Dave
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Post by Dave on May 31, 2008 10:37:09 GMT
One of our members melloyello, is married to one of the top uk hot rod racing stars, stockcar and hot rod racing has always been a love of mine.
There I was 14 years old playing in the park with my mates, we could hear the roar, of the cars echoing around Newton, on a Wednesday evening. You could hear the commentator giving out his commentary, competing with the noise from the cars.
No money in our pockets, but we just wanted so much to be there, so we came up with a plan. We walked to the point where the River Lemon meets the River Teign, at this point there is two steel railway bridges that span across the river.
Like army commandos we worked as a team and we got ourselves up and between the two bridges. On the lower part of each bridge was a small bean, with one leg on each bridge, we stated to walk across. Shock and horror as a train passed over the bridge, the noise and the vibrations soon a had my mate Pete, looking up at us from the river.
Once over we creped as the commandos we now were, keeping out of sight, until we were close enough, to mingle in with the crowd. So my love affair with oval short circuit racing was born, for me anyway it’s the shame the track had to close down.
Stock cars are one seated purpose built racing machines, the sight of 24 cars racing around the track is all sum. A contact sport and very dangerous at times. Hot rods also purpose built, meant to be no contact, but I bet mellos husband would tell you, it is often not.
Later in life going there by car, it was funny to see the events in the car park. You paid you money on the drive way at the track, crossed over on boards over the racing track. You then were in the car park set up for the race meeting. Driver getting out of there cars all around you, looking to see who was watching them.
Then they would open the boots of their cars and out jumped children. Maybe one or two, but once I saw six jump out of one boot. Great days, I still go to watch racing, but just have to travel further to watch it.
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Post by melloyello on May 31, 2008 21:34:40 GMT
Ahh Dave, we still miss those Wednesday nights at Newton, what a great shame it went  Bri started his racing there, doing Bangers, then onto hot Rods. He had his first ever win at Newton, it was the West of England Championship 1994.....it was actually THE last hot rod race ever held there. Where have those years gone?  It was a great night though, Bri was probably the slowest car there but the wet track that night was a leveller, so he managed to beat the quicker more expensive engined cars!! What a shock that was! After then we did a few seasons National Hot Rods with the 'big boys' with our mate Martin, who Bri built cars for. We raced all over the country then most weekends. even qualified for the world final in 4th position one year. It was great fun, sometimes 15 of us in the coach. Then Brian built another car, for himself this time, and we raced at Smeathorpe Taunton, (which Autospeed ran) but really, that track is way too small for hot rods. After that Brian improved and we raced tracks in Cornwall and Mendips. Then open hot rods at Northampton, Birmingham etc. Bri more recently won the Britsih long track championship at Mallory several years running.(in the open hot rod class) When he felt he was up to speed and able to win locally we finally decided to have a go at National hot rods ourselves. He did okish, but its so hard to compete with the drivers who have big bucks sponsership. The fuel costs alone of towing the car with the van to Ipswich and back every other week cost us a fortune, unfortunately we've had to give that up for now whilst Bri concentrates on his new business.......then we WILL be back!!! We built quite a following because we were a totally self sufficient team, Bri making his own panels for the car, building the car from scratch and doing his own engines. So Ross is 'borrowing' the car for this season, he thought he'd give it a go after racing radio controlled cars for years, he's turned out to be very quick too. Brian is now building himself a new car, based on a Tigra body...so maybe in another season or so I will be stood on the bank a nervous wreck watching the two of them race each other  Anyway thats enough from me, I won't go on as obviously this is a TUFC forum!  If anyone is interested, take a look at our racing website. Our son made it and keeps it up to date. (Last meeting's report isnt in as he's just waiting for piccys) www.loramracing.co.uk/ |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 31, 2008 21:41:43 GMT
Thanks for that Bev a great informative post, you are free to post anything on this part of the board, its called other sport and anyway don't forget its my second love.
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Post by melloyello on May 31, 2008 21:45:51 GMT
Thanks Dave, I will keep you up to date with 'race news' |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jul 10, 2008 19:30:30 GMT
Hi Mello I know you have had a lot to deal with lately, just wondered if you had some updates on your son, not to worry if still busy.
All the best Dave R
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Post by melloyello on Jul 10, 2008 20:06:30 GMT
Hi Mello I know you have had a lot to deal with lately, just wondered if you had some updates on your son, not to worry if still busy. All the best Dave R Hiya Dave. Yes had a very difficult few months really, but as you well know we all have our problems, so you do your best and get through it.  Anyway, Ross hasnt raced since he won the 'three in a row day' in the wet at Mendips raceway. His next meeting is there on July 27th. I will post some piccies after that and let you know how he got on. Brian has been busy with his new business as you know, but he's still found time to work on the new Tigra race car...its looking so sexy!!! I will post some piccies of that too, in its various stages of development if you're interested Dave. All the best to you and Carol.  |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jul 10, 2008 20:29:56 GMT
That will be great Bev, just start a thread in the Photo Gallery and then you can update with new photos as and when.
Keep the faith Bev
Carol and I do what we always do at times like these, we hold hands and face it together and never not believe that we will get beyond all this.
Take real care Dave R
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jamie
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Post by jamie on Jul 20, 2008 14:08:08 GMT
Dave
as a newton boy myself I did almost the same as you (just a few years later). WE would walk to the river at the end of brunel and then climb through between the train tracks and into the course. Really happy days if not a bit scarey when trains cae along. It seemed so innocent then but I would go up the wall now if I caught Louie doing it!
We watched caravans crashing, figure of eight races (where they join two cars together) demolition derbys, all sorts. Such great fun for a bored teenager with too any spots and not enough girls!!
Later I worked at the course, serving ice creams in a tray and later behind the counter selling hotdogs burgers blah blah.
I did it for years and got to know a lot of the drivers and families. In the end I left in 1990 having had a row with the owner because he wanted me to work on the night of the italia germany game. We agreed that he would provide a tele for the night so everyone could watch and I agreed to work.
Unfortunatly there were so many people watching the tv he turned it off so people could get to the food area. I was having none of that and left swiftly for a local hostilary.
I occaiionally go to smeathorpe which is as ramshackle as newton was. The kids love it.
Happy days
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Post by melloyello on Jul 20, 2008 16:49:37 GMT
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jul 20, 2008 16:54:33 GMT
Great Pictures Bev, the car really looks ace, was these taken not long after the car was built. it looks in such good condition, I know its non- contact racing, but most cars get their fair share of damage.
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Post by melloyello on Jul 20, 2008 17:13:27 GMT
Thanks Dave No these pictures are all taken this season. The car is fairly old now but it's kept in good condition and touch wood Ross hasn't inflicted anymore than a few racing scratches and brushes yet  |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jul 20, 2008 20:11:42 GMT
Well Jamie, I was starting to enjoy your read about stock cars, until I got to the bit about you doing the same as me, ONLY YEARS LATER, what were you trying to say mate. ;D ;D
Yes they were the days and if you compare the price to watch stock cars to day, it is now lower in price that watching TUFC.
Still TUFC will always come first, but when you think how many races you to get to watch, at just one meeting, its good value.
Unlike football, you will never get a bad meeting, yes some times car numbers may be down on what you would like, but there still will be action. I love the the stock car final at the meetings. 8 cars from heat1, 8 from heat2 and 8 from the consolation race.
24 high powered fast, contact racing cars, roaring around a small oval track. Know the cars and drivers and you will be able to keep up with who is in front. Next comes Hot rods and then the bangers, who's drivers seem to get badder and meaner, but there is history between some of them and they take no prisoners.
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jul 21, 2008 17:09:33 GMT
Bev what tracts were the photos take, I know its not smeathorpe and don't think its Bristol so maybe St Day? is one of them.
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Post by melloyello on Jul 22, 2008 7:39:22 GMT
Bev what tracts were the photos take, I know its not smeathorpe and don't think its Bristol so maybe St Day? is one of them. Hi Dave. Those were taken at Bristol (Well, Mendips raceway) this season. Thats Ross holding the flag......top pic he is stood next to the great Colin White, who Ross beat in that race, mind once Colin had realised he wasnt winning it as he had thought, he did put in some very quick laps, but ran out of time to catch our ross Ross is racing at Mendips again this Sunday, hope we have a few more cars taking part. The hot rods actually raced last weekend at Smeatharpe, Bri went to watch, apparently it was liike a banger race, that track is too small and rough for hot rods!! |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jul 22, 2008 15:44:39 GMT
Thanks Bev, its been years since I went there and simply did not recognize the track.
With all this stockcar talk, we forgot one very important person. MR autospeed himself, now sadly passed away. Mr Trevor Redman. The former owner of Autospeed and such a character. Who could ever forget, seeing him on the track, with his hat on, Mike in his hand. He loved giving out the cups and prizes and his first words were always "thank you Bill" after he had been announced by Bill Daily? the track commentator.
Some times he would go on a bit to much, yes I know the drivers want to soak up their moment of Glory, but the punters want to get on with the racing.
I know when he passed away his son took over, but I think I'm right in saying that he gave it up and sold Autospeed, could be wrong, sure you will tell me.
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It was a great night though, Bri was probably the slowest car there but the wet track that night was a leveller, so he managed to beat the quicker more expensive engined cars!! What a shock that was! 
