1984 Hobby Membership
13th Year With Hobby’s
The controversial 1983 season was not quite over when Ron Shaw a few other members asked me to run for President. I’d spent a few years on the committee but didn’t know if I was ready yet to take over the helm. Maybe it was the Hobby club who wasn’t ready for me because once I got nominated and voted in I wanted to get the Hobby club back to where it was in the mid 70’s with lots of cars and fun. My enthusiasm would take the club to a four race mini series in the Maritimes and Maine. When I assumed the leadership of this incredible club, with it’s history and legacy, it was truly an honour. Our car count had dwindled and to make matters worse, Harry Nicholson started a new class called CORA, a type of modified race car, and had hopes of convincing many of the OARC members to join him. Lucky for us only a few jumped ship. 1984 was a turning year for the Hobbies in many ways. It was a year for everyone to work together for the betterment of the club. When the final flag flew in 84′, even those who complained a lot had to agree we didn’t have a horrible season, but it sure was busy. My 13th year with the Hobby club was going to be a trial of sorts, especially being President. The club lost all it’s points money from 1983. My first duty was to try to get back the lost points fund, or at least some of it from the previous year, then, with the help of my commitee, try to raise money for the 1984 season. I met with Norm West the President of XPL Motor Oil, the primary sponsor in 83′. He was a nice man, but said, regrettably, there was no money to be given to the Hobby club, but if he did get in a position to pay it to us, he would. We decided to move on and keep our focus on making our club strong. The committee of 84 were very good and caring. We brought in some new ideas, focused on family and fans and fun. We knew after reports from many race tracks that our club was dying, we had to bind together to show the racing community that we were not done, but suffered a minor set back that would do nothing but make us even better. Being President and racing for the Championship was very difficult. Many of the committee raced, and were in the same boat as me, but they helped make 84′ a great and memorable season….many pictures from 84 were taken by Dave Franks. He loved to work with Hobby club and was involved in many of the things we did throughout the season. I hope you enjoy the pictures and stories from 84′, as Nonie and our family did.
1984 Season Stats
Rundown 1984
It was a very busy year for me and the other committee members. We raced 30 nights. There were many high lights from this historic season. Perhaps the biggest for our team was finally winning a feature. We had an incredible drought, over a six year span, of entering 167 features without taking the checker.
Quaker State Agreement
Eleventh Season With Quaker State
Stripped It To The Bone
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We didn’t always have time to go this far on our car and especially with being President, but we wanted to have the best car we could with the funds we had. So taking it all apart let us have a good look at what the car needed.
Black Chassis
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We start to put on all the parts that are everywhere.
Nonie and I Daytona Bound
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We loved going to Daytona and this was one year we met a lot of our Hobby friends when we got there.
My Favourite NASCAR Driver
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I had two favourite numbers…#9 and #36. Andy Bathgate was my favourite hockey player and then later in years Vic Parsons became my favourite Late Model driver at the CNE. Of there was only one 36 and that was Glen Schurr who was my hero in racing and so I went with #36 and of course came the slogan “36 for Schurr”. My cousin Bill Elliott was a great friend although not into racing (he’s a great guitar and fiddle player) but it became a natural to cheer for the freindly Bill Elliott and being #9 almost made me go to #9 on my Hobby car. The only thing was that Bill Lyons was #9. and though he didn’t race anymore and was in the Hall Of Fame, I decided not to ask for the number…not yet!
Bobby Allison
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Bobby Allison had lots of fans cheering for him.
Benny Parsons
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Another very popular runner Benny Parsons.
Phil Parsons
Phil Parsons raced against his dad. The Parsons were one of many racing families in NASCAR.
Goody 300
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We made it for this race as well as the 500.
Brian Pratt Take Us On The Town
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Brian Pratt said we just had to go to this awesome part of town called Church Steet Station. Ron and Helen went with us and Butch and Bonnie. Butch took this picture. Brian was a lot of fun to be with and laughed a lot…laughed alot???…Ron Shaw was another one who rarely let a moment to go by that we weren’t laughing. These people were and stll are great friends.
Daytona Action
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Sometime in the race.
Elliott Leads…Cars Wrecking Behind
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500 action.
The Only In Line In The Race
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Someone explodes in the tri-oval. Where have we seen that before?…about every other night at Flamboro…I’m guessing this was a six cylinder, but many disagree.
NASCAR POOL…Girls Clean Up
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We drew numbers to see who would go first. Nonie went first picking Elliott then Waltrip. Helen had Bonnet and Labonte. Nonie won this mini pool with her two picks gaining the most points..giving her $25. Ron Shaw picked the winner Cale Yarborugh, who lead most of the race, Bonnie picked Dale Earnhardt who came in 2nd and Nonie had Waltrip who finished 3rd. Elliott finished 5th giving Nonie a 3rd and 5th.
Hobby Drivers List 1984
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The boys of 84′.
George Sheppard
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This classic picture from the late 50’s shows George Sheppard talking to Jim Hallahan. Both were at the Pinecrest CNE reunion in Mississauga in early 2009.
Motion Car Show
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Ron Goodison’s #2 is up front in this shot. Charlie Beck’s #79 can be seen on the outside row at the front.
Bill Elliott’s Show Car
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Talk about low budget, towing to Canada for one of Ontario’s biggest car shows on an open trailer. I somehow talked the driver of this rig to bring the car by our restuarant. We fed him but more than that we got a great piture of the #9…okay, it wasn’t such a great picture, but I was the only guy in our neighbourhood who had a NASCAR team pull in front of his house. I was pumped even it was the show car.
Trying To Rais Money
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Ray Goodison and I came up with this idea to try and raise some money to help our two teams. A few people came by but I think we covered our costs. We didn’t make enough to rebuild any inlines, but it was a fun day.
April 22nd 1984
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We had our cars out in front of our restaurant. We were closed other than the party we were having. Ron Goodison was part of this event and Ken Jorgenson soon joined us.
Ken #96 and Ron #2
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Ken Jorgenson and Ron Goodison
John Thompson Moving & Storage Rig
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Ken and Ron joined up to get this picture with one of the sponsors we had for the Hobby club in 84′. John Thompson came on board for this rebuilding season.
David Always Around The Cars
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Everyone was getting ready to head home and we took this shot. David would be one of the racers in 88′.
NASCAR Paint Scheme
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Looks good so far.
48 Chev Ramp Truck
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We took the car to Milton to get some shots in this beautiful area called Rattle Snake Peak.
Doug MacFarlane
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Doug painted our car and will soon paint the black truck, but not until just before we head to the east coast.
Some Of Our Crew
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Paul Cornwall who was one of longest committed crew members is beside Doug in this picture.
More Crew Shots
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David joins in this picture with Paul and Doug as well as Terry Ferrier on the far right.
Bruce and Dwight
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Bruce and crew chief Dwight were perhaps the best duo in 1984 when it came to set up and prowess on the track. The blue Coupe was a car to reckon with week after week.
Practice
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Dave Bentley #29 leads Ken Jorgenson and me down the back chute at Flamboro.
Stewart Pichford #47
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The late Norm Moise, a member of the Hobby Hall Of Fame, is seen here with Stewart working on the car.
Drive For Easter Seals
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The Hobbies were always doing things for kids one way or another. In 84 we decided to raise some money for the Easter Seal Society by twice going through the stands to collect money in our helmets. At our banquet we would present a cheque to the Easter Seal Society, all the money we collected. Our goa was $3000.
David and Friend Sherri Hennessey
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David is seen here with 2 young girls, one being our crew member Ed Hennessey’s daughter Sherri on the left…don’t know who the other girl is, if anyone knows let me know and we’ll update it.
Lining Up For The Heat
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Steffon Zoskey and Terry Ferrier, two members of our 84′ crew get in this shot with a young lady whom I should, but can’t remember her name..it’s not Nonie…that’s Ron Shaw behind us and Larry Westwood #19.
May 5th Opening Day
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Dave Bentley #29 outside pole, would go on to win this heat race. We spun out mid way and ended up 5th.
One Lap To Green..May 5th Opening Day
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Ron Shaw and I have our hands out the window indicating one lap to go. Not everyone did that, some put their right hand up so the driver could see through the back window. It wasn’t always easy to see through the small back windows, so putting our hand out the drivers windown was the best way. This was our opening day heat. Dave Bentley took the lead in this race followed by Rick Kobel #42 and Jim English #55, at the back of the outside row. I spun out on lap 4 bringing out the yellow. We ended up 5th. Charlie Beck is at the rear of the inside line and Ron Goodison is second from the rear on the outside lane. Ron Shaw #81 is right behind me in one of his red and white Coupe.
Dave Bentley Leads Rick Koebel
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#29 Dave Bentley was often a member of the winners circle and on this night he took the heat win with Rick on his tail and Larry Westwood #21 in the middle of Ron Shaw #81 and I. Behind is #79 Charlie Beck and following Charlie is #88 Larry Gibson.
Bob and John
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One of the best chassis men in the Hobbby club was Bob Kurtin #80. Here Bob and long time crew member John check the toe. Maybe that was one of our problems (we had a few hundred), we didn’t check the toe when the car was jacked up. “Hey Bob, forget the toe, replace that right front tire…and give it to us”. Next to Bob is Don Shaw working on his car and next to Don is veteran racer #12 Jim Collison.
Warm Ups……..No Racing Gloves
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The Hobby’s didn’t mandate gloves until later in the 80’s….and as can clearly be seen, I didn’t have them on in 84.
Heading Into Turn Three
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Check out the home made bleachers in turn three. The Late Models drivers built them, soon there would be more. We thought this might inspire the track to build proper grand stands in turn three and four……it didn’t.
Doubled Up
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We’re running inside of Jim English #55, the 1978 Rookie Of The Year. In front of us is #65 Jeff Bedell with his new Coupe.
Battling with Don Shaw #84
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Don Shaw #84, in his 2nd season with the Hobby’s, races hard off turn four.
Tim Young #11
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Tim Yoiung #11, there was no one bigger in the Hobby pits. He was a massive man with hands as big as a carburetor…and he was my friend.
Actress Sharon Acker
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One day in our restaurant we were fortunate to have Sharon Acker as one of our customers. She looked through all of our scrap books (the first 12 years of Hobby racing for us). I suggested I would like to one day write a book and she encouraged me to do so….as of 2009, it hasn’t happened…however we have put a ton of stuff on this web site. Here is a small write up about Sahron Acker found on the internet…….”Although she was presented in 1969 the first Film Star of Tomorrow by The Motion Picture Exhibitors of Canada, the status of Sharon Acker as a star never materialized. Not that she was inactive, quite the opposite, but she worked almost only for TV and appeared only in a few undistinguished movie films. She will nevertheless remain remembered for her role as Lee Marvin’s ex-wife in John Boorman’s classic film noir ‘Point Blank’. The victim of Marvin’s rough manners, Acker/Lynne left a deep impact on male brains. Born in 1935, the Canadian-born actress started her film career in England when the play she was in, ‘Lucky Jim’, Kingley Amis’ classic, was made into a movie. But, she was not seen in many a film, except during the sixties, either in Canada or in the USA. On the contrary she has been very active on TV, first in Canada from the age of 19, then in the USA in made-for-TV movies or series like ‘Star Trek’, ‘Mission: Impossible’, ‘Gunsmoke’, ‘Marcus Welby M.D.’, ‘Barnaby Jones’, etc. She was a regular in the series ‘The Senator'(1970)for one year and played Della Street in the short-lived ‘New Perry Mason’. A talented actress seen too little in movie theaters”.
Driver Of The Week
Jim Sweers 75
Phil Shaw In 15 years He’ll Be Huggin’ The Wheel
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Hostess Potatoe Chips sponsorsed door prizes for kids and Phil and his freind were the lucky winners on this night. Like many young Shaw boys Phil to would one day race a Hobby car.
Ray Wins May 19th Feature
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Nonie joined Sharon and Ray for the photo session on the front chute. This night was sponsored and Nonie was there to present Ray the trophy. May 19th we finished 2nd in the feature, a long ways behind Ray.
Hobby Meeting
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This drivers meeting was held at Dan Castonguay’s pit. That’s not Hank Willimas Junior in the sun glasses, it’s our very own #22 Ken Frost. Jeff Bedell is the tall guy on the left, Ray and Ron Goodison are at the top left. Ray is sitting on Dan’s nerf bar right behind me, I got the soft, spot the tire. Ron Shaw is just ahead of me on the left and Dave Bentley is at the far right. Bill Fewson appears to be conducting the meeting.
Sauble May 20th
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On May 20th we had our first Gold Cup race at Sauble Speedway. Ray Hughes #24 took the win that was marred with a huge wreck in the feature taking us and Wayne Martin out. Ron Shaw ended up 2nd in the feature. Our notes show that Don Shaw blew up, and Bentley grabbed another win taking this heat race with Jim Collison close behind….we were 4th in Overall Club points after this night where we ended up 14th. So far in 84 we had a 7th, 3rd and 2nd in feature finishes putting us 4th. Ray was 6th at this point and Rick Koebel was leading both Flamboro and Overall.
East Seal Night
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On June 30th Dizzy Dean came out to make a presentation as the nightly sponsor. Dizzy was the man behind Motion Car Show and offered to present an award for the best apeparing car and crew. It was also a night to go through the stands and collect money for our Easter Seal drive. We collected $1097 in bills alone, and lots of coins, that were totalled giving us close to $1500. The fans were always supportive of our efforts. (but when we went to the pre season meeting with John Casale in 85′, he said, like he did every year “what do you guys do for me”?)…anyway te boy here in this picture was from the Easter Seals, he was a poster child. We gave him a Hobby T-shirt and hat…..it was a great night for our team. We finished 6th in the heat and 2nd in the feature, winning $120. That put us 4th in Flamboro points. We were also 6th in Gold Cup points on June 30th. By the way, Jim Collison and his crew won the best appearing car and crew award as selected by Dizzy and the committee. Jim always had a nice looking car.
Jim Collison #12
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Jim was another member of the 1984 Hobby committee. Beside Jim is #58 Norm Stewart. Norm bought the car from Ron Jerome who started the season with us.
Ray Hughes Ugliest Car
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This was about as close as Ray could get to a 1934 Volkswagon. I teased him about the look of the car, it was areo-dynamic enough, but just didn’t good at all. I know he didn’t listen to me very much back then, well anytime for that matter, but he did change it very shortly after bringing it out…it really didn’t matter much what he had for a body, he usually was the car to beat, although Bruce Manson had lots to say about who would get the checker flags once he showed up for the 84 season.
Flamboro Graded
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In this picture Ron Goodison #2 leads Charlie Beck and I going into turn 3. The track finally graded the infield to get rid of the mounds left over from the bike jumping…whatever they were suppose to be.
Racing Family
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Ron was in his 4th season and Don in his 2nd year with the Hobby club.
Wheel To Wheel With Charlie Beck
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Charlie and I battled alot. In this shot we are both hanging on as we head into turn two to go down the back chute. Rick Koebel #42 is sticking his nose in behind Charlie. Ron Shaw is on the inside behind us with Norm Stewart beside him. Jeff Bedell #65 is there as well and on the front chute are Larry Westwood, Rich Farraway #53 and Larry Gibson #88.
Dave Bentley #29
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Hard charger Dave Bentley #29. Ran about as hard as anyone ever did anytime.
Bruce Manson
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If there was an intimidator in the Hobby club Bruce was it. Sometimes he got mad even when he won. He sure knew his stuff and he could drive the wheels off a race car.
Nonie Wins Her First Ever Race
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June 30th….The Hobby’s Ladies Auxillary had a fund raiser “Wreckem’ Race” to raise money for the Easter Seal drive in conjuction with our special night of going through the stands with our helmets. There were 7 ladies in the race including Sharon Yost, Darlene Koebel and Carmen Manson. Nonie was the last lady standing and took her first ever win on her first try. Her $150 in winnings went to the Easter Seal drive. Nonie retired immediately after this race giving her a perfect racing career.
Nonie The “Awesome”
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One for one…perfect…and she was…oh, and still is.
Wayne Varley #7
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Wayne Varley #7 was one of the easiest going members ever in the Hobby club. A very clean racer and lots of fun to be around.
Tim & Wayne Martin
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Tim and Wayne were hard charging gentleman, about as steady as you get when it came to on track prowess. They, like many of us, had to fight hard to get any ground. The Martins always were willing to help who ever needed help.
First Win Of 84
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On July 21st we finally won a race in 84′. We had some seconds and thirds in heat races, and in the features, but no checker flag. This was a Consi win to boot. In the heat we started pole beside Jim English. He got the lead but by lap 4 I was ahead of him only we tangled and I spun and was t-boned by #42 Rick Koebel. A bent tie rod and bruised leg was enough to put us out of the heat race but we got ready and won this race starting from 5th spot. David and Shirley, as well as Doug MacFarlanes kids and Annie Socier, our sponsors daughter….we would extend our feature drought to 156 feature races without a win…this night we had to pull from over heating after moving from 18th to 6th. We ended up 18th….it’s funny, but a win is good medicine when your struggling.
Bob Kurtin #80…Jeff Bedell #65
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Bob Kurtin surveys the damage to his red #80 Ford Coupe. Jeff Bedell, driver of the #65 Hobby car, is in the back ground also involved in this mishap.
First Win Of 84…Feature Drought Continues
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It may have seemed like a long time to pick up a win for 84′, almost 3 months. It was on our 15th night that we finally got the checker. What was more astonishing was our feature drought…extendign to an incredible 156 attempts without winning the a feature…Hobby Hall Of Fame Member, Bill Wakish, inducted in 1984, is standin behind me in this picture.
Randy MacDonald Late Model Racer
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Randy MacDonald signs some autographs for kids at Flamboro. David is just to the right of the Late Model veteran.
The Kids & Crew Get In The Picture
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It was common for all kinds of fans to come out for the photo sessions. When Pete Shepard won, our kids would go out to get in his pictures. Here, Annie Saucier is on the roof beside Leonard Farraway with our kids behind the car. Standing beside me are two of our crew Steffon and Doug.
Hobby Points Standing
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#42 Rick Koebel Leads The Points
Jim Collison Hobby Rep
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The Hobbies started a decade long drive to support the Easter Seals. In this photo Jim Collison is presented an award to the Hobby’s for their dedication to Easter Seals. Claude Cantonguay helped with the Hobby drive by giving his procedes from a his miniature golf course. It was a win win, as the drivers brought their cars to the golf course for display.
Jim Collison Wins Wednesday Night Race
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Jim Collison #12, won his heat on July 18th at Barrie Speedway. It was a rare Wednesday night event. We ended up 2nd in our heat won by Ray Hughes. We would also get 3rd in the Trophy Dash and 11th in the feature.
Twin 25’s Program
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This was our 10th Twin 25 event held at Flamboro Speedwy on July 28th. Flamboro paid us one purse and we hustled the 2nd featrue pay off, sometimes bringing in enough to not only pay for the 2nd featrue but to increase it and the first feature. Because I was President it was good to see other racers digging in and helping raise the extra purse money. The front cover gave recognition for those who worked the hardest.
Twin 25 Lap Hustlers
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Here’s the drivers who sold the most laps for the 10th Anniversary Twin 25’s.
List Of Lap Sponsors
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Twin 25 sponsor list with those buying the most laps at the top. We put this little flyer together and gave it out to eveyone who came into the track.
Twin 25 Flyer Back Page
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The final page of our flyer gave thanks to our club sponsors and to those on the Ladies Auxillary and of course to the sponsors of the East Coast Tour…coming soon.
Ron Shaw #81
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Ron Shaw was having a tough season and it sure showed it’s face on the Twin 25’s. I didn’t race against anyone who wanted to race anymore than Ron did. He was like me in many ways, racing was the most important thing to do and if you got lucky to win it was a huge bonus. On this particular night he wrecked in warm ups and was out for the night. We were having trouble with over heating. I took our car to Lee Jerome during the week and he thougth there might be a crack in the block but wasn’t sure. He suggested to add block weld. We did, but it didn’t help us. We overheated all night. During the craziness of trying to get back out even with a cracked block, Ron came over to help us stay on the track. Ron was always doing that for everyone.
Charlie Beck #79
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Charlie was another racer who always wanted to help racers get on the track. On this night we were struggling with over heating because of a cracked block. We were lucky enough to draw pole for the heat but had to pull off when the heat got to 230 degrees and water was spraying on the windshield. Charlie came over and gave us a much higher rated rad cap. He said to be careful because if the block was cracked it could build up so much pressure to blow off the rad hoses or damage the rad from air getting inside the system. We had new hoses and our rad was good, plus we just wanted to get out and race and hope the over heating stopped…but more than anything else we needed to get in the features because we couldn’t afford to lose two feature race points. We finished 4th in the consi putting us in the starting field with an 18th qualifying spot, but it got us in the first feature. We ran okay until lap 15 when the car started to over heat. I slowed down a little and it was just as good because Charlie was right, the rad hose blew off sending a huge plume of steam in the air. The announcer said we blew the engine, but we didn’t really blow it, although we were never going to stop this problem…not unless we repaired the engine…trouble is there was one more 25 lap feature…we ended up not finishing that feature either, but we picked up a 12th giving us 15th overall and at least more points than sitting on the trailer.
Bob Kurtin Wins Twin 25 Qualifier
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Bob Kurtin drew outside pole in our heat and went on to win it in his awesome looking Ford. Bob spent lots of time holding the checker flag.
Stewart Pifchford #47
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Stewart and I were friends for over 20 years by 1984. I wanted some racers to paint their cars like NASCAR teams and Stewart was one that did, along with Larry Westwood and us. Stewart painted his car after his favourite driver #3 Dale Earnhardt.
Jim English #55
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Jim was one of the toughest drivers to race against. He was an extremely fierce competitor on the track and gentle as a lamb in the pits. If you did get him upset while racing, best not to talk to him on the track, wait until he got to the pits where he was huggable.
Dick Remus #33
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Dick Remus was another racer who always helped his competitors where ever he could. He charged hard and never seemed to get many breaks in the Hobby club, although he did win races. He did okay in the Super Stocks picking up a win here in the heat.
Hostess Mascot
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Shirley gets in this photo, just to the right of the Hostess Mascot.
Charlie Beck and Larry Westwood
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Charlie Beck #79 battles with Larry Westwood #19 on the first lap of this Hobby heat.
Feature Line Up Saturday August 4th
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Kitchener boy, Murray Luckheart #72, leads the Hobbies into turn one on the white flag lap. This was one of our biggest feature fields in 84. It was also the night before we headed to the Maritmes for the East Coast Tour. On this night we failed to make our heat because we were late after having our engine rebuilt and not being ready in time. We finshed 4th in the consi and started 18th in this feature. We ended up 10th…also extending our feature streak to 158 features without a win.
Trouble In Twin’s
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We struggled all night, a common occurance for us in one of the most cherished and favourite race events in the Hobby schedule. I couldn’t wait for the Twin 25’s. In this photo, Paul is measuring tire stagger. We did everything even if we thought we were done. Steffon accross from Paul stands beside David and had installed Charlie Becks rad cap. Doug is beside Paul and looks on, hoping we got it fixed. We ran every race only the consi didn’t have over heating. That was because it took more laps to build up pressure.
Coors Sponsorship
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Amazingly I made a call to the marketing manager of Coors and told him I was going to paint my car the Coors #9 color scheme and wanted to know if they could give me anything, anything at all. The man said, “every racer in the US and Canada is asking us for stuff, and we can’t possibly supply something for everyone”. I said “My name is Elliott, does that help”? After begging and pleading he agreed to send me a Coors sports bag and 6 hats. When I got them I couldn’t believe it and was as excited as if they gave me cash. We still have a few of the hats and the Coors bag and that’s as of the writing of this post. (2009).
East Coast Tour
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One of the things I wanted to do with the Hobby club was to bring them closer as a family and club, especially after what we went through at the end of 83′. So what better idea than to go away on a vacation together. The idea of going to the Maritimes for a 4 race series was no easy sell to the members at first. We had never raced there before, in fact Peterborough was the furtherest east most of us had ever raced with the OARC. The promoters knew about us and couldn’t believe we would come there and were very excited about the possibility of a show at their tracks. It meant leaving for two weeks, all members would have to make holiday arrangements. There were many other aspects of this trip that came up in the committee meetings. Do all the teams have the equipment to get there, will enough cars show up, how will we split the money, what if it rains, etc. The deal was set when 4 tracks, one in Maine, one in Nova Scotia and two in New Brunswick. All agreed to pay us $1800 per show. We would split the money evenly. We also got $500 from Flamboro for a mini points series, Quaker State gave every car and team a case of oil and a hat, Dave Franks gave us a deal on pictures and buttons to sell while we were on the road and Wheelspin News gave us some free advertising. Only two members could not make the trip. Jim English and Bob Kurtin. Both had family health issues with loved ones and needed to stay home to be with them. We decided not to count the races in our points series but to have a separate series. This moment in the Hobby history was one of it’s most memorable.
East Coast Tour Sponsors
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On August 4th, after all the races were over at Flamboro the Hobby drivers and families came out on the track with their tow rigs. It was a parade of 16 teams entering the track through the pit gate and going around turn 3 and 4 to the start finish line. There we were greeted met by John and Frank Casale. They shook hands with every team and John Allison was there to give us a hat and case of oil from Quaker State. Dave Franks made us pictures and buttons of each car, items we would sell at the various tracks. As the teams left Flamboro the fans waved and the announcer wished us all a safe trip as we made our way out of the track to go on our long journey east. The send off was very good making us feel important by both the track, the sponsors and the fans.
East Coast Tour Stickers
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We took pictures, buttons and these stickers in hopes of raising some money while we were on the road.
Dwight Patterson Rides Shot Gun…1200 Miles!!!!
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No kidding….Dwight and his wife Carol sat on the back deck of Bruce Manson’s ramp truck all the way down to the New Brunswick….yes no Cops were in sight. The trip was filled with all kinds of stories of all the teams that went. It was believed that I would be the one breaking down quite often. On the contrary, our 48 Chev was one of the few that never had any problems. Ray had 2 flat tires on his trailer, Bruce blew the rear end in his truck, I think it had Varney Speedway gears in it. They were changed before our race in Antigonish. The Shaw family, Ron, Helen, Don and Gail and all the little Shaws stayed at our home on August 4th and we headed out first thing Sunday morning. We went up Scarlett Road to get on the 401 and when we pulled on we saw Ray, Bruce and Dave Bentley heading in a train. Our group had both Shaws and the Goodison’s. There were times on the 401 when we thought we were at Talledega. We were 4 wide and carzy Ron Shaw was passing us on the curb lane at just under 70 mph. It was a fun trip down as the convey cleared Toronto heading for Maine.
Aroostook County International Speedway
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On our way east on the 401 we stopped the convoy at the Limestone cut off. I called the promoter of Aroostook County International Speeday, Mr. Tolle and he asked if we would come to the county fair in Presque Isle. Ray, Dave and I went on, the rest camped over. Our first stop was the Canadian Border. This was the most scrutinized I had ever been by anyone checking our race stuff..but it was also our first time leaving Canada to race with the Hobby’s. We did race in New York with the Volkswagon but it was not near as up tight as this deal. The customs officer said we were lucky to have everything listed and they litterally checked every single thing on our list on all of our vehicles. He warned us to make sure we did not alter our list or leave anything not claimed when we returned or he would strip us complete. He stamped our sheets and let us go. We drove about 50 yards to the U.S. customs. This fellow was by himself and he was in no hurry. He couldn’t find any papers and though he was nice enough he was totally disorganized. It took us 40 minutes to get by him. The place we were going, Presque Isle was only 20 miles away and we got to the fair about 9:30pm. The promoter met us and gave us tickets to get in, food tickets and we left our cars on the trailers but they were visible to the patrons of the fair. After 2 hours we left. We headed for Caribou but only Bentley and Hughes got a hotel room. We stayed with our truck and slept in the small Van driven by Steffon and Doug. Steffon entertained us most of the night so we were good.
Speedway Entrance
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Tuesday we got to see the track for the first time, It was somewhere between a big quarter and small third, but really a weird shaped track.
Ken Jorgenson Showing Off
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“Hey Ken, where’s your pants buddy”? Ken brought his crew cab and young Paul came with dad. They did like the rest of us, tried to save money to survive the trip that would be a 2 week extravaganza.
I Change Gears…….Steffon Dances
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On Tuesday August 7th we did some practising but had to change gears to get it right. The track was kinda weird with 5 turns and a straight away between 3 & 4. Tuesday was a humid day with rain threatening. We did get some practice in. Bruce Manson had the track covered. He got around real good just like he’d been on it before. Here we see Steffon entertaining the troops. Two youngsters, Jeff Shaw and David watch Grizzly Adams perform while dad and Doug try to improve the Coupe. Hey, maybe that’s what happened to Jeff and David, Steffon had a huge impact on these two rascals who would grow up to be entertainers themselves on and off the track.
Murray Lockhart Wins Heat
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Tuesday night wasn’t too good. We got one and a half heats in when it started to rain. Murray won the first even Hobby race in the United States…but we ended up getting rained out.
Bruce Manson #74 Wins First Heat
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Bruce was a blurr most of this night, and this picture shows it. Okay it was a bad shot of his heat win but it was all we had. I started on the pole and lead for a few laps. Bruce caught me and got by. He got very loose in the turn and when I tried going back under his car swung back knocking me to the infield. We came back out but way behind. Shortly after the temp gauge was hovering near 240 degrees so I went to the pits. We found the fan belt came off. We got one from the Goodison’s and were ready for the Consi.
Wayne Martin #34 Wins Consi
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The Martin family came on this trip. Ken, Tim and Tim’s family. They had a lot of fun and did okay. They won the consi at Aroostook and stayed consistent throughout the mini series.
Ron Shaw #81…Mr. Consistent
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There was no one who had more fun than Ron Shaw. Here one of his crew members Kenny Aspin checks out the camera. Usually he would be working on something but on the East Coast Tour the #81 didn’t have much work to do. They were by far the most consistent.
Some Of The Stars
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Here are some of those came to race. Tim Young is the farthest left, then Don Shaw, Ron Shaw, us, Murray and Rick Koebel. Tim Young did not race after this show. He had rented the cube van so he could bring his car down and slept in the cube van. There was lots of room. He had a few problems and rather than drive with us any further he headed back home. He wouldn’t be the only one to consider leaving. Larry Westwood was considering leaving when Mrs. Westwood was scared silly by a flying tire that came off a Street Stocker, went over the dirt bank, high in the air landing hard on Charlies trailer, then slamming into his truck and careening off the truck onto Mrs. Westwood toes braking two. It was a very close call for their teams. Larry was upset and had good reason to be but went out on the track for kids rides and decided to proceed with us.
Steffon The Starter’s Assistant
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It was probably the best thing that Steffon was in the starters stand because the man doing the starting had no idea what he was doing. On one of the races we came around to take the white for a heat race and the starter said to Steffon “watch this, I’m going to throw the green and really mess them up”!! he laughed and sure enough that’s what he did. We asked Steffon after the race what was going on and he said “I tried to tell the guy not to do that but he wanted to have some fun”. Steffon did get him straightend out for the feature.
Ken Jorgenson #96 Wins Heat Race
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Ken came to race and had a good series picking up a heat win in the first show.
Hobby Drivers Give Kids Rides
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This was a high lite of the night for both the kids and the Hobby drivers. Almost everyone came out to participate and take the kids around. Here Ron Goodison, Jim Collison and Ken Jorgenson are taking youngsters and some bigger kids for a ride in a Coupe.
More Kids Rides
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We loved to get in the action even it was taking the kids around. We must have driven kids around for an hour before our feature.
Rick Koebel On The Pole
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Rick Koebel #42 and Murray Lockhart #72 took us around for the start of the feature, the Hobby clubs first ever Amercian race. It was a tough race as many of us didn’t finish. Ray Hughes, Dave Bentley, Wayne Martin, Tim Young and Larry Westwood all DNF’d. We were down a bunch of laps but ended up 11th with the attrition. Our fan belt came off twice in the feature.
Bruce Manson #74 Wins First U.S. Feature
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It may have been prphetic that the guy with the “Captain America” paint job on his helmet would grab the win but it was no surprise to any of us. Bruce was dominant from the start at this track and showed his stuff by winning both his heat and the feature.
First Ever American Feature Winner
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Hollywood had Mad Max and we had Bad Bruce. He was bad on the track…bad in that he was the man to beat and took no prisoners when it came to racing. He sure put on a show for the fans at A.C.I.S. After the race the promoter stiffed us for $200 US becuase he didn’t have a good crowd. We were 900 miles from home and really couldn’t do anything about it. We took the money and headed to Nova Scotia…home to Charlie Beck and me.
Promoting The Hobby Club
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The track made this ad to mention we were coming.
Debbie Hallahan Killed
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What a shock it was to hear about Debbie Hallahans death at Riverside Speedway. It happened on the Saturday night while we were at Flamboro, before heading east. We heard about it right after the Aroostook County race. A bunch of us Larry Westwood, Jim Collison, Charlie Beck and arranged to have flowers sent to the Hallahan family on behalf of the Hobby Club.
Customs Forms
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We were warned to make sure we had everything accounted for when we returned after the race in Maine. If there was any discrepencies we were told our entire units would be tore down….so we were good.
A Rest Stop In Beautiful New Brunswick
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Just before we headed east Doug MacFarlane repainted our ramp truck to match our race car. This picture had an awesome back drop for the photo…the only problem? I wasn’t Dave Franks, in fact the camera I had was a throw away. Judging by the quality of the picture maybe it should have been thrown away before the picture was taken…oh well at least it gives some idea. Plus, get use to it, the next dozen photos were from the same camera.
Getting Gas For Nova Scotia
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We stopped for fuel in Moncton on Thursday morning. We got the car filled as well as our gas cans. That’s Bruce Manson in the dark pants.
Racing Fuel At A Decent Price
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Bruce and Dwight get gas. Ray is sitting waiting his turn and Doug is to the right. Steffon is beside me waiting our turn….the fuel was cheaper than race fuel we’d have to buy at the track.
59 Cents A Gallon !!!!!!
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Hey, it was expensive for us to go to the maritimes but we had fun…well some of us did….kinda…there were moments….anyway the price of this gas was okay.
Mall Display In New Brunswick
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The boys did their best to promote our first ever East Coast Tour by supporting the tracks at this mall. Ray Hughes, Dave Bentley, Bruce Manson and Ken Jorgenson are in this photo. The #36 is just past #96.
Moncton Mall
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The Hobby Club always did their best to support track promoters and sponsors with these types of displays. Also, the Maritimes hadn’t seen these cars in years, so it was a treat for the community.
Match Race
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A Cessna and a 1948 Maple Leaf
Nova Scotia Border
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Moncton wasn’t that far from Nova Scotia. We…okay it was my idea…took the old Highway 2 route once we got into Amherst. More on that journey later.
My Home Province Nova Scotia
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We all stopped at the border for a rest and game plan for the route we’d take. Ken and Dave went to another location but Bruce and Ray followed me. Shortly after this picture we’d be turning off the Trans Canada and heading towards Lynn Road, a short cut to get to Economy Nova Scoia where a welcoming committee of relatives would be waiting….Lynn Road was shorter than going through Parsboro, but was very rough and hard on some of the gear, but we eventually emerged onto the old Highway 2 knocking off 35 miles with the short cut, but also knocking off Bruce’s muffler.
Dad & Mom Wecome Us All To Their Home
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Once we got onto Highway 2, we made a stop at my cousins garage, Hilton Lewis, in Five Islands. We proceded from there about 6 more miles where my aunt and uncle were waiting to welcome us home. Uncle George and aunt Hazel came out with huge smiles and gave Nonie and I a hug. Ray got out of his truck and ran up and hugged Bruce in a friendly mock. As we drove further along the Gloose Cap Trail (hwy 2) we had an incredible view of Minas Basin, where the highest tides in the world are. Soon we reached my mom and dad who were on the bay side of the road and reserved a parking spot so we could pull over and have a great view of the bay and beautiful scenery. Then dad invited the three of us to his house. In this picture we can see Ray’s adn Ken’s car and Bruce’s truck on right just behind the house. We were all invited for supper and given a place to sleep.
The Martins Camp Over
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We woke up in the morning to find Ken, Wayne and Tim Martin in the back yard. They stayed over night in their trucks but were just in time for breakfast.
Wayne Martin’s #34
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The boys were unloading their cars to change gears and do some maintenance..meanwhile the smell of bacon, eggs and home fries was filling the immediate area, as mom, Nonie, Sharon and others helped prepare breakfast.
Mom Feeds 30
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You’ve heard the stories from people who go to the Maritimes and can’t believe the hospitality. In dad’s 500 square foot house, over 30 were in for breakfast and it was a great feast. In this photo we see to the far right Mom handing two piles of toast to Ray, Dwight, Rick and Bruce. In the next table in Tim, Ken, Wayne and Doug.
Two Tables On The Go
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Here we have Ken Jorgenson with my crew and the Martin family. Doug is beside me and Steffon is beside Wayne Martin. We had to take shifts to feed everyone.
Time To Work On The Cars
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The drivers and crews started working on the cars right after breakfast. Here Bill Elliott helps out. Bruce Manson needed a rear end, his was very noisy, so Billy geared him up by contacting a local wreckers.
Open Country Garage In Full Swing
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All the cars needed to do something. We weren’t racing until Saturday at Riverside Speedway. We have the rear wheels off our car preparing to change the gears based on the info we had about Riverside…but it wasn’t quite accurate as we’d find out.
Neighbour Drops By
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When this neighbour seen all the cars he decided to bring over his awesome pick up truck. All the boys stopped working to check it out. This would have been a great time to have an antique car show.
Inspection Time
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Most everyone checked over this immaculate truck. Some got into it, others got under it. Dad was in his glory with all the cars and excitement at his home.
Did I Say Ford????
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Just like any garage, it’s hard to get things done when people come by…but in this case it was okay.
Dad Drives In Clam Festival Parade
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The town of Economy, where the speed limit and the population are on the same sign, held it’s annual Clam Festival parade. Dad drove the 48 Chev and stopped to get a picture taken by his childhood school. Folk lore has it that when he returned from France, after the end of WW2, he was quite wired as it were and one night broke every window in the school. Being a small town, they knew who did it and he would have to pay for his rage. Dad was a hero when he left this small town to go to Europe to fight in the war, so it was easy to forgive him…..wow, that’s a lot of windows to brake.
Kids Line Up
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It was a beautiful day and lots turned out for this parade.
Advertisment From Riverside Speedway
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Track schedule.
Riverside Warm Ups
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Dad drove the truck to the races right after the parade. It poured rain all the way from Truro to Antigonish. The wipers were broke but dad did a great job trying his best to see. The rain was so hard at one point we had to pull over until it calmed down. This was the only track that didn’t have a rain date, and it was important to me because I would have so many relatives at the race to watch me. I didn’t want this to rain out and it didn’t.
Practice…Bruce Screams On The Straights
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Bruce Manson was the first car on the track. He wowed everyone, including us, with his car screaming down the back chute and the engine noise bouncing off the guard rail. He sounded like a jet when he came off turn two to go down the back straight-away.
Heat Race Shows We’re Reving Too High
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We decided after our heat race to lower the gear. We were running out of power. We went from 3.70’s to 3.50’s. In our heat we finished 4th and decided to run the consi even though we were qulaified.
Charlie Beck Wins 2nd Heat
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Charlie Beck was one of the winners at Riverside. He was also the only other Maritimer born in Nova Scotia.
Dave Bentley In Winners Circle
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Hard charging Dave Bentley won the Semi.
Murray Lockhart #72
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Good win for #72 Murray Lockhart taking the Consi.
Ray Cleans Up
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Ray Hughes won his heat and the feature. Bruce Manson was clearly the car to beat but broke a rear axle shaft in the feature sending him flying into the big white tires on the infield. Ray was close to Bruce and won the feature with Jim Collison in second and we took third.
Jim Collison Takes 2nd
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Jim worked hard in helping prepare the trip to the Maritimes and ran very well taking 2nd in the feature.
Home Boy Gets Podium Finish
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We ran well all day and brought home a 3rd place finish. We were happy with that. Ron Shaw took 4th and checks out his car after the feature finish.
Track Shows Appreciation
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The management at Riverside treated us awesome and every racer got one of these appreciation awards.
Riverside Press Newspaper Write Up
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Ray was headlined afer his exciting win at Riverside Speedway.
River Glade Speedway
The Track That Almost Ended The Trip
Race #3….Our next stop was River Glade Speedway close to another track called Petty Speedway. We had fun at this track. Ray won the feature in Nova Scotia, but here he went nuts on the front chute…tell you why later down the page
Nonie Sells Hobby Souvenirs
Nonie and Shirley
We had Dave Franks make us pins, buttons, and pictures of every team that went with us. We sold most all of them. Nonie did a great job selling from this van. Shirley helped her when she could. This was one of the Hobby clubs extra efforts to promote itself.
Hotel Bill
Our Hotel Invoice
Heat Win For #29
Dave Bentley Won The First Heat
Heat Win Larry Westwood
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Larry Westwood #19 Picked Up The 2nd Heat Win
Bruce Manson Wins Heat
Bruce Manson #74
Bruce doinated most nights. Here he wins the 3rd heat.
Bruce Manson Wins Heat
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Bruce Manson #74
Bruce doinated most nights. Here he wins the 3rd heat.
River Glade Fans View
Bruce Was A Fan Favourite
First Hobby Win Out Of Ontario
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Neice and Nephew Get In The Picture
Why is the hood off? In our heat, we were in a wreck coming off turn four, or was it five. Earlier in our heat race Ron Shaw hit the wall coming off the final turn putting him out. Soon after I got mixed up with #19 Larry Westwood knocking me into the same spot Ron hit and seconds later Ray hit me bending his tie rod and crashed going into the turn one wall. That gave Rick Koebel the lead, but he blew his transmission and the heat win went to Larry Westwood. In this race we started 5th and got a few breaks in the consi to get the win. This was our first ever win out of Ontario. My neice Tammy and nephew Gary came out to get their picture taken with the track starter.
Heat Win Decals
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Heat Win Stickers
Track Schedule
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Track Includes Us In Program Schedule
Feature Winner…Ken Jorgenson #96
Feature Goes Nuts, Ray To…Ken Gets The Win
The track design had a normal one and two, but a definite twist with almost a turn 3, 4 and 5. None of us were use to it, but it was even for all of us. In the pits we all taked about how weird the turns were on the track…To the feature…Okay, so a number of questions arise. Where was Manson, why didn’t he win, and more, why did Ray go crazy? Here’s what happened in this wild feature race that almost had the Hobby drivers head home, and forced me make the plea of my life in the pits after, to convince everyone to head to the next and final show….from my 1984 scrap book notes, word for word. …” In the feature I started 9th and ended up moving outside quick to get by Tim Young. For the most part I was 6th until a caution saw Bruce into the wall, you guessed it, turn 7. After a couple of caution laps Bentley was in front and the luck wasn’t with him. We had even restarted when his left front king pin broke. He left the track and that put #96 in the lead. There was some spitting rain now and although it wasn’t making the track bad, it was making visibility poor. On the 15th lap Ray Hughes, who got by me, was the first victim of the rain. I hit him enough to spin him, I couldn’t see. Every driver was in the same boat, we almost needed boats. 3 laps later, when coming out of the hair pin down the front chute running inches apart Jorgenson got loose because of the rain, Charlie Beck stopped and from there it was “Night Mare At River Glade”. I mounted Collison who was 3rd and slid to a stop just past the starters stand. The on coming pack went wildly past, all but Ray Hughes who couldn’t see or stop. When I came to, I was sliding down the front chute out of control. I felt the impact, but that was it. I was so drowsy that on leaving my car the only safe place for me was laying down and down I went. I remember everything because I was only stunned…and I’ve been that way for years. Actually I was very lucky. My side was paining and it felt as tho every foot ball player in the CFL hit me at once. Everyone was crying, all my relatives were scared but soon after everyone was calm around my car”…..that report was from my diary. Shortly after this huge wreck, Ray walked up to the front straight fence and began a rant of screaming and yelling at the track officials “is this what you wanted to see, are you happy now”!! No doubt they should have stopped the race and Charlie knew it was bad enough to stop but maybe should have went to the infield, but regardless it was a terrible wreck. Right after in the pits I had to do some strong begging to get the drivers to go to the final track, Hammond River. The good news is they did. More next picture.
Hammond River Ad
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Pep Talk And Track Support Pays Off
Right after the River Glade wreck some of the racers wanted to go home. They were upset with the track for not throwing the yellow when it was raining. There were a lot of beat up race cars, mine one of the worst. I pleaded with our drivers to make the final race. We owed it to that owner who came to River Glade to watch us. His name was Leroy Hatfield. He heard that many racers wanted to go home and asked what he could do. He knew I was hurt and my car was a mess, but also that I wanted to race and more importantly keep our commitment. We had a huddle and after I spoke, Ernie McLean, the owner of River Glade offered the beat up cars to use his track site shops to do any repairs. It was a great gesture and we agreed to stay, fix our cars and go racing.
Rear Leaf Spring Bill
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Bruce Manson, Ray Hughes, the Martin family and our car all went to Ernie McLean’s shop to fix our cars.
Hotel Across From River Glade
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Ray talks to someone while Doug plays. We were tired but glad our cars got fixed.
Gathering Before The Race
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Some of got together like we do today just to talk about the trip. Jim Collison was very sick this day, up to the race. He said it was from bad clams. Maybe rum and clams!!
Making The Rounds
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Like a mother hen I had to make sure everyone was coming to the final show and both Larry and Charlie would be there.
Ready To Go Racing
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We had something to eat, and relaxed knowing we were ready to race.
Pre Race Preparations
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Steffon and Doug go over our car before hot laps.
Larry Westwood Wins Heat
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Larry had some good fortune on this tour picking up another heat win.
Ray Hughes Wins
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Ray’s Maritime bad luck was washed away with a heat win.
We Win Consi
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Shirley holds the checker flag after our much appreciated consi win.
Pre Feature Line Up
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Out of car introduction.
All Teams Made It
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The final show
Manson and Bentley Pole
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You would think with these two, it would be a walk for first and second…not so.
Wayne Martin Wins Final Feature
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Lot’s of bad luck, but always in there, Wayne pulled off the win for the final race event.
Welcome Home Ad
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Dave and Judy were a big help in promoting us.
East Coast Tour Champion
Ron Shaw #81 Wins East Coast Tour Series
He didn’t win a race, heat, feature or consi, but was Mr. Consistent in claiming the first ever Hobby East Coast Tour Champonship. Ron had the following feature finishes: Aroostook County Maine…….2nd…… Riverside Nova Scotia……..4th…… River Glade New Brunswick….3rd…… Hamond River New Brunswick…6th ….. The rest of the top five were Charlie Beck #79 2nd…Jim Collison #12 3rd…Ken Jorgenson #96 4th and Gary Elliott #36 5th.
Engine Catches Fire
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First Race Back From The East Coast…We Catch Fire..Dave Franks Gets The Shot
We got to the track late on this night, no hot laps. On lap 4 I noticed smoke coming through the fire wall, but decided to keep going, that soon changed to sparks and I still didn’t want to pull off the track, then the flames appeared and I headed right to the infield. As soon I got in the fire crew were there to put the fire out. Dave Franks caught the action as I pulled to the infield. The fire was out in seconds and the cause….a rag…are you kidding me!!! We finished 4th in the consi and 6th in the feature, so the night wasn’t too bad.
Flamboro Heat Win
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Annie Saucier Gets In The Shot
One of my little fans, Annie Saucier got in this picture. It was our 4th win of the season, but still no feature wins for 1984, a streak extending 6 years. This night was our 164th feature entered without a win, but we did get a 4th in the main.
Heat Win #4
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David on the far left and Shirley on the right. Leonard Farraway is in on this one as is Annie but not sure who the other children are.
Jim English #55
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Hard Chargin’ Jim English Wins At Flamboro
Barrie Heat Win
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Barrie Speedway Heat Win…6th Win Of 1984
Only my family and I made it to Barrie on September 9th for our Gold Cup race. It was a night to remember for us, but not so much in this race.
Feature Line Up
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Dave Franks Picture…Start Of The Feature
Cloudy Day To Start Feature
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Driver Introduction & Soon Ready To Go For Spetmeber 9th Feature
Barrie Feature Under Way
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Jeff Bedell #65 Takes Early Lead
This track was hard to set up for, if you were me. My car pushed in the pits, and on this small very tight oval it was worse. When you push you leave the inside lane open, so slowing down and staying glued to the inside is the way to go. Jeff has the lead here but couldn’t get down and we would get by.
Leading Feature At Barrie
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Charlie Beck #79 Runs 2nd..Jeff Falls To 3rd
This was our 27th night in 1984. Here is what I wrote after the race in my ‘Diary Of A Season 1984’. “we picked from the hat and I drew #3. I was pole in the first heat. #65 Jeff Bedell was right beside me. I took the lead and held on to win but developed a push half way thru the race, that was understandable because I had no warm ups. I couldn’t think what to do except move the right rear spring down one hole and decrease the rear stagger (that was wrong). In the feature I started pole and Jeff was outside pole. For two laps he tried to pass and finally he drifted which let me go to the wall. Soon there was a restart. On the restart #79 was second and I pulled him on the chutes. After the 8th lap I had over 10 lengths lead. On the 9th another caution. Now #65 was second. For the next few laps he was hammering me in the corners because I was braking hard and going slow because the push was bad. Every lap I would pull #65 and every turn he would hit me. Once he hit me so hard I spun sideways but corrected it. I knew I was going slow but I also knew that as long as I didn’t chop him going in, I could run slow in the corners and he would have to pass on the outside. Only thing was he couldn’t, so Jeff wanted to go thru me instead of around me. On the next caution, involving #96, #33 and #29, the starter motioned #65 over for a conference, obviously reminding him of the point I just made and to go around me instead of thru. Jeff was reinstated (to his position) and perhaps justifiably so, because I was slowing, but I refused to give up the inside”…continued on next picture.
Barrie Feature Win…Finally
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167 Feature Drought Ends On September 9th
This was a crazy night in so many ways. It was nuts that it took 6 years to win another feature, but more frustrating was how it all went down, and the accusations and negative comments that came after. I had no crew that day, David was in the pits but really wanted to watch the races. He was only 12 and I didn’t mind, there wasn’t a lot to do. Shirley and Nonie were in the grand stands. Here is more from the Diary Of A Season 1984, race #27….”you would think after six years and competing in 168 features, that the excitement (of this win) would be very high. I guess if it wasn’t for the circumstances surrounding this feature, the laughter and smiles, usually part of the ceremonies after the event, perhaps could have taken place, but they didn’t I was left down, both on and off the track. On the track because the race was shortened, I never saw the white, it didn’t come out, I was given the checker coming out of two, almost as if someone was saying this race is nothing lets end it. Off the track I was given pretty mean looks by a few members. I even had my buddy Bob as I have so frequently called him in my notes, come up to me and first congratulate me for the win, which was meaningless because he then jumped on me for driving the way I did. Nothing like taking what little excitement there was in the win, out, and leaving a guilt trip, of which was not true, in it’s place. Nonie made me feel the best and from her point the hurt was different. No one applauded that knew us and some sat a few feet away from Nonie….so it was my first win in 6 years and to be honest I wished I could have traded places with Bob Kurtin, because if I finished 3rd in any feature I’m sure I would have been happier that he was and plus finishing 3rd would have meant no hurt. I only reason I savor any pride for this win is because Nonie said they couldn’t have got by no matter what”…..I hadn’t read this for many years, but now I do remember how much pain came from that win. Anyway we did get to stop the streak. I must say Nonie and a few others were very gracious making me and my kids feel ok once we left the pits.
Wheelspin News
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7th Win Of 1984
Newspaper Write Up
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Kids Get In Picture For Feature Win
Russ Commons Photo Work
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Special Thanks To Russ Commons For This Thoughtfull Keep Sake
In spite of how the day went and the negative things that followed, it was still a win for us and one we were glad to get. Over the years many racers have won races with ill handling cars, this was our turn. On a big track we don’t get away with it because the good handling cars will take the high lane to pass. A short tight track like Barrie was back in the day, allows a racer to stick low forcing others to go outside. If the cars behind are not good enough to get outside, they try intimidating the car in front by hitting them in the corners, hoping to get them sideways enough to go outside, or hard enough to knock them high, then get under. If neither of those efforts work, and the car isn’t blocking (he gets warned by the starter) and we didn’t, the car in second has to figure that’s the best he will do on that day. It’s happened to us a lot over the years and we call it racing.
Another News Paper Promo For Us
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Cartoon Supporting Molson 300 At Cayuga..We Get More Press
Rich Farraway #53
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Keith Barton Presents Rich Farraway With Heat Win Award
Gold Cup & Flamboro Points Standings
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1984 Points Chases Final
1984 Champion….#53 Rich Farraway
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Rich Farraway Cleans Up
It’s possible that not going on the East Coast Tour was an advantage for Rich, he had a car that was 4 races less used than the 16 that did go. I’m sure he would have been there, but work kept him from going. Even with that it was impossible to take anything away from this Hamilton racer who did everything he could to win his first and only Hobby championship. He won both series in 1984. I remember many times talking to Rich about his season, and how he and his crew were just taking it one race at a time. Rich was pace back before every feature. He couldn’t stand still, so in one way, though he took it one race at a time, he kept busy walking so he wouldn’t think about it….His dad Bill, was in the pits in the 70’s but went into the grandstands to watch Rich’s boys, he loved his grand children….Congrats to the Farraway family for an awesome season.
Hobby Banquet
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First Year As President…And Banquet M.C.
Demolition Girls
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Demolition Derby Top 5
Pictured here are the top five from the first ever Hobby Ladies Demolition Derby. From left to right are, Carmen Manson, Nonie Elliott, Helen Bentley, Sharon Yost and Darlene Koebel. Nonie won the race in a big Ford station wagon.
President Award Winners
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Sol and John Casale Win Hobby Award
Best Engineered Car
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Bruce Manson Presents Ray Hughes With Best Engineered Car Award
Top 15 Flamboro Points
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Rich Farraway And The Boys
Here the top 15 get their cheques and trophies. Top row left to right:…Jim Collison, Jeff Bedell, Jim English, Bob Kurtin, Ron Goodison, Don Shaw, Ken Jorgenson and Ron Shaw…Front row left to right…Charlie Beck, Ray Hughes, Gary Elliott, Rich Farraway, Dave Bentley, Rick Koebel and Larry Westwood. Rich Farraway won both the Flamboro and Gold Cup points Championships.
1984 Champion Rich Farraway
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First Championship Title For Rich
Bob Clint Sportsman Award
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Sportsman Award, donated by Bob Clint
In the mid 70’s, Bob Clint donated this award to the Hobby club. It was a kind of sportsman, hard worker award, that encompassed a persons dedication and hard work for the Hobby club. Although I won it, many of my committee members could have won it as well. To win it you had to be nominated and voted by the members. It meant a lot and showed me how important the things I was doing meant to the Hobby club.
Enduro Race
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My First Ever Enduro…Finished 6th Out Of 125 Cars
This family sponsored Maverick came in 6th. It was a great fun race with lots of cars. David was on the drivers side, Shirley on the passenger side and Nonie on both doors. I used it to promote the Hobby’s
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John Thompson Gold Cup Sponsor
Cayuga Gets Tore Up By Trucks…John Thompson Moving & Storage Gold Cup Sponsor