How did you find Brisca F1 Stock Cars?
I was first intoduced to Stock Cars in 1970 when I visited Salford Stadium with my Mum and Dad (I was only 10 years old at the time, but it was shortly after that visit that they took up Hell Driving. They, (both Mum and Dad), raced through the seventies. We were never away from the Mike Parker tracks, and eventually got involved with the F1's when Dad's friend and Mike Parkers manager, Paul Blything #70 decided he wanted to race F1's (Dad and Paul had raced Hell Drivers together in the 70's). Dad and I were mechanics for Paul, and eventaully, Paul gave me a chance with the loan of his recently built Wainman car.
What gave you the incentive to race
With regards to getting an incentive to race, I dont suppose I got much say in that, spending all my spare time either at the tracks helping to operate the pit gate and fix fences, or help fix other peoples cars with my Dad. Needless to say, I couldnt wait to get behind the wheel.
First Car - Built, Bought or Borrowed
First car was borrowed from Paul Blything 70.
Memory of your first race.
First race officially was at Belle Vue in 1987 the 5th of May (it was the Bank Holiday Monday). I remember I got a puncture after a couple of laps. The car was that hard to handle (dont forget I had not raced anything before), I just assumed it was normal and that I should struggle on - I eventually got black flagged. (Dont know if I should admit to my first actual race, it wasnt actually legal - Ha Ha)
Best Racing Memory
Best racing memory has to be getting presented with the Rebels Merit of the year award by Stu Smith in 2008, it was a real shame that my Dad was not around to see it - he passed away in 2005.
Worst Racing Memory
Worst racing memory was witnessing Brian Wallace lose his life at White City. I was 16 years old and working the pit gate that night. My Dad was also working for Mike Parker that night, and was very close to the incident when they were treating Brian. It was a very sad time. Dad commented that Brian was one of the genuine blokes that were racing stock cars at that time.
Reason for Retiring
Reason for retiring, I dont suppose I really got going in F1's, having only raced about a dozen meetings using a borrowed car. It was beyond my finances to own and race an F1 in those days.
After Retiring - What Then?
Stock Cars never gets out of your blood once in it. I eventually took to F2's in about 1997, buying Rob Speaks old shale car Thomas the Tank. Rob's Dad Billy and my Dad were old mates from the 70's, and it was the obvious choice with them just down the road from us. I race it for a few years, but struggled to compete evenly due to my work comittments taking me away from home during the week, and then becoming a Dad myself. Once Brisca stopped racing at Stoke, I moved over to the outlaws just so that I didnt have to travel so far - stoke was the closest to me. I managed a few wins and was content to call it a day, and spend more time with my two sons. I had realised an ambition to actually win a race in front of my Dad. That was back in 2001, but couldnt keep away. After my Dad died of a sudden heart attack whilst on Holiday in 2005, I had to clear his garage, and I could not bear to let any of his stuff go, and it was all related to the racing. I decided to have a go at the Rebels. It was something I thought I could do on my own with my two young sons (they were on 8 and 10 at the time). I was a bit daunting leaving my kids trackside whilst I went out onto the track. I was determined that they got chance to witness what I had growing up at the tracks. We only just retired from rebels less than 12 months ago. It became too much work for me on my own and my lads are growing up and following their own interests now. They are halfway through their first season of Ice Hockey at Manchester Phoenix. Its a small world, the Phoenix is sponsored by Jamie Davidson, and one of the goal judges is an Ex F1 and F2 driver Lee Mcbride.
