How did you find Brisca F1 Stock Cars?
I used to work with a chap in a warehouse who followed it, and I, being a follower of Sheffield Speedway, was curious about seeing what all the fuss was about on Monday nights at the stadium. So, I went to Long Eaton with him one Saturday in 1986, and that was it.
What gave you the incentive to race
I kept reading about the exploits of the day licence drivers that appeared every now and then, especially at Bradford, and usually they were Frankie Wainman hire cars with the ad on the side. A change of job brought me a bit more spare money so I thought I'd take the plunge, but opted for a full licence, because I knew once wouldn't be enough.
First Car - Built, Bought or Borrowed
Borrowed, from Frankie Wainman.
Memory of your first race.
Well, I was fairly nervous, I took up my spot at the back behind the superstars, the last of whom was Steve Hodgson (172). Next thing I saw was his arms flapping out of the cab to indicate he needed a push start. So, I drew forward and pushed, he started, stopped with the others, and I forgot to brake, so I ran into his back end! Race wise, I recall trundling round and watched the field dissappear into the distance, but I was struggling to get my gears, so I was searching for them for a good half a lap. Next thing I knew, Steve Cayzer, who was a white top then, was hooked up with me. Thankfully I found them for the next heat.
Best Racing Memory
The Consolation race on the Saturday night of the 1995 Skegness qualifier speedweekend . For once it seemed like i had got the hang of it, and there was a fair bit of wreckage about the track, but I seemed to dodge it, especially a heap of cars on the pit bend. I just remember following Wayne Handley a lot. I got back in the pits and Frankie came to the cab and said "You drove bloody brilliant in that" and I remember someone running off to check the board to see if I'd made the final. I hadn't, but the words meant more than any final placing.
Worst Racing Memory
Half rolling on the back straight at Bradford, my leg dug into the fuel cut off switch and I sported a whacking great bluey purple bruise for a week.
Reason for Retiring
Change of work. More weekend work so less chance to race.
After Retiring - What Then?
I still go and watch, I still love stock cars and I've especially taken interest in the rise of local star Dan Johnson.
