds of up to 40,000 people at its first season's races.

By 1955 interest fell and it eventually became disused until keen motorsport fan Bill Morris asked Cannock Chase Council, which had taken over the site from the Water Board, for the lease and transformed the site's fortunes. He developed a proper track and racing resumed in 1962, going from strength to strength since.

* The open day on March 4 starts at 1pm and people will be able to watch races and enjoy family attractions including a bouncy castle. Admission is £4 for adults and free for children accompanied by an adult.