22 Josh Johnson #Forever18 Race – A Special End to the 2026 Season

Sunday 25 October 2026 – Skegness Raceway

Our final meeting of the 2026 Stoxkarts season at Skegness Raceway was always going to be a special occasion, as we prepared to stage the very first 22 Josh Johnson #Forever18 Race, in memory of one of our own.

The plan was simple. One final, non-points scoring race to bring everyone together, remember Josh and enjoy some racing. Winning wasn't the most important thing. This was about having fun and celebrating Josh's love of the sport.

The occasion brought out a number of Josh's friends and fellow racers, many taking the opportunity to have a go in a Stoxkart alongside our regular drivers.

Our guest drivers included Oliver Smith, Tom Birchenough, Tim Parry, Alfie Slatter, Tom Dunne, Kye Palij, Carl Nunn, Danny Nunn, Jack Teal, Charlie Willey, Max Kaye, Matt Naughton, Brooke Kitson, Charlie Portman and Ewan Bullock.

It was fantastic to see so many people wanting to be part of the occasion.

A Rainbow, a Downpour and a Three-Abreast Start!

The plan was for a 22-lap race with all grid positions drawn from a hat, followed by a three-abreast, bumper-to-bumper clutch start.

Despite extremely windy conditions, the weather had remained dry throughout the day. That was until the drivers began drawing their grid positions!

Almost on cue, the heavens opened, and a rainbow appeared over Skegness Stadium.

For those who had never raced a Stoxkart on a wet track, things were about to get interesting!

Charlie Willey drew grid position 22, collecting the £22 cash prize before the race had even started.

With the grid assembled three abreast, the clutch start certainly promised some entertainment.

And it didn't disappoint!

Five Yellow Flags in Eleven Laps!

The opening corner was complete chaos, as perhaps everyone expected, and it wasn't long before the first yellow flags appeared.

With the slippery track and so many drivers taking part, simply keeping the Stoxkarts pointing in the right direction was proving a challenge!

As this was a fun race, the decision was made to allow drivers who could continue to rejoin, even if they had received outside assistance.

Following a single-file restart, Danny Nunn led the field away, but they managed only another lap before the yellow flags were out again.

Incredibly, there were five yellow-flag stoppages in the opening eleven laps!

It was certainly keeping everyone entertained.

Matthew Lloyd must have led the field away for at least four restarts as the race gradually settled down and the field began to thin out.

Matthew Lloyd Takes the First #Forever18 Victory

As the race progressed, Matthew Lloyd established himself at the front and collected the £22 cash prize for leading at the end of lap 18.

But he still had work to do.

Paul Kaye (173) was putting him under pressure, determined to challenge for the win.

Matthew held on, however, to take the chequered flag and become the first winner of the 22 Josh Johnson #Forever18 Race.

And what a drive from Josh's brother, Callum Johnson (22), who came all the way from the back of the field to finish third!

Final Result

1st – 8 Matthew Lloyd

2nd – 173 Paul Kaye

3rd – 22 Callum Johnson

Matthew also collected the winner's prize of a full race meeting hire in a 2 Litre Saloon, kindly provided by the Johnson family.

A Race Josh Would Have Loved

It was chaotic, unpredictable and great fun to watch. With the rain arriving at just the wrong moment, plenty of spins, numerous restarts and some excellent racing, it certainly wasn't an ordinary Stoxkarts race!

But that was exactly the point.

This wasn't simply about winning trophies. It was about Josh's friends, fellow racers and the Stoxkarts community coming together to enjoy a race in his memory.

And seeing Callum work his way through the field to finish on the podium made the occasion even more special.

A huge thank you to Lee, Hannah and Callum for their support and for allowing us to make this event happen.

And another massive thank you to all of Josh's friends who came along and took part. You helped make the race exactly what we hoped it would be.

A great fun race, a fitting tribute to Josh and a brilliant way to bring the 2026 Stoxkarts season to a close.

#Forever18 – Josh Johnson, 22.