An Interview with 2012 Super Rod Masters, Southern, Kent and Dover Points Champion 30 Wayne Powell
(interview published March 26 2014 in the lead up to the 2014 season opener at Dover Raceway

Age: 31
Home Town: In a House (Dover)
Occupation: Cleaner
Family: Wife Lisa and three children
Racing career: Started racing Hot Rods at Dover aged 15

Having sat much of 2013 on the side lines, you were one of the first Super Rod drivers to license for the 2014, is it safe to say you are looking forward to the new season and how are your pre-season preparations going?
Yes, I’m really looking forward to it and my hope it to do a full season in the formula but it does all depend on how things go. As for being ready, we’re doing ok and all being well everything will be ready in time for the first meeting of the season but there are still a few things I need doing but everything should be done in plenty of time.

You were a grand slam winner in the Super Rods in 2012, winning the Masters, points, Southern and Kent Championships, but then we only saw you in one meeting in 2013, can you explain your absence from the track?
It was very simple really, it was all down to money or the lack of it (laughs). One of the biggest problems I have is getting my car to and from the track especially with (brother) Jay and Lisa (Powell) both racing (in the Bangerstox). I was planning on racing (last season) and then I started having problems and was getting let down by people who said they could help and in the end I decided to have a break from it and try and get more sorted for the future rather than struggling along. Things are a little better now so that’s why I’m more hopeful of having a full season (in 2014) but like a lot of things it all depends on how everything goes as the year unfolds but I hope to be able to try and have as good a season as I did in 2012.

How disappointing was it, winning all those titles in 2012 and then not being able to defend them?
I was gutted, really disappointed but that’s life and sometimes things don’t go the way you hope, it’s now about looking forward to this season and trying to do my best again.

What do you think was the big difference in all your success in the 2012 season?
I think a lot of it was down to experience. Dover is a really unique and tricky race track and with all the years I’ve raced there I’ve got to know it pretty well and I think that makes a massive difference in any formula and any race at Dover so I think the experience I had was the biggest part of it.

Given all you achieved in 2012, is there any pressure to try and replicate that form in 2014?
No, not at all. At the end of the day racing is a hobby and something we all do to enjoy ourselves and have fun so there is no pressure from what I’ve done in the past, as long as I’m enjoying my racing that is all that matters. Of course it would be nice to win again and have anything like the success I did in 2012 but it’s not the be all and end all.

You were present in the Super Rod formula during the transition from it being a rear wheel drive based formula to a front wheel drive one, do you think this is better for the future?
Definitely and after a couple of years with low numbers I think it might start to build up again as there were more cars racing at the end of last year. I think it is better now, I think the change had to happen but it is a bit weird because I’d grown up on the formula being rear wheel drive cars and now it just seems weird that it’s all Mondeos and stuff but I do think it is for the better.

You did race in the formula once last year, at the August bank holiday meeting, did you enjoy that and how big a part did it play in you deciding to plan a full season in 2014?
I did enjoy it and it was nice to be back out again, it was just a shame it was only the one meeting but it did make me decide to come back this year and I suspect if I hadn’t have enjoyed it I might have thought different. It was good to see some new drivers in the formula as well and I’m looking forward to racing against them, and hopefully some more, this year.

Having raced largely at Dover Raceway for most of your racing career, what is it about the track you like so much?
It’s like a home from home for me. My dad started taking me when I was a child and I’ve been going ever since so I’ve honestly grown up at the place and I just love it there. It helps that everyone is very friendly, which is exactly how it should be so you usually have a good day when you are there, just because you surrounded by a good bunch of people.

Have you given any thought to racing a different formula than Super Rods?
I did actually think about going back into Bangerstox this year before deciding to stick to the Super Rods. Bangerstox is essentially the class I started racing in and I still think it’s a good formula so I can see me doing them again, somewhere down the road, sometimes it’s nice to have a change.

Is there anyone you would like to thank or mention?
Everyone who helps and also everyone at Dover Raceway for what they do.