Joe Cheetham brings Klarius’ name to the V8 Hotstox Grid
We’re proud to back British talent and engineering wherever it thrives, and one of the best places to see this in action is at the racing track. That’s why the Klarius name is returning to the V8 Hotstox circuit for the 2025 season, proudly displayed on the car of newcomer Joe Cheetham.
Racing runs deep in the Cheetham family, with Joe being part of the third successive generation to take to the track. His grandfather, Mike, once competed in BriSCA Formula 1 Stock Cars, while both his father Dave and brother Will have raced in the V8 Hotstox series. Now Joe is following in their tracks by stepping up for his debut season in the same class – driving a freshly built machine that proudly displays the logos of Klarius, Emissco, and KMT.
If you haven’t run into it before, V8 Hotstox is no easy introduction to racing. These purpose-built, single-seater cars are powered by 4.2L V8 Rover engines and take on 25 meetings across the UK between April and November. Each event features four full-contact races where the drivers hammer their way around oval tracks of tarmac or shale, and though each round only lasts a few minutes it’s fast, furious, and full of action.
Joe’s car is the result of months of work by the entire Cheetham family, who put their heads together over the winter to build a brand-new machine for 2025. Decked out in orange and black, it features the classic skinny rear tyres that allow for dramatic drifts through corners and make Hotstox cars so exciting to watch.
As a new driver, he’ll need to work his way up the ranks, starting at the front of the grid and holding his own as more experienced drivers push from behind. However, with a strong family legacy in his corner, Joe’s already off to a strong start.
We have always admired the grit and determination it takes to compete on the track. Our support for motorsport goes back many years, from grassroots events to national competitions, and we’ve backed drivers and teams in the BMW Compact Cup, the 116 Trophy, Formula Student, the Mini Challenge, and the BTCC through NAPA Racing.
Each partnership reflects our belief in the value of hard work, innovation, and the real-world engineering challenges motorsport presents. After all, motorsport is about more than just speed – it’s engineering, teamwork, and a drive to improve, and that’s something we understand well.
Best of luck to Joe and the whole Cheetham team in 2025! We’ll be cheering from the sidelines as the next chapter of this racing story unfolds.
