Stock cars & Hot rods

Bit of a long shot, but has anyone that enjoys Stock Car racing heard of a Graham Andrews, He used to race cars locally, and he knows my Dad. He owns a pet-shop now called Baileys (After his dog, not the drink ) in Castle Circus (opposite the tennis courts).

He knows my Dad and he always goes football with us, stands on the popside.

He mainly did stock cars, He's got loads of pictures of him (With hair, and without the gut)

Well he lives in a hotel in Chelston (Linton rooms or something like that) and we meet him at Plainmoor, I've only seen a few pictures he's got in his wallet and they are like really precious to him, so I don't think he'll let me take them away.

When I went back on the site later it was working fine Bev, so got my vote in,so good luck and happy racing next season.

Thanks Bev we had a great one, just a shame those old dears need looking after, as us men lose our ladies too soon ;D

On our way to Weymouth Bev, I joked with the boys , when we turned of the A30 at Honiton, that we should go to the racetrack instead of the football? well I knew there was no meeting on and I was only joking, but they had a word in my ear.

My first visit to Newton Abbot Stock Cars was in the late sixties,this was a birthday treat for a friend of mine when I was at Harbertonford primary school.
This was probably one of the first meetings there.

Went to a few meetings in the mid seventies but started going regularly in 1982 and hardly missed a meeting right up to its sad demise.

My favorite formula were the Bangers,closely followed by Stock Cars and Auto Rods(later named Saloon Stocks),my least favorite(sorry Dave),but still enjoyed were the Hot Rods,this was mainly due to lack of numbers and was much more entertaining when drivers visited from up country for big meetings.
Used to stand on the pit gate bend and went home covered in black dirt ,loved it.

There were many great meetings there,particularly on Bonfire Nights when the place was packed out.I was always amazed that nobody ever crashed in to the Bonfire!(will be posting a new thread about one particular Bonfire Night meeting).

It was a sad day when it was announced that there would be no more car racing.You cant really blame the Racecourse for not renewing the lease,because to be honest,the place was an eyesore.

Still go to Smeatharpe occasionally,but did not go at all last year.
Hope to start going again this year.
Racing there has improved,but is not as good as what it was at Newton Abbot and in my opinion,never will be.
The only problem with going there is because it is so damned cold,even sometimes in the summer! Also turns in to a quagmire when it rains.

Don't enjoy Banger Racing has much as I used to.
I like to see some proper honest racing,like the days of Paul Shepherd,Steve Hunt,Kevin Stack and the like.Nowadays they want to start demolishing themselves on the the first lap! Should save that for the demolition derby.

Used to stand with my friend and former workmate Tim Knight and his dad.
We parked in Tescos and went in the pedestrian entrance,because we were regulars the gate man(who also worked also worked at TUFC and is a supporter)gave us cheaper student tickets.We used avoid Mrs Redmond,but one day she caught me out,but I still got in.