How did you find Brisca F1 Stock Cars?
I was taken to Belle Vue a few times in the late 60s by mum and dad, then later with my cousin we started attending all local tracks and got talking to Ivan Braddock [99]. Started helping him and Bill Gill [28] who shared a garage local to Macclesfield. We travelled to with both their families to all meetings in a converted green goddess fire engine and trailer, which incidentally I did the paint job. This led to me taking up sign writing as a hobby. Following on I did the paintwork on both of my cars plus the cars of 28, 99, 188 and 317. Also did a few pencil drawings of cars which were auctioned at one of Rob Lanes [57] Supporters club do's in aid of the Drivers Benevolent Fund.
What gave you the incentive to race
Then Bill was going on holiday and very kindly told me I could race his car if I wanted [a Frankie Wainman built car]whilst he was away, didn't need asking twice....
First Car - Built, Bought or Borrowed
First car raced was borrowed from Bill Gill [28]. Bill had sold his old car to John Riley [334]. John wasn't getting on very well with racing so I bought it from him. It lasted a couple of years and gave me great enjoyment including racing at one of the Northampton 100 car meetings [123 cars on that day, wonder if that could be done now?] Wrote if off at Blackburn, twisted chassis engine mounts destroyed and roll cage pushed back. Didn't put me off and bought the Jamie Davidson [364] rolling chassis with Mini bodywork....
Memory of your first race.
First meeting at White City M/C started from the back, thought I was doing ok until 4 laps later cars started passing me as though I was out for a Sunday drive. Anyway I had the bug....
Best Racing Memory
Best was winning a race at the Bradford track, tarmac at the time with heavy plate fence which didn't move if you hit it!! Everything went right on that day, couldn't believe it, with 3 laps to go I was still in the lead, with the starter urging me on every time I passed him. I could see Richard Ainsworth [354] and Frankie Wainman [212] in the mirror and the last 2 laps I was hit hard into corners 1 and 3. Some how I held on and was quite over come with the win. The crowds noise when we went around on the pace car was unbelievable, in those days it was packed out with thousands of fans...
Worst Racing Memory
Worst, 1st was at the next Bradford meeting, throttle stuck wide open, went in very hard the impact made my head hit the roll cage, split my helmet open, both axles ripped off the car. Saw double when I came around, not a clue where I was or why. Took a couple of days to feel right. 2nd was When Bill raced at Coventy, he was trying to qualify for the world championship. He clipped a car side on and its bumper ripped the car open. Bill was rushed to hospital, touch and go at first, but after many long weeks he was able to come home. His car came back to our workshops where it was examined by a number of the drivers committee and it was decided from then on that all cars had to have metal plate down the sides of roll cage to prevent it happening again. I believe this rule has probably prevented a lot of injuries and perhaps something even more serious...Nigel Hardy raced the car for a number of years on a hire per meeting arrangement after this..
Reason for Retiring
Bill's incident, along with the escalating cost of racing, made me sell up. Dave Cusack [535] now sadly departed, bought my car, coach and spares.
The best days were of full grids 3 heats + cons. Having to wait outside Tracks if you wernt booked to see if anyone failed to turn up and you could get a race. Bradford Friday, Belle Vue Sat, Aycliffe/Hartlepool Sun, Sheffield Mon and sometimes Skeggy on Wed. Very long days but wouldn't have missed it, it was all FUN and you wernt worried if your car was smashed, with a smile it was repaired ready for the next meeting even if the team of friends who helped you had to stay up all night. Stopping off from Aycliffe at the usual cafe, having a laugh with all the long distance travelling drivers, Colin Gauntry, Dave Berresford, Ken Brown etc etc
After Retiring - What Then?
I did have a go in the unlimited bangers and one outing was at Hedensford in support of the world final meeting racing a V12 Jag. Brought back the time when some F1s were Jag powered. However this made me realise I was not as young as I was, the impacts hurt a lot more and the bruises took longer to go away that before. So now I am involved with the vintage shows, and have restored a few tractors. Gentler pace, its surprising how many ex drivers are involved with this hobby, ie Rick Metcalfs family have steam engines, John Davidson [Jamies brother] shows lorries etc.
