1977 CVM History

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Gary ElliottJuly 16, 2015

1977 Membership Card

Gary Elliott Secretary…..Me!

Don Cockburn President OARC

1977 Rundown

1977 Stats

Improving A Little Each Season

Another tough year, 1977 did have some highlites showing that we were slowly improving our race program. We got our firts and only ramp truck from Ken Jorgenson. A 1948 Chev 3 ton that was more than capable of getting us to the track. We had many stories from with that excellent truck. We did miss one night in 77′ due to an engine not being ready. We had 3 wins but only 4 top 5 feature finishes. We led the Mid Season Championship for most of the race, that is until my good friend Stewart Pitchford did an incredible flip on the front chute. We only had one points standing in 77′, we ended up 18th in Flamboro points….better than 19th.

1933 Ford Coupe, Bought From Don Cockburn

1933 Ford

<div class=”maint”> After running the 30 Model A for 5 seasons I felt I needed to imporve my chances of winning. I sold my car to Stewart Pitchford and bought Don Cockburn’s immaculate Ford coupe. Ed Hennessey and dad came with me the day I picked up the car. Don would retire from racing but still help the club in many ways on the exec and with Harry Nicholsona and Don Ramage’s race teams.

Ed Brings Home Our New Car

Unloading

At the Body Shop

Soon to change

<div class=”maint”> Don’s cars were always excellent in appearance and he was a very good driver. He was an easy going driver and did a lot for the club. We would soon paint the car our own colors.

Preparing for Paint

Grenadier Ford

Preparing for Paint

Grenadier Ford

Preparing for Paint

Grenadier Ford

Paint Complete

Grenadier Ford

Ready for the Car Show

Grenadier Ford

Ready for the Car Show

Grenadier Ford

Jack and Rick at Ford Grenadier Parts

Grenadier Parts

Heading to Speed- O – Rama

Cold cold day

<div class=”maint”> It always seems the weather is bad for car shows, but especially Speed-O-Rama because it was in January. This was my first in this show.

Speed- O – Rama

Ad for show

Display for Show

Quaker State

<div class=”maint”> We made up our display and wanted to make the car look good. A Lot of guys did some special treatment to their tries to make them shine, but we didn’t have any. Dad and I spent about 20 minutes on one tire trying to paint in between the treads. So I looked at him and said, “this is nuts”, then someone came by with a spray paint and we looked at each other and laughed. Dad said, “well it could have been worse, we could have been painting the tire treads with a small stick”. Armoural was to expensive and dealership products were not available for the public, not yet.

Show Girl with Show Car

Miss Speedo Rama

A Big Plaque for Being in the Show

Show Award

Motion Car Show Ad

Show Ad

Motion Car Show Ad

Show Ad

3rd Annual Motion Car Show A Huge Club Effort

Stewart and Dave

<div class=”maint”> The club decided to give it a real try to compete in the Best Club Display. We were up against some of the best car clubs in Ontario, Corvette car clubs and Hot rod clubs. We had 8 cars in a display of a pit theme and it was very we done. We worked hard as a club to put together this display. I wished I had the pcitures of the other cars in the display. There was Stewart Pitchford #47, Dave McKee #37, Dave Mogford #39 and a coach that could have been Wayne Martin and of course my car. Our efforts paid off.

Milton’s Dave Mogford #39 Bought Bill Wakish Coupe

Dave and me.

This Picture I Found In A Stranger’s House

Trunk space

<div class=”maint”> In 1977 I was working at Grenadier Ford as a salesman. Early one Saturday morning the receptionist got a call from a man who wanted to buy a new T-Bird. He said if we gave him a good deal his whole family would buy from us. Everyone laughed until he came in about 10am. I sold him a T-Bird, then his brother, later his brother in law and late afternoon I closed his dad. Four T-Birds in one day..are you kidding me!! After that I was lucky to sell 4 in a month. However this picture is sigificant to the final sale. I drove the 4th T-Bird out to Etobicke to the dad’s house. We went for drive and they invited me in for a coffee. I sat at their kitchen counter and while they were talking about buying another car, the excitement was high, they were pumped up and all 6 of them were talking at once, I noticed on their fridge this picture. If this was 2000, I may have thought they were stalking me, but I said “where did you get this picture”? They said from the car show. All excited, like Kramar off Seinfeld, I said “that’s me, that’s me!! “No way”!! they yelled, “hey Papa, come look”, the salesman is on our fridge..the dad ran out and realized they were talking about the picture and said “Hey, were family”!! I call Nonie from their house to give her an update because I called her after every sale and told her about the picture and she couldn’t believe the coincidence, she was exited. We went back to work and I couldn’t wait to tell my boss, and when I did, all he said was “the sale, the sale, did you get the sale”???..anyway that’s the story of this picture. By the way, I sold a pick up truck on the Thursday before and a loaded conversion van on the Friday. My pay for 2 weeks was $900 take home. It was great while it lasted, about an hour. Reality set in the next pay.

Hobby’s Make History At Motion Car Show

Bob Clint

<div class=”maint”> We did it, we won the Best Club Display. We were so proud of our accomplishment and Bob Clint wrote this excellent article of praise for the OARC. Perhaps many of our modern members will not remember Bob Clint, other than from the annual Bob Clint Sportsman award that’s handed out each year. He loved the Hobby’s and donated a trophy that has been in the club since 1975. Thanks for that Bob, and again for this great write up.

Jack Greedy Forms Race Club

OSCAR card

<div class=”maint”> This was the membership card from Jack Greedy’s organization. At the time this super star Super Modified driver ran Delaware Speedway. Notice the name similarity to CASCAR and OSCAAR, which both came later.

$8 Chev 3 Ton Maple Leaf

Ramp Truck

No more trailer in 1977. We bought this 1948 ramp truck in 77′. I started the season with a new car and tow vehicle. It was really a 2 seater but the 4 of us went to races every week in it. Ken Jorgenson and Brian Rashleigh each had this truck before me. I absolutely loved it and used it for many years.

48 Chev 3 Ton Maple Leaf

No more trailer

The Kids Loved The Truck Too

All Aboard

<div class=”maint”> Grenadier Ford was my sponsor in 77′. I ran a 240 Ford engine in the Coupe.

Better Equipment

No tires

<div class=”maint”> We had a new car and tow vehicle but the budget did not allow for spare tires. But if we got any we had a place to put them.

First Class

Harry’s Equipment

<div class=”maint”> Harry set the standard in a few areas of racing. Especially in equipment, he always had the very best of everything. The only place I may have been different is that I wouldn’t miss a race for any reason and Harry wouldn’t go unless everthing was perfect, and usually it was. He ran with the best, usually up front and was very consistant.

Cayuga Classic Weekend May 24

Cayuga

Cayuga Classic Weekend May 24

Race Article

Cayuga Classic Weekend May 24

Dave McKee

<div class=”maint”> Top runner and one of my favourite competitors of all time.

Cayuga Classic Weekend May 24

Lee Jerome

<div class=”maint”> Lee Jerome was a very strong runner after his first few years. He would dominate along with Dave McKee, Brian Atkinson, Harry Nicholson, the Rashleighs and many others. Ray struggled at times in 77′, I struggled most of the time but the competition was extremely tough…you can see some people in their truck. Guaranteed there were 14 more in the back of the truck including future champion Ron.

Cayuga Classic Weekend May 24

Lee Jerome

Stewart Pitchford My Friend and Team Car

Tough Day

<div class=”maint”> Stewart and I went to school together and became good friends. He bought my first Hobby car when I bought Don Cockburns. He was a mechanic at Grenadier Ford and we both got the sponsorship in 77′. It was a tough year for him overall. Stewart and I use to play board hockey and we wore out 5 or 6 hockey games from 1963 to 65. He is very active even today playing hockey. In 1963 I started playing the guitar and Stew bought a set of drums to play with us. We did a lot of things together in our teens and later in life. He was always generous and helped me many times. Stew wrecked very bad in the feature on this inaugural Cayuga Classic week end. He slammed the back chute wall coming off turn 2 and the hit hard enough to all most roll over.

Gord Hasselfeldt

Hard Worker

<div class=”maint”> You’d have to be a terrorist for Gord to say anything bad about you. He found the good in peolpe and let them know. He would have adopted the ugly duckling, gave clothes to the town hobo and hugged the heart broken. He worked hard for the club in many ways, helped organize the club picnics in Milton, hockey games and sponsors for the club. Gord won the Bob Clint Award in 1976 and always encouraged me every chance he got. His personality covered the gammit of what nice people are all about. He actually helped me like Milton!! We miss you Gordie.

Dave Mogford and Larry Anthony

Coupe & Mini Me

<div class=”maint”> I raced with both these great guys. The Cayuga week end had 7 divisions. The Mini Stox ran on the small track right at the start finsih line. I spent 3 years chasing Larry because there’s no way he would have spent much more than a lap or so chasing me. I started racing with the Mini’s in 1969 (check out the Mini Stock History) and Larry was the Ray Hughes of that class. I ran a VW, but against a Mini Cooper I might as well have had a Loblaws cart. He was called the Mayor of Fisherville. He was hard to beat until other Mini drivers came out like Bill Daniels and Chris Bunting, even then he took more than his share of checkered flags….Dave Mogford was a Milton boy who ran very clean and hard. He was a lot of fun and always had a good looking race car.

If We Only Ran As Good As We Looked

Ramp Truck

<div class=”maint”> We enjoyed our ramp truck for many years but especially the first year because it was a novelty. There are so many stories to tell about me, my family, friends and that truck, and over the next few years you’ll read them. But this story is a quick one. Nonie and the kids and I were coming along highway 5 from Toronto. We sometimes went on the QEW if we were late, but usually we took hwy 5 because it was so scenic. This particular day my side compartment door flew open. There wasn’t many tools in the box as my competitors will attest (cause I kept borrowing their’s) but the one thing we did have was lots of oil. When the door flew open a few quarts of 20W50 fell out on the highway. Now I know you’re thinking they probably busted when they hit the ground, but NO!, they didn’t splatter, well, not then. I looked in my mirrors and saw the cans dancing on the road and the car behind me ran over one and the car beside him got covered in oil. Like hitting a ketchup package with a hammer. “Oh oh”! I thought. I pulled over and to my surprise the people waved and kept going. We made sure the side compartment didn’t come open a again. The hood, the tire rack and the gas tank are stories for the future. But what a beauty. PS You don’t have to ask me if I was glad God watched over me, and those around me. Even though at that time I didn’t know Him, I was thankful.

The Line Up for Cayuga

Mug Shots

<div class=”maint”> Harry Nicholson, Brian Atkinson, Brian Rasshleigh, Rod Rashleigh, me, Ray Hughes and Dave McKee. We think this was Ray’s picture from his medical class in College, or at Law school. After thic picture I started calling him Woody Allen. He got revenge on the track. Nobody won more championships than Ray. He is the Richard Petty of the Hobby Club.

We Parked and Talked, Just Like Today

Family

<div class=”maint”> We always gathered together. We were like a big family. I think racing for most teams is one big family…and sometimes happy.

It was A Long Drive Home For Stewart

Tough Ambre

<div class=”maint”> Stewart took a hard lick on this week end. His axle was bent like a hockey stick. He was so mad when he hit the wall I think he was out of the car before it stopped hammering the back chute. I know because I watched from the front grandstands. Stewart was one tough Scottsman and never gave up.

Disappointment For Our Team

No start

<div class=”maint”> May 22nd, the first ever Cayuga Victoria week end, our picture in the program, we were pumped. But what a disappointment this week end was for us. We had won the consi the night before at Flamboro and looked forward to this week end. It was 5 years since I ran Cayuga and never ran on the big track. We ran 3 laps and the engine started to miss. We found water in the piston. The crew put it back together and I went to draw my starting spot. I was sort of feeling sick to my stomach because I thougth, what’s the use. I went back the pit and the crew told me we were done, and I said I figured so, I drew #13. We parked the car outside the pits and watched the race. Frazer and Paul came with me on this week end, and after the ordeal they went throug in 76′, this must have been maddening for them…hey I didn’t take missing a race very good, I still don’t, come to think of it, not starting the feature is about the biggest disappointment in racing for me. I think I hear a few agreeing. It doesn’t last near as long now, perspectives have changed but the heart aches still for a minute, okay 2 minutes.

The Top of The Class

Lee Reigns

<div class=”maint”> If you took this line up of drivers and put them in their cars today, running like they did then (only I want to run like I do now) what a tough bunch. They were as strong a group of runners that ever raced in the Hobby’s because there was so many that were good. There are 8 Hall of Famers in these standings and more on this list that will be eventually. Check out the amazing Terry Dickinson running 5th aganist these youngsters. He was like Mark Messier in the twi-light of his career, always there. Jim English was a Rookie this year would win Rookie of the Year. Lee would win the points.

We Should Have Bought A Winch

Safe on Base

<div class=”maint”> We hardly had enough money to get us home from the races. We could always get there, pick our $25 tow money and get back home. So naturally we had to cut out luxuries like tools, spare tires and a winch. Imagine driving the car in after a race and driving it up the ramps. It was real scarry in the rain. But that’s only part of it. Once you dirve it up the ramp, and you need a good head of speed so you can make it, you have to stop. On the rare ocassion I didn’t get the timing right and hit the back of the cab. Perhaps our little angle iron stops should have been much bigger, hey, you can’t know everything…plus remember it was enough to get to the races and bring our family. Remember my priorities. 1st step..get to the track, 2nd…make it through warm ups, 3rd…qualify 4th…try to finish the feature 5th…a top 5 would be nice. Today we’ve eliminated the first step.

David Gets 3rd In The Soap Box

One for One

<div class=”maint”> Flamboro had an annual soap box for kids. This was the fist one and David and his friend took 3rd. It was his first time on the track and he was very excited. All the racers families had someone in the race. The first few years it was fun, soon the hockey parent mantality showed up with whinning and arguing over the cars and size of kids pushing. The events lasted for a few years and was fun for the fans and kids, big and little.

One Day We’ll Race Together…Can’t Wait

First Trophy

Grenadier Race Team

Stewart Pitchford

Mid Season Championship July 16th

Bad Flip

Mid Season Championship July 16th

He Walked Away

<div class=”maint”> I won my heat on this night and started near the front in the feature. I was 29th in Flamboro points and barely made it in. The top 24 were guaranteed a starting spot. The heat win moved me to 26th in points and 2 cars failed to make it, one was Harry Nicholson. I started up front in the feature and before the half way mark I had a half track lead over 2nd place. Stewart was running 3rd and behind him was all the hot wheels. He got pushed and ended up going into the front starters stand entrance and flipped 2 or 3 times. The car was absolutely demolished. Under the red I could hear Irene, his wife, yelling and crying, it was a terrible crash but Stew was okay. The race resumed and I held off the fast cars until 3 lasp to go. Lee Jerome past me and won the race, Dave Mc Kee got me next. It was my best feature finsih in a special event in my 6 years with the Hobby’s. I won $100. Dad and Stewart worked every night to get his car back out.

Lee Jerome Wind Mid Season

Write Up

Lee Jerome Wins Mid Season

Write Up

Shiryley and David Rework His Car

Crew

The Show That Never Happened

Non Event Poster

<div class=”maint”> This race never got off the ground. It rained out of the 18th and the 25th, so it was cancelled unitl 1978.

Many Great Names on this List

Flamboro Points

<div class=”maint”> One night in 1977 we had 49 cars show up. It was amazing. It would be the highest car count I ever saw or was part of. Notice some great names here including the Late Roger Downie and Stephen Barton. There were 57 cars show up in 77. We didn’t give show up points then, you had to start a race to get any points. Heats had 12 to 14 cars almost every week.

Feature Results from September 10th

Start adn Finish

<div class=”maint”> On this night I won the fast car heat and started 21st and finished 4th. I gained 17 spots but so did the top 2 cars, Jerome and McKee. In this feature Jim Collison blew his engine and Ray did not qualify. It wasn’t easy in 77′ to make a feature. Sometimes 17 cars in the consi and only 3 woudl make it. We had a littel feature for the non qualifiers, I was in many….I won $60 for 4th. The stands were packed and it was $8 to get in the grandstands, $10 in the pits. These were the best years for promoters. Lots of cars, lots of fans and the entertainment was very good and not very expensive.

Delaware Speedway Meeting with Roger Downie

First Lap

<div class=”maint”> On July 29th we raced at Delaware Speedway. I finished 2nd in my heat and on the first lap of the feature Roger spun coming off turn 2. I had no place to go and hit his left front wheel. It ended up busting his front end and put him out of the race. After the race Roger asked me why I hit him right in the wheel. I said 2 reasons one, I didn’t want to hit your door, and two, if I tried going around you I would have caught my right front wheel and we’d both be out. He just laughed. Roger was a great guy, very competitive and usually read the rules different than most of us. He was a very good driver and his crew chief Max was pretty sharp. Roger liked most of his competitors but if he didn’t like you he let you know on and off the track. I had lots of good talks with him after he retired and miss his very much. He was a character.

Delaware Speedway July 29th

2dn Lap

<div class=”maint”> On the restart after I hit Roger, the very next lap Jim Collison spun out and I hit the dirt to avoid him. A split second later Stewart Pitchford #47 came in hard nailing Jim.

Delaware Speedway Meeting Jim and Stewart

2dn Lap

<div class=”maint”> The problem with Delaware was our speeds were much higher and usually when you hit someone it was over for one of or both. This was a very bad year for Stewart. He was a gamer without any good luck.

Heat Win July 16th…Mid Season

David & Nonie

I won 3 races in 1977. It was a short season for us. Only 23 race nights. I missed one because of an enigne not being ready in time. These were the days for a number of reasons. Look at the crowd. The track was packed week after week. Kids were allowed to come out and get their picture taken and we only had 3 divisions with maybe 15 races per night. That’s all you need when there is good car count. Nonie is standing by the starter stand entrance waiting for David. He was 5 years old.

1978 CVM History

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Gary ElliottJuly 16, 2015

1978 Membership Card

OARC Membership

Bryan Rashleigh Secretary Treasurer

1978 Rundown

1978 Stats

A Good Year

This may have been our best year yet in Hobby’s. We did everything in 78′. Rolled over, won a feature, the most exciting, that may never be matched as far as thrilling. We ended up 10th in both Flamboro and Gold Cup points. One of the high lites of 78 was not my battles on the track, but with the Township over parking my car in the garage.

Heading To Motion 78′

Car Show & Snow

Unfortunately I didn’t get any advertising promo on the car show, or the preparing of my car for 1978. Some years we take more pictures at different times….The only difference in the car for 78′ was the white roof from black. Ray and I were opposites on and off the track. He won and I didn’t, his car was always yllow and black and mine was different each year.

Motion 78′

Ray at the Show

<div class=”maint”> One strange thing about this show was the presence of Ray Hughes. He didn’t always enter the shows, possibly he was in them before, I don’t know for sure, I just know he wasn’t a big fan of getting race ready this soon and going through the freezing cold, slushy roads and 5 hours to get out of the car show after it was over. Okay, I know it’s part of it, but if you haven’t entered a car show of this magnitude, getting your car ready and giving it the extra touch is a big commitment. We were thankfull for all the memembers who went in the show. There were 8.

Motion Car Show 78′

Motion

<div class=”maint”> After winnning the Best Club Display in 1977 we wanted to give an extra effort to win again in 78′. A theme of a race with the pace car (courtesy of Gallinger Lincoln Mercury) and 8 cars lined up behind. Ray was on the pole (he would maintain that trend many times over the years for opening day draws and when we drew of the first Gold Cup race. In our display we put racing manicans in the cars, equipped with our own fire suits. We also put our annual trophies on display.

Motion Car Show 78′

Davey Jones

<div class=”maint”> Davey Jones #60 was one of the members who went into the show. If any other viewers have pictures of this show I would be glad to enter them into this sequence…or any other pics period.

Motion Car Show 78′

Motion

<div class=”maint”> Don Cockburn worked at a Turkey Farm, or business, (like Maple Leaf Lodge) and in order to make our spot more authentic we wanted to put down what looked like asphault. Don brought about 30 bags of turkey feed. It was light gray in color and looked like kitty litter. A few of us grabbed bags and started shaking them on the floor. It was very effective, but very dusty. It didn’t take long for the guy with the immaculate black 55 Chev to go off the deep end. He started yelling at us and called us names insinuating that we didn’t show concern for the cars that were in the show for “show” reasons. We didn’t know what he was talking about until we seen his car and it was a light gray before we stopped shaking the feed. Needless to say we apologized and put the stuff down a lot more carefull…apparently there were a few show cars with a dusting of turkey feed.

Motion Car Show 78′

Motion

<div class=”maint”> I meant to mention in the above picture that Brian Rashleighs car was in the show. That’s his brown coach #87. Also in the above picture you can barely see Ron Butts #88 at the back on the left. So of the 8 there were Ray, Davey, Brian, Ron and me.

No Snow and no Leaves

Heading to Flamboro

Car and Tow Vehicle Ready To Go

Grenadier Ford

<div class=”maint”> Grenadier Ford sponsored Stewart Pitchford and me again in 1978.

In Front of Our Home,and Our Kids School

48 Chev 3 Ton

Racer vs Government…handicapping system, no good

Parking Fine

Step 1…On September 14th 1976 a by-law enforcement officer came by my house and asked me about my race car. I thought he was a race fan. A few weeks later I got this fine. I was upset, what kind of fan is that?

$115 Fine for Parking #36 in My Garage

Feature Pays $150

Step 2….A fine for parking a race car in my garage? Not even for working on it. In fairness I asked, “where was I suppose to park, in my house”?…okay, that’s sarcastic, but it gets better, the story.

$10 to Appeal the Fine

Protest Form

Step 3…I appealed it on Feb 22nd 1977, the day after our 7th anniversary. This is the governments form of “a protest sheet”.

Judge Rules in My Favour…..Government Appeals!

We Win…Almost

Step 4…Almost a year later on January 31st 1978, Nonie and I went to court for my appeal. I took my scrap books and was anxious to speak, but Judge Hogg motioned me to sit still, he was upset more than we were about the charge. The Judge told the Crown Prosecutor the by-law was ridiculous, “do we not have more serious matters to deal with than this”?. The Judge asked them how parking a racing motor vehicle was braking the law. “It’s a by-law your Honour”. He asked them…”how did you know it was a race car”? The by-law enforcer said “it had numbers on it”! “what if it was a Taxi cab”? The man answered “it wasn’t”! “What if he had a Formula 1 in his living room, could he not do what he wants on his own property, especially park a car! Was it on jack stands?, maybe it was in the air and not on the ground”, the Judge continued? The man just shrugged. The Judge said “this is way to restrictive, not fair, and a waste of time”. He threw it out. We were so happy and celebrated the victory of David and Goliath……but it wasn’t over. A few weeks later, in late February, the same by-law man came to my house one evening. He was all smiles. I thought at first he came to apologize for giving us a hard time, but that wasn’t the purpose of his visit(why did I keep misreading this guy?). With a silly grin and a nerdy smile he said “I’m back, and this is for you”. Then he handed me this piece of paper, a Government appeal. The Government was appealing our victory, and taking it to the top, the Supreme Court of Ontario. What!!! Are you kidding me? The by-law guy said, “hey, the Judge shouldn’t have thrown it out”!… “Ya, well I should throw you out”! He then said “the Supreme Court is the guys with the white wigs and they won’t fool around”…I was in shock and mad again, and with his arrogant nerdy attitude, I told him to get off my property, and don’t come back. When he left Nonie asked “now what”?…our friends told me it would cost a fortune to fightg the governmetn and no way would I win against the Supreme Court. We investigated and found that we would need a Lawyer, and could look at a minimum of a $1000 fine plus court costs, as well as Lawyer fees. I called the township to check on my options. The problems of every week racing hadn’t even crept upon us yet and we were knee deep in township trouble…for parking! I talked to the Mayor of York. He asked me to come and see him very soon, he wanted to get personally involved with the matter….I got calls from poeple who heard it on the news, and on Kitchen TV,and this article was in the Globe and Mail. The only reason it was news was because it was going to the highest court in the land. All my buddies at work were cheering me on, saying..go get em’ Gary, fight the Governement, put them in their place”…I looked at them and said “are you guys NUTS”!

Notice of Goverment Appeal…no ones laughing now.

Serious Busniess

Government Makes A Deal……..Withdraws Appeal

Agreed to Move Car

Step 5…With the blessings of my boss at work, I met the Mayor on March 17th and this time I did bring my scrap books. Nonie and I showed him we were regular people with a healthy hobby. He agreed, but showed us the seriousness of going to the Supreme Court of Ontario. He warned that for every remand, or any other reasons it was delayed would be charged to me when I was found guilty, and certainly I wouldn’t win because Judge Hogg used emotion instead of knowing the by-law. The Mayor asked me if I could park my car at another location for at least a year or two. I said I thought I could. He said that if I promised not to park my car at home, and did not take it near my house he would withdraw Her Majesty’s appeal. In about a millionth of a second I made the toughest promise I ever had to keep in racing, a promise that was impossible to keep, even though the intent was real. We shook hands and he gave us this letter. Later that day my boss said I could park the car at work for the remainder of the 78′ race season…..the key to keeping the promise would unravel in a less than 4 months and I would no longer be able to hold out our end of the bargain. We would have no choice but to sneak back to our house….go to the next picture for that story…but meanwhile we avoided disaster, and for the next few months the Italian community celebrated knowing that our race car was excomunicated from the neighbourhood.

Staying Away Lasted Only A Short Time

Fired for Racing

Things went well at first. We did move our race car and obeyed the wishes of the Mayor. However some things happened that I had no control over, well I did sort of but what a series of events. First, Flamboro started racing on Wednesday nights beginning on June 21st. I raced on the 21st and then again on the 28th of June,both Wednesday’s, while I worked as a service Advisor for Grenadier Ford. Now here’s where things go wrong. On July 2nd we raced at Sauble Beach for the long week end, after racing the night before at Flamboro. So we raced June 21st, June 24th, June 28th, July 1st and now July 2nd with Wednesday July 5th coming, that’s 6 times in 15 days (no problem)…anyway while at Sauble our family went to a Mini Bike road course during the day on Sunday. The kids had a blast but I messed up on the Bike and smashed my leg. It was swollen badly and very painfull. We ran that night, I finished 8th in the heat, 3rd in the consi and 17th in the feature. Monday was a holiday. I went to work on Tuesday but at noon I couldn’t walk. I showed my boss my leg and he reluctantly sent me home. Here’s the bad part. I was better but not really ready to go back to work on Wednesday. I called in sick. At about 2:30 I almost had a heart attack because I knew we were racing that night and not only had I called in sick, but my car was at Grenadier Ford. What a mess. I called Stewart Pitchford who picked up my car with the ramp truck. We reasoned that if I was okay by 5 pm, techically I could go racing and then go to work the next day. Well we made it to the races and I felt great. That night I finsihed 3rd in my heat and 4th in the feature. I went to work the next day and the service manager asked me if I raced the night before, he noticed my car was missing. I said I did, and he said (here it is, what we knew could or would happen) “you were to hurt to come in to work but you could race”? I said yes, but I was ok yesterday afternoon and it was no sense to come in late in the day but I came in this morning, and you saw my leg Ted, you know how swolen it was. He said, you’re fired. Oh boy, not good. A few things went through my head immediately, I was out of a job, and no place to park the race car…but I could still race. Shock went through the Italian community as word got out that I was bringing the race car back….what should have I done? a) For sure I should have went in to work at least in the afternoon, even though I was still limping b) I could have missed the race (that wasn’t an option, I put it down for those who would possible consider it) but I know I would have been sicker if I had done that. So I did the what I had to do and paid the consequences. I appealed to the owner (lot’s of appeals in 78′), it was true Ted didn’t like me, the owner did sypathize with me but said “Gary, if I have a problem do I get rid of the horse or the saddle”? I had no idea what that meant so I left.

Cayuga Victoria Day Week End

Cayuga Ad

This was the 2nd annual Victoria Week End Classic. 1978 was a wet one for the first few weeks. Flamboro rained out on May 6th, May 13th, and the feature on May 20th rained out, however we did get the heats and qualifying in for Flamboro night on the 20th..plus!!..during the day on the 20th was qualifying for Cayuga. The feature would run on Sunday.

Cayuga Pits

Cayuga

Cayuga…. Taylor Flips In Warm Ups

Wipe Out

You had to be very careful at Cayuga coming off turn 2. The wall jumped out pretty quick, and still does. Sammy let his brother drive his car in the warm ups this day (can’t remember his name) and he hit the and climbed the wall coming off turn 2 mangling the fence and his race car. A few of us were watching when he crashed and rolled over. He was okay but Sammy’s car was badly wrecked. Some on lookers standing by the fence were not so lucky…unnecesssary expanation on the next photo.

Ray Inspects The Damage…After He Was Bandaged

Ray Hughes

Looking like a warrior from the Civil War, Ray checks out Sammy Taylors damaged coupe. Here’s Ray’s explanation of how he got hurt….”I was standing by the fence and Sammy’s brother was driving the car in practice. He touched wheels with anohter car and hit the wall and fence. A steel ring that holds the fence together came off like a bullet and hit me in the forehead”. Ray was able to race the next day and him and I would touch slightly in the feature at about the same place.

Cayuga…Warm Ups

Back Chute Gate

We ran very good this day. It was our first time on the track all season. The Flamboro shows had been rained out so far and this day was cloudy but dry. I’m just passing the pit gate on the back chute.

Cayuga…Heat

Ready to Qualify

I started 2nd row inside. Tim Funk #76 was pole, Don Ramage #74 outside pole. Beside me was #71 Don MacDonald with Herb Erb #68 benid me and #51 Ralph Farraway beside him.

Cayuga…Tim Funk Holds The Lead

Tim leads lap one

Cayuga…Follow Ramage

Ramage Leads

I followed Tim at first but Don got by him so I went outside.

Cayuga…Catching Ramage

Ramage Leads

My car ran great and I slowly caught up to Don. We were fairly close on the straights and I would gain a little in the corners.

Cayuga…Caution Takes Away Win

Passing Ramage

I passed Don with 2 laps to go but the caution came out. He went on to win, making sure he didn’t let me under him again.

Cayuga…Feature Racing Ron Butts

Feature

I started near the front in the feature. I thought I had a good chance to win. Here I’m getting by Ron Butts #88.

Cayuga…Scarry Feature Crash

Feature Spin

Early in the feature I was running with a pack of casr. Coming off turn 2 I just barely tapped Ray Hughes left rear wheel and spun towards the infield. When I hit the grass it was wet from heavy rain the night before. I was going fast as it was and when I spun I hit the rail way ties around the light standard. I remember watching those big 10 X 10 ties looking at me as I was flying toward them. I slammed into the embankment (you can see the mud nad ties a little uprooted) and spun 3 times ending up at the pit exit. This picture doesen’t show it, but that skid would be a few hundred feet. The cars go by under caution, Harry Nicholson #14 and Ray Hughes #24….on the back of Ray’s Coupe is a huge Valvoline sticker. Bob Slack asked us if we would run them for that day and we agreed.

Cayuga…Time To Go Home

Pits for Us

We parked just outside the track opposite the back grandstand and the pit gate.

Butch The Butter Dog

But he’s cute

We got Butch in the late spring. As he grew up he became more and more crazy, not mad crazy, but goofy crazy. I was out of work (remember the July week end at Sauble?) and I spent time during the day convincing my neighbours I didn’t bring my car back home. Anyway Butch one day decided to eat all the food I had put out for dinner and when I went to pick up Nonie after work we came in and found a mess in the kitchen. We followed the trail out to the front hallway and there was Butch with his nose jammed under the heater radiator (remember the steel hot water rads that we used to heat our house, and some of us still do) going nuts trying to get what was left in the tupper wear container. I reached down and pulled it out and there was a few drips left from a pound of butter. Naturally the dog was sick for the next 3 days, all over the house. But he was cute.

Butch The Butter Dog

But he’s cute

A Night To Remember…July 15th

Heat Win

This would be a very special night for many reasons. It was my first win of the season. In this heat we won my quite a margin, starting up front and taking off. It was also a relief after so many DNF’s and losing my job. The car was spotless and the grand stands were packed…no wonder we would be alarmed or disappointed when we would go to a track and there was very few fans in the stands. We were use to packed stands in the 70’s and 80’s….you can see Shirley on the left and David on the right of the starters stand entrance as they wait to get the signal to come out and get their pictures taken with me. Kids absolutely loved that. I think tracks that don’t allow kids out for a picture miss a great positive public relations opportunity.

Feature Win..Maybe Most Spectacular Ever

3rd Ever Feature Win

It was an amazing race. I started 6th and got the lead in a few laps. We didn’t have mirrors any more but I knew the fast cars would be coming. With 2 laps left I could hear Dave McKee behind me. He pulled outside on the white flag lap. This was my 7th season with the Hobby’s and I had only won 2 features before tonight. I had struggled this year in many ways, and I really wanted this win. We took the white flag and I was ahead going into turn one. I coud see him outside of me by the reflection off the inside of my windshield. Sometimes the light hits at just the right angle, but only for a split second, and when it does you can catch images beside you, I caught a huge image of the blue and white #37. We went down the back chute and I was still ahead. Battling in front of us were Ron Butts #88 and #19 Bob Hosford. They were side by side. Dave pulled beside me going into 3, I could see the edge of his hood. I could also see the starters stand a quarter track ahead, I knew I only had a short distance to go, and we would catch the lapped cars well before that. Dave tried boxing me in so I couldn’t get out. There wasn’t a lot of room for any of us. Coming off turn 4 I went outside of the 2 cars making it 3 abreast. I was hoping not to stuff Dave, but when you’re this close and feature wins are as rare as New York Ranger Stanley Cups, you have to tramp the gas pedal as hard as you can and I did. I kept close to the lapped cars, trying just to squeeze by. But!!! as I got beside Bob’s car I was a little too close, I left Dave more room than I should have and I went over Bob’s outside rear wheel. My car went up on 2 wheels and for a split second I though I was going to roll over, or slam into the front straight wall…so let’s do a freeze frame right now, let’s stop all the action….okay, I get out of my car while it’s on it’s side and McKee walks up from behind. Dave says “man, I was going to let you go Gary, you didn’t have to leave me so much room, there’s no way we could have made it 4 abreast”..”ya, I know but I saw you there Dave and you’ve beaten me so many times I just figured you would be going for it and I didn’t want to wreck you, so I left room and now look!”..”I appreciate it Gary, but carry on and I hope you make it to the finsih line”…”no kidding McKee, imagine how my crew, my kids, my wife, my fans and me are going to feel if I don’t make it”….”well ya better keep that hammer down”….”okay, I will”……now we get back into our cars and in an instant we’re back to ACTION!!!…bang, my car comes down off Hosford and goes into a wild slide but with enough momentum that I manage to get past the start finish line with Harry Clark waving the checker and my heart in a blurr. My car slides towards the infield just past the start finish line where I tangle with Bob who drives up the side of my car and over my hood and he spins into the infield. I was going to do another freeze frame with Bob Hosford, who would rightly ask me “can’t you win a race like normal people?”…sorry Bob…anyway, Dave backed off seeing that he might get caught up in it. When the dust settled there was a long pause, and I didn’t know how they were going to call it. Dave McKee had time to go all the way around again after the race and slowly head towards the finish line, also not sure who won, but I know he wanted it to be me. Before Dave got near the start finish line, Harry Clark pointed to me. I went nuts and Dave gave me the thumbs up as he drove by. What a night it was for us. We were so pumped we never noticed how much damage there was until Sunday. We also didn’t really care because it would be a lot easier working on it after winning the feature.

Damage Revealled…But We’re Too Pumped

Call for a Bodyman

Most people have a victory dance when they win, we had a victory crash and the daylight showed us how bad it really was, but we’re still pumped. We had hoped for a quiet few days, why? because we’re running Barrie Speedway on Wednesday night, just 3 days away, now we had to get working…Shirley checks out the extent of the work we will need to do.

Tire Marks to the Window

The Body Was So Nice

You can see how far up Bob Hosford #19 climbed on me just past the start finish line. He couldn’t help it. After all a car went over top his wheel then slid right in front of him (that would be me).

Tire Marks to the Window

The Body Was So Nice

Danny to the Rescue

Fixable

Danny Helps…Kids Look On

Precise Repairs

Here’s an oxy-moron, perhaps spelled wrong, but the point is that Danny lived right on the corner of the street and it was his parents who often (always) called the Green Hornets and the By-Law Police. When he came over to tell me he could fix my car, I said “I thought all you could do was call the cops”! He said “not me, it’s my parents. They hate you and anyone that looks like you”! So why did he fix my car? Maybe it was piece offering, maybe he liked me and or racing. He was the only one in his house who would talk to us and his parents would yell at him for coming over. Anyway, things would get worse over the summer for us race wise, and Danny would be called on again to help. He did a great job and surprised me how well he worked with barely any tools…like me! (barely any tools).

Body Work Almost Complete

Making it Right

Work Done…Barrie Speedway Calls

Ready

Loading Up…Watch The Clutch

Neighbours Love This

This was the tough part, well not after 2 years of it, but getting up those ramps was hard on the clutch and the neighbours. They watched from their windows. I could hear them say “he’s going down honey, he’s going down!..no he made it”. What’s a guy suppose to do. No normal trailer, no normal neighbourhood. We survived. I hope they did too…We loved our ramp truck. Nonie and the kids would go with me. We’d play punch buggy all the way up. On the way back they were asleep in 10 minutes.

Loaded Up..The Main Cargo Is The Family

No lettering

I felt bad not having my car lettered but I would have felt a lot worse if we weren’t going. We we’re allowed (and still are) 2 weeks to get it painted properly.

No You’re Not Driving

Too Young

The garage to the right was my neighbour who complained. He eventually put 4 steel pipes in the ground to make sure my wheels wouldn’t go on his property. I tried not to. My property was 25′ wide. Imagine, 25′ from the far side of the house to the far side of the driveway. Some peoples bathrooms are wider than that. Anyway we made do but no way could our truck or trailer go up the driveway.

Barrie Pits

Wednesday?

July 19th was this scheduled OARC event. I loved racing plus I was out of work which meant I had the time to get to the track, although it could have meant I couldn’t afford to go racing. Well, whatever it meant we were happy to be here.

Barrie Pits

Stew, Ray and Alfy

Stewart Pitchford #47, Ray Hughes #24 and Alfy Rykman #5 can be seen. The guy to the left, I’m not sure what’s going on with him, I don’t know if he’s up for the races but his hair sure is. I know, I know maybe it’s me, but it’s not, and it’s not Ray either. Hey, today people wear pants 9 sizes to big, so maybe it’s a fad….time to move on.

Barrie Pits

The Competition

Here’s another shot of the pits with #74 Don Ramage and #39 Dave Mogford.

Mike Middlebrook

Crew

Mike lived right across the street from me. His parents use to let him help whenever he could. He was a lot of fun.

Dad Always Wanted Me To Do Good

Flamboro

It was very tough for my dad to watch me race. He always wanted me to do good and got frustrated knowing that many cars were way ahead of us. We also didn’t know how to set up the chassis and even it we did get it close we would wreck the next race out, in fact I even wrecked winning the feature, so that should show how tough it was for us to be competitive. We always tried and dad wanted me to get the best, but I didn’t have the funds to get all the right stuff, so I settled for the best I could do with what I had. Dad was always a big help to me, he was an awesome welder and none of his welds ever broke even though I tried hard to test them. One thing for sure, we were never a top runner in the 70’s, but we could never be accused of not trying. Also though Grenadier Ford fired me, I honored the sponsorship and left their name on my car. Sure I was hurt, upset at me, embarrassed and maybe ashamed but I needed to keep my commitment to them for painting my car and truck. Plus I should have went in to work.(I just forgot we were racing that night).

Heat Win July 29th and 2nd In The Feature

Heat Win

We ran excellent this night. We won the heat with Ding DeLeeuw hounding me all the way. I got the lead in the feature but this time Dave McKee got by. It moved me to 7th in the points.

David’s Soap Box

Soap Box

The kids looked forward to this once a year opporunity to shine on their own. They had a lot of fun.

We Ran 17 Nights From June 17 to Aug 6

Another Wreck

We ran double week ends and mid week races throughout the summer. It’s a good thing Satellite Speedway was closed. From Saturday June 17th at Flamboro until Sunday August 6th at Sauble we ran 17 race events. Ray and I were use to running over 30 times a season…..Things would change in the future when the club would run that many nights in a season more than once….The amazing thing about this run is that I had some terrible bad luck including this wreck that happened on Wednesday August 2nd, the last wednesday night race of the season. The problem with a mid week wreck is that you only have 3 days to get ready for Saturday and we were also running on the Sunday. Talk about testing the dedicated.

This Coupe Was Immaculate Just 3 months Ago

Where’s Danny

Our drivers seat was in the middle away from the windows, so even though it looks close to me getting hurt, it really wasn’t. This was my 3rd roll over but not very serious. The damage was bad, it always is on a roll over. That’s the worst thing, especially if you want to keep your car looking good and we were fanatical about that, and still are about having good looking race cars. The problem here is we were running for points, not the Championship, but trying to beat the year before, trying to finish in the top 10 a challenge when you consider there were 40 plus cars. You know it’s a tough year when you crash at the finsih line not once but twice. The first time was winning the feature on July 15th and the next time on September 4th in a Gold Cup race at Flamboro, a battle for 5th. In that race Lee Jerome lost it and as I went under him. He tried correcting but came down hitting my back wheel. I spun and went into the starters stand back wards on an angle. The impact bent the rear end housing. We would bend suspension parts, we would also finish 5th ahead of Lee, so another motivator to make it all seem not so bad. The scariest part of all was seeing the rest of field coming off four trying to get down out of the way. We survivied.

We Have A Shopping List To Fix

Two Days Left

This Is No Picnic..and The Head’s Messed Up To!

Head Ache

Come-Along Attached To The Neighbours Post

Crude

It was summer, the trees were full and the neighbours couldn’t see too good. Danny (being one of the neighbours sons) knew how much he could get away with in helping me. I got away with as much as I could until I ended up in a battle with the Supreme Court of Ontario..oh ya, and I’m not suppose to be here, never mind using their pole as a frame/body press…it was tough most times. Maybe a few more feature wins and coming home to some easy simple routine maintenance would be nice, but that wouldn’t be my lot…so we did what we had to do so we could get to the next race, it just seemed like we did it every week.

Danny Manipulates The Chains Side ways

It’s Coming

Danny’s Almost Got It Back To Normal

It’s Coming

Dent’s Gone, Bondo and Primer On…We’re Happy

Danny The Artist

Final Touches By The Sculpturer

Danny The Artist

David and Shirley Make Sure The Wheels Are Ok

Paint Ready

Once all the body work was done, the kids made sure the mechanical aspect was covered, they were covered to. You can see 4 cans of white trem-clad spray paint ready to finish Danny’s master piece. The engine is ready and once it’s painted we look like it never happened…and how about the bushy trees helping hide our little work shop from the neighbours. They should have made a TV series called Survivor…referring to the neighbours of course.

Shirley and Butch Certify The Work Is Complete

Ready

Our driveway was very narrow, but it was always exciting pushing the car down to the trailer to load up and go racing, especially on a beautiful suuny Saturday….Danny said “are you going wrecking’, I mean racing this week-end?”….”Danny, thank you for making it look like it never rolled over, and yes we are going racing and yes we may wreck, so keep the bondo at the ready”.

Dave Mogford #39 and Dick Remus #44

Back At It

The Gallinger Family Sponsor

Pace Car

Both Tom and Dave Gallinger were active members and drivers in the Hobby division. They started out sponsoring the club by providing a pace car from their Ford Dealership in Milton. Mr.Gallinger also came to many races. Dave McKee was a salesman there, his brother was a mechanic, Dave Mogford was in the parts and so a whole host of drivers and members filtered through our great sponsor Gallinger Ford.

Points Standing Early

Gallinger Points

Binghman’s Hall…Our Banquet Trophy Table

O.A.R.C.

We Finished 10th In Gallinger and Flamboro Points

O.A.R.C. Banquet

1979 CVM History

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Gary ElliottJuly 16, 2015

1979 OARC Membership

Hobby Card

Harry Nicholson was President and Brian Rashleigh was Secretary Treasurer.

1979 Rundown

1979 Stats

Roll Over #4

Our season high lites unfortunately, are not winning the points or winning a lot of features. We did win 6 races tying our best season. We didn’t win a feature in 79′ however we had a spectacular crash on the fornt chute that resulted in our first ever “End Over End” flip. That wreck was perhaps our worst in racing since 1969. In spite of that, we ended up in the top 10 at Flamboro and had another perfect attendance season. I think it’s tougher to have perfect attendacne than to win a feature…at least for our team it was. After 8 seaons in the Hobby’s we had 3 Feature wins and 4 Roll Overs.

Quaker State……..Sponsor…….7th Season

Sponsor

Quaker State was an excellent sponsor for me. They were not always my primary sponsor but they were always there.

Gold Cup Sponsors for 1979

Sponsor

The Ramage and Nicholson family teamed up with Hydra Air to sponsor our Gold Cup series. Throughout the years many race teams liked the Hobby’s so much that they would get involved as a sponsor.

The Coupe Awaits….It’s Time

Garage

Our gargage, though small, dim and without heat was enough to keep me racing for 15 years.

Dad Patched the Frame

Frame

Heading To Harry’s For Fighting and Welding

Loaded

We took the to car Harry Bow’s after dad patched some places. Harry had good welding equipment. One thing was certain we wouldn’t last very long before we would get into family feuding, and it wasn’t a case of if we’d get into it, it was more of, how soon will it happen. No matter what, I admit that the things he suggested were for the best, he learned a lot from Don Biederman and passed it on to me. The fights were a result of his delivery method.

Armed and Dangerous

Welder? Not!

We were in not water, we only had a few days to get ready and when dad was at work I had to weld. Dad would inspect everything I did and redo what wasn’t right.

Coupe Frame……Late Model Slicks

Slick

The Hobby’s were on a treaded tire and in the back groud you can see Harry’s stack of tires from his Late Model. They ran a soft compoud and as it appears he went through a lot.

Mike Elliott Holds The Sun…3 Days To Go

Hurry

This paper was dated May 2nd, only 3 days until opening day.

Unload It and Get Busy

Frame Repaired

Paint and Assembly

Cage Painted

Mike Middlebrook is in the car working away. The cage is painted and parts are going on.

Where’s the Body

Cage Preped

Body Needs Primer

Shell

Body On…Get The Engine Started

Almost

Shirley and Our Puppy

Puppy

David and Our Puppy

Puppy

Single Door Coupe

Body Repair

Two Door Coupe

Body Fixed

The Number is on the Door….Now It’s Ready

Ready

Well, after a lot of work for 3 days we were ready to go.

Gord Holmes Helps Load Up

Gord Holmes helped me in 74 and was away for a while and it was great to have him back. Shirley helps Gord push the car on.

Heading To Flamboro…Opening Day

Primed Up

Flamboro…Harry and Mike Set the Wedge

Race Set Up

Harry jacks up the diff to set the cahssis. Mike helps. I think Harry is upset that I’m taking pictures instead of getting the car ready, but he had to know the pictures were to be used on web sites, something that wasn’t invented yet…..It was cold and eventually wet this day. We got rained out this night and the 12th of May.

Martino Brothers, a Sponsor To Paint Car

Body Shop

Martino Brothers

Body Shop

Paint Complete

Painted

In the early 60’s when Martino Brothers had their grand opening they invited my uncle Carl, Gerald, Percy and dad with their band to play for their due. Landing this sponsor 15 years later was because of the reputaytion my family had with them.

Lettering

Script Not Good

The girl that lettered my car was an expert on murals, but she tried her best. I could not leave the lettering on the side it didn’t work for me, and even she wasn’t sure. The mural was awesome.

Airies…Mural

Ram

Mural Done

Ram

Mural Done….But The Rest?….Yikes!

Lettering Got To Go

The lettering was very bad, other than the number (it was a little thin) but she did a good job on some graphics. It wasn’t her fault she wasn’t use to lettering.

Lettering Removed at Home

Lettering Gone

As soon as I got home I removed all the lettering except the name on the trunk and the numbers, I had to leave the sponsors name on somewhere. I didn’t want to offend the girl so I did it at home. I have always been fussy about my car and this was one time it did not work.

Flamboro Pit Entrance

Pit Entrance

Flamboro Pits

Line Up

Late Models

Pit Crew Gord and Ritchie

Gord and Ritchie

Checking It Over

Gord and Ritchie

Gord checks something on the front end…..drums on the rear.

Rich Ritchie and His Girls

The Kids

Rich worked with Nonie at the Post Offcie in Toronto and one day he stopped by to see the race car. Shortly after he became a great member of my crew. Him and his wife Bev were tremendous supporters of our racing. We became very close friends.

Ramp Truck Sick…Tow Truck to The Rescue

Tow Truck

We were stuck this week end and my friend Roman towed us out with his tow truck…check out Ray with his trailer and pick up with a cap on the back to keep all his parts. His race program was in top form, mine was a work in prgress getting better every year or so.

Hug From Nonie

Tow Truck

Nothing better than a hug from the one you love, especially at the races.

One of 6 Wins in 79′

David and the girls

We won 6 races this year but no features. David is seen her wearing a red OARC jacket that the club sold that year. Every once in a while the Hobby’s would celebrate with new jackets or shirts.

Night Shot in Flamboro Pits

Pits

Ray Hughes Gets Headlines

Hughes

Ready For Saturday Morning Engine Installation

Driveway

George McLeod Rebuild

Driveway

George McLeod rebuilt many of my engines over the winter and occasionally during the race season. This was a 100% year for us and he helped by getting my engine ready by Friday night. Here it sits waiting to be put in. We did not have an engine cherry picker and the tow truck could not back up the driveway so we cot him to meet us near the street….there is a model of my car from a two years earlier sitting on the engine.

Tow Truck Lifts Engine…Neighbours Testy

Driveway

We tried to do it as fast as possible so we wouldn’t block the little street or upset the neighbours. Of course the only way the neighbours (some) would not be upset is if the truck was a moving van.

It’s In…Thanks to Gord and The Tow Truck

Getting the engine in is only the beginning, but it’s a very important start. The rest of the bolt on parts including the bell housing and trans had to be put on.

Setting the Valves

Fine Tuning

Terry Dickinson showed me how to set the valves and after quite a few attempts I finally learned how to do it without calling him.

July 13th Delaware……Hanley Biederman Match

Junior Hanley

This was a big day in racing. It would be the ever anticipated match race with Jr. Hanley and Don Biederman and the Hobby’s were there.

July 13th Delaware……Gord Holmes

Delaware

July 13th Delaware……Unloading

Delaware

July 13th Delaware……Nonie, Crew and Friends

Delaware

July 13th Delaware…..Hanley Wins Best of 3

Delaware

This was a great day for any race fan, and the place was jammed. There was always this idea that Biederman was the best, or that Hanley was. The race was a 2 out of 3 format and Junior got inside for the first race and won it. He also won the 2nd from the outside. The track or friends made a huge cake with both cars on it. After the media interviewed each driver and we can’t print what Don said. He was clearly bitter but in his excuses he made the point that he had the skill and Junior had the equipment. The only thing with that statement was that we watched Don beat many Late Model drivers from the rear of a feature race. He would beat drivers with better eqwuipment. In this match race, Junior not only had better equipment but he was also just as good a driver as Don. However the 2 out of 3 Match Race didn’t sway loyal Biederman fans. They argued that to see who the best driver is would be to start them both at the rear of a feature and see who got through. The only problem with that theory was that many times they did do just that and would end up in a fist fight half way through the race. What a time to be a race fan when these two went at it anywhere. They were both super stars.

Bob Kurtin Fixes Ramp Truck

Bob and Gord

Bob had a little business at the corner of Highway 5 and 6 on the north east corner. He was a terrific mechanic and got my truck ready. Gord kept Bob laughing.

Twin 25 Consi Win….July 28th

Shirley and David

New Sponsor in Early August

Norm Letters Car

We got Southern Express Lines as a sponsor just before the Barrie race on August 7th. They gave me some cash, paid Norm to letter the car and gave me a job driving one of their trucks.

Dressed Up For A Night Out

Barrie

We stayed over night in Barrie, and it must have been some kind of celebration, it wasn’t a birthday or wedding celebration, unless it was Bev and Richies anniversary, but I just can’t remember. I know we weren’t headed to the races.

The Ritchies….Rich and Bev

Barrie

Barrie Pits….#89 Les Hiscock

Barrie

Les pulls into the pits. You can see #2 Joe MacDonald, #55 Jim English and the blue and red car was #60 Davey Jones.

Barrie Pits….Rich Checks Fuel

Barrie

Barrie Pits….Behind Turn One & Two

Barrie

Barrie Pits….Nonie My Love

Barrie

Barrie Practice…Jim English

Barrie

Jim won Rookie of the Year in 78 and was a great person. he worked hard for the club when he was in it. He always ran hard and broguht many people to the club. His son in laws and other relatives raced. Brian Book, Gerald Tong, Tim Winger just to mention a few, all got involved through Jim.

Barrie Heat..Jim English, Tim Funk, Pete Ireland

Barrie

Barrie Heat….Going Into Turn One

Barrie

Barrie 3rd Heat….Going Into Turn One

Barrie

Looks like John Hasselfeldt holding off Dave McKee on the outside, with Lee Jerome and Ray Hughes right behind.

Barrie Feature Coming Off Turn 2

Barrie

Joe MacDonald #2 with Tim Funk #76 and #38 is Gary Fetter (could be Wayne). This was the start of the feature as you can see the pace car just pulling off. I ended up 15th in this feature.

Barrie Feature McKee Leads

Barrie

Dave McKee leads this pack going into turn one, and I’m going to guess that he won this race.He is followed by #74 Don Ramage with Ron Jerome #58 on the inside, Brian Atkinson #10 and Ray. Harry Nicholson #14 then John Hasselfeldt #66 with Peter Ireland #26 beside him. I’m on the outside and Alf Ryckman #5 is under me with Lee Jerome #57 right behind Alf. Dave Mogford #39 is behind me.

Barrie Feature…Hanging On

Barrie

Alf Ryckman #5 is on the inside and I can say for sure that where I am, epecially at Barrie wasn’t a good thing. Lee is right behind and notice he isn’t following me.

Barrie Feature…Don Ramage

Barrie

Heat Win…Flamboro

Family and Fans

4th Roll Over……. End Over End August 18th

Wreck

This was my worst wreck of many I had. It was in the feature and I was mid pack. On the restart of a caution someone hit Dick Remus #44 knocking him into the starters stand. He was hit again and then Bob Hosford hit him and Bob was right in front of me. When Bob hit Dick he flipped onto his side, and I coudn’t believe that I was right behind him when he flipped. I kept looking to the inside to get down but there was not way I could, everyone was flying by. The yellow flag was waving. Suddenly all the cars in my lane were either gone or wrecked and I was sliding towards Dick at high speed. I locked up my brakes, something I never do usually because usually I’m trying to get away from the wreck and it isn’t good to stop on a straight away with cars coming fast behind. Within a split second of seeing Dick in front of me and locking the brakes I was into his front bumper and climbing the front of his car…..it looks like Ray got caught up in it. He may have hit Hosford as Bob went from the high lane to the infield on his side, or Ray could be stopped because of the red flag.

Huge Damage

Wreck

The front of the car was badly damaged, all ther suspension. Plus when I hit Dick I went end over end and landed on the trunk and back bumper doing excessive rear damage.

Roll Over……Shorter Wheel base

Crunch

The damage was quite severe to both my car and Dick’s Coupe.

Roll Over……Dejected to Say The Least

He’s Okay

When I hit Remus head on, he must have been terrified, although it happened very quickly. I went up over his wheel, took out his carb hit his windshield and then catapaulted over his car wrecking the body on the way. He survived this wreck but he was most upset with whoever stuffed him in the wall in the first place…fortunately we don’t have that info, but it happened on a restart and just like Stew Pitchford in 77′, the cars on the restart did not want to get boxed behind the slower cars and some drives pushed them out of the way, not wanting them to get hurt but so they wouldn’t lose spots. I’m sure that’s what happened here, and it ending up wrecking a lot of cars. Dick was a great person and always helped everyone when he could.

Wishbones Broken, Rad Taken Out…Oh Boy

Lots of Work

In the daylight on Sunday we got a closer look of the damage.

Damage Everywhere…David Finds More

It Was Nice

This body had seen more damage in the past 12 months than all the years Don Cockburn had it.

To Date..3 Feature Wins…4 Roll Overs

Garage!!

Here’s a stat that begs the question..Do you think someones trying to give you a hint?. In my 8 years so far with the Hobbys I had 3 Feature wins and 4 Roll Overs, actually on one of those Feature wins, 1978′ I almost rolled over 50′ from the finish line.

Too Wrecked To Make It To The Garage

Axle Out

The axle was out and we needed it straightened to get the car to our garage, abut 75′ away. We coudln’t tow it back because the laneway was too narrow….Richie was a big help and I almost wore him out in his first year with me…you can see the Ford cross member, where the axle fits in, it was bent too as well as tons of body damage.

We Get It Fixed…But Not The Same

Ready?

We didn’t miss a night of racing in 79′, but we did miss many nights of sleep to get ready in time.

Off To Flamboro

Ready?

Not Pretty But It’s Ready

Wore Out

We Made It……..But We’re Beat Up

Ready To Battle

We made it out the next week and our car was not right. I didn’t start the heat and finished 6th in the consi not qualifying for the feature. It would be a miserable 9 more weeks after our roll over with 3 DNF’s in the features and 4 others I wouldn’t qualify for. In the two featrues I finished I had a 14 and 15th. In the remaining 9 heats I only started 3 and my best race finish including consi’s was 4th.

Yes We We’re Glad When 1979 Was Over

Rebuild for 1980

Nonie put up with a lot each year, but quite a bit in 79′. It was a tough season for us. Richie and Bev were great encouragers throughout the season, and Richie saved me with his extra effort….we will rebuild it for 1980 and hope we can have a good year.

1980 CVM History

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Gary ElliottJuly 16, 2015

1980 OARC Membership

Hobby Card

Harry Nicholson was President and Bryan Rashleigh was Secretary Treasurer.

1980 Rundown

1980 Stats

Inline Ruins Perfect Season…Slicks Scare Many Teams

The season was good in many ways, but incredibly frustrating from our engine program point of view. We blew the engine and could not get it ready in time for the Delaware race. I was heart broken after that night, Nonie and I drove out to see if we could get a ride with a Hobby car but no dice. This was our first season for slicks and many race teams didn’t come out including Ray Hughes. Ray was right that the slicks were too costly, but I didn’t want to quit and if I did there was no place to race for less cost than what we were already paying. 1980 was fun in many ways but not so much with low car counts.

Quaker State…..our 9th Year Together

Sponsor

Hobby Drivers for 1980…No Ray Hughes

Drivers

The Hobby Club voted to use 8″slicks in 1980, Ray said he wouldn’t race if they went to slicks, and they did and he didn’t. Many drivers protested including me, to not run the costly tires. As it worked out I didn’t run, well not until they were wore out and if 1979 was bad, 1980 would be just as tough without running new tries fairly frequently. They were a soft Goodyear compound and when you put 4 new ones on your car it stuck like glue no matter where your chassis was relative to wedge or weight distribution…2 things I could spell but had no idea what they meant….as dad said, I mostly just aimed the car. My reason for staying was because after 8 years of torment, this season couldn’t be any worse, plus the fundamental reason…..I love racing.

Hobby Drivers for 1980…No Ray Hughes

Drivers

Hobby Drivers for 1980…No Ray Hughes

Drivers

Body Man’s Nightmare

Remodelling

The body man asked me “you guys don’t wreck these things do ya?”….I paused and said “no not really, maybe once in awile we might get into a wreck”….it’s a good thing he never followed my racing much, or he would have built a Brinks Truck.

Keep It In One Piece

Painted

New Sponsor Picks Up Car

Painted

Buzz and Paul Dewsbury owners of Dewsbury Auto sponsored me in 1980. They ran a family gargae and serviced cars. They wanted to help and their sponsorship was letting me use their facility to get my car ready plus any major repairs they would help with labour wise and some parts.

New Home for A While

Garage

New Home for A While

Garage

New Home for A While

Garage

Dad Puts On A Front Clip…No Jig

Fabricator Dad

Dad knew it was no use trying to get everything perfect, like on a jig, we had no money for that kind of equipment and if we did we had no place to put it. So he did it the old way by levelling everything the best he could using his kmowledge and the tools he had. His welds were amazing and he knew more than likely I would put them to the test.

Dad Welds On His New Cross Member

Fabricator Dad

Dad made the cross member and did a great job making it fit.

Cross Member In Frame Rails Capped

Fabricator Dad

Welding Motor Mounts and Supports

Fabricator Dad

This car badly needed a front clip and Dad did it all.

Axle In with Drum Brakes

Getting Closer

Drop In The Motor

240 Ford

Motor In….Dad With TheCool Glasses and A Smoke

240 Ford

More Stick Welding Needed

240 Ford

Richie Puts On The Wheels

240 Ford

Richie Puts On The Wheels

240 Ford

Paul Works On The Wheel Bearings

Paul

There Was A Lot To Do After 1979

Dad Thinks About How He Will Fit The Front Bumper

Mobile

Harry Holds The Bumper…….Not Tim Horton’s Cups

Long Process

Grandpa Raymond Elliott’s House………A Wise Man

Windshield In

The house across the street beside the building was my grandfathers home. We played there a lot when we were kids. He died in 1964, in his 64th year after just retiring. He worked hard all his life as a carpenter and raised 10 children. His sons became musicians and had an album called Square Dance Tonight. All 4 sons including my dad played on the albums….I remember one time I was playing hockey at George Bell Arena about 5 minutes walk from his home and I asked him if he could sharpen skates. I dropped them and he did them for me and as soon as I stepped on the ice I fell. He accidentally cut them the wrong way. We were ok we got them done on the machine at the arena, but the point is that grandpa would never refuse to do something for anyone and for sure none of his kids or grand children. His wisdom was so valuable. He was very proud of his son (my dad) for being oversee’s in the war and knew my dad was somewhat of a rebel. Grandpa never drank and lived a God fearing life, going to church and believing in the Bible. He told my dad that he should be the best at whatever he did. My dad, even in his rebel ways, became one of the best welders in the Boiler Makers Union. Dad’s work was put on display at the union hall in doowntown Toronto as samples of how welds should be. Dad never failed a welding test when he was called to go to a job site. Dad would be called by Texaco or BP and when he did a sample high pressure weld it was either exrayed or pressure bent and every time he passed….so grandpa’s advice to dad brought back fruit….dad told me the same thing about racing, but it would be another 8 years after 1980 that I started to run at the top on a more frequent basis. Once I got there it was easier to maintain the skill, the goal is to achieve the skill, patience and determination to get to the top. It would be a long road for us but we would make it.

Dad and Richie Push Car In…Hood Fits

Final Touches

Transmission and Driveshaft…HeyThis Is Easy

Nice Jack

We Need Gas

93 Octane

Ramp Truck Not Ready……..Butch Tows Opening Day

Butches Trailer

It was May 3rd and all the hard work paid off, we were ready for Flamboro’s opener. Dad, Rich Harry, Buzz and Paul came out and we had a rough night finishing 7th in the heat, 4th in the semi and 14th in the feature. There were lots of problems but we made it.

Pick Up Nonie and Kids on the Way

David and Shirley

Trailer Trouble……….Dad Checks It Out

QEW

Buzz Works On Ramp Truck

Dewsbury’s

Buzz and Paul owned the business but they wanted to be involved and helped us tremendously to get ready. The ramp truck wasn’t ready opening day but it would be week two.

Lettered…….David Is Leans Against The Building

Dewsbury’s

The boy made need a haircut.

It’s Much Better When You Have Your Own Stuff

Team #36

I have appreciated all the help over the years with people towing us to the races. Most of them helped because of the fact they wanted us there and they had the opportunity to help. We would pay for gas, their way in and supper, even then it was a major help or we wouldn’t be there.

Stewart Pitchford #47 on the QEW

QEW

Grenadier Ford went out of business, so neither Stewart or I had them for a sponsor in 80′.

Heading In The Right Direction….To Flamboro

QEW

The four of us went in the truck most times, and we played punch buggy on the way out. The kids usually won.

Flamboro’s Extra Security?

Kids

Shirley and Tracey with Ontario’s finest.

Early For Practice

#47 adn #36

We arrive early to get some practice. In later years no one would be allowed in the pits until after it opened at 4:pm….here David and I check the tire pressures. These slicks would lose air very quickly. In fact when it rained there would be white foam all over the side of the tire from air bleeding out the thin sidewalls.

Club Picnic In Milton

Picnic

Bryan Rashleigh cooks on the bar-b-que. Bryan was an all round player in the club. He ran very strong on the track and served on our committee for a few years. There were many families attend this annual fun time with the kids usually organized by John or Gord Hasselfeldt.

Club Picnic In Milton

Picnic

Nonie and David at the club picnic, and Shirley at the table. That’s me taking the picture.

David and I

Ready To Go

Entering Flamboro Fprm The North Gate

Flamboro

Flamboro changed the pit entrance to the north east gate just up from the main grandstands.

Tech Area Fenced Off……….Later We’d Get A Pad

Flamboro

Going through Tech…”don’t worry boys we fixed it since the 79′ roll over”.

Delaware June 20th

Pits

Delaware Heat

Heat

We drove hard in this heat and finally won at Delaware.

Heat Win

Our first win at Delaware, coming to take the checker.

Delaware Pits

Pits

Delaware Fast Heat Winner…Dave McKee #37

Winner

Dave McKee was a great runner and a true champion. The era of him, Ray Hughes, Lee Jerome, Harry Nicholson, Bryan Rashleigh, Dave Carson, John Hasselfeldt and others made for exciting races for our fans.

Delaware Feature…We Finish 7th

Feature

This wasn’t our best Delawre feature finsih on June 20th 1980, we finsihed 3rd in 78′, but it was good for us to finish in the top 10 for a change….if this was 24 years later I would have picked up another $20 for Doc bucks.

Delaware Crew

7th

Butch and Richie were very good friends and I was happy to have them with me. Richie survived 79′ and invited Butch to join us. 80′ wasn’t near as rough as the previous 2 seasons…some might say the tires had something to do with it, but that’s not true because I didn’t buy them very often…however it could be argued I was more stable on hard slicks then the re caps we were running.

Points Standings…Lee Jerome On Top

Points

I always wanted to do good in the points. My goal was to finish in the top 5, but that was not an easy feat. In my first 9 seasons my best points finish was 8th at Flamboro. The rest were out of the top 10 or just barely inside the top 10….I guess by checking the past 8 years of history there is no need for any explanations as to why we didn’t finish higher.

Points Standings…Brian Atkinson to 2nd

Points

We were probably insane with excitement when we found ourselves in the top 5. We had 3 top 4 feature finishes in the first 6 weeks and 3 finishes 14th and worse….it’s a long season Ray would say..relax!!!…he still says that to me.

Pete Ireland at Flamboro

Pete Ireland

Jerome Pulls Away….McKee Back To 2nd

5th Still

5th still?…that could give a guy a lot of confidence.

Flamboro Action Turn 3 & 4..Brian in Front

The Boys

I’m about to go under Lee? I don’t think so says normal people, but it does look like I’m in the right spot. Brian Atkinson #10 was very strong in 1980 and like any good runner, he ran well on slicks or treaded tires…today would have been good for him and Lee on treads.

Big Fat Sticky Slicks….$$$$$$$$….

back Chute

Flamboro Points…Lee 1st….Should Be Brian Book

Points

That should be Brian Book…..we drop to 6th and top cars pull away.

Flamboro Turn 3

Pack

I’m in a battle here with Ron Jerome #58 high and Dave Carson #83, followed by Dave Jaccombs (roof), Brian Atkinson and then the orange Coupe of Lee Jerome #57.

Engine Gone…Not Good

Set Back

August 16th…we blow up and not only does that hurt our chances to stay within the top 5, it’s a nasty expense. We didn’t sue George McLeod to build the engine we sent it out to someone the Dewsbury garage used. The problem is we are racing next Friday night at Delaware and we need to have the engine ready.

Engine Has To Be Removed

Engine

Engine Out

Engine

We got the engine back Friday morning. I was at work in downtown Toronto at Elgin Ford and I wasn’t going miss the day. I had asked for noon off and the boss said okay, I would have asked for that even without the engine problem just because we were racing at Delaware. When I got to the garage the Dewsbury’s had it all put together except for the rad. We finsihed it off and started it up for 4:pm, then the trouble started. There was only 25 pounds oil pressure. We did a master oil pressure test to see if the gauge was ok and the bad news was that the gauge was ok. Then I called Terry Dickinson and he said to increase the pressure in the oil pump to see if the oil pump is weak, but it didn’t work either. We called an auto parts supplier like JE Willis, only one closer to us, for an oil pump and they sent us a fuel pump. Now it was after 5:pm and we were all ready except an important aspect..the car. The parts company resent an oil pump and we put it in and there was no change. We were heart broken, drained and I cried knowing I would miss the Delaware race. I had called Harry Nicholson earlier, and told him of our plight and he said to come out to the race because Dave Jacombs had hurt his back and it looked like he may not be able to drive. Of course while we were thrashing on our car most drivers were lined up at the pit gate. The Dewsbury’s felt bad and said not to worry we would find out the problem for tomorrow at Flamboro. Nonie and I headed to Delaware knowing we were late but hoping to get a ride. When we got there everyone was signed in, including Dave and he not only drove his car that night but he won the feature. We left right away once I knew I couldn’t drive. I just couldn’t watch my peers racing if I couldn’t be in it. It was a long dirve back and one of our worst disappointments. We would end up missing one night in 1980 and that brought me to a total of 13 missed nights in 9 seasons with 3 nights of 100%.

Flamboro Points..Lee 1st…We Drop To 9th.

Points

Flamboro Practice

Flamboro

Herb Erb #68 is behind me and #73 is Ray from Hamilton, he operated a garge called Ray’s Texaco. In 1981 he brought this car out with a tube frame like a Late Model. They would not let him on the track with the car.

Sponsor Appreciation Display

Dewsbury’s

Sponsor Appreciation Display

Dewsbury’s

Flamboro Program

Flamboro

Dave Carson #83

Dave Carson

Dave was a very good and competitive driver. He helped the Hobby’s in a big way, even though him and the club didn’t know it at first. In 79 he came out with the wildest interpretated creation of our rules that ever had been tried. His car was so radical it forced the club committee to have an emergency general meeting to discuss his car. The results were he had to make some immediate changes to his conept car. The good news of all of his efforts was that the club took a closer look at the rules and even though it woul take another few years to get the book to make sense it was accomplished….many drivers were doing little things that were driving the committee nuts, Roger Downie being one who would stretch the odd verse in our book. But none like Dave car. His car looked like a motor cycle with a side car. Once Dave got his progarm in line with the interpretation 90% of the club knew, he became a very good runner and kept the points runners honest.

Sauble September 7th

Story

We raced at sauble twice in 80′. Once on June 29th and this week end.

Sauble Turn Three

Practice

]

Sauble Consi

Consi

I was late for the heat race and finished 4th in the consi. I was 8th in the feature. Ron jerome #58 is outside pole. Dave Carson is behind him with Ralph farraway #51 beside Dave. Then me and I think that could be Jeff Bedell beside me and maybe Brian Book #56 behind me.

Sauble Exit Ramp

Brian Book

Brian Book #56 and I exit off the back chute.

Sauble Pits….#47 Stewart Pitchford

Stewart

Sauble………….. Pete Ireland Rolls in Feature

Pete Ireland

Pete had a nasty roll in the feature when he tangled with Doug DiDero. Both drivers were okay but Pete ended down over the bank in turn one in the corn field.

Sauble………Doug DiDero #75

Doug DiDero

In his rookie season Doug had this terrible crash with his immaculate Coupe.

Sauble…….Feature Front Chute

8th In Feature

Look Suede Racing Boots…

All Smiles

I know what you’re thinking…I shoud have a party for my shoes and invite my pants down…right!..That would have been a better shot from the waste up. New fire suit and new paint on Stewarts car. We were practising at Flamboro on a Saturday afternoon. John would let us come out early to get practice on Saturday, we would leave about 3 and go back outside the gate.

Ritchie Gets A Chance To Try It

Buckle Up

It was great to give the crew an opportunity to go out in the car. Today we can let them drive in the mechanics race, there was no such race in the early 80’s.

Nonie, Shirley and Tracey Ritchie with the Police

No Speeding

Butch Beside Our Car…..Nice Tool Box

Shutter Bug

Ken Hillis drove the Shutter Bug in 1980 (car to the left), he was #3. Brian Pratt bought that car and drove it one or two nights as #3 and Brian got very sick and had a heart attack. He would recover and be on the committee in 84′ and President in 86, 87 and 88. Ken Hillis came back in 89 and ran a Coach #3…but were not there yet, this is 1980.

A Picture For Every Moment

David and David

David and his friend David Lewis.

Accidents and I Wasn’t In Them……..Linc Brown??

Flamboro

This article was written by linc Brown, I wonder if he is, or is related to the Linc Brown who races Late Models now (2005).

Heading Down Parkside Drive Near High Park

Flamboro Bound

Sometimes we went out highway 5 or other times we went south on Parkside Drive to Lakeshore and got on the QEW just past the Humber river cut off. That’s High Park on the right and that’s me Stewart and Nonie in our Grand Prix (the beige car)….the truck coming this way has his signal on (I think), but it has nothing to do with the day or the picture….time to move on.

Ray!! It”s Going To Clear Up…Look! A Rainbow!!

Rain

The worse thing is to wait all week and then it rains…but wait…there’s a rain bow and somewhere close the sun maybe coming out. Ray knows I hate the rain on the week ends and probably so does he, but everytime it looks like rain he has this dumb smile and always has to find me to remind me that we may not be racing…the reverse is when John Casale waits 15 hours for it to stop raining and then asks us to go out and dry the track. I’m happy Ray isn’t…now he’s grumpy saying, why don’t they just call it off…Ray doesn’t go out on the track, but I do and usually I put in 50 laps to dry the track with the last 20 at full speed and then it rains again and John calls it…but after the 50 laps I’ve had my fix and I calm down a bit….Ray? He still has a full tank of gas.

1980..2 Wins..No Wrecks……Help for Roger Downie

Tough Season

We only won 2 races in 1980, and missed one night. After 9 seasons we had missed 13 nights of Hobby racing, but 3 seasons of 100%….From 72 to 80 we accumulated 3 feature wins and 4 rollovers..imagine after 9 seasons having more rollovers than feature wins….this was a tough year for Roger Downie. He crashed bad at Flamboro braking his arm in 3 places. On July 9th the OARC and Flamboro had a fund raiser for him and his family. We went through the stands and raised $1260 plus gave him our purse from that night..$935. That was the 2nd time the club donated the nights purse to an injured driver. The first time was for Rich Harris in 1975, a real good show of support by the Hobby club drivers for one of their own members.

1981 CVM History

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Gary ElliottJuly 16, 2015

1981 Membership Card

10 Year

1981 Run Down

1981

Racing with one of the best #37 Dave McKee

Dave McKee

Dave McKee #37 was one of the toughest competitors to run a Hobby car. This picture was a 1980 shot at Flamboro Speedway, we put it here to remember 80′ as we look ahead to an exciting but record setting year for crashes in 81′.

Quaker State back for the 8th year

Sauble

The front chute at Sauble Speedway. I’m sure that David in the stands working his way up the steps. He was 10 years old. Quaker State sponsored us again with excellent product. Our primary sponsor in 81′ was Elgin Ford.

Kids get ready to take car apart

Driveway

Richie and the crew lift the 33 Ford Coupe body

Coupe

Lots of work from here.

33 Ford

I’m not sure why we advertised for Toronto, maybe so they would let me park my race-car in my garage. See 1978 for more on the parking remark.

David with his best friend David Lewis

Friends

There at the post!

Get working

Honey we found the engine miss!

Caos

A day on New York city freeway. This is what your car would look like when you returned from the Sunoco station after running out of gas….our garage was so small we had to use the driveway to take it apart. If you think the neighburs were hay wire before I think this day pushed them over the edge. We were doing this in April, we only had a few weeks till opening day. My race program had to wait for good weather to start working on the car, no heat, no lighting (60 watt bulbs) and an uneven wooden floor. The good news is I didn’t have to race any of them.

Nice

Frame

We finally got a cement floor before the season started. That project took most of our budget. It would be a blessing for the neighbours though, there would be no more wood floor creaking at 3 in the morning. We still had to find a way to reduce the noise after knocking our tool box over at the brake of day…we were tired.

Home Depot

New bench

My peers would try to help me get my car set up. This may be a typical phone conversation: “Gary get your tools and I’ll tell you how to set the camber on the right front wheel”?….”No problem, I see a chipping hammer, a saw, an axe, oh ya and a level”….yikes. Good thing we had slicks.

A coat of black

Cage

I’m sure during the excitement of getting ready for the season, (it was fast approaching), we never really noticed how wide the space was between the uprights on both sides of the cage. You could almost drive a Mini Stock through those openings. Maybe it was becaue we sat close to the middle and never gave it any thought. Today I’m sure we would be adding some bars, but I’m sure at that time we felt it was okay. The goal was to race. Winning was a desire but I wasn’t staying home becuase I couldn’t win. If that was the case I would have raced only a tenth of what I did.

Start the re assemble

Frame

Start the re assemble

Frame

Coming together

Frame

Engine Next

Chassis

Body’s On

Body on

Harry Bow At Work

Mom’s House

Harry has some good equipment at Mrs. Bow’s (his and Nonie’s mom) house, and so we took the car there to finish off any welding.

On our way…ugly but ready

Loaded

Flamboro Pits

Pits

It is a little tough to put some of these pictures on our site. In some cases the pictures reveal how out of touch I was with my race program, not to mention the poor quality from our throw away cameras. However I did have some bad seasons. I wanted to race but whatever was going on in my life did not include an organized well prepared race team or program. This site is an autobiography in a sense, and hopefully it encourages others who struggle to see that I struggled for many years. Not giving up on or away from the track was the key. In this picture the car is in rough condition and the sole reason is because we took only a couple of weeks to get ready. When the car came off the race track in 80′ it didn’t get touched until April. The main thing is that we made it and our hearts pounded just as hard as those who worked on their cars all winter.

From white to black.

Black is bak

The first year of a black #36. We did get a good paint job in 81′ at Elgin Ford.

Lettering by Norm

Final touches

Though late with our program, we did take time to detail everything like a model car. Perhaps it was the extra effort to make the car look good that helped cover up the fact that we did not up date our team as much mechanically as in the appearance department. It looks like the head was sent out to be redone. George McLeod from JE WIllis in Etobicoke rebuilt all our engines and always had them ready for the next week….Norm lettered my cars from 72 and this was the last year he put his artistic magic on the car.

Securing car on 48′ Chev Ramp Truck

Race Day

Getting Ready To Go Racing

My dad Merile, and my mom Shirley

Dad and Mom

Mom always cheered for me to do good and seemed to give me praise no matter how I ran. Dad on other hand worked hard to get the car safe and wanted me to finish up front, to win as often as possible and not to let anyone push me around on the track. In the Hobby club there were only a few rough drivers over the years, but for the most part all drivers showed respect….dad was such an incredible welder. He worked for the boiler makers union and always had to be tested no matter where he was called to do a job. If Shell Oil, or BP needed welders for a shut down, he would be called to the site, but had to pass a test first. Welders from the union would do a root pass folled by a few other welding passes and the company officials would bend the weld, if it broke or cracked the worker was sent back to the office. In 30 years welding dad never failed a bend test or exray. His perfection at what he did was what he wanted to see from me. It would be another 6 years before I started running like he wanted me to. It would also be the year he died 1987, but will save those stories for then….FYI…1987 could be a book on it’s own.

Richie brings car up for warm ups

Staging

In this picture one of crew members Richie gets out of the car after getting in line for warm ups….in the back ground is Peter Murphy’s GoodYear truck that supplied the 8″ slicks for us. Every race night drivers were buying 2 or more tires. The difference in times after a night was 3/10ths, after 2 weeks it was over 1/2 a second. I ran my tires at least 4 nights and by the 4th night you could be 2 hours off the pace.

!981 Drivers Roster

Drivers

There were well over 50 drivers registered in 1981 but rarely did we have more than 20 out on any given night. The cost of racing slicks was too much for even the die hard racers who wanted to race to have fun. The Hobby cars were very fast on the slicks. Our team was competitive about once a month when we put on a new set of tires. Perhaps a dangerous time in Hobby history, as far as future was concerned, but the club survived….we got off the slicks in 82′.

Hobby Heat at Flamboro Speedway

Heat Race

Ken Hillis #43 is outside Jim English #55. Doug Didero is driving #75.

Early Points Race Stats

Stats

Loading Up to go Racing

Careful!

Sometimes this was tougher than racing. It was impossible for our crew to push the car up onto the ramp truck so it had to be driven up. Notice it’s not what you’d call a friendly angle. The use of a trailer would have reduced the angle to make it easier. But!!.. a trailer means a tow vehicle and this 48 Chev “Maple Leaf” 3 Ton was all inclusive. Most nighbours had no idea what racing was, some may never even seen a race excpet on TV. When we loaded up on Saturday afternoon it was a treat for them to see. I can hear them rumbling to each other as the car makes it safely to the deck.. Son…”Wow dad, he made it again”. Dad…”Yes son, and he didn’t smash into the back of the cab this time”. Son…”Can we wait up until they come home tonight, and see how he unloads the car in the dark”? Dad…”He has no problem with unloading it in the dark son, but if it’s raining we’ll get up and watch”.

It’s Feedinig Time

Goodyear

Our cars ate tires at a serious rate. No wonder we could be seen every once in a while waiting for tires. We bought tires when we could and that was maybe once a month.

Hobby Racer and Sponsor

Tom Gallinger

Tom brought a lot to our club. He was a good racer, wanted to have fun like most of us. His dad owned Gallinger Motors, a Ford car dealership in Milton and they sponsored the Hobbys a points fun as well as the pace car.

Harold Lawrence

Harold was known as the “racing farmer”. He bought this car from Dave Mogford and kept the #39.

Bill Spero

Bill in his rookie year ran very well. He bought this car from Dave Jaccombs #85. Bill did more than race, he also helped out with club events and worked on the committee.

Points Standings

Stats

Dave McKee was surrounded by Jeromes. John Hasselfeldt ran well with slicks.

New Car

36 Dodge Coupe

This car was built by Bill Wakish. He sold it to a young fellow who after his debut racing decided to call it a career. He slid into turn 3 wall and that was enough for him. I borrowed it one night and liked the car, I eventually bought it from him for the 1982 season. His name was Gary, but I cant remember his full name. If you read this Gary call me and we’ll update this post, or if someone else knows who he is.

Stewart Pitchford

Up in Smoke

Stewart and I were very good friends. We went to grade school together. In 1960 and 61, we wore out 3 table top hockey games. Stewart worked out the hockey schedule and we each had 3 of the 6 NHL teams. He had Montreal, Boston and Detroit. We played a full NHL schedule and playoffs. Montreal won in the real world (Chicago in 61′) and Montreal won in our series. We raced Mini Stox together for 3 years. I started racing Hobbys first and he joined in 77. He had a terrible rollover in 77 during the Mid Season championship. I remember it perfect because I was leading the Mid Season at the time he rolled, there are some pictures of his wreck in CVM history…1977. Stewart sold that car to Ron Shaw. Stew was a very good mechanic and could fix anything. When he retired I wanted him to pit for me and at times he tried but found it hard to get away every week end. Stewart would help anyone anytime and I appreciate the times we had together.

Sunday Afternoon Wreaks Havoc

Damaged Coupe

1981 was one of our worst years and this particular day was mild compared to some.

Hard Hit Backwards

Beat Up Coupe

The 33 Ford Coupe sits half way up the 48 Chev Ramp truck. We wrecked alot in 81′. Ron Shaw and I were twins in a different way. We never gave up no matter how bad it got, and it got a lot worse as this season went along.

Monday Night We Take It Apart

A Mobile Hoist

We were by no means well equipped. In fact we were driven only by the desire to race. Here the crew and I remove the body while the car is still on the ramp truck so we can get it to Harry’s to repair. I had to do it this way because we would not have had enough help to push the car up the ramps by hand and we needed to get the car to Harry right away in order to get it ready for Saturday.

Ready To Start Repairing

No Body..Easy To Fix

Harry always helped when he could and that was most times. He got us geared up this week. The next few pictures show the hours my crew and I put in to get back out on the following Saturday. We used the ramp truck as a work bench and a huge a frame to get the car up so dad could weld it.

A Closer Look Says…Why Fix It?

What A Mess

I may not even get in that car today (05/29/2007). It sure was tough. But so was I and I would do anything to race. It looks like I cut the aluminum with a chain saw. It’s true I was never much of a fabriactor, but the car looked good from a distance.

Jackson Carr & Rich Ritchie More Than Crew

Putting It Back Together

The dedication of friends who become pit crew is really incredible, especially when they stick with you in times like these. Jackson and Richie sacrificed many hours to get me back on the track. Jackson lived in Scarborough and Rich in Etobicoke. Thanks guys, I know these were tough times but it was fun working with you.

Finishing Touches

Friday Night

Almost ready

Saturday Morning… Almost As Good As New

We Did It

There’s nothing better than getting up Saturday morning and cleaning the race car to go racing. It would be unthinkable to wake up and not be going to the races..with our car. Thanks to my crew we were as good as new.

The Truck Gets Painted As Well

Now That’s Better

Once the truck was painted, we looked pretty good. However, not everyone knew what secrets were hidden under the paint and wax. This was a battle weary chariot, and we loved it.

Another Year And I’ll Look Like Jason Shaw

Getting Ready To Go To War

Notice in this picture that both my truck and the truck next to me have the hoods open. In my case I possibly borrowed the battery out of the race car so we could get to the track, or I borrowed the battery out of the truck so we could get on the track. Either way it worked for me.

Points Race

Jerome Boys On Top

In the early going we were 7th. That was partly due to the fact that we were low in car count. However we did have some future hall of famers who liked the slicks.

Richie Happy We’re Here

Flamboro Pits

We love racing and it sure shows on Richie….PS…is my left front tire flat? Maybe we ran it that low to get heat in the tire because unlike the top runners I bought tires once a month, not every week.

Sammy Taylor #82

Hard Charger

Sammy ran sparingly, but when he did he gave it his best.

Tom Gallinger #30

Sponsor and Racer

Tom Gallinger and I run side by side. Gallinger Motors sponsored the Hobby’s many years. Tom would eventually be inducted into the Hobby Hall of Fame….but at the time of this photo, there was no Hall of Fame.

Ron Shaw #81

No One Had More Fun

If there was one racer who I felt was most like me when it came to racing, it was Ron Shaw. We were low budget and big heart. He was more organized than me, but had almost as much bad luck and never, ever gave up. In that way we were twins, neither one of us would quit no matter what the condition our chariot was in. I say that not to insinuate that Ron’s cars were as rough as mine, but that he came to race and wasn’t ever happy missing the feature. I respect Ron as much today as I did when I raced with him. (May 07) In this picture John Hasselfeldt is running on the outside of Ron

A Perfect Story On How We Lost The Race

Jim Collison in Print

This article makes me want to stop reading half way, but that wouldn’t be the right thing to do.

Ron Jerome Take Point Lead

Hobby Points Standings

Points chase is close up front

My Future Car..1936 Plymouth Coupe

Plymouth Coupe

Bill Wakish Beauty

This Coupe was built by Bill Wakish. It was owned and raced by Alfy Rykman #5 in 79′, Dave Mogford #39 before that. Another driver, Gary ? bought it, and I bought it from. This was one of the better cars I owned because it was built very well.

Hot Off The Press

Didero Wins

Doug Didero, Jeff Bedell then me.

The Kids and Crew Chief

Check out the crowd

It was always fun to race in the early 80’s. There were lots of cars in all divisions and tons of fans to cheer us on. The Hobby’s had about 18 to 20 on a regular basis, much lower than the previous years before we went to slicks…although the early 70’s was the worst.

Tim Young and His Boys

Tim Young The Fan

Tim Young was an enthusiastic Hobby fan. He eventually got into the club in 1984 buying the #66 33 Chev Coupe that John Hasselfeldt raced in 81’…(the same car that I would end up with from 1990 until now..2007).

Hard Chargin’ Dick Remus Takes The Checker

Dick Remus #44

There was one night that I sat in the infield for one of our many dnf’s. While in there I watched Dick Remus slam the wall as hard as anyone I’ve ever seen hit in a Hobby car. Many drivers including me have burried our cars in the cement. Some from blowing engines, sliding in someone else’s blown engine or stuck gas pedal. Dick hit almost head on from a stuck throttle..yikes…but he was okay. He was one of the nicest men in our club. That impact was caught on film…and it’s further down this page.

Points Update

Hobby Points

Ron Holds Top Spot Over Dad

President In The Best Appearing Car

Harry Hicholson

Harry Nicholson was the extreme for how great a race could look. Not only were his cars immaculate, they performed just as good.

This Tough Piece Could Win

Another Win For Us

We had more wrecks in 1981 than anyone else. However we always managed to get back out week after week. Sometmes we even won. When this battle weary tank crossed the finish line in first place we were shocked with delight, while most of our competitors were shocked with unbelief. We didn’t do much from the year before and it’s no wonder we were doomed to fall apart, but, as long as the car would run we could get it around the track on those slicks. It would take another 6 years before I began to understand how the car worked. In the meantime, when asked about my driving, dad said…”Gary dosen’t drive the car, he aims it”.

Mad Dash Into Turn One

Yes, I’m The One Smoking

The Shutterbug, Ken Hillis Jr #43, Bob Kurtin #80, and outside Bob it looks like #55 Jim English. We are very close entering this turn. I think Ken went high going in, I tried to go under him, he started coming back down and I pushed up, Bob probably pushed me a little and so we jam on the brakes so we don’t wreck everyone, especially ourselves.

How Can This Be

We Move Into Fourth

There is no way to explain how we got into 4th, other than not everyone showed up every week and consistency rules. We were always there at the end and never gave up trying to get the car on the track. This was the highest we ever got in points during our 10 years with the Hobby’s. Imagine, 10 years and never in the top 4. That’s because the cars were very competitive and most teams were miles ahead of us in technology and equipment. We may have been ahead of them when it came to getting back on the track no matter what happened in the warm ups heat or even during the feature. We would be towed into the pits and minutes later drive back out. Crazy determined, and definitely doing it the hard way.

A Sunday Race

Afternoon Feature Line Up

The track had spots for the cars to line up. Here me and Jeff Bedell #65 get ready for the feature. It’s got to be the feature. I’m sure it’s a feature because we wouldn’t go through this for a heat, plus the crowds on Sunday were no where near those on Saturdays.

Cruise Lap

Packed Grandstands

Jim Collison #12 is in front of me, you can’t see his number, but anyone who raced then will recognize the red and gold paint scheme. Jim was in front of me and no doubt he finished there. He was a tough competitor.

Flying Down The Front Chute

Man Size Crowd

Side by side with Jeff Bedell.

Tom Gallenger #30

Coming Off Turn Two

Dueling With Tom Gallinger…Hey Ray, nice view of the slicks. I know it would be a good view because Ray would be sitting in the back grand stands watching since his absence was due to us running slicks. I ran them for many nights to keep the costs down…it also kept my lap times down to. When we put on new slicks we added 200 horse power, it was awesome for about 15 laps.

Mayhem With Hall of Famers

Which Way Do I Go!

Here are some vets who one day will be in the Hobby Hall Of Fame. Harry Nicholson #14, Bob Kurtin #80 and Bob Fields #2 all made it to the Hall Of Fame. Also in the picture is #43 Ken Hillis Jr and the racing farmer #39 Harold Lawrence. The car in the wall isn’t me, the rear deck is chopped and I never ran the back of my Coupe chopped.

John Hasselfeldt #66

One Day This Car Will Be Mine

John drove this 33 Chev coupe until 1983. Tim Young ran it as #11 in 84′. Terry Coates and Jim Bunting ran it in 1986 and 87 and then Fred Poets had it until I bought it in 1990..and as of this post (June 2007) I still own it. John comes back later to drive a Ford..that’s in a few years from now.

Dave McKee #37

Chev With An Attitude To Win

There were some dominant runners in 1981 and Dave McKee was one of them. The Jerome team, Ron and Lee, and for sure the #83 of Dave Carson battled week after week with many other fast cars. Dave was liked by everyone even when he won, and that was on a regular basis. He didn’t figure in the points championship for 81′ because he took a lot of nights off..but wait until 1982 and see what he brings to the track. It would be a masterpiece ten years ahead of its time.

John Hasselfeltd #66 Having His Best Year

Points Standings

We were there every week and though we didn’t run consistent, we never quit and found ourselves in 4th place. Like John Hasselfeldt, this to was the highest we climbed in the points standings.

A Great Crew Member

Rich Ritchie

There’s nothing like having a dedicated crew member also be a real good friend. Rich and I were very close and had so much fun doing things together away from racing. We played hockey together, played darts, watched and cheered for the Leafs, sang songs at parties but most of all we loved racing. He worked with Nonie at the Post Office in the late 70’s and I met him through Nonie. He came over with his wife, Bev and their 3 girls. We had many great times and he inspired me always. I think every race car driver that has a passion for racing, has a dedicated crew member like Rich. No matter what we do, we can never do wrong and they always keep us encouraged and make you feel like your the best week after week. Over the years I’ve had many good crew members, this father of 3 was one of the best.

This Is The Best Of All Moments

David Soon To Be 10 Years Old

One Day We’ll Race Together

Racing is incredibly fun, and winning is the most exciting of all. What’s even better than that, is when your children come out to get their picture taken with you. You feel so glad you won, and now you can share that moment with someone you love, someone who makes you feel like your their hero. David is enjoying the win with me, he’s holding the checkered flag, and I’m proud to give it to him. One day in the not to distant future this 10 year old will grow up and capture his own checkered flags, his own championships and his own notoriety. In the meantime, dad is on top, saying, this is what it’s all about. Moments like these are hard to beat, and cannot be replace. As I enjoy this particular time in my racing career, it gets better and more exciting as I realize and hope that one day we may race together. Racing has been a tremendous blessing to me, and I thank God for the family, friends and fun.

Same Win Different Side

David and I Flamboro Win

Many Hobby cars, ours included, were built with the driver sitting in the middle. We could reach out either side of the car, hold the checker on either side and we usually could see more in the middle. Left side weight? Who knew about that. Apparently most everybody but me. Dave Carson looked at my car one day as we were lined up and waiting to go into the races. The car was on the ramp truck, and easy to see under the rear of the car, specifically the suspension. Dave turned to me and asked how we could ever get this car around the track. I said “we just start it, put in gear and aim”. But! “in 2 weeks we will run alot better”. How’s that Dave asked….”new tires, what else”.

John Thought It Was Easy

I Got In Okay

My crew in 1981 consisted of my dad, Harry Bow, Richie, Angie and pictured here, well some of him..John. John was a trucker and loved racing. One afternoon we went out to practice and he wanted to take the car around the track. I said okay to both him and Richie. John got in okay but was in big trouble trying to get out. He eventually got out and never wanted to go in again.

1948 Chev Maple Leaf Ramp Truck

Old Reliable

This truck was awesome and we kept it looking good every week. Many stories surround this truck going to the races and coming home. One night we were coming back from Delaware, Nonie, Richie and I, it was raining the wipers didn’t work. We pulled to side of the road and got some mechanics wire from our tool box…that was one of the key items in our tool box. We knew we could only use one wiper so here was the plan. We tied a 2′ foot piece of wire to the drivers wiper arm and brought it in the drivers window, and another piece about 3′ long,also attached to the drivers wiper arm and brought it through the passenger side. Since it was a long way home still, about an hour and a half to Toronto, we decided to sing songs. With the beat of each song we would manually work the wipers back and forth. Richie would pull his way and I would let mine go and then I’d pull my side and he would let off on his side, and so the wiper would go back and forth keeping the drivers side windshield clear. The faster the song, the faster the wiper went, as we rapidly worked back and forth. Nonie wanted us to sing Donna, or something like that, and we said, Nonie if we sing a slow song we won’t be able to see. After about an hour, many songs, and wore out we made it…we went side to side so many times in this monotonous sawing motion that we almost cut the roof off the truck from the wire rubbing on the windshield posts. Anyway we made it home.

Bob Fields #4

Bobby Fields At Flamboro

A Very Tough Runner

Bob was one of the cars to beat in the early 70’s. He was an inovator and had his day of domination. He continued in the club getting softer as the years went by. He was a strong competitor and loved the Hobby club.

The Coach Man

Wayne Martin #34

Dueling At Flamboro

Wayne Martin always ran a Coach and with the help of his dad Ken, they did alright. We were similar in a lot of ways. We both wanted to race and both our Dads wanted us to win. Wayne and I usually found victories without winning, and that kept us going. There was a group of us who fought and struggled to be competitive and if at anytime any of us did we were all glad for the one who managed to take away a top spot from a regular hot shoe…a name never equated to us, even for a short spell…at least not yet.

Heading To The Coupe Hospital For Repairs

Elgin Ford

Right Side Tires Whacked The Wall

When it came to serious repairs we took our car to Elgin Ford. They were very good to us and it was the use of their welders and torches that kept us racing week after week.

Best Friend

Nonie Using A Torch

Nonie has always been my best supporter by far

Any man that races has to credit his wife for longevity in this or any other sport. Nonie showed her support by helping, sometimes reluctantly. In this picture she is heating the cross member that was severely bent in a wreck.

Axle Or Hockey Stick?

Mid Week Repairs

Common Scene

It was nothing new for us to bend our axle and usually like a hockey stick. It always came back and sometimes the car handled better…but we never figured out why. We wouldn’t want to tell anyone our car was good because they would take one look at it and tell us the caster, camber and you name it, were all wrong. Probably they were, but we could aim the car fairly good with how it was, so we left it, besides, it would likely get bent again sooner than later, and we were here to race.

Nonie Cleans The Car

Axle Ready

Always Something To Do

While I straightened the axle, Nonie took the tires marks off the body. I changed into coveralls to re install the axle.

Dad With His Grandchildren

Heat Win

Tammy, Gary, David and Grampa Merile

Close Call

Axle Breaks

Fetching A Runaway Wheel

The car was perfect. We had just painted everything, wheels and chassis and a new wax job on the body. Going into turn three something snapped..the axle…and the car did a 360 degree spin parking about 10 inches from the wall. There was no damage other than I had to go get the wheel.

Can You Find David

Learning Maintenance

David Was Learning

Close Quarters

Heat Race

Roger Perry #98…Jeff Bedell #65

Judging By The Smile

Heat Win

Here’s A Good Shot Of The Slicks

We ran these sticky slicks and you can almost feel the gummy rubber just by this picture. We won this race and when we had new rubber we were fast…so was everyone else.

June 28th Heat Race

Battling With The Boys

What A Crowd

In this shot I am running outside of #43 Ken Hills Jr. Behind me is Doug DiDero #75 with Lee Jerome beside him. Also in this picture is #65 Jeff Bedell. The next picture is the finish of this race. We were running 2nd and got by #43 Ken Hills Jr, but a caution came out letting him back in front. We had new tires making our go-cart even better. We got the lead with some hot shoes coming. See the next photo.

1st Win Of Season

Beating Lee Jerome #57

Our First Win Of 81′

Not only was this our first win of 81′, we did it by beating one of the best of the year Lee Jerome and in front of 3 million fans. We finished 2nd in the semi and 6th in the feature this night.

Coming Off Four With #65 Jeff Bedell

Heat Race

Jeff Bedell #65 and Ron Butts #88 Just Ahead

Hobby Cars Were Always Fun To Race

Practice

Having Fun Is Hard To Quit….Quit?…Never

John Hasselfeldt #66

John Finished 3rd In Points

One Day The #66 Car Would Be Mine…1990

Mid Season Heart Break

Crash In Turn Three

A Story That Would Discourage The Toughest

On June 28th we won our first race of the season beating Lee Jerome, finshed 2nd in the semi and 6th in the feature. July 4th was the Mid Season Championship and we were looking forward to this race. During the week we did our regular maintenance on the car and some friends came over. While we were changing the oil I put the filter on and we stroked it off our check list. On Saturday prior to loading the car we let it run for 10 minutes makinig sure everything was okay. Again at the track we let it run and then headed out for warm ups. About four laps into practive I felt the car lagging power. It was weird like a brake was on, as if it was seizing. I was close, there was seizing going on but it wasn’t from the brakes. I just happened to look at my gauges and saw no oil pressure and pulled off the track. While I was stopped in the center of the infield I checked the oil level and was immediately sick to my stomach, well almost. There was no oil on the dip stick and worse than that there was none in the engine. We pulled the pan off and every piston had play at the crank but the engine didn’t blow up…another 30 seconds and it would have. We took the engine to George McLeod and he finished it for us by the next Friday July 10th (he was very good in getting my engines to me in time). We put the engine in Saturday moorning and started it up about four pm, when we should have been almost to the track. To our shock it was pouring oil out the rear main. I called George and he asked me if I installed the rear main seal that was tied to the engine block. “No I didn’t, I thought that was a spare, what do I have to do now?”….you don’t want to know…and for the next two plus hours we had to pull the tranny, driveshaft bell housing and lower the pan to get the seal in. It was maddening ordeal but we got it together and finally got to the track for this exciting race. We missed warm ups that was okay, we missed the heat and the semi, but we were here. There were only 18 cars so we were guaranteed a start. In this picture, the first lap of the Mid Season of July 10th, I am standing in the upper right corner looking at my bent axle and smashed up suspension…that’s right we went one lap and wrecked. Perhaps it more understandable why we got so excited over a win, any win , because we had very few of them.

Dick Remus Hardest Hit

Bad Crash In Turn 3 Wall

Gas Pedal Sticks

You coud hear this crash from Paris to Toronto. Dick Remus hit the wall as hard as any one had every hit it in a Hobby car. The impact was so hard his head went forward dangeroulsy far. Lee Jerome got by on the inside. Dick was okay, not so for his Coupe.

Heat Battle

Potatoe Farmer

Shutterbug #43 Ken Hills Jr and Lee Jerome #57

Dad, Harry and Richie

Crew

Lined Up For The Heat

In this picture we are lined up behind Wayne Fetter #38. Dad, Harry and Richie pose with me in this shot.

Doug DiDero #75

Racing With A Future Legend

Doug DiDero Would One Day Become A Super Modified Champion

Super Wreck In The Next Sequence Of Pictures

Barrie September 13th

Front Chute Wreck

This wreck was one of my worst in Hobby racing. Marc Robb #22 t-boned me in a multi car crash that included John Hasselfelt at the end of the front chute, almost rolling our car.

John and Marc Make Sure I’m Okay

The Dust Has Settled

Once The Dust Settled We Could See The Damage

King Pin Sheered….Thats Not All

Feature Race….Not Good

Once Out Of The Car It Was A Discouraging Site

This wreck happened early in the feature. We had spun out twice in the heat after Richie picked #1 for this Gold Cup race. In the feature we started near the rear because of a DNF in the heat and a 12th in the semi. A pack of cars including Bob Kurtin, Harry Nicholson and John Hasselfeldt checked up very quickly at the end of the front chute. I hit John and got turned side ways and was nailed by Rob. We were in very bad shape at this point.

We Need A Flat Bed

This Aint Moving

What A Mess

The starter, Mel, looks on, hoping to get the race restarted, but knowing this car needs a flat bed to get it off the track. The rear axle was bent as well as the front king pin sheered. Fans stare at the car, Hobby cars were always immaculate and fans knew the severe body damage here was unusual, especially to the roof line. If we were racing in England I may have been in trouble….right hand drive.

Fans Look On

Mel Miffed

Holding Up The Show?…We Came To Entertain

We Didn’t Make It Back Out

Two Tow Trucks

First Time In 10 Seasons To Need Two Tow Trucks

Back In The Garage

To Get Ready For Next Week

A Lot Of Work To Do With Three Nights To Go

Taken It Apart

Pieces Everywhere

Needs To Be Disected To Discover All The Mess

Pledge On The Roof

Wax A Little Pre Mature

The Only Pledge Was To Get Ready For Next Week

Someone put a can of pledge on the roof of the car, probably me, to cheer us up, knowing we had a full weeks work ahead of us. We used pledge to wax the car, it did a good job, smooth as glass. Nonie went wild if we had company coming over and there was nothing to use for the furniture. I told her….”you can’t race a coffee table”.

Off With The Roof

Now We’re Serious

It Was Worse Than We Thought

There was so much damage we had to strip the car down completely to make sure we got everything fixed properly. I had lots of help to make it easy.

Working In The Dark

Good Help

My Competitors Thought We Were In The Dark

Perhaps most of the teams we raced against thought we were quite back woods in our race program. However they knew our heart and effort was as good as the best. Here Richie facing us, Angie on the left and Jackson on the right finish taking the body off.

Working On The Front End

Non Stop

Jim Granger Gives A Hand

Richie and Angie

Elgin Ford

Back To Elgin Ford For Repairs

Richie and Angie were two of our crew who helped with this Super Wreck at Barrie. Here we are at Elgin Ford in Toronto getting some welding done. The car is on the ramp truck without the body.

Friday Night

Chassis Fixed

Body Goes Back On…Jackson All Smiles

Ready To Go

We Want To Race

Sitting In The Driveway Saturday Morning

It wasn’t pretty but it was ready and when it came to looking good or being in the race, we wanted to race.

Two Weeks After Super Wreck

Win #4

September 26th Flamboro…Consi Win

This was our 4th win of 81. We passed both Jim English and Brian Book late in the race to take the win.

Soap Box

Davids Toy

Soap Box Racing Was A Big Deal For The Kids

David, Gary and Sharon

Soap Box

Sharon Shepherd, Congratulates David and Gary

Sharon was always good to the kids and here she congratulates David and our nephew Gary on their race.

Jim Collison #12

Under Yellow

Crusing Under Caution

Jim and I are obviously under caution here, we are too far up the track to be racing. Jim was a very tough competitor and knew his stuff.

Racing Into Three

Flamboro

Brian Book #56 and Harold Lawrence #39 Lead Pack

Ed Sooley #72

Flamboro

Ed Sooley and Murray Lockhart drove the #72

Jim Collison #12

Hard Chargin’ Jim

Jim Collison Wins

Jim was a steady runner and fought for every inch on the race track. He didn’t run every night in 81′ making it impossible to figure in the points standings. However when he came out, he figured in the outcome. Jim would eventually work with the club as a committee member, but not for a few years.

Ron Shaw #81

Laid Back Ron

“We’re Here To Have Fun”

To race in a division for 10 seasons was easy when competitors like Ron Shaw joined. Ron was and still is a fun person to be around and though he loved to race he didn’t take it to serious. He was like us in so many ways. Helen and Ron had kids the same age as David and Shirley, and like us they were die hard racers. He cared for the little guy, the poor teams, making sure everyone got a fair shake when it came to racing procedures and pay outs. Ron was forever helping other teams, always lending parts or showing us how to fix the bent pieces. We were pretty good at fixing the bent stuff since we never quit crashing, perhaps another reason we got along so good, we were battle warriors…crash…fix…and race again. Part of the reason we got so excited with a heat, consi or semi win was because they were so rare. Within a few years Ron would be responsible for every Shaw in Ontario racing with the Hobbys.

Harry Nicholson #14

Club President

Harry Nicholson…Best Appearing Car In 1981

Tom Gallinger #30

Club Sponsor

Tom Gallinger, Racer, Committee Member, Club Sponsor

There was a huge contingent of Hobby drivers from Milton. Tom was one of many who not only raced in the Hobby club, but gave back wherever he could. Tom’s dad sponsored the club through their Ford Dealership, Gallinger Lincoln Mercury. Always a fun guy and very clean racer. I hardly remember Tom in an accident.

10th Year O.A.R.C.

Proud To Be A Hobby Driver

Quaker State…It Was Our 8th Year With This Great Oil Sponsor

Front Chute Flamboro

Chasin Roger Perry

Just A Blurr

Bob Kurtin #80

Flamboro Win

He Loved To Race….He Loved To Win

Bob Kurtin was one of those rare members of the Hobby club who did amazing things on and off the track. He worked hard on his race program, maybe not as hard as some of us because he knew what he was doing and didn’t have to. He worked hard on the committee every time he was nominated and elected. He tried to instill in most of us to do things ourselves and not get caught up on buying our way to the top. He helped me alot and at times got through the numb-skull. Bob won this race and would end up 9th in the points at the end of the year. Just a great competitor and friend.

Lee Jerome #57 Leads Son Ron #58

Lee and Ron

Ron Jerome #58 Beats Dad In Points Race

This picture shows Lee just a bit ahead of his son. In the points chase Lee would finish behind Ron by only 3 points. How awesome it must have been for Lee, who already was a champion in the Hobby Club, to finsih 2nd to his son Ron. It was the first time in Hobby club history that a father and son team finished first and second. These two had a great year and fought with John Haselfeldt #66 and Dave Carson #83. Some nights Carson had the Jeromes covered. Things went wild at Barrie when the three of them crashed on the back chute. However when the final checker fell in 81′ it was history in the making with the Jeromes first and second….it would be another 18 years before a father and son team would finish first and second. This time the dad took the championship. You’ll have to wait for that history to be posted.

5th Win of 81…October 18th

Windy Win

Semi Win On Final Night

This was our 5th win of the season. It was Octoberfest at Flamboro and a cold and windy day it was. This picture was autographed by the comdeian Billy Van.

Last Night Of 81 Was Our 250th in Hobbys

250th Night

A Milestone Of Sorts…Shared With Family And Crew

This was our 250th night in the Hobby club. Only knew that because I kept track in our diary of every night we ran. Pictured here is Richie on the ramp truck, David beside him, Jackson Carr to the right, Nonie on the far left keeping Shirley warm in her coat. Beside Shirley is Jackson’s daughter…sorry, she has a twin, played hockey and had a name but I cannot remember it. If anyone reads this and can let me know we will add her precious name to this caption. Her dad was a soft and gentle man as was Richie. The picture being held up was done by Glen Forsythe. He did these pictures for many of the racers, I was fortunate to have a few.

Final Standings..We Finish 4th

Best Ever

Hard Luck Winner…But Best Ever Points Finish

We won the Hard Luck Award at the banquet, but we also had the best points finsih in our 11 years with the Hobby club. This was a very tough season but the first time we finished in the top 5 in points.

Paul Cornwall

Great Crew

Paul Cornwall…What A Blessing

We called Paul K.C., for Kansas City, his home town. Paul was a gentleman and never said a bad or negative word against any of our competitors. He appreciated the competition and always wanted us to be ready to take a win or good finsih if the occasion ever arose, since they were scarce. Paul always gave good advice and was so much fun for us to be around.

1981 Hobby Club Banquet

Nonie and I Celebrate

Year End Celebration

Nonie and I always went to the Hooby banquets at the end of the year. We fisihed 4th in points, got the Hard Luck Award, big trophy in front and finished 6th in Gold Cup. My beautiful wife supported me like no other and to her I am truly grateful and thankful.

1982 CVM History

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Gary ElliottJuly 16, 2015

1982 Membership Card

11th Season

Harry Nicholson President…Ding DeLeeuw Secretary

1982 Run Down

1982

This was our 14th season racing and 11th with the Hobby’s. This would be the year Ray Hughes came back, after a two year boycott, he was glad to see…”no more slicks”. “Hey Ray”, aren’t you glad we kept it going for you!!!! We gained a few cars in 82′ but lost some good runners who liked the soft, gummy, fast, replace every week if you want to be competitive, slicks. 1982 was good for Nonie and I. Steffon Zoskey and Paul Cornwall established their faithfulness to us, a relationship that would last for almost 20 years. We had 2 cars, a 33 Ford Coupe and 36 Dodge Coupe. The Ford we bought in 1977 from Don Cockburn, and the 36 Dodge we bought at the end of 81′. It was one of Bill Wakish creations. Dave Mogford, Harold Lawrence and Alfy Ryckman all had it before we got it. Harry Nicholson was President in 82 and worked hard to get the club back on it’s feet as we lost many cars when we went to slicks. One thing about the slicks, when I was able to afford them, I could run with the fastest cars. Now back on treaded tires, we were lost, and had to hang in week after week hoping to break through in our understanding of how to make a car go around the corners….we didn’t learn, but had enough ambition and determination to make it fun. We did however learn a lot more about engines, mainly because we blew them up fairly frequently. Many teams were running the light crank and rods, as well as the 194 head. We were still in the woods trying to compete. Once the machine of Dave McKee came out, everyone was racing for 2nd, although Dave Carson was almost as quick. We hope you enjoy 1982, we did.

1982

Promo

9th Year With Quaker State

33 Ford Heads For Repairs

Snow Everywhere

David and Shirley pose as the 33 Ford gets hauled to a garage with heat.

Beat Up Coupe Waits For Bondo Doctor

33 Ford Coupe

That’s the way it left the track in 81.

Putting The Final Touches On Our 240

Elgin Ford Garage

Steffon Looks On With Salesman Dave

Grenade Gets Paint Job

240 Ford

Being on the end of a cherry picker was routine

We tried a few things to stop oil pressure building up, like releiving the pan and rocker cover. We ran the big heavy clutch, like most teams did, like all were suppose to. We had roller rockers and spent a few thousand on our engines in 82′. Starting the engine was like pulling the pin, it was only a matter of time before we scattered it all over some part of Flamboro Speedway. I guess it sounds like bitterness, but we spent so much time and money on engines we were too tired to figure out how to get around the corners. Dad said, when talking about how our car handled..”gary comes out every week and aims the car”.

Powered by Steffon

Steffon Lasted Longer

Steffon Having Fun

We had some rough nights in 82′ but always got through it with Steffon’s attitude. He loved people and wanted always to have fun at what he was doing.

Lettering The Car

Lattered By Hand

Pollock Signs

Ritchie, David and I watch Butch letter our car in 82′. Butch and his dad Ed were very good at free hand lettering and did a great job on the car.

Elgin Ford Used Car Showroom

Bay Street Toronto

Elgin Ford

Driving In The Snow In Toronto …Who Does That?

Elgin Ford Sponsor

Spinning Up Bay Street

We kept the car for a while at Elgin Ford, our sponsor, as we got it ready for the Motion Car Show. One day we moved the car and by looks of it, there was snow on the ground. I guess I wasn’t the first to drive in the snow, I may have been the first to do it in downtown Toronto, on Bay Street, in the afternoon….maybe Steffon was driving.

O.A.R.C. Sign

Mike DeLeeuw Creation

Mike Makes Sign

We were very surprised when we saw this amazing sign, used at the car show to promote the Hobby club, designed and built by Mike DeLeeuw. Mike did many projects like this, and this was one of his early creations.

Mike DeLeeuw #17

Motion Car Show

Mike DeLeeuw #17

Hobby’s Work Hard At Promoting Club

Boy’s Support OARC

Article From Car Weekly

Jim Collison #12

Motion Car Show

Jim Collison #12

Butch On Display With Our 36 Dodge

Motion Car Show

We loved car shows

Club Display

Motion car Show

Hobby Cars Always Looked Good

In this display we put card board numbers on the cars in different places. Each number represented a different aspect of the cars safety. Mike’s is pointing to the seat, Jim’s to the right front wheel and mine to the windshield. An explanation of what each meant was given on the separate bristol board in the front of the display.

Yellow and Black…In Celbration of Ray Returning?

Car Show 82′

Dave and Scott Visit Motion Show

Dave was a great salesman at Elgin Ford, and Scott worked there also. Scott was Steffon’s best freind.

Butch & Me At Motion

Car Show

Keeping an eye on the display

It was common, and still is, for those who had their cars in the show to be with the display to answer any questions on the Hobby club. Butch, who lettered our car and worked on our crew, joined me this day.

Car Show Write Up

Some of the boys in the show

Ding DeLeeuw wrote articles for Car Weekly and other racing papers for the club.

Rebuilding The Engine

Dave and Richie

Engine Room

It wasn’t the best work bench, but it was the most light and let us get it together knowing for sure where every part went. Richie and Dave help get the 240 back together…..they would get good at taking the six apart and putting it back together.

Running Two Cars

Jim Granger’s Tow Truck

Opening Day

We ran two cars in 82′. Our coupe from 81 was run by Dave for the first part of the season and then Bob MacDonald took over later for a short career. Jim Granger, lived accross the street and towed the Ford Coupe to get the second car to the track.

Jim Collison #12

Steffon and Scott

Steffon and Scott do a pre practice check.

Jim Collison is beside us and you can see the roof line of the not yet painted #10 of Brian Atkinson.

Pit Row

Some of the boys

Flamboro Hobby Pits

Pete Ireland #26, Roger Perry #98, Alex Dube #15, you can see Rich Farraway’s blue coupe at the end and the yellow coach is Bill Spero.

Practicing At Flamboro

36 Dodge Coupe

Flamboro

1948 Chev Maple Leaf Ramp Truck

Old Reliable

Co-ordinated team

Heat Line Up

Firebird Pace Car

Jeff Bedell #65 outside pole, #55 Jim English and beside Jim is #12 Jim Collison. Not sure who is on the pole. It could be Harold Lawrence #39.

Two Car Race Team…Two Car Garage

#35….#36

“Canada”

On the big overflow container,in front of the rad, (it was about 7 gallons…for sure it was big), we put a Canadaian decal on it. I was a proud Canadian like most, and at the time our car was deserving of carrying the name….that would change later on in the year when the car went through some terrible times.

Working In The Garage

Dave

Antique Wall Unit Good For Storage

Roger Perry #98

Flamboro Pits

“The Pink Panther”

First Gold Cup Race May 16th 1982

Flamboro Feature

Starting Pole In Gold Cup Feature

Doug Didero #75 was suppose to start outside pole beside Pete Ireland #26. Doug had won his heat and semi and could have made it a hat trick but had trouble.

Side by Side with Pete Ireland #26

Fighting For The Feature Lead

Tired After Two Laps

We had worked on the car to get it to handle better, but really didn’t have any idea how to get around the corners. With street tires instead of racing slicks (1981) we would never make the car work without getting the chasis right. In my notes from 1982, I was extremely tired by lap three. Man, the car must have been impossible to steer, come to think of it, it was.

Falling Slowly

Pete Takes The Lead

Heading South

Dave McKee #37 passed me shortly after this picture and of course went on to win. In my notes I describe his car as the Late Model Hobby. Also mentioned was that Ray Hughes was right behind Dave in “warm pursuit”, in other words, he wasn’t catching McKee….More of this race below.

Jeff Bedell #65

Where is everyone?

Running Last..Just Ahead Of The Next Race

Dick Remus #44

Dueling With Dick

“One Of The Club’s Humblest Racers Dick Remus”

Dick Remus was a great member of the OARC. He helped everyone and worked hard at keeping his car looking good and being competitive. He ran a garage in Paris and rebuilt the engine on our 1948 Chev ramp truck. We ran about the same, not at the front, but always giving it our best.

Ad For Race At Varney

Wayne Fetter #38

Varney Ad…Gold Cup race Sunday June 6th 1982

Varney Pit Pass

Varney Speedway Pass

“Rain Out Policy!!!…4 Races Constitutes A Show”

First Time At Varney In A Hobby Car

Overcast But We Raced

Varney

We quite often stopped and tried to get a picture entering a race track. It was done to show the track we were running at more than anything else. There was some importance in us racing here, it was our first time on Varney since 1969 in our Mini Stock, and the first time ever in a Hobby car. It rained out at Flamboro the night before and rained Sunday morning in Toronto. We waited for a long time to decide when to leave and head north. The Varney staff said it was cloudy with sunny brakes but no rain. One of the things I hated the most was not knowing if we were going to race because of uncertain whether. If it was a definite rain out, I could live with it, but when the sky was cloudy and we didn’t know if we would race or not, I got upset. The worse times for me was when it was sunny, then start to rain. I would get excited about racing and then get depressed because it was raining. This particular day we got the races in.

Varney Pits

Bob MacDonald #5

Bob MacDonald Drives The Ford

We brought our other car with us. It was #35 when Dave drove it but he lost interest and didn’t want to make the commitment. I liked Dave alot, but sometimes things are much tougher than they appear. Plus, watching me run at the back and most nights out of contention at the beginning would be enough to discourage normal people. I wasn’t normal, therefore Dave couldn’t understand how we could run so much and not be successful on the track. He was right in a way, but we loved racing so much, we were willing to wait until we became a competitive car. Bob MacDonald wanted to try his hand at it and he got the number 5. It saved replacing both numbers.

Ron Shaw & Bob MacDonald Turn Two Varney

Varney June 6th

Practicing At Varney

Death Of A Coupe

June 12th Massacre

Bob MacDonals’s Horrific Ride

It was just a horrific for Harry Nicholson. It was only Bob’s second night out with our 33 Ford Coupe, unfortunately it would be his last and the last race for the Coupe. Bob was not hurt in this wreck and that was the main thing. Coming off turn four early in the feature Bob got the move over flag from the starter. In a panic Bob came on to the front chute and not only down on the apron on the front chute but also had the two inside wheels in the dirt. As the leaders came around Bob got on the gas to make sure he was well out of the way (which he was already…by a mile) and as he hit the car it turned towards the front straight. He was headed right in front of the fast moving lead pack. Harry Nicholson #14 had no where to go and nailed Bob broad side…t-boned him at a very high impact. Both cars were heavily damaged…ours for good. Bob continued on with us as a pit crew member.

Messed Up Points Standing

Whose Leading The Points?

Count The Mistakes

This document was in the Flamboro program in 1982. It was typical for the Flamboro staff to give much less attention to the Hobby club and it sure shows here. There are a number of errors. Ray Hughes is shown in first with less points than Jim English Dick Remus is show in two positions 9th and 12th Bob Kurtin should be in 9th The 14th place car was #75….Doug DiDero Flambor’s emphasis was soley on the Late Model class, and it should be, but this one just of many areas the Hobby had to fight for recognition.

Dave Carson #83

Tough Dude

Carson Came To Win

Rained Out ? Not Yet! We Had To Bob Kurtins

Going To Get Help

Loaded For Bob

It was raining real bad in Toronto and likewise at Flamboro. John would never call off a race because of rain at noon, so we headed to Bob Kurtins to try to get help with our suspension.

Bearded Steffon Ready To Unload

Raining At Bob’s Too

Not handling well?…See Dr. Bob

Unloading In The Rain

Bob Helps

Get er’ off…get er’ fixed

Bob Making Plates….Me Making Faces

June 19th Continued

Top Shop…Top Mechanic…Great Friend

Bob knew I had no clue on how to make a car work, so while he made the necessary changes in hopes of getting our car to handle, I entertained him.

June 19th..Putting It Back Together

Suns Coming Out

Bob Makes sure the axle goes in properly, with the right camber and caster

Heating Nerf Bar To Relocate It

Sunny and Almost Ready

Final Touches

Thanks Bob

Ready To Race

We Ran Better

Although we miised our heat on June 19th, didn’t arrive from Bob’s until after 8:pm, we did manage to finish 4th in the consi and 9th in the feature. We ran poorly in 82 but never gave up. A wave of thanks to Bob Kurtin for all his help…and he did let us know that we still needed to do more on the chassis to make it competitive.

1st Win Of The Season

Semi….July 10th Flamboro

1st Win Of 82′

Brian Atkinson #10….Trust Me

Flamboro

Brian Could Make His Car Work

Brian and I needed to get our programs together. Our car looked good and ran like…and his looked like…and ran very well. He was #10, it just dosen’t show up on this side of the car.

Ray Hughes Leading The Points

Document Correct

Bob Kurtin to 3rd

This one of Bob Kurtins better years. He ran very strong, but had his good friend Jim English #55 to contend with, as the 1978 Rookie of The Year kept ahead of Bob. Ray made his return to the Hobby’s in style. He missed 80 and 81 because of the slicks and when the club came to it’s senses and went back to treaded tires he came back and dominated the points chase. He didn’t domninate on the track, that was done by #37 Dave McKee.

Mangled Mess

Scrap City

Salvage what we can

No More Patching This One

Twisted

Call The Forensic People

This was one incredible piece. Patched everywhere, pieces of plate steel and pipe used to reinforce old war wounds. The engine was cracked, the fan is broken…basically a write off after Bob’s wreck. We did what we had to do to race. If the Childrens Aid had seen this the year before, they may not have let me run, although I may not have qualified under their jurisdiction.

Ray Hughes 24

Smiling Ray

Hard Charging Ray Hughes

Johnny Spins

John, Harry and arold

John Hasselfeldt #66 spins in front of Harold Lawrence #39. Harry Nicholson gets by on the outside.

Front Chute Flamboro

Lined Up For A Race

Before race gloves were mandatory

Ding Had His Own Column

Ding The Jouralist

Car Weekly Report

Pink Panther

Racing Roger At Flamboro

Roger Perry #98

Dave Carson #83

Hard Runner

Winning Again

Thanks to Dave the rules became more definitive, and not so vague letting racers interpert them at their own free will. His creation of an offset car (looking more like a motorcycle with a side car) in 1979 sent the Hobby club, and all the Tech boys off the deep end…or at about 9.9 on the Richter scale. Dave was a very serious competitor and one of the smartest and toughest racers in the Hobby club. He was one of the few who could give Dave McKee a run for the checker in 82′. Obviously he did it here, because Dave would have been a 3rd heat car. He cared more about winning than winning the Championship because if he didn’t feel like it he wouldn’t come out, but when he did, the hot shoes knew he was there to take the spoils for the night.

Syncronized Drift

Rich and Ken

Rich Farraway #53 and Ken Hills Jr. #43

Jim English #55

Hobby Member With Heart

Tough As Nails

Every fast Hobby driver at one time had the incredible task of trying to pass Jim English during a race. Most of them would at one time or another end up in the cement either in turn two or four because Jim never slowed down, moved over, or gave much room to anyone. Out of the car he was one of the nicest compassionate members to ever race in the Hobbies.

Battling With Pete Ireland

Peter Ireland #26

Easy Going Peter

Peter was always a shy and easy going laid back racer. He ran hard but rarely caused any trouble although he got caught up in it once in awhile. Here we’re both hard at work, leaning to the left as the g-force pulls us right in the turns. In a few years from this picture, through the technology of better seats and belts, and Hans decvices, drivers won’t be able to move as much in the cars.

Storing The Ford Coupe Body

Bob, Scott, Steffon Help

“36 For Schurr” On My Shirt

Last Ride For This Junk

“Not For Resale”..

Coupe Scrap On Ramp Truck

A 9′ Year Old Shirley…A 48′ Chev Ramp Truck

Returning The Welder

We Rented The Heavy Stuff

With barely enough tools to fix a bicycle, there was no hope of us having any welding equipment. Ironically, that was the piece of equipment I used the most. We rented the welder once in a while. Here Shirley poses just before we leave to return it. I’m guessing it’s secured enough.

Delaware July 2nd

Feature Stopped

Club Refuses To Run Last 11 Laps

On July 2nd 1982 I finished 4th in my heat and 5th in the semi. I started 3rd in the feature and got the lead after Dave Benley and Doug DiDero spun together. I led the feature until Bob Kurtin passed me and so did Brian Atkinson. On lap 9 of the 20 lap feature, an accident coming off turn two caused a lot of damage to the back straight guard rail. The Hobby club refused to continue the race until the fence was fixed properly. The track agreed to have us come back again on August 6th and finish this race before starting our regular show on the 6th. We had a meeting on July 5th, the Tuesday after the long week end and there were four points of interest regarding the race on July 2nd (these are from my notes taken at the Hobby meeting). 1) the final 11 laps will be run on August 6th 2) the pay out for July 2nd will be at the completion of the August 6th show. 3) the cars will line up for the final 11 laps as they were running when the yellow came out 4) You must pre enter for the 6th of August…..Nonie and the kids and I usually came in the truck. To pass the time away we played “punch buggy”. Everytime you saw a VW Bug, you called out “punch buggy” and hit someone close to you…it helped pass the time.

Bob Fields

Bob’s Nicest Looking Car

Bobby

Bob Fields brought out this excellent looking machine in 82. It ran very well. Ken Jorgenson was back up driver for Bob in some of the races.

Brian Atkinson #10…Yes He Gets Me

Delaware July 2nd

July 2nd Feature

Brian passed me after a brief struggle, actually maybe no struggle. The race would be stopped when the back straight guard rail was damaged after a wreck. Bob Kurtin was leading at the time.

Kids Soap Box Race

David and Michael

August 21st 1982

David and Michael MacFarland ran the Soap Box with Mike steering and David pushing.

Winners Circle

Top Three

Runner Up

David is pretty excited as he receives his trophy for finishing 2nd in the Soap Box event. Michael received the same trophy.

Harry Having Fun

Why Do I Have To Push

Adults Are Kids Too

Rich and The Boys

It’s About Family

Daddy Wins

Brian Breaks A Wheel

Brian Atkinson #10

Not So Good

Battling With Rich Farraway #53

September 4th Feature Flamboro

Racing For The Lead In The Feature

Our last feature win was in 1978. In that race I crashed at the finish line fighting off Dave McKee. In this race I started 7th and was running 2nd with 6 laps to go. A cuation came out allowing me to catch Rich. Dave McKee was running 3rd.

Take The Lead With Six To Go

Could This Be Feature Win #4

Farraway Has Trouble

We caught Rich earlier in the race and though I was all over him, could not get by. On a restart with six to his car started sparking badly from the engine area on the restart. I was able to get by him and take the lead with McKee right on my tail. Our notes stated the car was running very good.

Say It Ain’t So

Never Spin When Leading

Are You Kidding

After waiting over five years to win another feature you would think I would have been prepared for this moment. I mean, rarely in the 80’s did a slower car get a chance late in the race to grab a win. We did take advantage of Farraway’s engine problem, but in my notes I credit the spin out for over driving, over worrying and simply messing up. We ended up going to the back and finished 13th. How fitting, not that I’m supersticious…but we lose the race and finish 13th.

Racing In Front Of All My Fans

Flamboro Practice

Canada Steam Heat

We were sponsored by Elgin Ford on Bay Street and a company that cleaned restaurants in Toronto “Canada Steam Heat”.

Spinning Into Turn One

Harry and Jim Join Me

No One Got Hurt

Jim Collison #12 Goes High

Two Jim’s And A Gary

Collison Flys By….Battery Flys The Coupe

In this spin we lost our battery. You can see it skidding across the track.

Dave Bentley #29

Turn Three Spin

Dave, Jim English and Dick Remus

Hood Up Means Trouble

Blown Engines Routine

We Blew Many Engines In 82′

Pulling Out The Lemon

Common Scene For Us

Blowing Engines Was Part Of Our Race Program

We spent lots of money, had good power, but when the dust settled, it was usually from the “speedy dry” put down for our blown inline. This one was yellow to match the car, or maybe to match what it was….a lemon.

Ready To Install Patch

Spare Engine

David with Bob and Richie

Tow Truck To The Rescue

Sponsor…..D & S Towing

Our sponsor helps

One of our sponsors in 82′ was D&S Towing. We sometimes rented or borrowed an engine hoist, or we called our sponsor to help us. This driver was easy going, letting us do much of the hard work while he waited, and while the car was in the air. David watched from the back of the truck….I wonder if he pondered that one day he may have to go through this…if that was his thoughts, he probably hoped it wasn’t as often as we slugged with engines.

Common Scene For Dave Mckee #37

Years Ahead

This Car Was The One To Beat

If you were from Milton there was absolutely nothing wrong with this car. It was legal in every aspect. If you were from anywhere else on earth, you may have been suspect because this Coupe was so much better than the rest. In my notes I called it a Hobby Late Model. At the end of the season, October Fest, the committee told the owner of Dave’s car that both the head and the oil pan were to be removed at the end of the race on Sunday. The owners refused to take the car apart and were disqualified for the entire season. Why did they refuse tech? This was one incredible story that had most teams scratching their heads. All kinds of theories were tossed around. They had an illegal crank, a small cluch, nitros, who knows. The car could have had an advantage on rule interpretation, something not quite covered in the rules, but legal, and they didn’t want to reveal their technology to the rest of the club, especially to the committee. I find that hard to believe because even if there was some magic in what they were doing, most of the rest of us either could not have afforded the upgrade, or wouldn’t have known what to do with it if we did have it, plus their car, aside from the engine and driveline was a work of art. It wasn’t just the driveline that made it fast, Dave was an amazing talent behind the wheel. So why take your toys and go home? It seemed that whatever this car had, whatever the big secret was, the owners wanted it burried for ever so no one would know. They wanted to blow the competition way…which they did most every week, they just didn’t want to be accountable to the rules. To me, a dominate car is not fun for the other drivers or the fans, it takes away from close racing. However if they were legal, good for them, but if they weren’t good riddens. Anyway, we’d never know. The following Tuesday at the club meeting, Dave McKee came asking why the penalty was so severe. We asked him why they left the pits without letting the committee check the car, but he couldn’t answer that. He really didn’t have any choice of the matter, it wasn’t his car and I felt bad for him but if your protested and you tell the Hobby club to stick it…I guess they will, but it will be the one failing to comply that will get the bitter end of the stick. Dave McKee was a champion long before this car was built and will always be a champion in my eyes. It’s just too bad he couldn’t convince the owner to let the club see what they wanted. Brian Atkinson delivered the notice of protest, he was one of the Tech people and if there was some skull duggery going on, Brian and the boys would have found it. This disqualification for failing to allow the club to tech the engine was the first one I’d seen since joining the Hobby club. It was truly a sad day especially involving such a well respected member…..it’s still sad to write about it now (December 2nd 2007)but I still love Dave, one of the truly best to ever race a Hobby car.

Jeff Bedell, Harry Nicholson & Jim English

Three Good Runners

Jeff Bedell #65

Jeff leads this pack. He ran for Jack Hood when he raced with the Hobbys. Jeff was just starting and had lots of potential. Here he stays ahead of Harry Nicholson #14 and Jim Englsih #55.

Flamboro Pits

Sitting Pretty

Sponsors D&S Towing, Canada Steam Heat & Elgin Ford

Wayne Fetter #38

Flamboro Back Chute

The Last Man To Run A Flat Head V8

The Hobby club use to run flat head V8’s in the 50’s and 60’s. Wayne put one together for 82′, they were still legal to run but couldn’t compete the way Wayne wanted.

2nd Heat Win September 6th

Doug and Steffon

Doug MacFarlane and Steffon Zoskey

Another Engine Gone….Almost

Ramp Truck Report

Paul Cornwall Looks On

We only ran the warm ups on September 11th. It was another tough outing for us. We spun a bearing in the engine but I shut it off before it blew up saving the crank. Barrie was the next day and as the east coster said “we were some stressed out”.

Smiling Ray…Sad Gary

Can’t We Just Race

Sad Sack

We were all sad because the next race was at Barrie and we had engine trouble. The good news was that Mort, the owner of the #15 Hobby car driven by Alex Dube had a crank and bearing for us. Doug went with Dick Remus to borrow his engine hoist and Alex offered to bring the crank and bearings to our home in Toronto. Steffon and I headed home to take the engine out. It would be an all-nighter lasting until 8:30 before we got the engine together. At about 1:am, Nonie brought us out a huge jug of orange juice and at about 2:30am we knocked over all the tools and engine parts. The crew were awesome helping me get ready and we made it to Barrie the next day…..and it was a great race day for us.

Barrie Heat Race

The Green Flag Drops

First Heat Race

After working all night we got to Barrie and couldn’t get the engine to start, there was something binding. Mike DeLeeuw came over and noticed we didn’t have the bell housing bolts all the win. We got it tight and the car sounded good. In this heat Mike and I are on the pole. Dick Remus is second row outside beside Jeff Bedell and behind Jeff is #75 Doug DiDero and Ron Shaw at the tail.

3rd Win Of 82…Hard Work Pays Off

Barrie Heat Win

How Awesome Was That

After working all night on the car we got to Barrie without warm ups. I was reluctant to start up front not knowing how the engine would run…afterall there could have been orange juice in the bearings. Anyway we won this race, out third of the year. It’s times like this, that after so much trouble, we were given a little morsel to keep us coming back. This win wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for our crew and many other members including Harry Nicholson who gave us a piston. Thanks again to all those who gave us parts but especially to my crew and friends for spending the night to make it happen.

Barrie Feature Starting Beside Doug DiDero

September 12th

Starting Inside Pole

More on who helped us. Dick Remus not only gave us the engine hoist, but he and his crew chief, Bubba, came to our home to help put the engine in the car. Dick was a mechanic and had some experience at putting pistons in the engine. He left our home,after Nonie made a great breakfast for us all. We started pole in the heat because Doug, our crew member drew #1 out of the hat……In the feature we started pole by virtue of the heat win. Doug DiDero started outside pole. (No one knew it at the time, but in a few years Doug would become a legend in Super Modified racing). Meanwhile we sure were happy just to make it to the track, so imagine how nuts we were after winning the heat and starting pole. See the next picture for the finale of the race.

Barrie Line Up

Feature Introduction

Ron Butts #88

Ron Butts drove #88 and he started 3rd in this race. You can see Ron Shaw’s car also. It was a good run for us as the race went non stop.

Battling Brian For 3rd At Barrie Speedway

Closing Laps In Feature

We Finish 3rd In Feature

What an incredible day this was for us. We won our heat and then held on to finish 3rd with both Brian Atkinson and Bob Kurtin all over me…trust me Bob is there. Dave McKee won this race starting at the back and passing me at the half way mark. He went on to win by a full straightaway. Ray Hughes finished 2nd. We celebrated as if we won and in a sense, given the year we had, this was as good as a win. We won $165 for finishing 3rd.

Jim English Won Fast Car Heat

Barrie Win For Jim

Jim English #55 Wins Barrie Heat Race

Ray Hughes Wins Championship

Hobby Talk

Race Report

This report by Ding DeLeeuw stated that Ray Hughes won the Championship. Check out the paragraph on the top right side of the article…..oh, never mind, just read it all….this is quite awesome for Ray to sit out two years and then return to win the points.

Surrounded By Brian and Bob

Hot Shoes #10 and #80

Battling With The Boys

Ron Butts #88…..Rich Farraway #53

Reflections

Lake Flamboro

John hardly ever called a race unless it was raining at 8:pm at night. Sometimes it rained hard all day and this huge pond appeared in turn three and four. They called it Lake Flamboro and the idea was to stay out of it.

Davey Jones #99

Dick Spins We get By

Staying Alive

One of the few coach runners, Davey Jones. He would come out with a beautiful paint job on this coach in 83′.

Lining Up For A Heat

Roger Perry #98

Relaxing Before The Heat Gets Going

Family Racing At Kart World

David Out Front

We Did As Much Together As Possible

Nonie, Shirley, David and I spent some time carting at Kart World. The kids weren’t big fans of carting unless mom and dad got involved for fun.

Front Chute War

Ron And Dave

Ron Shaw #81 and Dave Bentley #29

Points Standings

Ray Wins Championship

Ray Wins Bob Has Awesome Year

Most Popular Driver 1982

Stay On The Track

The Season Wasn’t All Bad

It’s hard to get excited about winning an award because someone else was disqualified. The only reason we won Most Popular Driver was because of Dave McKee’s d’q’. Dave won a few awards in 82 that were taken away and given to the next in line. It was a bitter sweet honor, but sort of made up for a tough season.

Two Of Our Crew Members Of 1982

Paul Cornwall…Steffon Zoskey

These Two Made It Fun

1982 was an up and down season for all of us. Steffon worked extremely hard every week and during the week just trying to get us to be competitive. He knew how much I loved to race and developed the same desire to never give up and no matter what, we got to get to the race. Steffon felt the pain of the bad nights we had as much as I did. It may have been better for Steffon if I had given up, that way he would get some rest. He always looked at me as if to say “well, what are we going to do”? He already knew the answer and that kept him busy for the entire summer because we would never quit and winning was the elusive goal that we strived for, but being comptitve was even more important, and for most of 82′ we did neither…but we never gave up. Paul was our mentor and kept us on our toes, more so in years to come, not so much in 82′. Paul was the cheerleader and never spoke a bad word about our competitors. He wanted us to win, but knew we were doing well with what we had. He always came up with ideas that were a few years ahead of us but still he stuck it out enjoying all that we had with the friendship and fun together after the races and during the week. Our fun usually ended when we got to the track…not really, but like any team that struggled, we only dreamed of how we could do and most nights it didn’t happen. In spite of that, these two, along with Richie, Bob and Doug kept me race ready week after week.

Mom Dad and Richie

Flamboro Pits

Mom & Dad Always There To Support

Dad was always wanting me to win, likewise of course for Mom and Richie. Perhaps Dad had more at stake because he welded the stuff I kept braking. We struggled in doing anything with our car that would make it competitive, it meant a total rebuild and it wasn’t in our budget. Mom knew we did the best with what we had, and Dad was just tired of seeing everyone else beat me. Seems like a normal circumstance with a Dad and Mother. Richie for sure wanted us to win but knew we raced against some very good race cars and accepted how we did knowing we gave it our best every night.

1982 Special Photo

Race Pro Photography

Delaware

This picture was taken by Race Pro Photography out of Mount Bridges. They took many Flamboro pictures as well as other tracks we raced…this looks like Delaware, we there twice in 82.

1983 CVM History

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Gary ElliottJuly 16, 2015

1983 Hobby Membership Card

OARC Membership

Harry Nicholson President….Ding DeLeeuw Secretary

This would be Harry’s last term as President of the Hobby club. He led the club through a fairly turmoil laden season. We would lose our major club sponor, Power Aid XPL Motor Oil for a promised $3,000 point fund. Late in the fall they closed their business taking away any hopes of a point pay out for the Hobby drivers. We received I.O.U’s at the banquet instead of cheques. The club struggled internally with rules and had many problems with on track episodes. 1983 was a pivotal year in many ways and could very well have been the last for the Hobby club. However most members stuck together to get through 83′ and when the dust settled on this season we were looking forward to the future.

1983 Run Down

Another Tough Season

Our 12th Season

What a season. The first 6 nights were plagued with rain and only one show was completed. We did get to run the features that were rained out, however, with all the rain we still ran 28 nights. 1983 was another tough season for us. We avoided wrecking alot although we were still blowing engines like they were tires. It wasn’t all bad, we won 7 races, our most in one season, however no feature wins, the drought continued into it`s 5th season absent of winning the main event. We had 9 top 5 feature finishes and 14 top 10, yet could not improve on our 4th place points finish of 1981. In fact we only cracked the top 5 in Gold Cup with a tie for 5th and a not so pleasing 7th overall finish in the Club point standings. It only proved how competitive the Hobby drivers were each night. We had fun in 83′ and became close friends with a number of racers. One driver made his debut with the Hobbys buying Doug DiDero’s coupe. He would soon be recognized for his amazing fabricating and paint skills. Joining the Hobby club as #75 was Jim Sweers. Bill Podd took many of the pictures in this history section. Bill brought out a white coupe that was driven by Bob Kurtin.

Official Pace Car

OARC

Corfe Pontiac Supplies Pace Car In 83′

Installing The Engine

Outdoor Workshop

Jim Granger and his friend help get engine in the car.

It was a fairly easy task for me to get the engine in and out of the Dodge coupe. We did it so many times we actually got good at it.

Shirley & David Help

Working In The Garage

Kids help work on the car.

Coupe Waiting To Go For Lettering

Shirley Gets In Photo

Ramp truck sits on the street

Heading To The Beauty Shop

Going To Be Lettered

Jim Granger Tows Coupe To Be Lettered

Stewart Pitchford #47 TQ Midget

Hamilton Car Show

Former Hobby Racer

Stewart shines his new ride after joining the TQ Midgets. This car show was in Hamilton in early 83.

Hamilton Car Show

Dougs Restoration

Our First Sponsor

Doug MacFarlane, started helping us in 82. In 83 he owned a body shop in Milton and wanted to sponsor us. He painted the car and even got it pin stripped, first and only time our car was ever pin stripped by a pro. The car looked awesome, but it only looked like this a short while. Once his business closed we had to quickly remove the name.

TQ Midget #47

Hamilton Car Show Display

Stewart Supports TQ Club

Ron Butt #88 In Car Show

Hamilton Car Show

Ron Supported The Hobbys Every Chance

Check out the rear bumper lettering…also, Ron put little rear wheel well flare over his rear tires. I did the same thing a few years later, 1987′, and was told to remove them. Ron may have had to remove his, we’ll see if another picture from this year reveals whether or not he could leave them on. They looked kind of cool, that’s why I did it in the future.

Judy Barrett Paints Mountain Lion On Hood

Hood

Nice Art Work Graphics

My cousin Judy said she could air brush a Mountain Lion on our hood and she did an awesome job. She did the hood while the car was being lettered.

Proposed Pay Out

Power Aid XPL Oil

Never Happened

We were supposed to get the payout on the left from our sponsor, at the banquet, but it never happened because the oil company, Power Aid XPL closed. We were given I.O.U.’s in an envelope to keep in case the money became available. Some members, Ray Hughes for sure, still have their pomisary notes. I had mine but can’t find it, but if I do I will post it. We did get the Flamboro pay off from the track.

Motion Car Show

March 83′

Mike DeLeeuw made this awesome eye catching sign for the Hobby club.

Big Foot

Motion

Big Foot set to crush some cars

Motion Car Show

36 Dodge Coupe

Nice shot poor quality

It’s too bad this picture wasn’t better. It was one of the few times the car door was opened on our car. If you look close you can see the drivers door is open. This was the final year of doors being allowed to open.

Pink Panther In The Show

#98 Roger Parry

Roger Parry #98 Suuports Club

Coming Off Two…Flamboro

Back Chute

Collison On The Inside

Rich Farraway #53 is sideways coming off two as he chases Jim Collison #12 and I down the back chute. I like to say that I was passing Jim on the outside, but I remember how fast the white Ford was and it never happened by me or anyone else. Jim and Rich both ran strong in 83. Don’t know the car behind Rich but the white coupe between turns one and two is Brian Pratt #3. Brian would become the President of the Hobby club in 86′. Brian ran only a short time and was lucky to survive a heart attack that ended his racing stint with the Hobby’s. Hopefully I have a better picture for later.

Ron Butt #88

Racing Into One

Racing Into One With #88 Ron Butt

Ron Butt was one of many racers who not only raced but helped the club wherever he could. He was a huge help with special events and kept the club in line with his understanding of how the OARC charter was established. Ron always ran hard and though he didn’t run at the top in 83′, he never gave up and always made his presence known. Ron quite often helped racers with setting up tires. He’d tell you something, and when you explained it back to him, and got it right, he had this great smile to give you encouragement.

Heat Win May 21st

Flamboro

First Win Of 83′

David and Shirley came out to get their picture taken after this heat win on May 21st. This was our second night racing because April 30th, May 7th, and May 14th all rained out. Our first race of 83′ was on May 15th a Sunday, and we did get the whole show in. John ran Sundays when Saturdays were cancelled from rain. Race #2 was this show on the 21st, and the feature rained out. It was a bad start for racing, yet we still ran 28 nights….David’s friend David Lewis is on the left and not sure who the youngster is on the right.

Pre Season Tech Sheet

OARC Tech

Brian Atkinson Checks Me Out

We used these sheets to pre tech cars for the season. We had two issues, #43 the engine was too low and #5 the rear brake lines were loose. We got them both fixed. We were never disqualified after a race for being too low, too light or anything like that. However in 1987 we get executed for a mistake. You’ll have to wait until 87 History comes up.

Points Standings After One Night

Bad Start…It’s Early

Rich Farraway Leads The Pack

Quaker State

Great Sponsor

This Was Our 10th Season With Quaker State

Varney Speedway May 22nd

Heat Race

Feature Rains Out….Roger Parry #98 Hounds Me

Incredibly we had yet another rain out. After 6 attempts we only got in one show. This particular show on Sunday May 22nd saw rain all day. We did get our heats in and we finised 5th but grabbed our 2nd win of 83′ with a win in the semi. We ran Consi’s when we had over 24 cars, under that we ran a Semi. Semi’s were run to fill in the show and fullfill our agreement that we would run 5 races including a feature. The feature on this night rained out. We agreed to run double features our next race at Varney.

Varney May 22nd

Heat Race Mishap

Roper Parry Comes To A Stop

“Whats wrong with that boy”…could have been the words uttered by the infield spectators. I don’t think they were staff.

Jim English #55 Wins At Varney

Varney Speedway

Jim English #55 Wins Heat Race

Varney Semi Win

May 22nd

May 22nd Semi Win Varney Speedway

We didn’t win alot, but when we did we were very excited. This was our 2nd win of 83. We always liked running the weird tracks because we felt we had an advantage over the faster cars. I’m guessing because with the short surface we felt equal to everyone because no one really had an advantge…except Ron Shaw who knew the track inside out and usually ran very well here.

Hilarious Grumpy Old Men

Muppets

Some Had Animals We Had Old Men Muppets

Someone bought these two toy figurines for me and I put them inside the car. I could picture them making fun of me, like they everyone who came in contact with them on TV, although they would have had a riot a few years earlier. These two dudes were named after big hotels in the U.S. I never can remember their names. When I do I’ll put them in. I use to know one of them but not right at this minute when I need it….okay, one was called Waldorf, that’s it for now.

The Crew Of 83

Flamboro Pits

Good Working Crew

From the left to right are Paul, Steffon, Scott, #36, Bob and Curley. That’s Bruce Manson #74 in the back ground.

Hobby Talk By Ding & Judy DeLeeuw

Hobby Stories

Ding & Judy Did Weekly Reports Helping Promote The Hobby Club

Flamboro Pits

Wating For The Heat

Lined Up With Mike DeLeeuw #17 In Front, Dave Bentley #29 Behind

Side By Side In One

Roger Parry #98

Hey Roger…Looks Like John Is Selling Sod

This was quite crazy as we raced with Flamboro doing some extensive changes to the track so he could host bike racing. There were some wild hills in the infield not far off the chutes that were dangerous to all classes.

Points After Two Nights

Ray On Top

Ray Didn’t Take Long Getting To The Front

Hobby’s Always Backed These Shows

Twin 75’s

I’m Guessing Junior Hanley Won

David Becomes Part Of Our Crew At Eleven

Legal Letter

David Allowed In Pits

In order to get David in the pits we had to supply Flamboro with an affidavit releasing the track of responsibility for him. I was thankful that John allowed to do this.

Jim Collison #12

Flamboro

Jim Leads Through Turn One

Racing At Flamboro

Tight Pack

Jim Collison #12 Leads Pack

Harry Nicholson #14 and Davey Jones #99 follow close behind. Even though Harry dominated Best Appearing Car, with the exact same paint scheme, his efforts inspired others to keep working on their cars. The club had many good looking cars in 83`.

Last Lap Mayhem In One

Flamboro

Boys Pile Up

Jeff Bedell #65 may be in the best shape of all. Ray Hughes #24 is getting out of his car, and Dave Bentley #29 is taking off his helmet. Dave’s left front suspension area looks bent from hitting Jim Sweers #75 who has fluid coming down under his engine by the left front wheel. The scoreboard shows lap 20, so maybe this race is over anyway and the guys are taking their time to inspect their cars. If the race is over, it looks like Jim Collison is leading or has won, and if he did, we finished 2nd with Dave Jones #99 third.

Running With Rick Kobel

Flamboro

Crusing At Flamboro

Flying On The Front Chute

Flamboro

We Are Way Ahead….Or Way Behind

Peter Ireland…26

Varney

Pete Ireland Wins June 26th Heat

Our first visit to Varney saw the feature rained out. It was a bad season for rain, especially early. We ran double features. Pete won his heat. We ended up 11th in the first feature, 5th in the heat and 12th in the second feature.

Tech Inspection

Passed Tech

Gold Cup Feature…2nd

On June 5th we ran the rained out feature from May 21st. We finsihed 2nd and got through Tech with no problems.

Not Good

Pile Up In One

Rookie Jim Sweers Into The Cement

Jim Sweers 75 is in the wall with Dave Bentley 29, parked in his rear bumper. Ray dosen`t seem to have hit hard although that would have changed in a second if Jeff Bedell 65, is moving very fast. The only one clear of the mishap is 55, Jim English.

And It Wasn’t The Inline….This Time

Flamboro Fetaure

Smoking In My Own Spin

Nice Looking Engine….Don’t Be Deceived

230 Chev

You Can Hear It Purr….Or Was That A Knock Noise

You have watched the Bugs Bunny, Road Runner Show and laughed at the misfortunes of the Coyote as he tried to catch the Road Runner. His problems were usually a sequence of terrible events. The machine would malfunction and crush him, seconds later he would fall 4000 feet as the rock he was on gave way, then once he hit the ground the rock landed on him. My inlines were very similar. Just when things were going not too bad and we thought we had the race in our grasp, something inside the engine would decide to exit through the block, taking with it many other expensive engine parts. This would take place (quite often) at close to 80 mile per hour. I winced with agony knowing we were into a thousand dollar repair, but not for long because my thoughts suddenly changed from the engine to something else. The engine worries at the time of detenation lasted about 3 millionths of a second because stage 2 was taking place. Stage two was the slide of death. There was no way to steer the car. The brakes wouldn’t work because the tires were covered in oil and water. Part three in this agonizing ritual was watching as the car, still at close to top speed, headed for an appointment with cement. By now there was no thoughts of how much the engine was going to cost. If I was lucky I could see the impact coming and either let my hands off the wheel or hold on with all my might. The impact was usually very effective on most of the suspension parts. Just as Coyote slammed the ground we slammed the wall. The dust was everywhere….but the carnage wasn’t over. Close behind, maybe less than a blink, were four or five of my buddies who did not blow up but were sliding peacefully in my spilled oil and with a date with cement. Feeling sorry for them wasn’t part of the process because they were headed for me and within milli seconds four or five cars slammed me the wall and each other as they angle parked side by side. Anyway, in this picture the engine looks nice. We had a breather coming from the oil pan to help relieve stress and pressure. The problem in 83 and for many years before and after was the fact there was no substitute for the six cylinder. Some guys were lucky. We were without a doubt, not one of them.

Varney Speedway June 26th

Chaos In Turn Three

Who Spun Peter?

We ran double features this night. It was the rain out from May 22nd. According to my notes this accident happened in the first feature when I hit Peter. Charlie Beck #79 goes high and Davey Jones #99 tries to find a way through. We shoved our axle back after this small tangle. We finished 11th in the feature, in the 2nd we took 12th.

Roger Parry & Gary Scott

Pink Panther

Roger The Card

Roger loved racing and loved having fun with fans and kids. Here he is either giving this fan a Pink Panther, or the fan wants him to have it. Since the announcer Gary Scott is involved, it would have been a moment of fame for the lady holding the Pink Panther….check out Rogers pink running shoes.

Quaker State 10th Year

Judy Barrett Art Work

“36 For Schurr”

This excellent murial was done by my cousin Judy Barrett. On the hood was our traditional salute to my hero Glen Schurr. On the side of the hood notes our 10th season with Quaker State. We went a little over board on chrome with the side bars and front and rear bumpers all done. The problem with chrome was when it was cracked or chipping. That happened when the bumper got bent. Anyone cleaning, polishing or waxing ( and we did lots of that) could have cut themselves on the pealing chrome. I guess it wasn’t a big concern because before the season ended we added chrome wheels instead of yellow and black.

Flamboro

Race Pro Photography

Race Pro Photo

Many photpgraphers did special affect pictures back in the 80’s. Not so much in the later years, in fact even now (2008) we rarely see these kind of pictures and yet the technology would be even easier today.

Ontario Place

48 Chev Ramp Truck

Photo Session

The next few photo’s were taken by Race Pro Photography at Ontario Place. Peter loved the Hobby’s and enjoyed taking unique pictures as long as the race team didn’t mind finding the right spot and being the photo model for the day.

1936 Dodge Coupe

Ontario Place

Race Pro Photography

Different Angle

Ontario Place

Picture By Race Pro Photography

CN Tower

Race Pro Photography

Autographed By Late Model Driver Robin McCall

Cayuga Pit Row

Cayuga Speedway

Robin McCall #11 Late Model

Close Quarters

Flamboro

Jim Collison #12…Me #36…We Were Close This Time

Ray And Rick

Flamboro

Ray Hughes #24 Battles Team Mate #42 Rick Koebel

Bill Spero #71

Flamboro Speedway

Bill Makes Lotsa Tire Smoke

Rick & Dave At Sauble July 1st

Sauble Speedway

Look Out Rick

Rick ran very well in 83, but like many of us who found #83 of Dave Carson on our bumper, we knew the hour glass was tipped and it was a matter of time before he got through or by. Sometimes Dave would give a little nudge to get by, other times maybe not so little. Most cars were fairly equal on the straights but very few, if any handled like Mr. Carsons Ford….PS..see the next picture for the results of this one.

Dave Carson #83 Wins July 1st Heat Race

Sauble Speedway

A Common Place For Dave Carson

One of the superior racers in 1983 Dave Carson, made his Ford work at every track. This race on July 1st was one of his many wins.

Sauble Semi Win…July 1st

Sauble Speedway

Any Win Was Good

The Hobby’s only made one trip to Sauble on July 1st, Canada Day. We finished 8th in the feature winning $80.

Sauble Win July 1st

Sauble

This Wasn’t Even The Feature

Paul Cornwall, Shirley, David and Curly come out to get in this shot after our semi win.

Jeff Bedell #65

Sauble

Battle In Sauble Feature

Jim Sweers #75

Sauble

Jim Sweers and I Battle In Feature

Rick Leads Ray Past Davey Jones

Varney Speedway

The Kitchener Twins

The tight surface of Varney made it hard to pass but once a hole opened up you were pretty well doomed. Davey Jones #99 gets hung outside as Ray goes under.

Murray Lockheart #72

Flamboro Speedway

Easy Going Murray Takes Heat Win At Flamboro

This car was driven by Danny Shirtliff, LeRoy Hillis and then Murray. The car was always well prepared.

Green…Green…Green

Flamboro Speedway

Jeff Bedell #65

Jeff appears to get the edge on the front chute as he leads this race. Rick Koebel is right behind me.

Front Chute Confab Coming

Flamboro Speedway

No Helemt, No Race…Interview Coming

Kids Wait With Dad

Flamboro Interview

David & Shirley Join Me At Center Ice

Crew Joins Us

Flamboro

Celebraton With Kids And Crew

Gary Scott Interview

Flamboro Front Chute

Special Occasion…Quaker State 10th Season

It was a big deal to have a sponsor for 10 years and so Gary interviewed me on the front chute during intermission. Good thing he’s not the Police, looks like I might blow over….just kidding.

Crew Celebrates

Flamboro Speedway

Decked In Our Crew Shirts

To my left is Paul, Currly, Steffon, Bob with David in the front. These guys helped me in many ways by working on the car and being there to support us for occasions like this.

Practice

Flamboro Speedway

Working On A Wheel

Murray Lockhart, Dick Remus, Ray Hughes and Dave Jones head out for practice while me and the crew fix the right front wheel….not many fans confirming this was practice. Tim Young is #11.

Checking Carb & Plugs

Flamboro Pits

Plug Check…Steffon Works On Carb

The hood on hinges made it easier for us to work on the engine, which was most of the time. Here we are trying to improve the performance with a carb adjustment and gapping the plugs. We were shown what to look for on plugs and learned a lot from veteran racers who helped us get better. David walks by the front, Tim Youngs car is next and Mike DeLeeuw’s #17 in the back ground.

After The Races

Flamboro Pits

Our Storage For Tools

We had very little in the way of spare parts or tools. Perhaps the reason why our cars were so beat up by the end of the season was because of the bent up parts being fixed over and over again. We didn’t care, the car was suppose to be on the track, it didn’t need new stuff to get their. Here the boys could be teasing about our surplus of tools. Steffon, always the life of our crew, hams it up with Bob, Curly, Steffon and Nonie sitting on the roof of the truck….the dude in the yellow shirt is George, a good friend and who would become our short order cook in our restaurant in 1984..”Country Roads Corral”…me own a restaurant…that’s a web site section on it’s own, but we’ll talk more about it in 84 history.

Crew At It

Flamboro Pits

Right Front Again

Curly, Bob and Steffon work on the car in the pits. These guys weer very dedicated to me and we would never had made so many seasons racing if it wasn’t for dedicated friends. They loved me…but so was the case with every other crew and their driver. If it wasn’t their crew, it was their family, I was blessed enough to have both.

Suicide Bomber

Driveway At Home

Preparing The Grenade

There was no more single cost in our racing than the engines. Putting them together ourselves was never done, we sent them out. It didn’t matter much. Here Mike Middlebrook is helping me. He was finding tools to get this thing assembled in hopes it would stay together so I could RACE!!! I was much like a suicide bomber preparing my bomb. The main difference between me and them was that I didn’t want it to go off. The other difference? We were never sure when it would detenate, but one thing was certain…it definitely was going to scatter somewhere and almost always without warning.

48 Chev 3 Ton Maple Leaf

Home

Loaded Up

Easy To Walk In These Pits

Flamboro Pits

Small Stones

This was nice in some ways for us. In years to come, Flamboro gets a deal from Jumbo Rock Quarry and fill the pits with baseball size stone. More on that later, meanwhile this was nice.

Ray Wins Varney…Big Crowd

Varney Speedway

1983 Hobby Champ Wins One Of Many At Varney

Cayuga Race…Motion 250

Cayuga

$8 Entry

This would have been one of the races sponsored by Motion Lincoln Mercury owned by Dave Mathers. Dave did a lot to help stock car racing in Ontario.

Rich Farraway Gets Tore Apart

Flamboro

Huges Wreck Takes Farraway, Collison & Sweers

This picture is one of a sequence of five that show the results of a terrible wreck on the back chute at Flamboro. You can see the #3 on a car on the right side, that looks like Wayne Martins designed, and he may have been involved also.

Roger Parry Inspects Crash

Flamboro

Roger May Have Been In This Wreck

Not certain, but Roger could have been in this mess. Its unlikely he came over from the pits and for sure he wouldn’t have vacated his car if he was still in the race.

Remodelling To Follow….This Charger Was Okay

Flamboro

Lots Of Work To Do

Rookie Jim Sweers Takes A Beating

Flamboro

Jim Sweers #75 Took A Huge Hit In This Wreck

Jim Collison #12

Flamboro

Jim Collison Waits For Tow Truck

Racing Into Three

Flamboro

Bill Spero and Brian Atkinson

Hang On Wayne

Flamboro

Wayne and Ray In Trouble

Wayne Martin #34 is doing his best to hold on to his Chev Coach as it gets loose in the turn. Ray is in the middle of this chaos and his front wheel are slightly turned to the right which means he has probably just hit Wayne or was hit and knocked into him. Either way, it’s not good for either of them, or the car going low, although he should get through if Wayne spin right around.

Picture With A Thousand Words

Flamboro

Mike DeLeeuw #17 Gets On His Roof…Dave Bentley #29 Gets By

This is an incredible picture taken by Bill Podd. Mike and Dave came together on the back chute sending the Dutchman for a wild ride. This would be the 3rd time that Mike landed on his roof in 1983. He was okay and that was the main thing….Check out the infield. We asked about the crazy infield conditions…we were told, don’t worry, just stay out of the infield…no kidding…sand doons, mud walls, and a boat post with tires on it, (I think that was for Lake Flamboro when it was high tide). In the Late Model class, Kenny Reimer went sliding through the center and hit one of sand hills and flipped over. He was okay but lost his glasses. We found them inside the door skin of his car.

First Time On Chrome Wheels In A Hobby Car

Flamboro Pits

Chrome Wheels For Racing

I always wanted to run chrome wheels on our street car. We use to buy chrome reverse wheels from Green & Ross. I used those wheels on our Mini Stock but once we started in the Hobby’s we could not run them for safety reasons, they weren’t strong enough. Ron Shaw tipped us of a place in Milton that sold wheels and we could get them quite cheap, not necessarily with the right offset, but I didn’t know much about offsets in 83′, we went more for looks. Anyway, 83 was our first year to run chrome wheels on a Hobby car, it started about half way through the season.

Pile Up In The Corner

Flamboro

Bentley Nails Bedell

Dave Bentley #29 gets into the drivers door of #65 Jeff Bedell. Rick Koebel #42 tries to go high but I got him covered.

Hobby Talk

Write Up For Hobby’s

Ding & Judi Help Promote The Hobbys

Smiling David

Flamboro Pits

David On The Team

David loved being around the car and helping where and when he could. Many tracks would not let him in the pits but with the proper papers signed we could get him in the pits at Flamboro.

Varney Win August 14th

Varney Speedway

David & Dad

This was our 3rd race at Varney Speedway. We struggled somewhat every time this year, but tonight we ran very well picking up our 4th heat win of 83. The night before at Flamboro we finished 2nd in the heat, 6th in the Trophy Dash and 4th in the feature. We would end up with one of our best week ends in a long time. See the next two photos.

Chaos At Varney

Varney Speedway

Heat Race Goes Wild

Although no one appears to have serious damage, if any, this wreck between one and two had cars dodging each other. Charlie Beck #79 and Jim Sweers #75 both get turned and Roger Parry #98 and Ron Butt #88 head for cover.

Lining Up For Feature

Varney Speedway

Gold Cup Race #9

We drew for position in the heat and pulled #1. By winning the heat we started pole in the feature. After our heat win we found a water leaking from a pin hole in the rad hose. Charlie Beck loaned us a rad hose for the feature.

Bad Bruce Manson #74 Takes The Lead

Varney Speedway

Bruce Wins August 14th Feature

One of the toughest runners ever in the Hobby’s was Bruce Manson #74. His stay wasn’t long, but he sure left his mark. He hung out with Ray Hughes, probably because Ray was the guy to beat most nights…..We started inside pole beside Bruce. We led for 5 laps and Bruce got under and pulled away. We did finish 2nd. The car was sparking in the feature but was affecting the car. When the race was over the car stalled when I tried leaving the track, and wouldn’t restart. We were pushed to our spot and found the starter and bell housing loose. We were lucky tonight to even finish. After the heat win we found a bad rad hose and then the starter in the feature. Some nights you got away with it.

Easy Now

Flamboro Speedway

Jim English #55

The toughest (most lovable) driver to race against, or try passing on the outside was Jim Englsih. He ran such a hard inside lane that the only way to pass was to hug him very close, or pinch him down. I usually gave Jim room because I learned that pinching him only led to a wreck. Wheels would touch and see ya. In this picture I am very close to pinching him, and that was the dilema, if I don’t I will be exhausted running on the outside for the entire feature. Jim has his tires where they should be. My goal is to get close enough to him so I can get a run off the corner and maybe get by. The intensity on both drivers is huge at this point, both of us look like we’re drivng go carts, leaning way to the left inside the car. I’m not sure how this race ended up, but one thing for sure, I was not going to pass Mr. English without the fight of my life, and if I wasn’t careful I could be headed for the cement because Jim never backed off, he knew what was his and had full intentions of keeping it. Hear he gives me lots of room, “but Jim, I need to get just a little closer”.

Ron Butt #88

Flamboro Speedway

Battling With Ron Butt

Ding Deleeuw Senior

Flamboro Speedway

Great Club Member

This fine gentleman, had all three of his sons race in the OARC. Mike, Harold and Ding Junior. He loved the Hobby club and supported it every way he could. He was assistant handicapper this season, maybe looking for me to get lined up.

Flamboro Promo

Flamboro

Inside Coke Bottle Cap

This promo was inside the cap of a bottle of Coke. I kept it in my scrap book, they were worth $1 each towards your track entrance. We paid $13 to get into the pits in 83. On August 20th I paid my way into the pits by handing in 13 of these….I wonder if I could use this one today, there was no time limit.

Gold Cup #8

Flamboro

August 6th & 7th Special

In the heat we didn’t qualify, but made it through the semi into the feature which was on the 7th. In the feature I tangled with #89 and went into the wall coming off turn 2….see next picture.

Pit Bound

Flamboro

Bad Day, But Not So Much

This picture shows the tow truck getting ready to take me to the pits. The pits were heavily conjested. I wanted desperately to get back out on the track. David and Curly thought we were done because all the bolts were broken on the leaf spring and the axle was bent. I got the welder over and we pulled the bent axle ahead and the welder looked at me and asked me what he should do. I said “weld the leaf spring to the axle so I can back out”. Reluctantly he did it. Then David said “they’re restarting the race”. I was disappointed but kept trying to get out. Who knows, maybe another caution. Well it wasn’t another caution, it may have been one of the most famous in Hobby history. Charlie Beck led the pack on the restart. Coming down the back straightaway his rad hose came off, or his engine blew. Twenty plus cars were all bumper to bumper and like a flock of birds flew right into the cement in turn 3. We first heard the screaming tires and I looked up to see Farraway go flying over top of cars slamming the car into the wall and still more cars piling in one after the other. Mike DeLeeuw rolled over bringing out the red flag. Roger Parry, Ron Butt and Rich all had very serious damage to their cars and the ambulance had to help Ron who had some cracked ribs. During the red we got our car ready and got back out. The yellow came out and as we went around the checker came out ending the race short. We were scored 12th because we came back out…maybe it was just as good that we didn’t get to race the car with the leaf spring welded….hey, do what ever it takes to get back in the race.

Bob Kurtin #45

Driving For Bill Podd

Bob Drives For Bill Podd

Even though Bill Podd was taking lots of Hobby pictures throughout 83′, he also owned his own car. It was powered by an AMC inline engine. Bill and Bob researched and got the car to work, though it wasn’t without trials and tribulations. They were brave enough to try something different.

Ron Shaw #81

Flamboro

He Was One Of The Top Dogs In 83

1983 was a great season for Ron Shaw in many ways. He was winning more races, got his twin brother Don in the Hobby club and ran very consistent all season, staying in the top 5 in points.

Flamboro Points Standings

Flamboro

Ray Hughes On Top

Ray Hughes was a Champion many times. 1983 was one of those years. His good buddy and most comptitive peer was Bruce Manson #84 who did almost anything to beat Ray. Jim English was consistent in 83 putting him in the top 3 and Ron Shaw was having his best season ever sitting 4th right behind Jim.

Roger Parry #98

Flamboro

Parry & Gary Collide

Roger Parry In His Pink Panther Fire Suit

OARC Baseball Game

Roger Always Had Fun

Bruce Manson #74

Flamboro

Bruce Manson The Warrior

Bruce was a very tough runner at all tracks and he knew how to get around the ends. His past experience driving a Modified helped him get the Hobby car to the front, not to mention he was a very good driver, and had the support of crew member Dwight Patterson.

Here’s Brucey!!

Flamboro

Inside Was Better Against Manson

We always tried to give racers a lane. In the case of Bruce Manson #74, it didn’t matter much, he was going around you one way or the other. We all had our place in terms of who you could or couldn’t beat if your car was good. Some nights we were strong in 83′, but not very many when it came to holding off Ray or Bruce. I hung on as long as I could, and you can be sure when the race was over, if the hot dogs didn’t get by it was maybe because the cars a little slower were taking up a little more track than what we should have. I guarantee if this is in the final 5 laps, we’re not giving an inch, maybe even taking some realestate that’s not ours.

Davey Jones #99

Flamboro

One Of The Best Looking Coaches Ever

Up until 1983 there had been a few nice looking Coaches, but the #99 of Dave Jones ranked up there with the best. Dave had a really good year in 83. He was fairly new to Hobby racing but ran hard picking up a few wins and getting himself in the top 10 in Flamboro points.

Shirley Holds The Flag

Flamboro

Trophy Dash Win…Kids Get In The Action

On August 27th we won the Trophy Dash, it was our sixth win of the year tying our most wins in one season. Now we were looking of number 7. David and Shirley came out to get their picture taken.

Flamboro Program Picture

Flamboro

Ray Wins Feature…We Get Trophy Dash

The Flamboro program put this picture in for the September 3rd and 4th double header. Ray was in the winners circle many times from the mid 70’s to 83′. This was another of those moments for the winningest warrior of his day, taking the feature win on August 27th. He would also go on to win the 83 point championship…I wonder if he knew our Trophy Dash win tied our most wins ever. We were excited no doubt.

Dare Devil Killed At Westgate Labour Day Week End

Westgate

Ken Carter Dies In Peterborough

Canada’s answer to Evil Knevil was Ken Carter. He did many stunts, this one took his life at Westgate Speedway. It was a shock for us. Over the years many types of stunt men, motorcycle racers and Hell Drivers entertained the fans and us during intermission. Ken Carter was very popular in the 80’s.

Dave Johnston #47

Flamboro

Dave Johnston Battles Jeff Bedell

Dave was in his first year with Hobby’s. It was hard to get to know him, however what I do remember, he was an easy going fun person to be around. He loved racing with the Hobbys. In this picture he is battling with Jeff Bedell #65.

Reflection Racing

Flamboro

Ron Butt #88 Holding On To First

There are many reflections in this shot. The skys reflect what kind of day it was. We had lots of rain in 83. The infield reflect how much water fell from the sky, but also gives a reflection of both cars racing side by side. The score board reflects lap 8 or 9, and shows Ron in first and us in second. I’m guessing Ron won this one, but it must have been a dandy finish.

Harry Nicholson #14

Flamboro

Racing Against Beauty

Harry Nicholson, President of the Hobby Club in 83, always had one of the best looking race cars on any track in Ontario. He won an incredible 111 consecutive Best Appearing Car Awards including 1983. It would be his final win in that category because 83 was his last season with the Hobbies. Harry ran hard but always ran clean and he was the bench mark of preparation and workmanship.

Bentley & Parry Slam Wall Saturday September 3rd

Flamboro

Bad Boy Dave Bentley In Hot Water

This terrible crash at Flamboro on September 3rd was the final warning for Dave Bentley for rough driving. Dave was very good but very agressive in his early years with the Hobby’s. He paid the price for accumulating a number of protests and complaints. His fate was sealed when he was involved in an altercation during qualifying in the heat race on Sunday September 4th. On the first lap of the heat he ran into both me and Harry Nocholson. (perhaps why I wrote so much about it). I confronted Dave after the race but two hot heads won’t solve anything, but then Harry took matters further by calling a committee meeting after all qualifying was done. We paid a friend to film the race that day, not many people were into race videos in the early 80’s. The committee wanted to see the video and though I was upset with Dave I was reluctant to get involved even though there had been too many complaints from various drivers. Anyway after the meeting they had made up their minds that he was to be suspended for the remainder of the season. Dave had qualified but the club went back to the consi and took the 7th place car which was Bill Spero, 6 qualified out of each heat and six out of the consi, I finsihed 2nd in the consi, Bill was 7th but the club took me out of the consi moving me to sixth in my heat race where I finsihed 7th…on Monday, not to be out done by the OARC, Dave showed up at the track, even though he was called the night before and told he was out for the season. He tried to catch the committee off guard by stating that he sold the car to his wife Helen, and she was going to drive it. The committee said he couldn’t do that and was not able to race. Helen did bring the car out for a few races at the end of the season.

Brain Pratt #3

Flamboro

Brian Pratt Chased By Some Vets

Brian Atkinson #10 and Rick Koebel #42 run side by side as they follow #3 Brian Pratt. Brian was friends with the Hillis family and most of the racers from Guelph, and bought the Shutterbug from Ken Hillis Jr. He made his debut in the Hobby club in 83 and ran a few weeks until a mild heart attack sidelined him from racing. He sold the car to Don Shaw, Ron’s twin brother. Brian loved racing and wanted to be involved with the Hobby’s. In 1984 he joined the committee and was a tremendous worker for the Hobby club until the early 90’s. Brian was fun to be with and had smooth moves to get what he wanted, and it always benefited the Hobby’s.

Bruce Manson #74

Flamboro

Manson Wins Only Ever 100 Lap Race

On September 4th we qualified and on the 5th we ran a 100 lap feature split in two segmants. It was controversial in many ways. It was originally billed as a 100 lap race. Then it became a Twin 50 which we somewhat agreed on. Then it was changed to a 100 lapper made up of Twin 50’s, but after the first 50 you restarted where you were running after the first, no reverse finish. Qualifying the day before had 6 out of each heat and six out of the consi. The top 18 went to the start finish line prior to the feature and there were 18 XPL Oil bottles with numbers 1 to 18. The three winners picked first, then the seconds, thrirds and last was the sixth place finishers. I finished 6th in the 3rd heat so I didn’t pick, I had the bottle that was left when everyone else was had picked…and incredibly it was #1. The rules were foggy clear, sketchy. After the first 50 you were allowed to add fluids and play with tires, but you couldn’t fix anything or you went to the back. The 2nd 50 was a carry on of the first race, a continuation, but it had it’s own points. The race was considered a 100 lapper, but was scored like two 50 lap races. The pay out was on the overall finish of both, so it really wasn’t two 50’s. Our car was good after the first, we added gas and rested. The money was paid out based on the finishes of both races, an overall pay out, it was also full points in both races. In the first 50, or the 100 lappper, which ever it was, Dave Jones took the lead from the pole and I followed him. On lap 20 Bruce got by us both. Sixteen laps later both Ray Hughes and Jim Collison got by and I was able to get by Dave. Bruce would finish first in both, Ray finished 2nd in both, no big deal for them two. The controversy started when Harry Nicholson, who was down a lap after the first race ended up 4th in the 2nd, and counted it as a 4th. However most racers felt he never unlapped himself and should have been scored last in both or last running car in both. He explained that the 2nd race was heads up, a new start, just like what Twin 50’s would be, not a 100 lap race…but we thought it was a 100 lapper. It was confusing, we ended up 4th and 7th and tied with Jim Engish for 4th overall winning $260.

Ron Butt #88

Varney Sppedway

Heat Win For Ron

Charlie Beck #79

Flamboro

Charlie Wins, One Of Many

After running a few years in the Compact division at Cayuga, Charlie bought Bob Fileds coupe making his debut with the Hobbies. Charlie was sponsored by Serv A Station. Charlies wife Georgia was at all of his races and both eventually became excellent hard working members of the Hobby committee…the boy could drive too.

Dick Remus #44

Flamboro

We Enjoyed Seeing Him Win

We all know there are racers that people don’t want to see win, NASCAR, even in the Hobby’s. But in the case of Dick Remus, we got excited when he won. Maybe it was because he fought so hard to win, or maybe because he had so much bad luck, or maybe just because he was a nice guy.

Smiling Ding DeLeeuw Sr.

Flamboro Pits

Dingman DeLeeuw, Just As Lovable As His Smile

Barrie Speedway September 12th

Barrie Speedway

Heat Race Qualifying

Dave Jones #99 leads the first heat down the front chute. Dick Remus #44 is outside, Rick Koebel #42 and Jim English #55 are right behind, then its Charlie Beck #19 with #19 Larry Westwood beside him and Bruce Manson at the back and maybe Don Shaw beside him. Dave won this heat and started pole in the feature. Bruce Manson finished 2nd. We ran heads up, the winners started up front then the 2nds etc. Bruce would start the feature right behind Jones in 3rd.

2nd Heat Qualifying September 12th

Barrie Speedway

Ray Wins 2nd Heat

This was the battle for 2nd place. Ray was gone and Jeff and I battled for runner up. The notes show that Jeff pulled off when a plug wire came loose. We ended up 2nd putting us 4th in the feature behind Ray and beside Bruce. Ray got the lead from Dave Jones and Bruce dumped Dave early in the feature. Bruce went to the back with Dave. That put us 2nd, but our car was out to lunch from incredibly bad handling. Jim English eventually got by to take 2nd from us, but we held on and ended up 3rd, we were very lucky to steal third.

Jeff Bedell #65 Takes Consi September 12th

Barrie Speedway

Plug Wire Fixed

Jeff got his car fixed for the Consi and went on to pick up the checker.

Jim Collison #12

Famboro

Jim Collison Wins At Flamboro

The excellent looking car was just as fast as it was nice looking. Jim was always a threat and by now in his career he had mastered running hard and staying out of trouble. That made him consistently one of the cars to beat.

Jolly Roger

Flamboro

Roger Having More Fun

Roger always had fun racing with the Hobby’s but sometimes he got serious and won a race, even then it was fun, like with most guys, it had to be fun.

Rich Farraway #53

Flamboro

Rich Wins

This was a taste of what Rich could do, but he makes much bigger strides and accomplishments in 84.

David Practising

Inside Coupe

One Day He’ll Drive For Real

Ray Playing It Safe

Flamboro Practice

One Against The Wall…One On The Apron

When we first started racing together we were somewhat close. But in 83, just like this picture Ray and I were not close at all. He was much more dominant, perhaps why he won another points title….if this picture is at full speed, going into three should be fun.

Dust Rolls As Rich Slams The Wall

Flamboro

Farraway Flys At Flamboro

Rich isn’t doing well here. His left rear tire is flat, maybe that’s why he spun and it looks like he’s slammed the wall as dust is evdient in the back ground. Don’t worry Rich, 1984 gets much better for you.

The Farraways

Flamboro

Future Racers

Leonard (left) and Jay enjoy the excitement. One day they’ll create their own excitement driving this car.

Brian Atkinson #10 Leads With One To Go

Flamboro

Bill Podd Picture

Bill had a knack of getting lots in a picture. Here he gets Brian and I running tight and catches the scoreboard that shows lap 9 with #10 leading. It is possible, yes possible, that I was leading and Brian got by me, but!!..guessing Brian wouldn’t remember for certain, we’ll go with this version “we’re all over Brian, trying everything we can to pass. Look how much he’s concentrating to hold on”?….yes.

DeLeeuw In A Cloud Of Smoke

Flamboro

Mike’s Frontenac Loops As Mark Kowalchuk’s Ford Goes By

Mike DeLeeuw had tons of trouble in 83. He rolled at least twice, and I’m certain he rolled three times in total. Here Mike gets out of the way, or maybe was helped, as he spins tires bringing clouds of smoke to entertain the fans. Mark Kowalchuk #89, driving the Bob Kurtin Coupe, he may have owned it then, only ran briefly with the Hobby club. Regardless, these two cars were nice additions to the OARC, and were good examples of the pride of the Hobbys, boasting beautiful cars every year.

Mark & Murray

Flamboro

Mark Kowalchuk #89 and Murray Lockheart #72 Battle At Flamboro

Heat Seeking Misile #74

Flamboro

Dave Jones #99 & Wayne Martin #34

Dave and Wayne battle in this heat. They don’t want to make one little mistake because Bruce Manson #74 is zeroing in and will pounce on any hole he can get his front bumper in. The boys know that and run their race anyway…if you look close, Wayne looks like he’s turning to the right, in fact his body is twisted some what to the right. His car was probably loose and he needed to do what he could to keep up. That’s one thing many Hobby drivers could do. They would get a little loose but hardly lose any ground. They got good at it.

Brian Atkinson #10

Flamboro

In Familiar Territory

Wayne Martin #34

Flamboro

Wayne Takes Coupe To The Winners Circle

Canada Steam Heat

Flamboro

Primary Sponsor Canada Steam Heat….Quaker State 10th Year

Lined up in the pits with Wayne Martin right behind. We were very fortunate to have so many excellent sponsors over the years. Canada Steam Heat was one. Their business was cleaning restaurant vents. They would go into a restaurant after it closed and clean the film of oil and grease built up in the vents.

Can’t Park Here

Flamboro

Mike DeLeeuw #17 and Dan Castonguay #54 Meet In Turn One

Mikes car is a little different in this picture. Probably with so many roll overs in 83′, Mike decided to change the paint scheme on his Frontenac. Dan ran the #54, Fred Poets number. Dan was a very likeable youngster, always smiling and no doubt always wanted to have fun racing….not so much here, but most times he did.

Jim’s Battle At Flamboro

Flamboro

Jim English #55 Ran Excellent In 83

Both of these men were very good runners in their day. Jim English #55 was having a great season and finsihed in the top 5 in club points. Jim Collison #12 ran very strong always but missed a few nights putting him out of points contention but never out of the hunt to win a race. Jim Collison would shine huge in 86′, meanwhile Jim English shines bright in 83′.

Charlie Beck #79 Wins Feature

Flamboro

Laid Back Charlie Scoops Feature Win

Charlie was laid back out of the race car, but just the opposite in the car. He was very agressive, but smooth, never running into anyone habitually and rarely involved in wrecks where he was the instigator. Here he shares victory lane with sponsors. Charlie was a very likeable racer and always helped anyone when he could.

Dicing With Rick Koebel #42

Flamboro

Former Street Stock Champion

Rick had little trouble adapting to the Hobbies after winning the Street Stock championship. His good friend Ray Hughes was certainly a big help.

It Wasn’t Me

Flamboro

Carson Hits The Dirt

Dave Carson was agressive, but rarely did he get spun out. I’m sure whomever hit him was accidental because we would have been bunched up in traffic, but regardless they would have been scared to death. If we had radio’s the conversation would go like this: Crew Chief:..”Hey did you hit Carson”?…..Driver :..”It was an accident, I couldn’t stop, he won’t be mad will he”?…..Crew Chief..”Mad!!!? What are ya nuts!!!?….Driver:…”what should I do”?…..Crew Chief..”I have no idea, but me and the rest of the crew will see you at home, bye for now”…..it may not have been that bad, but unlike most of us who didn’t retaliate, Dave Carson would soon let you know how he felt if you messed him up. Most drvers got over getting spun out and rarely got even, maybe because we didn’t know how, we didn’t want to, or we accepted it as part of racing, plus retaliating could back fire…but Dave not only did get even, but he knew how to get even. He was very intense and came to the races for one reason…WIN!!..and he did that alot. If you ran against him hard he loved a good race, but best not (for any reason) knock him off the track. Now you may think that was intimidating…you are absolutely correct. He was a lot of fun prior to the races in the parking lot while we were lined up to come into the pits. Once the car was unloaded?…let the games begin…He was also a great TQ racer.

Harry Nicholson & Bruce Manson

Flamboro

It’s Lap Two

The scoreboard shows Harry leading and Bruce second as they enter turn one on lap two. However, if we look a little closer at this shot, it looks like Bruce is setting up to go for the low side, and maybe Harry has given the speedy Manson too much of an opening on the bottom. Harry had tons of power, but Bruce lacked nothing. I wouldn’t be surprised if it went either way…one things certain, Harry is leading in this freeze frame moment in history.

David Lewis and Shirley

Hostess Mascotts

Hostess Mascotts Were Always Fun For The Kids

Shirley appears to be taller than David, but that changes in a few years. David is part of David Elliott’s 2008 Late Model pit crew.

36 For Schurr

Hood

Judy Barrett Masterpiece

Judy painted this excellent murial on the hood of our car. We always put 36 For Schurr because on Glen Schurr my childhood race hero. Just noticed one thing that may be taken the wrong way. Some might be wondering why didn’t use hood pins…well, we did on the front, this hood opened up and was on hinges.

Ray & I Racing In The Snow

Flamboro

Don’t Let Him Inside

Ray Hughes #24 was the man to beat every week. There were cars that were very tough in 83′, Dave Carson, Jim Collison, Bruce Manson, Jim English, Harry Nicholson and of course Ron Shaw to name a few. Ray was consistent through the 80’s and took on all comers as he raced to be the Champion. In 83 he was the Champ again and it would take our team a few more years to beat him for the club title.

Record Setter

Flamboro

7th Win Sets Personal Record

Some drivers didn’t care too much about heat wins, but we were definitely not one of them. In our first 12 years with the Hobby’s we only won 3 features, the last being Augsut of 1978, so waiting to win a feature to get excitement wasn’t the plan. We got excited over every win. If and when we did win a feature, like the one in 78′, we were almost delerious with excitement, so maybe we had the make up to fuel off a feature win for a little while, but a few years? Our droubt without a feature win was building after 83 and we were reaching 5 years and over 150 nights raced without winning the big win. Meanwhile in this picture, the glow of happiness is evident with this heat win, maybe helps people understand if I was this excited over a heat race win, no wonder me and my crew went nuts after winning a feature. This was our 7th race win of 83, a bench mark to beat in the future.

Hobby Banquet

OARC Awards

Sponsor Comes To Banquet

Larry Sabourin, owner of Canada Steam Heat, and his son (sorry that I do not have his name), came to the 83″ banquet. We won a few trophies that year. The Gold Cup trophies were for races finished in the top 5. The Hobby’s always gave away a ton of trophies.

1984 CVM History

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Gary ElliottJuly 16, 2015

1984 Hobby Membership

OARC

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

1984

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

11th Season

Eleventh Season With Quaker State

Stripped It To The Bone

84 Frame

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

Ready To Reassemble

We start to put on all the parts that are everywhere.

Nonie and I Daytona Bound

Tennessee Border

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

Bill Elliott

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

#22

Bobby Allison had lots of fans cheering for him.

Benny Parsons

#55

Another very popular runner Benny Parsons.

Phil Parsons

#28

Phil Parsons raced against his dad. The Parsons were one of many racing families in NASCAR.

Goody 300

Tickets

We made it for this race as well as the 500.

Brian Pratt Take Us On The Town

Night Out

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

Coming Out Of Four

Sometime in the race.

Elliott Leads…Cars Wrecking Behind

Caution

500 action.

The Only In Line In The Race

Smoke Show

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

Nonie Wins..Helen 2nd

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

Roster

The boys of 84′.

George Sheppard

Jim Hallahan

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

Hobby’s IN Show

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

Country Roads Corral

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

Promotion

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

Country Roads Corral

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

Showing Our Cars

Ken Jorgenson and Ron Goodison

John Thompson Moving & Storage Rig

Hobby Sponsor Picture

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

April 22nd

Everyone was getting ready to head home and we took this shot. David would be one of the racers in 88′.

NASCAR Paint Scheme

#36

Looks good so far.

48 Chev Ramp Truck

Milton

We took the car to Milton to get some shots in this beautiful area called Rattle Snake Peak.

Doug MacFarlane

Crew

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

Photo Shoot

Paul Cornwall who was one of longest committed crew members is beside Doug in this picture.

More Crew Shots

Pre Season Seassion

David joins in this picture with Paul and Doug as well as Terry Ferrier on the far right.

Bruce and Dwight

2nd Season for Bruce

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

Flamboro

Dave Bentley #29 leads Ken Jorgenson and me down the back chute at Flamboro.

Stewart Pichford #47

Stewart and Crew

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

Hobby’s Support Kids

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

Flamboro Speedway

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

Flamboro

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

Flamboro

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

Heat Race Flamboro #29 Wins

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

Flamboro

#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

Flamboro Pits

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

Flamboro..

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

Flamboro Speedway

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

Flamboro Speedway

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

Flamboro Speedway

Don Shaw #84, in his 2nd season with the Hobby’s, races hard off turn four.

Tim Young #11

Flamboro Speedway

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

Thougth I Shoud Write A Book

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

Jim Sweers 75

Phil Shaw In 15 years He’ll Be Huggin’ The Wheel

Flamboro Grand Stands

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

Nonie and Sharon with Ray

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

Flamboro

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

1st Gold Cup Race of 84′

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

Flamboro

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

Flamboro Pits

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

Flamboro

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

Flamboro

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

Shaw Boys

Ron was in his 4th season and Don in his 2nd year with the Hobby club.

Wheel To Wheel With Charlie Beck

Turn One and Two

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

Flamboro Pits

Hard charger Dave Bentley #29. Ran about as hard as anyone ever did anytime.

Bruce Manson

Driver of the Week

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

Ladies Demo Derby

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”

Ladies Wreck Em’ Race

One for one…perfect…and she was…oh, and still is.

Wayne Varley #7

Flamboro

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

The Martin Boys

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

Happy Bunch

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

Crash At Flamboro

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

July 21st

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

Flamboro Fans With Randy

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

Ist Win

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

Hobby Points

#42 Rick Koebel Leads The Points

Jim Collison Hobby Rep

Easter Seal Child

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

July 18th

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

Twin 25’s Flamboro

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

July 28th

Here’s the drivers who sold the most laps for the 10th Anniversary Twin 25’s.

List Of Lap Sponsors

Twin 25’s

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

Twin 25 Program

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

Twin 25’s

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

Twin 25’s

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

Twin 25 Heat Winner

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

Wrangler Paint Scheme

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

Bowes Sponsored Ford

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

Hobby’s To Super Stocks

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

Flamboro

Shirley gets in this photo, just to the right of the Hostess Mascot.

Charlie Beck and Larry Westwood

Flamboro

Charlie Beck #79 battles with Larry Westwood #19 on the first lap of this Hobby heat.

Feature Line Up Saturday August 4th

Flamboro

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

Twin 25’s

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

Coors

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

Wheelspin News

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

Two Maritimers

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

They Came In 4 Colors

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!!!!

Maine

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

Aroostook County Main

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

A.C.I.S

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

Pits

“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

Pits

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

Tuesday August 7th

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

Bruce and Carmen

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

Consi Win

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

A Young Kenny Aspin

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

Pits

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

Starters Stand

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

Heat Win

Ken came to race and had a good series picking up a heat win in the first show.

Hobby Drivers Give Kids Rides

Before Feature

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

Happy To Be Involved

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

Start Of Feature

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

Feature Winner

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

Bruce Manson

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

Aroostook Ad

The track made this ad to mention we were coming.

Debbie Hallahan Killed

Daughter Of Jim Hallahan

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

Border Crossing

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

New Paint Job For The Tour

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

Moncton

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

Moncton Air Port

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 !!!!!!

Nice

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

Moncton

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

#96 Ken Jorgenson

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

Steffon Gets In The Shot

A Cessna and a 1948 Maple Leaf

Nova Scotia Border

Ray Leaves New Brunswick

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

Bruce Manson At the Border

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

Small House..Big Hearts

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

Temporary Pits

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

Packed Grounds

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

Home Made Breakfast

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

Bob Evans??

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

Bill Elliott Gives A Hand

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

Bruce Manson

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

Mint Ford Truck

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

Dad’s In Heaven

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????

32 GMC

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

School In Background

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

Hobby’s Support Show

It was a beautiful day and lots turned out for this parade.

Advertisment From Riverside Speedway

Antigonish Nova Scotia

Track schedule.

Riverside Warm Ups

Cloudy But No Rain

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

Manson Fast & Furious

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

Martins Changing Gears

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

Heat Win For Charlie

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

Semi Win

Hard charging Dave Bentley won the Semi.

Murray Lockhart #72

Murray Wins Consi

Good win for #72 Murray Lockhart taking the Consi.

Ray Cleans Up

Heat and Feature Wins

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

#12 Jim Collison

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

3rd At Riverside

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

Nice Touch

The management at Riverside treated us awesome and every racer got one of these appreciation awards.

Riverside Press Newspaper Write Up

Ray Gets Headlines

Ray was headlined afer his exciting win at Riverside Speedway.

River Glade Speedway

Track Crest

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

River Glade Speedway

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

RiverGlade

Our Hotel Invoice

Heat Win For #29

River Glade Speedway

Dave Bentley Won The First Heat

Heat Win Larry Westwood

River Glade

Larry Westwood #19 Picked Up The 2nd Heat Win

Bruce Manson Wins Heat

River Glade

Bruce Manson #74

Bruce doinated most nights. Here he wins the 3rd heat.

Bruce Manson Wins Heat

River Glade

Bruce Manson #74

Bruce doinated most nights. Here he wins the 3rd heat.

River Glade Fans View

Heat Win #74

Bruce Was A Fan Favourite

First Hobby Win Out Of Ontario

River Glade

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

River Glade

Heat Win Stickers

Track Schedule

River Glade

Track Includes Us In Program Schedule

Feature Winner…Ken Jorgenson #96

River Glade

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

Final Race

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

Fixing 36

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

A Few Stayed Here

Ray talks to someone while Doug plays. We were tired but glad our cars got fixed.

Gathering Before The Race

Hammond River

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

Hammond River

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

Hammond River

We had something to eat, and relaxed knowing we were ready to race.

Pre Race Preparations

Hamond River

Steffon and Doug go over our car before hot laps.

Larry Westwood Wins Heat

Hammond River

Larry had some good fortune on this tour picking up another heat win.

Ray Hughes Wins

Hammond River

Ray’s Maritime bad luck was washed away with a heat win.

We Win Consi

Hammond River

Shirley holds the checker flag after our much appreciated consi win.

Pre Feature Line Up

Hammond River

Out of car introduction.

All Teams Made It

Hammond River

The final show

Manson and Bentley Pole

Hammond River

You would think with these two, it would be a walk for first and second…not so.

Wayne Martin Wins Final Feature

Hammond River Winner

Lot’s of bad luck, but always in there, Wayne pulled off the win for the final race event.

Welcome Home Ad

Dave Franks

Dave and Judy were a big help in promoting us.

East Coast Tour Champion

Ron Shaw #81

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

August 25th Flamboro

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

Annie Saucier

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

Kids Get Picture Taken

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

Flamboro Speedway

Hard Chargin’ Jim English Wins At Flamboro

Barrie Heat Win

September 9th

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

September 9th Barrie

Dave Franks Picture…Start Of The Feature

Cloudy Day To Start Feature

Single File

Driver Introduction & Soon Ready To Go For Spetmeber 9th Feature

Barrie Feature Under Way

September 9th

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

September 9th

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

September 9th

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

Barrie Win

7th Win Of 1984

Newspaper Write Up

September 9th

Kids Get In Picture For Feature Win

Russ Commons Photo Work

Before and After

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

Feature Win

Cartoon Supporting Molson 300 At Cayuga..We Get More Press

Rich Farraway #53

Flamboro Speedway

Keith Barton Presents Rich Farraway With Heat Win Award

Gold Cup & Flamboro Points Standings

Farraway Cleans Up

1984 Points Chases Final

1984 Champion….#53 Rich Farraway

Double Winner

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

M. C.

First Year As President…And Banquet M.C.

Demolition Girls

Hobby Girls

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

Mr. & Mrs. Casale

Sol and John Casale Win Hobby Award

Best Engineered Car

Banquet

Bruce Manson Presents Ray Hughes With Best Engineered Car Award

Top 15 Flamboro Points

Hobby Banquet

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

Hobby Banquet

First Championship Title For Rich

Bob Clint Sportsman Award

Banquet

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

Flamboro Speedway

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

John Thompson Gold Cup Sponsor

News

Cayuga Gets Tore Up By Trucks…John Thompson Moving & Storage Gold Cup Sponsor

1985 CVM History

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Gary ElliottJuly 16, 2015

1985 Membership Card

Hobby Membership

2nd Year As Hobby Club President

This was my 14th season with the Hobby club and my 2nd as club President. 1984 was a good year for the Hobby’s, turning things around by staying close together, and bringing more awareness to our club. We started the Hobby Hall Of Fame in 1984 and would continue it again in 85 with Don Cockburn and Al Bowman the inductees. Off season events were busy with Larry Westwood and I going to the Canadian Promoters Work Shop where three institutions received achievement awards. The Hobby Club, OARC were one of the recipients getting recognition for promoting our sport. This was another historic season, as was 84 with our first ever East Coast Tour. The Maritime tracks wanted us back in 85’ but most members didn’t want to go east again. The first trip was quite hectic, and though I wanted to go, I knew it was a stretch to get the members to say yes, then consider booking holidays, making sure vehicles were fit and all that goes with a two thousand mile two week tour . So, looking for a getaway, I was able to negotiate races in Michigan, Kalamazoo Speedway and Mount Clemens. We also made our first visit the MIS NASCAR race as guests for the pre race parade. The Michigan International Speedway deal was good as teams with blown engines were able to go on the track towing their cars on their trailers. The club grew in 1985, becoming stronger and closer. Our committee worked hard together. The schedule also include first time shows at Perry New York and Check Flag Speedway. Our club sponsors were Dave Franks, B&B Decals, Westward Tools and Quaker State. We presented money to the Easter Seal club, a $2000 cheque, monies we collected from going through the stands at Flamboro. 1985 was a great year for the Hobby club, not so much for our team. My devotion was 100% on being President and a lot less on my race program. My crew and I spent just enough time making sure our car was ready for opening day and every night after. Steffon, John, Paul, Doug and David worked hard, but found it frustrating with me not focused on our race team. We blew a few engines in 85, had some bad crashes. Financially it was a tough season. Nonie and I closed our restaurant, the government chased me again, trying to make sure we didn’t park our car in the garage. It had been almost 7 years since the last episode with the township. The by law enforcement police were relentless so I worked on my car outside on our restaurant property, it was zoned commercial, so we were okay, and survived that hassle. As tough as it was for my family and I personally, the Hobby Club did very well, showing us their appreciation and giving me a sense of accomplishment. Once the dust settled I was able to take a deep sigh and consider 1985 a decent year….We want to extend a special thanks to our own sponsors, Quaker State, 12th year, Reclaim Enterprises (John Saucier), Canadian Collision Supply, Rent A Wreck and M&T Truck Center, Lil’ Al’s Custom and Coors (yes Coors sent me hats and a sports bag)….we hope you enjoy the pictures and stories from 1985.

1985 Stats

Hobby Season #14

Raced 24 Nights..Had 5 Rain Outs

This was a crazy season with 5 rain outs. Two of those came at U.S. tracks on different week ends. Perry Speedway on May 26th, Mount Clemens August 10th during our Michigan Tour in August. There were three lost race nights at Flamboro Speedway due to weather. We never did return to Perry or Mount Clemens. Perry cancelled our 2nd show because the track was covered with clay, they became a dirt track, and Mount Clemens closed the doors the following season. We did get to play at both tracks. Ray Hughes took my car out once the rain stopped at Perry and the engine blew. At Mount Clemens, with the race cancelled and the sun out, we ran mock races at low speed. It was depressingly fun. We also lost the Barrie Speedway feature on September 8th, got the heats in but the feature rained out. That night was crazy. Prior to the race the Hobby members were waiting until I got some money that was owed us from 1984. I had faith we’d get the money, but the members wanted the cash before we raced. We got it and were good to go. I would crash hard in that race, removing the right front wheel after slamming the turn one wall. The club agreed to take tow money instead of waiting to see if the weather cleared up. We got $1100 and headed home. We had good car on most nights as the club was growing. Our team struggled with only one win, a consi. We had 13 top 10 feature finishes, but 9 DNF’s, including three engines. Overall, 1985 was a tremendous success for the Hobby club, and another challenge for our team.text]

1985 Hobby Line Up

Roster

Hobby Roster

I got myself concerned when I first looked at the line up. I didn’t understand why there was nothing under #36. Did I forget to buy my membership? No, but I did forget that I changed my number for the first time in 16 years from #36 to #9. The story behind the change, the reason and the headache it created for me and a few others will be explained later, at the car show pictures.

1985 Schedule

Schedule

We Booked 30 Shows

What’s missing here is the Kalamazoo race Friday August 9th. That gave us potentially 30 race nights. We lost 5 to rain and had the 2nd Perry Speedway race cancelled because they changed their track to dirt. We were invited to run if we wanted to race on the dirt but the membership declined….me to on that one.

Club President 1985

Souivenir Program

Welcome Letter

We put together our first souvenir program to celebrate 20 years as an organized club. Many members helped make this happen. It was a great effort by all and helped promote our club throughout 1985.

Quaker State Agreement

Quaker State

12th Year With Quaker State

This year we put the name on the side of the car and on the roof above the windshield to give maximum exposure.

Reclaim Enterprises

Sponsor

John Saucier…Great Race Fan…Great Sponsor

Rent A Wreck

Sponsor

Associate Sponsor

Canadian Collision Supply

Sponsor

Dan & Cyril Sponsor

I had a clean up shop business in 85′ and bought supplies from CCS. They sponsored me and asked me to try to sell paint for them at various car dealers. Great people.

Coors

Bill Elliott Sponsor

Me & Bill…Same Number Same Sponsor

During the off season a few of us in the Hobby club thought it would be neat to paint our cars like NASCAR teams. I had Bill Elliott`s paint n 1984 but this year made it more official by getting the number 9 and then Coors as a sponsor. It took me a while to get to the marketting person but when I did we got another sports bag and some hats, not a lot, but enough to make the car look as close to the Ford T-Bird as possible.

Hobby Write Up

1985

Pre Season Write Up

More Write Up

1985

Write Up Continued

Dave Franks

Photo`s By Franks

Dave Franks Returned As An Associate Sponsor

Dave and Judy helped the Hobby club with pictures, buttons etc for the Hobby Fan Club. He also provided the pictures for our first ever souvenir program, our 20th Anniversary Program. Dave did alot to promote the Hobby`s, and many Ontario race tracks with his photos. He was an official photo supplier for many news papers in Canada and the U.S.

B&B Decals

Sponsor

Dedicated Hobby Family Sponsors Club In 1985

The Barton Family had an important impact on the Hobby club by not only racing and working on the committee but also sponsoring. Their efforts were much appreciated.

Rawlinson Moving & Storage

Sponsor

Established Business Sponsors Hobby Club

History Story Of Rawlinson

Sponsor

Hobby Club Sponsor

Don Crosley liked what we did and sponsored the Hobby club for just this season. Here is a story of the 100 years of their business…Don took over 6 years prior to this story.

Westward Tools

Hobby Sponsor

Hobby Club Sponsor

Westward sponsored the Hobby club with tools for their weekly draws,as well as door prizes for various events we had. They also donated a set of gold wrenches to the winner of the Best Appearing Car.

85 Rebuild Begins

Our Sponsor Helps

John Sauciers Shop

John`s sponsorship included helping us with a new engine and the use of his shop to rebuild our car. There was little heat and lighting, but it was better than working outside in the winter, in fact we did nothing much over the winter. We were able to do all the welding and hard work here.[/

Hey This Car Isn’t Scrap…Well

Scrap Storage

Salvage Business

John’s business included tearing down big abandoned wharehouses, storing, sorting and selling the scrap. Lucky no one loaded our car into the bin when it came time to get rid of some metal.

Welding The Frame

Welding Frame

John Saucier Prepares The Frame

John was welding the rear cross member and adding some support bars. Paul Cornwall was there as well to lend a hand.

Happy Birthday Annie

Annie Saucier

Annie Celebrates Her Birthday

I was fortunate to be close to the Saucier family in 85. Here I join her Sisters April and Melissa wishing her a great birthday.

Birthday Girl

Family and Friends

Annie With Her Family & Friends

Well Wishes From Annie

Race Fan #1

My #1 Fan In 85 Was Annie

Mellisa’s Blessings

Family of Fans

Melissa Gives Her Encouragement

Apirl Saucier

April

No 1 Dirver? Nice, Thank You April

Well, we may not have finished #1, but for April, Annie and Melissa, giving me a good pre season send off with these cards was very warming and a blessing to me and Nonie.

Promoters Work Shop

Larry Westwood

Hooby Reps For The Promoters Work Shop

There was a decision by the club to send Larry and I to this work shop to see what was new in the racing industry and learn something we could bring back to the Hobby club. We were presented with an acheivement award for the Hobby club, quite an honor considering only three were given out in Ontario.

Work Shop Clipping

OARC Get Award

We Win Award For Promoting Our Sport

Award Presentation

Stew Reamer

Receiving The Award

Stew Reamer

Award Write Up

Editor & Publisher Of Racing Promotion Monthly Stew Reamer

John Casale & Bruce Bennett

Track Owners

Sauble & Flamboro Speedway Promoters

Nonie provided supper for a few of us after the Work Shop. Larry and I more than likely had fun with these two track promoters. Bruce on the right ran Sauble Speedway, and John was the promoter of Flamboro Speedway. These owners had to run at least 25 nights a year to make their budget. They appreciated that not only were we willing to race 25 to 30 times a season, but bring with us a full field of cars every night.

Motion Car Show

1985

Motion Car Show March 1985

There were six of us in this car show. Mike DeLeeuw’s awesome sign hangs from the ceiling. Mike won an award for best sign in the show. Some of us decided to paint our cars like NASCAR stars. My car was this color in 1984 but to make it look more like Bill Elliott’s car I wanted to run the #9, that hadn’t been run for a few seasons. That deal caused some grief. Bill Lyons thought the number was retired, but we never retired any number, I explained I only wanted to use it for one season. Some other OARC members thought I shouldn’t take #9, but what they didn’t know was that #9 was my other favourite number. Andy Bathgate, the New York Ranger captain when I was a kid was #9, so was Bobby Hull, so was Vic Parson’s my favourite Late Model driver. I took the heat and ran #9 but only for 1985…that’s all I wanted.

Stewart Pitchford #47

Motion

Stewart Earnhardt

Stewart was one who decided to paint his car using a NASCAR theme. He copied the Wrangler #3 of Dale Earnhardt. Stewart loved to paint model cars and took a lot of pride in the look of his cars. He was also a big fan of Dale Earnhardt. The other five cars in the show were #2 Ron Goodison, 12 Jim Collison, #21 Larry Westwood, defending club champion #53 Rich Farraway and me.

Ron Goodison #2

Motion

Second Year Member Ron Goodison #2

Ron’s rookie season was 1984. Ray, his dad and Ron supported the club whenever they could.

Kids Contest

Motion

Hobby Kids Car Contest

The kids from the Hobby club got involved with our display by having a model car contest of their own. That was one thing the Hobby club did well was keep it a family club.

Larry Westwood #21

Motion

Valvoline NASCAR Scheme

Larry painted his car like the Ron Bouchard’s Valvoline car from 1985.

Rich Farraway #53…Jim Collison #12

Motion

Farraway Collison Enter Show

The 1984 Hobby club Champion Rich Farraway and one of the clubs hardest working members Jim Collison #12 completed the Hobby club entries in the 1985 Motion Car Show. Every entrant got one these plaques for participating.

Season Begins

President

Let The Season Begin

Hobby Story

Pre Season

Pre Season Press

Annie & The Coupe

Annie

Season Starts Soon

Annie is all smiles knowing we’ll be racing soon. Unfortunately we rained out on May 4th, we didn’t rain out the next week..it was worse.

Pre Race Parade Lap

Dave Franks Go Karts

Parade Lap May 11th

After the Hobby meeting, Dave Franks asked Bruce Manson and I if we wanted to drive his two Petty go-karts in the parade lap…we said yes…I don’t think we hesitated.

Enjoying The Parade

Flamboro Speedway

Dave Franks Karts

While we were playing on the track the Hobby club were lining up the heats. It was no problem, Steffon, Paul and John had it covered…so I thought. When I came in after the parade lap my car was not lined up and the reason was because the car would not start. We switched carbs with Ray Hughes but still no go. We missed the heat, but finally got the car ready for the consi.

Engine Lets Go On Opening Night

What’s New

Engine Woe’s Already

We had our problems with engines, blowing up tons. We never expected this to happen, we did all the right stuff, sent it to Jim Lindsay, one of the best builders of inlines. On lap three of the consi the engine grenaded, putting us out for the night. No way to start a championship chase.

Engine Lift…On Steroids

Removing The Engine

Monday Morning

There’s no way we figured on this deal, it was a heart breaker right off the bat. we had no extra money to spend because we spent everything we had just to get ready for opening day, that was depressing for our team. John was upset and said he would deal with it. He called Jim Lindsay because paying for the engine was his main sponsorship for us. Jim made it right and that made things a lot better.

Getting It Out

Blown Engine

Inline No Problem For This Crane

John and I worked on Monday to get this engine out and then get it immediately to Jim Lindsay. John and his family were very supportive towards us, not so much financially, but in every way. He cared about me and that mattered a lot, whether he was doing it because he knew I was Annie’s favourite driver, I don’t know, I thought maybe he was my best adult fan. Being with the Saucier family taught me a lot, they were more laid back but yet still never wanting to give up. They did want to slow me down a bit, to take a breath, but never to get me to park the car..no one ever could get me to do that.

Thank You Rich

1985

Rich Farraway Lends Us An Engine

Our engine didn’t get repaired in time. Rich Farraway was good enough to loan one of his engines until ours was finished. On the Saturday prior to the race we were at John’s having a bar-b-que and someone mentioned Murphy’s Law and how it may continue to affect our racing with the comment “Imagine if we blow Rich Farraway’s engine”. David said almost immeditately, “what if Rich blows up his own and wants this one back”? It was a fun time considering the possibilities of things that could go wrong, knowing something would, but as it turned out we would return to Flamboro on May 18th and take 3rd in both our heat and feature.

Hobby Cars From 1985

1985

Page From The Flamboro Program

There is a mistake on this program page. The #72 is not Bruce Manson, it’s Murry Luckhart. Bruce was #74.

Points Standings

1985

We Are Not In Top 15 After Opening Night DNF

Hobby Cars Out West

1985

Could We Race Together?

When I saw this article in the racing magazine I went nuts wanting to do some kind of special with them. It would happen, but not for 5 more years…oh ya that’s in the future, no one should know. Check out 1990 when it’s finished.

We’re Not Alone

1985

The Old Timers Race Association…Just Like Us…Almost

This club though very similar were about 10 years behind us. The difference between their fast and slow cars was night and day, but they looked awesome and my goal was to somehow have a match race with them.

Flamboro Heat Race

1985

Bentley Leads

Dave Bentley #29 followed by #21 Larry Westwood and our #9 Dodge.

Ron Shaw Leads Off Four

1985

Sideways And Flying

Ron Shaw #81 Leads Bruce Manson #74 and I off turn four. Both these cars were on it hard getting their cars side ways.

John Saucier

1985

John Rests On The Car

John was our friend, crew member and sponsor. Here he is pictured with Mr. Ding DeLeeuw Sr. in the Flamboro pits. Mr. DeLeeuw worked with the Hobby club as line up person.

Racing Off Four

1985

The Boys Get It Going In The Feature

Ken Jorgenson #96 and Don Shaw #84 race with this pack off turn four in the Flamboro feature.

Back Chute One To Go

1985

Getting Ready To Go Green

Flamboro Heat May 18th

Flamboro

Heat 3rd..Feature 3rd…Farraways Engine

Opening night we blew our engine. Then we joked “what if we blew up Rich’s engine, and David said, what if he blew up and wanted his engine back”. When we got to the track on the 18th we unloaded but did not make the first set of warm ups. That was no surprise to us, but what turned out to be an omen, or esp, the thing that made us think we were fortune tellers was when Rich blew his engine in those first warm ups. I offered him his engine back but he said no, went home and borrowed one from Dan Gastonguay. That was an amazing night, we also got 3rd in the feature…thanks Rich.

My Number One Fan

1985

Story On How I Got John Saucier To Sponsor Us

The Man To Beat Most Nights

Bruce Manson

Bruce Manson #74

Bruce helped me a lot in 1985. We were being chased again by the township for parking our car in our garage so Bruce and Carmen let me keep my car at their place until the dust settled down. Dwight and Bruce helped me with setting up my car and we became very close, doing things together. Bruce appreciated my work with the Hobby club and in return helped me because he knew I didn’t know a lot about making the car go faster, and he sure did.

Racing With Bruce

1985

Racing Off Turn Four

Bruce and I race close with Lorne Stewart #27, Don Shaw #84 and Larry Gibson #88 not far behind.

Check Flag Speedway

1985

Charlie Becks Wins At Windsor

On May 19th we headed to Checker Flag Speedway in Windsor. This was the worse race for us in 1985. We had 4 complete restarts. The track was terrible. There were pot holes everywhere, water seeping out of turn four onto the track, that never dried up, similar in turn one. Here’s the best, on the back straight, they didn’t have a guard rail or cememt wall, they had parked cars…no kidding. Charlie Beck won the feature that had 12 cautions in 25 laps. We were running 2nd tangled and went scratch. Bruce Manson got into me, spinning me out early in the race and later he hit Rick Koebel #42 who was leading, spinning him out and doing some damage. That got Bruce the black flag. That changed things for Bruce, me and the Hobby club. He was very upset with the various calls and how things were going. Bruce was the fastest car in the club and wanted badly to win the points, getting black flagged hurt him, but the season was still early. This was a double race week end and our only visit to Checker Flag.

On Our Way To Perry Speedway

Ramp Truck Race

Heading To New York

On May 26th we headed to New York state for our first of two scheduled races at Perry Speedway. Unfortunately both were cancelled. One to rain, this one on, and one to dirt, the track covered the track making it a dirt track before our next race. We were invited to come but voted not to go.

May 26th Perry Speedway

Packing Up

Rain, Ray & Rod Bolt

The owner called off the races early, and rightly so, it was a miserable damp wet day. The rain did stop long enough for a few of the guys to take their cars out. Ray Hughes took our car out and not long into the only set of hot laps allowed, the engine let go, very bad mess. This would be the 2nd Lindsay engine lost in 1985. It was also the last time Ray would take anyones car out for practice. Steffon makes sure the car is on right and John heads to the back to tie it down. That was our first blown inline in the U.S., but it wouldn’t be my last…later for the next one…two years later.

Homeward Bound

1985

Highway Speed Photo..Going Home In The Rain

Farraway Wins Both Features

1985

Double Feature Night June 1st

Our feature rained out on May 25th, but we did get our heats and consi in. John booked the rain out feature the next Saturday, June 1st. We finished 8th in the heat and 2nd in the consi on the 25th, then 6th in the rain out feature a week later. June 1st races were good for us picking up a 4th in the heat and 6th again in the feature. This article says we finished 3rd, but Bruce Manson, Ray Hughes and Jeff Bedell all got by. we won $160 for both features. We put Rich Farraway’s engine back in after blowing our 2nd Lindsay engine. Rick said we could buy it for $400. We had to use the Farraway engine because Lindsay hadn’t finsihed ours yet, although it was promnised for June 8th.

Steffon Fixing …What Else

1985

Engine Woes…Really?

There was no slowing down our bad luck with engines. This time wasn’t a serious deal, but it seemed we were constantly fighting with our engines. We did a lot of work during the week preparing for June 8th. We removed the trans, bell housing, clutch assembly and oil pan. I was worried because my engine luck was no good when someone who knew what they were doing built or worked on it. Now we were into some heavy surgery, for me. We replaced the rear main seal and oil pan gasket and reassembled everything and incredibly…our oil leak was gone, and the engine didn’t blow up.

Consi Race June 8th

1985

Consi Race Flamboro Speedway June 8th…Brad Collison #1

Dave Lewis & Annie Saucier

Flamboro

Win Gets Kids In The Action

David Lewis would come with us most every week end. He lived across the street from us in Toronto and was David’s best friend. Here he gets in the picture with Annie Saucier. Most drivers would let kids come down and get their picture taken with them. I remember as a young fan getting to talk to one of the stock car drivers at the CNE. He soon became my hero and favourite driver. As a racer I never want to take that opportunity away from a fan, of any age.

First Win 1985

Consi Win

A Win Always Brings A Smile

Winning wasn’t plentiful in 85′, so getting to hold the checker flag was a great feeling. This consi win on June 8th was sandwiched between a wreck in the heat and later in the feature.

Consi Win June 8th

1985

Bill Elliott Autographed Our Picture

Driver Of The Week

1985

One Win Will Do It

Looks Good Now

1985

June 8th Feature Insane

This picture dosen’t tell the story. We started 15th in the main because we qualified through the consi on June 8th. Early in the race I got mixed up when Castonguay got turned by Bruce and cars went everywhere. I got hit by avoided the wall, but the contact flattened the left rear tire. Ron Shaw loaned us a tire and we got back out. The notes from this night say we’d been better off to stay in the pits. About 8 laps later, Jim English and Larry Gibson got together, I checked up and got slammed hard by Dan Gastonguay #54. Dan’s car was mounted on the side of mine, burried into the door, huge damage. The car wasn’t hurt bad enough to continue but wouldn’t restart because of a broken wire on the kill switch. Believe it or not, I had time to twist the ends together and get the car started. Believe it or not I didn’t go a lap and heard something banging in the front end, I drove to the infield and found the rad came back and was hitting the fan. I ran to the pit wall and asked my crew to get something to tie it in place. The heart was pounding to get back out in the race, and it was still under yellow. I got a bungy chord from Mike DeLeeuw and managed to secure the rad, keeping it away from the fan. Man that was crazy, but at least I was going to get back in the race. However, as soon as I got on the track and drove one lap I was black flagged…”infield rule”. There was lots of rain the past few weeks and no one was allowed to go to the infield, well, you could, but you had to stay there. It wasn’t a good night, but we did win the consi.

Week End Of Grand Valley Tornado

1985

Varney June 9th

It was another double header week end. Nonie and I stopped at Grand Valley, to see Ron and Helen Shaw on our way to Varney Speedway. Their little city was hit by a very severe tornado. We coudn’t believe the incredible damage done to homes from the tornadoes that hit that town. Some homes were demolished completely. I had never seen great big three foot thick trees with all the bark stripped off the outside of the tree. That same spawn of tornados also hit Barrie and many people were killed from this terrible storm. Helen gave us a tour of the Grand Valley. After we headed to Varney with Don Shaw and Ron Goodison….Nonie and I went with the kids. None of our crew could make it, but with all the help from other Hobby teams, we were in good shape and we needed help. Our rad was damaged from the night before at Flamboro. We got that fixed but missed warm ups. We ended up 4th in this heat and 7th in the feature. The feature had some issues, this time Bruce Manson and Tim Martin. That wreck, though not serious involved both Charlie Beck and Ray Hughes. At the end of the race we had a 9 car train going and the fans loved it. Mr. Martin and Bruce got into in the pits, but things settled down and no one carried it on. Being President and racing is very tough because after the race is over you have to settle any problems with the rest of the committee and sometimes it can take away from a fun night.

Bruce Manson #74

Varney

Bruce Making His Presence Known At Varney

Ron Shaw…Bruce Manson At Varney

Varney

Tornado’s Couldn’t Keep Ron Away

Ron and Bruce run side by side down the back chute at Varney. Bruce with out a hood is side ways on the outside. Ron was side ways plently of times but not this one as he battles Bruce. Drivers got in free on this day and that was a good deal for us.

Varney Speedway

1985

“Trivia”…What Is Ray Hughes Favourite Track?

Not Varney!! I can’t remember ever disliking a track. That wasn’t the case for Ray Hughes. Over the winter, while considering the schedule at a general meeting, I asked the drivers what tracks they wanted to race. Ray yelled out “anywhere but Varney”. Even though he would sooner go somewhere else, Ray still showed up to the smallest track in Ontario. I guess you can’t keep a real racer away.

Parade Lap

Flamboro

Getting Some Exposure In The Parade Lap

Going out in the parade lap is good for our sponsors and the fans. It also gives the announcer an opportunity to promote the division your in as well. Any promo like this is a good thing.

Rick Koebel #42

Flamboro

Rick Koebel’s #42, Painted The Same As Ray Hughes Black & Yellow

Stewart Pitchford #47

Hobby Racer

Stewart Loved Racing & Playing Hockey…He Was A Very Good Goalie

Early Season Points Standings

Flamboro

Bruce Manson #74 On Top

It was no surprise to see Bruce Manson leading the points. Ron Shaw #81 keeping pace with Bruce was a great indicator the fun loving Shaw was having a great season, his best in the Hobby club.

Bruce Manson Leading Points

Flamboro

Manson Wants Points Title…Bad

There was no one in 1985 more determined to win the points than Bruce Manson. No doubt Ron Shaw, Ray Hughes and Charlie Beck and a few others wanted top honors, as did our team. But Bruce was almost obsessed with not only the desire but need to grab the title. We wanted to take a run at it, but 2 blown engines in our first six nights eliminated our chances. We were 11th at this point in the season.

Back In The Day

Oswego Coupes

Early American Stock Cars

Jim English #55

Flamboro

Souvenir Program Page

Jim wore many hats. He helped the club by running on the committee, gave advice when any issues arrised that needed a mature voice, was friendly and helpful to all the Hobby members, and one of the toughest dudes to race against when he was on his game. A great loving and humble man.

Charlie Beck #79

Flamboro

Smiling Charlie

It was “Smilin’ Ray Hughes”, but the title could have went to Charlie Beck who was smiling even when he didn’t win a race…here he’s all smiles.

Brad Collison

Flamboro Pits

2nd Generaion Collison

Brad was the son of racing great Jim Collison. Brad wasn’t the luckiest racer but enjoyed racing with and against his dad.

Wayne Stevens #99

Flamboro

Coach Runner

Wayne brought out a beautiful lookijng coach to compete with the Hobby dirvers. He was another racer that would soon start helping mold the clubs success. Wayne raced hard and was clean and fair, showing and giving respect all the time.

Jim Collison #12

Flamboro

Jim Collison The Organizer

Jim was awesome on the committee. In my 2nd year as president, all the committee members worked hard. Jim worked hard as well, but sometimes worried with all the things I wanted to do. He was disappointed when I stepped down from the committee in 1986, but he knew I had to concentrate on my race program, because it suffered because of the time I spent in the off season trying to get things done for the Hobby club. It was my job as President, and all the other members of the 85′ committee were very good at the things they were doing and I never regretted spending the extra time to make things work. It’s easy when I had people like Jim and a club membership body that cared about their future.

It Won’t Work Larry!!!!

Flamboro

Chaos At Flamboro

Ken Frost #22 gets low followed by Jim Collison #12. Ron Shaw #81 checks up as #21 Larry Westwood is making things exciting in the turn. Maybe it wasn’t Larry’s fault, he could have been hit causing him to spin, regardless for those heading into the turn fast and two wide it becomes a code red situation.

One To Go

Flamboro

Brian Pratt Drives Gallinger Ford Mustang In Pace Lap

Jeff Bedell #65 and I lead this pack on the white flag lap of a 10 car heat.

Bruce Manson Remains On Top

Flamboro Points

Manson On Top, We Get In Top 10

Ron Goodison #2 & Team

Flamboro Pits

Concerned Crew Looks On

Driver Ron Goodison inspects his fan while Ed Hennesey in the back ground looks on as does his dad Ray Goodison. The car next to Ron is our car, Steffon can be seen working under the hood of our car. We had a hood that tipped forward.

Crash In Turn One

Flamboro

Tim Martin #33 & Lorne Stewart #27

Wild Sequence

Lost Wheel

Brad Collison #1

Autographed Picture

Bill Elliott

Dave Franks Got This Picture Autographed For Me..Thanks Dave & Thanks Bill

Mike Witter #19

Flamboro

Awesome Person & Just As Awesome On The Track

Ron Shaw #81

Flamboro Win

Keeping Pace With Bruce Manson

In his 5th season with the Hobby club Ron was showing his stuff by keeping pace with the hard charging Bruce Manson. Ron’s having a great season and winning this race was one of many in 85′.

Feature Wreck June 8

Flamboro Feature

Feature Crash Features Lots Of Damage

Another View

Flamboro Feature

Major Repairs On The Horizon

David`s New Look Idea

To The Drawing Board

David`s Amazing Design

Our goal was to win a Championship of course, we always tried for it and wanted so bad to be the top runner in the Hobby Club. A feature win was another desire, and that was almost as tough for me, as winning a title, but a title was way above winning a feature. We went 167 nights without a win spanning 6 season from 1978’s dramatic feature win to finally taking another feature at Barrie in 1984. Third on the list, but always having it just as important as the other two was how our car looked. We tried every season to have our car looking excellent, but got beat most times by Harry Nicholson who won Best Appearing Car 11 years in a row with the exact same (but gorgeous)looking car. David told me in mid May if we wanted a shot at best appearing car in 1985 we needed to have side curtins. The number on the car was too far forward and needed side curtins to make the car look more proportionate. Now was the time so we did it after our serious wreck when Dan Castonguay t-boned us the night we won our heat on June 8th. With two rain outs after Varney, June 15th and 22nd we had time to take this drawing and give our car a new look. The next 3 pictures show progress and the final result of our work, all taken from this picture, from a 13 year olds drawing.

June 15th Warm Ups

New Look

Under Construction

We didn`t quite have enough time to fix all the damage, redesign the body and have it painted and lettered. As it turned out, this night rained out.

Runs Okay…Now To Paint

Make Over

Make Over Incomplete

The 15th of June and the 22nd both rained out giving us another week to get the car ready with paint and lettering.

Home Run

Flamboro

From The Drawing To The Real Thing

We were very happy with how the car turned out. David`s idea was a just what this car needed.

New Look A Winner

Dizzy Dean

Dizzy Dean Presents Award June 29th

On June 29th, Dizzy Dean, the founder and owner of Motion Car Show, came to our race and picked his choice of the Best Appearing car award. This was the first time we ever won an award for appearance. It would be a good year for that because we also won the award at the banquet for the Best Appearing Car award for 1985. David made a good call on this paint scheme revision, and we were awarded the very next race out.

Fred Poets #58

Flamboro

Practicing With Fred Poets

Trouble For Dan

Flamboro

Dan Castonguay #54 Breaks A Wheel

Jim English #55

Flamboro Pits

Nice Looking Model A Coupe

Mike Witter Working In The Pits

Flamboro Pits

Mike Witter #19

This was Mikes first year in the Hobby Club. He wanted to run the #19 like his dad Gary Witter. Larry Westwood gave Mike the number and took #21 for 1985. Mike was a very graceful person, he and Paul Fisher, the owner of the car were a great duo.

Black & Yellow On The Pole

Flamboro

Rick Koebel & Ray Hughes

Larry Gibson #88

Flamboro

Corvette Club Member

This was Larry’s second season with the Hobby club driving this nice looking coupe.

Ron Easton’s Rookie Season

Flamboro

Hobby Rookie #00 Ron Easton

Nonie and I were close to George and Sandy McLeod. Ron married George’s daughter Cathy (I think), we usually

get it wrong, it could be Susan. Nonie and I knew both girls, Ron got to know one better than we did, but do you think I can remember which one. I’m hoping they don’t read this, well at least Cathy or Susan, not assuming both would be upset, not assuming the other one wouldn’t like Ron…wow, this gets worse as it goes on. Anyway, it wouldn’t take Ron long to get his racing career heading in the right direction. He would learn fast and even stir up the tech committee a little, (lot’s of guys did that) but I think his controversial seasson start was next year.

Smilin’ Ray & Not So Happy Bruce

Flamboro Action

Ray Holds Off Bruce

These two usually ran up front. Bruce was the man to beat and most times if anyone was going to beat him it was Ray. Smilin’ Ray was his nick name, no one had one for Bruce, but he usually was anyting but smiling. Bruce was so determined to win the title that he was obsessed and no one was going to get in his way. Here, Ray is in his way, but Ray was good enough on some nights to beat the rocket man.

Hot Laps At Flamboro

Practice

Practice Makes Perfect

It made perfect sense to try everything we could to keep up with the top runners. We struggled with the stupid inline blowing up frequently, and those DNFs killed our points hopes. We never gave up trying to win every week.

Starter Gives Sign…2 To GO

Heat Race

Double File Start

Kansas City Paul

Paul Cornwall

Everyone Would Have Loved This Man On Their Team

Paul Cornwall, from Kansas City Missouri, was a great friend and dedicated pit member. He and Steffon had been with me since 1981, and Paul since 1980. Paul always had something funny to say, but he never said anything against another race team no matter how bad or crazy they acted on the track. He usually found the best from everyone, a great way to be and an attitude that kept peace and calmness in our pits. Paul would be in our Pit Crew Hall Of Fame, if we had one, we remember and love him for all he brought to our team.

Stewart Pitchford Helping Out

Replacing Used Engine

Stewart & OJ

On July 6th we finally got our engine back from Jim Lindsay, that’s the one that blew up at Perry Speedway with Ray behind the wheel. Jim didn’t charge us for this one, but it took over a month to get done. Meanwhile we bought a used engine from Rich Farraway and that is the one that’s coming out. It was ok and did the job, but was no match for the top running cars. Here Stewart Pitchford, my long time school friend and racing buddy helps me get the engine out of the car. Jim Granger used his truck to pull the engine out. OJ, I gave him that name because he always raved about the races at Oswego Speedway. He was a close neighbour, OJ stood for Oswego John. John was a great friend and good friends with the Witter family.

Pulling Out The Used Engine

Stewart Pitchford

The Church Got A Baptism

We put in our new Jim Lindsay engine, after pulling this one out. We had a few different ways tok set the valves. They were set from Jim so the engine was ready to go. A few weeks after this picture I was in the driveway of our restaurant, we had no garage, and I decided to start up the engine and check the valve setting. David started the car and with the rocker cover off I was shocked to have the oil shoot right up over my head, almost hitting me. We shut the car off. I turned to David and said “that was close”. He pointed to the beige siding on behind me and said “the church didn’t make out so good”. It’s okay, the church won the battle, I would eventually, a few years down the road, be attending church on a regualar basis, just not this one.

Fast Car Heat

Flamboro Heat Race

New Engine Give Us A Great Night On July 6th…Ray Wins Feature

We had one of our best nights of the year on July 6th. We finshed third in this heat but 2nd in the feature. When Jim Lindsay finished our engine we installed a button clutch. On lap 13 we were running 6th. Going into turn one I got made a move on the inside and went from 6th to second. The car was awesome (so said the diary). Larry Westwood was leading but spun out a lap later in turns 3 & 4 giving me the lead. I was incredibly excited at the thought we could possilby win this race. On lap 17 the unimagineable happened, our new clutch started slipping and smoking. The car was losing power and I was falling back. Coming off four with three to go Ray edged by me and the yellow came out. I thought it was for me, but it was from water on the track when Larry spun. John Casale called the race even though it was only the second caution of the feature. The checker came out and Ray motioned me by him, but he was ahead of me before the yellow came out giving us second. The win would have been synonomous with the big move on lap 13, but racing with Murphy’s Law as your reason for finishing any race, second (though excellent) was synonomous with the baffled clutch.

Fred Poets Leads Under Caution

Heat Race

Fred Poets, Murray Luckhart, Don Shaw and Larry Westwood

Ron Shaw #81

Heat Win

Smilin’ Ron Shaw

Twin 25′ Warm Ups

July 27th

Testing At Flamboro

Actually what we were testing was the spark plug readings. In the first set of warm ups I spun and hit the wall bending the spring purchase and busting a tire. We got it back out and did shut the car off to test the plugs, the verdict was they were okay. Losing power that night, already losing 3 engines so far in 85′ was becoming discouraging. In the first 25 lap race we ended up 17th. While getting the car ready for the 2nd feature the water pump broke and went through the rad, and that we could not fix in time. The Twin 25’s were one of my favourite races but this one, like many ended in disappointment. In spite of some bad finishes we were 7th overall after this night only 6 points out of 5th. Bruce was leading with Ray 40 points behind and Ron Shaw only one behind Ray.

Fred Poets #58

Heat Win Flamboro

Fred Poets Grabs Heat Win

Trevor Boys Canadian NASCAR Star

Trevor Boys

B&B Decals Sponsored Trevor Boys In 1985 For A Few NASCAR Races

Ken Frost #22

Heat Race

Ken Frost On The Pole…Don Shaw #84 Indicates One To Go

Rich & Leonard

Soap Box Night

Rich Farraway #53 & Leonard Farraway…Mini #53

Mike Witter Wins Twin 25’s

Marc Times

Twin 25 Champion Mike Witter Gets Press

First Ever Michigan Tour

Kalamazoo Speedway

Kalamazoo Speedway Advertises…”OARC Sportsman Modifieds”

Our first ever trip to Michigan would go down in history for the CVM as one of it’s best efforts in promoting the club. Not only were we loved by the fans, the race promoters began to fight for us in the years to come. Race giants, Randy Sweet and the Benson familly raved about the Hobby cars, not so much about the appearance, but more on how hard they raced with the beautiful bodies. They were amazed we actually wrecked, making our class a legitamate race division to them. Of course we already knew that, we wrecked every week at our home track. We were called everything in Michigan. One track referred to us as the “Canadian Coupes & Coaches”. Mount Clemens Speedway called us “Pre War Coupes”. It was an exciting time for us, heading south to meet new friends, some that would last for a long time.

This Was Worth The Trip

Michigan

Like A Kid Meeting Santa Claus

We left home on Thursday, heading for Kalamazoo Michigan. It was a three event deal. Kalamazoo on Friday, Mount Clemens on Saturday and then M.I.S. on Sunday to be part of the NASCAR pre race day events by going on the track to be in the parade. The whole week end was very exciting for all of us. Early evening Thursday night we were still having trouble finding a room, more than likely because of the NASCAR race. Most of the other Hobby members booked rooms ahead of time. We ended up getting two rooms in Jackson. On our way to check in we drove around the building to park and saw the Coors #9 show trailer. I almost fainted. We found the driver and spent some time with him. He gave us hats and other stuff. No hero cards back then, so I had nothing to give him back. He went out to see our car and loved it. The next day he was on display at Melling Pumps so we went to see the car and Bill Elliott’s main sponsor.

Like Heaven For This Race Fan & Family

Coors #9

New Race Team

What a day for us. We got to meet the staff from Mellings, got some good pictures. It was like Heaven for me, it would be at least two and half years before I knew what the real Heaven was.

Looking Good…New Wheels…Shined Up

Melling Tools

If Bill Elliott Was There…I Would Have Been Hospitalized…Too Much Excitement

Fastest 3/8 Paved On Earth

Program

Fast It Was

Kalamazoo Speedway

The Zoo

Greetings From Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo Sign

Lined Up

“And The Sign Says…”

Pit Road

Kalamazoo

Bruce & I On Pit Road

Kalamazoo Coupes From The Past

Program

The Track Promoted Us With Their Own History

Hobby’s In The Pits

kalamazoo

Full Field Makes Trip

Crammed Pits

Pre Race

Kalamazoo Pits Were Jammed

Ron Shaw Practicing

Hot Laps

Huge Crowd Every Week

Fast Man On Fast Track

Practice

Bruce Manson Hot Lapping…He Loved This Track…The Fans Loved Him

Tim Martin #33

Kalamazoo

The Martins Loved To Travel

Ken Frost #22

Pits

Nice Coupe By Trashed Late Model…Our Cars Went Over Great

Jim English #55…Ron Shaw #81

Heat’s Begin

Two Vets Prepare For The Heat Race

Gerald Ton #56 Wins Heat Race

Heat Win

Gerald Ton, Racing With Jim English, Wins First Heat Race

Me & Ray On The Front Row

2nd Heat

Huge Crowd Made This Day Even More Exciting

We decided not to go to the East Coast in 1985, but no one said anything about going to Michigan, plus it was only 6 hours away. Being President meant a lot of work putting this together, but our committee was very enthusiastic about this tour. It’s hard to explain, but we were treated awesome by the promoters and the fans absolutely loved the Hobby cars. Ray and I started side by side in this heat race.

Pace Car Leads Into Turn One

One Lap To Go

Green Flag Next Lap

Green Green Green

Heat Race #2

Green Flag…Ray Takes The Lead…Bruce Follows…We End Up 3rd

Ray Hughes #24 Wins 2nd Heat

Heat Win #24

Ray Won The Heat…He Wasn’t So Fortunate In The Feature

Dave Bentley #29

Kalamazoo Pits

Hard Charger Dave Bentley

Larry Westwood #21

Pits

Larry Takes NASCAR Paint Scheme

Jim English #55

Ready For Feature

Jim Was Sponsored By Bowes…He Waits For The Feature

Preparing For Feature

Post Race

All The Races In All The Classes Were Very Good

Fred Poets #58….Ken Jorgenson #96

Kalamazoo

Ken Jorgenson #96…Track Takes Driver Out.

This track, though fast and banked very good, was exhausting from the g-force in the corners. After our feature Ken Jorgenson passed out. We took him to the hospital and he was released.

Kalamazoo Feature

Kalamazoo

On August 9th 1985, We Had Our First Feature Race At Kalamazoo

Early Wreck On Lap Four

Feature

Kalamazoo Krash

The fans were standing and waving at the beginning of our feature. It was quite a feeling, we rarely saw that kind of response in our racing careers. In this picture, running 6th I got mixed up with #88 Larry Gibson. I spun and Rich Farraway was unable to stop, that is until he t-boned me. Here, both of us are out of our cars checking the damage. My door was beat in, the fans were shaking their heads saying “man, these guys race these cars hard”. Jim Collison spun out, Wayne Stevens blew his engine, so did Charlie Beck, most likely from the wrong gearing. This track carried a lot of speed in to the turns and we had to be careful not to be over geared. I continued on finishing 10th. Ray got wrecked in this feature. In spite of the trouble we had, the track officials and fans loved our club and booked us again for the next year.

Kalamazoo King

Feature Winner

Bruce Manson #74 Wins First Ever Kalamazoo Feature

Mount Clemens Ad

May Ad

Mount Clemens Annouces Our Arrival

This ad appeared in the Mount Clemens area. They had it all figured out except for one thing….rain!

Pre War Coupes

Mount Clemens

Hopefully Ken Maritn Didn’t See This Ad…Didn’t Mention Coaches

Mount Clemens….Rained Out!!!!!

Mount Clemens

We Can Still Have Fun

We drove from Kalamazoo to Mount Clemens in the rain, but it stopped, and then the sun came out. There were puddles on the ground but the asphault was dry. We were shocked and terribly disappointed to hear the track called the show early in the afternoon. They felt very bad, and offered to let us play on the track as long as we didn’t race against each other. It was better than nothing and let us at least get on the track. Little did we know this would be the last season for Mount Clemens and though poor quality, these pictures show the kind of day we had in spite of the losing to the rain. Some drivers went home, some went back to the M.I.S. area for the parade on Sunday. Here Ron and Don Shaw, as well as Jim Collison, unload to have some fun on the track.

Steffon Teases Baby

Mount CLemens

Future Racing Stars

Here Jeff and Phil Shaw gather around this child, watching Steffon play, and no doubt tease the baby. Steffon loved to play. Soon Jeff and Phil would race as well…but that’s “Back To The Future” part 4.

Mount Clemens Pits

Mt. Clemens

Ken Jorgenson #96…Beside The Ramp Truck He Sold Me In 1977

Wayne Varley #7

Mt. Clemens

August 10th…No Race But We Unloaded To Practice & Get Pictures

Lined Up For Mock Heat

Mount Clemens

It Rained, But!…’Circle Track’ Magazine Does Story On Our Club

Bruce Blazes The Track

Mount CLemens

Bruce Gets In Circle Track Story

Me & Bruce Manson #74

Mount Clemens

Drag Race???..No Chance, He’d Win That To

Mike Witter #19

Mt. Clemens

Mike Gets In The Act

Larry Westwood #21

Mount Clemens

Larry Dodges Rain Puddles?…On Second Thought I Don’t See How He Can

Ron Shaw #81

Shaw #81

Ron Would Be Here For Certain

Mock Heat Race

Mount Clemens

No Ray Hughes

Ray was one driver who headed back home after this disappointing venture. I’m sure when he heard we were doing mock races he must have shook his head. Here Ron Goodison #2 (on the right) Wayne Varley, Larry Westwood #21, Me, Ken Jorgenson #96 and Bruce Manson at the back prepare for some photo shots by the man from Circle Track.

Playing For The photographer

August 10th

We Staged All Kinds Of Racing For The Photographer

Dirty Dozen..Ah, Eleven

Mount Clemens

Eleven Of Us Stayed For Practive And Photos.

Don Shaw, Jim Collison row 1, Mike Witter, Fred Poets row two, look out Mike, Fred is turning into you…it’s okay we’re stopped. Row 3 the Ron’s..Goodison and Shaw, Row 4 Milton reps Larry Westwood and Wayne Varley, in row 5 are me and Ken Jorgenson and Bruce Manson at the back.

Action Shot

Mount Clemens

Move Over Ken, Bruce Is Making It Three Wide…Dust Off The Wall

Well,as sad as it was that we didn’t get to race, the boys and girls of the Hobby club had a great time. The Cirlce Track photographer very much appreciated us doing most of this for him. He did interviews with Jim Collison, Wayne Varley and Bruce Manson. The issue would be out in December of this year…when all was said and done, this group showed what the Hobby club truly is, “fun, family and friends”.

Michigan Pre Race Pass

August 11th 1985

Pre Race Pass For Michigan Parade

Michigan International Speedway

Lined Up

Doubled Up…First Time Ever At M.I.S.

Larry Westwood #21 is inside pole with Wayne Varley #7 outside. Jim Collison #12 and Bruce Manson #74 can been seen on the inside lane. This was a fun day and great exposure for our club. We all got 2 passes per car to watch the NASCAR race and see Bill Elliott smoke the field.

Happy Day At M.I.S.

Parade

Don Shaw #84, Leads Pack Down Front Chute

Don Shaw looks like he’s about to be drafted by Jim English #55. It was an awesome day with lots of sunshine, a huge crowd and a thrill for the boys.

Gerald Ton #56

Parade Lap

Gerald Ton #56 At Michigan

High Bank…Low Speed

Parade

Parade Lap At 11:am

Gerald Ton #56, Mike Witter #19, Ron Shaw #81, Ken Jorgenson #96, Me, Charlie Beck on trailer followed by Wayne Stevens. It was great to see Charlie and Wayne in the parade even if it was on their trailers. Two more inlines bit the dust at the Zoo on Friday night, but our hosts allowed them to come out.

Goodison On The Front Chute

Ron Goodison #2

Ron Goodison #2 Drives M.I.S.

Bill Elliott ??……Not Really

Parade Lap

A Winter Plan That Came To Be

Parade Lap With The Injured

Everyone’s In The Parade

Everone Who Came Was In The Parade

Wayne Stevens #99 and Charlie Beck #79 rode the track on their trailers. There were 16 cars at M.I.S.

Mike Witter #19

Close Of Parade Lap

Racing Back

The track staff asked us not to get our cars going to quick. So once we passed the start finish line we raced al little into turn one. I almost stuffed Mike into the wall. I didn’t know he was there. That would have been good for him, the only Hobby driver to get stuffed into the wall at a Super Speedway. This was a great event for our club.

All Smiles

End Of The Parade

The Smile Tells It All

I R O C Cars

Infield

I.R.O.C. Cars Loaded For Next Race

Daytona At Michigan

Paul & Steffon

Paul & Steffon Get Some Shade In A Dayona Wing

Crew Having A Blast

Michigan Pits

Hot Sunny & Fun

Terry Coates is at the front on the passenger side of the Coupe. Paul Cornwall is behind him, not sure who is beside Paul, I should know. Steffon and Scott stand beside me. It was our first time at Michigan International Speedway. As President of the Hobby Club I was thankful this day went good because we lost the race at Mount Clemens. It was also great to see many Hobby drivers come with their families.

Hobbies Line Up For Parade Lap

No Race Just SHow

Helping Promote Our Club

Brian Prat in the Gallinger Ford pace car leads Larry Westwood, Don and Ron Shaw, our car and Jim Sweers throughout the parade lap at Cayuga. We didn’t race but had a chance to show case our club for one of the big races. Bill Elliott and some other NASCAR stars were here and we got free passes for doing the parade lap.

John Saucier At The Wheel

Sponsor Gets To Drive

John Saucier Enjoys A Trip Around Cayuag

Rick & Kenny

Mike DeLeeuw

Rick Payne #87….Kenny Frost #22 Win With Assistant Starter Mike Deleeuw

Jim Sweers #75….

Flamboro

Jim Sweers & I Battle At Flamboro

Practising At Flamboro

Trying To Get Better

Tough Season, But Pracitce Makes Better…..Sometimes

Incredilbe Sad News

Fan Favorite

The Tragic News About Richie Evans

Richie Evans #61

Gone But Never Forgotten

Richie Evans #61…God Bless You

Jim English #55

Flamboro

Jim English Gets Flamboro Win

1985 Champion #24 Ray Hughes

Flamboro

“Smilin’ Ray Hughes”

Champ Not Doing So Good

Flamboro

“Not Smilin” Ray Huhges”

Having Some Fun With Smilin Ray

Club Picnic

Ray Could Take A Joke…He Laughed When He Seen It

This little gaff was on the spurr of the moment. I saw the picture (next one below) and had to write this.

Ray, His Fans & Nurse

Club Picnic

A Picture Has A Thousand Words…Well A Few Anyway

Top Of The Charts

Ray Hughes #24

Always The Man To Beat….A Great Example Of A True Competitor

Gene Karley Memorial September 2nd

Karley Family

Mrs. Karley With Matt, Me & Future Racer John

On Monday Spetember 2nd we ran not only the Gene Karley memorial but also the rained out feature from August 24th. I met Mrs. Karley, Matt and John, in the pits prior to the races and told her how proud we were to do this memorial race for her husband Gene, a 25 year racer who had recently passed away. She said she hoped I would win the race, and she had no idea, that our crew and I were in a 7 year drought from winning a feature and this would be the night to do it, plus our car was finally running fairly good and we were confident for a change that we could maybe get a win. The next four pictures tell the story.

Jim Collison Leads In The Heat

Packed Grand Stands

Jim Collison #12 Leads Us And Ken Jorgenson #96 In The Heat

No Feature Win Tonight

Bad Crash Flamboro

Hopes Dashed Running For Lead In Rain Out Feature

We were so pumped up at the possibility of winning a feature this night. The first feature out was the rained out race from August 24th. we battled our way up to 2nd in the feature behind #99 Wayne Stevens. I tried going outside of Wayne but he came up a little and as we exited turn 2 I could see a date with the cement was soon if I didn’t back out of it. Unfortunately the right rear wheel caught the wall and sucked us into the back straight. We bounced off the wall trying hard not to get into the pack of cars coming. Worse than that, at the middle of the back chute was the pit entrance and I hit the entrance so hard it tore off the right front wheel. We were out of this race, and still had the second feature to run, the Gene Karley Memorial. Our crew worked on the car steady, because we had a little time with a 50 lap Late Model race going out. We managed to get the car back out, not missing the feature, but had no right front brake working so I pulled off on lap 12. Tough night, but the crew were the stars helping me get back out.

Jim Collison Wins Gene Karley Memorial

Flamboro

Karley Family Surrounds Jim Collison For Victory Lane Photo

Barrie Speedway

Trouble Before & After

Barrie Speedway Gets Rained Out

We did get our heat races in, but it rained before the feature and didn’t clear up so we took half our purse and called it a night. For our team it was a disaster. Before the races even started the Hobby members wanted me to make sure we got paid for a check that bounced the year before. Al Blight was running the track and promised me we would be the money. I went to him and sure enough he gave us the cash they owed us. Once that was handled the Hobby boys were good to go. I hardly needed the stress, but being President, it was my duty to get it straightened out and I knew Al was going to make it good and he did…..in this picture Fred Poets #58 leads cars off turn four. Tim Martin is a little loose in the #33 and back aways is Mike Koster #20. I’m going to guess that’s Ron Goodison #2 beside Tim and Kenny Frost #22 coming into the corner at the top.

Heat Race Sept 18th Barrie

Barrie

Wayne Varley #7 Battles Ron Shaw #81 and #22 Ken Frost

Two Vets..Two Friends

Barrie Speedway

Ron Shaw #81

We had a very bad season up until this point only winning one race…a consi….and blowing three engines. When it’s not your year, there’s nothing you can do about it. Ray Hughes gave me a steering box before the race started, Bruce Manson helped with my suspension. Larry Westwood commented that my car looked pretty good in hot laps, but I said to him “I’ll probably wreck in the heat”. We both laughed, he said “no you’ll be good”. Sure enough it happened, and shortly after this picture. I went into the corner and tried to stay low, pinch Ron down a bit, I ended up going over Charlie Becks right rear wheel (that’s the car in front of us) and went flying into the wall. The impact tore off the right front wheel and busted the rotor, amoung other things. It was a mess. Lucky for me it rained and the boys voted to not wait for it to clear up and we agreed on a $1,000 pay out. We got the cash, everyone was happy, well not my only crew guy for that race, Paul Cornwall. We headed home with three races to go to end this terrible season from our point of view…from the Hobby clubs point, it was terrific, lots of races, good shows, and no headaches for most of them. We needed this year to end and start to rebuild.

Hall Of Fame Don Cockburn

Inductee

Don Cockburn Inducted Into Hobby Hall Of Fame

Don Cockburn and Al Bowman were the 1985 inductees into the HHOF. Don was a hard worker every year he was with the Hobby’s weather he was on the committee or driving. He lead the club as President in the early 70’s, held many positions on the committee thoughout the years and raced some great looking race cars. Don was a very easy going likeable man who did so much to promote and keep the Hobby club focused. He was truly deserving of this honor.

Al Bowman Inducted

Hall Of Fame

Al Bowman Gets Inducted Into Hobby Hall Of Fame

In this picture Mrs. Bowman and her husband Al Bowman are receiving their plaque for Al’s induction into the 1985 HHOF. Al was one of the orginial founders of the OARC, Ontario, Amateur Racing Club, helping structure the future of the Hobby club with his vision and care. He was a hard racer and always helped other members weekly. When he retired he joined up with Jim Collison. Al retired from racing and the club duties but was always there to help give advice on how things should have be run. He was a friend to racing and a great pillar in the early growth of the Hobby Club giving him the right to be in the Hobby Hall Of Fame.

Shirley’s Art Work

Kids Love To Draw

Shirley Draws Her Dad’s Car…..Selp Explanatory

Best Appearing Car

Something To Be Proud Of

We Finally Win….Best Appearing Car…First Time Ever…Not With #36

Wow, we won Best Appearing Car for the first time in our long history with the Hobby Club. It was the first and would be the only year I ran #9 in a Hobby car. We were very proud of the win and have to give credit to our young son David for coming up with the idea of the nose cone and side curtains. We also won Most Popular Driver as well, our 2nd time for that award. Thanks to all my sponsor and crew for working hard and getting us out every week.

Crew Celebrates

John Sauciers Place

One Of Our Bright Moments

Our crew met at John Sauciers along with sponsors and Mike DeLeeuw, who lettered our 1985 trophy winner. Thanks to all our sponsors and crew for making 1985, one of our most disasterous years, better through their support and freindship, certainly a million miles better than what we got on paper in the stats column and on the track. 1986 has to be better….dosent’ it?

Quaker State Letter

Nice

A Word From John Allison Quaker State Director Of Racing For Canada

Points Standing

Year End

Flamboro Speedway & Gold Cup Points

Congratulations to Ray Hughes for winning both the Flamboro and Gold Cup titles. If you’re looking for our car, remember in 1985 we were #9………….You will also notice that Bruce Manson #74 is not on the points standing list. Bruce was disqualied the last night of racing at Flamboro after he got frustrated and threw a rock at Don Shaw from the pits while the cars were still on the track. What Bruce did was wrong, I wanted a penalty for him that would reflect what he did, I felt the committee were being too harsh. Bruce didn’t have many friends on the committee or in the club for that matter, at least none that would go to bat for him, I tried to get his penalty reduced to a month off, but the club wanted him gone for the entire season, and so it was. I still felt it was over-kill, and this whole ordeal made the end of my two year term as President, regardless of how successful it was, a very sad time, taking away a lot from the things we accomplished throuhgout 1985.

Gold Cup Finishes

Nine Shows

Bruce Manson #74

The top 5 in every Gold Cup race are listed here. Bruce Manson’s number is circled showing the races that were changed after his disqualitfication.

Hobby Banquet

Celebrating

John Saucier and Paul Cornwall Join Nonie & I At The 1985 Banquet

Awards Night

Banquet 1985

My Best Friend & Our Hardware…Best Appearing Car…Most Popular Driver…Gold Cup Top 5’s

Our first and only season to run #9 in the Hobby club, and we get Best Appearing Car. Kind of weird considering we had already ran the previous 13 seasons as #36. It was still a blessing for us to win these awards. I think I had best appearing wife to….no disrespect to anyone!!

1985 Recap

Stats & Finishes 1985

This Was A Bad Year On Track, Stats Don’t Lie…Only One Win In 1985…A Consi…We’ll Take It

Hobby Schedule….31 Races

Ray…1985 Champ

Hobby Schedule Features Ray Hughes On Cover

The 1986 season was typical with over 30 races booked. The club members always knew we’d lose a few to rain, but that would still give us 25 to 28 nights….we hoped. I just wonder how easier these schdules would have been with a little co-operation with our engine program. In spite of blowing so many inlines in my first 14 season (3 in 85) we still managed to make 95% if not all of the shows. That was the plan, make every race, because winning a Championship was our goal and that could not be attained without 100% attendance. There were no such things as drop nights, so being at every show was paramount. We wanted to be there, so did the fans, promoters and sponsors want us at every event.

1986 CVM History

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Gary ElliottJuly 16, 2015

Hobby Club 1986…20th Year

Membership Card

Hobby Club Has Big Year….Me And The Boys Of #36?….Not So Much, But We Never Gave Up

Nonie and I started our 15th season with the Hobby Club in 1986. After our disastrous 1985 season we wanted to make a better run for the title in 1986. That meant rebuilding our car complete. We sent it to Jim ward, where Ray Hughes worked, and got a lot of repairs done. Half our 1986 budget was spent at Jim’s place. We also got a new engine built, went over our car very carefully and landed a great sponsor in Dixie Ford, my place of employment. Brian Pratt lead the Hobby club through a very successful season. It was the 20th Year for the OARC as a club. Brian was energetic and brought new ideas and events to make the year exciting, like the match race at Kalamazoo. Brian also worked on a deal for our pace car and was very good working with all the issues the club went through including dealing with John Casale. I remember Brian right in Johns face a few times over issues with the club but he always came out smiling. He was a great President and a good friend. Merile Elliott (my dad) Paul Cornwall, Steffon Zoskey, David Elliott, John “OJ” Hyduk and John Saucier also helped us when he could. Both David and Shirley were not allowed in Flamboro pits, David was 14 and Shirley 12, she would be 13 in the summer but could not get in the pits because of insurance regulations. My Dad didn’t make every race, but made it when he could. It was a very hectic year for our family. Half way through the season we moved from Toronto, where both Nonie and I lived all our lives, to Waterdown. I could believe the size of home and property we bought. Our Toronto home went up for sale and within a few days we had bids higher than what we were asking for. The move was a great one for us, both the house and the shop suited us and would hopeful make things easier in the coming 86′ season. Things were great everywhere but on the track. By the fourth night of racing we were 28th in points, and still our next two Flamboro races would produce feature DNF’s. It was extremely frustrating for us. There were times when I lost my cool, mostly because of the things that were going wrong, but aside from the bad luck, we still had some positives. We won six races, including our first feature in 2 years. John Benson, from Kalamazoo Michigan drove our car to an exciting win against one other American and six top Hobby drivers. The club booked 31 races in 86′ but lost four to rain, giving us 27 race nights. We made every show, but missed one feature, the only night we ran at Sunset. We tried everything we could to get back out for the feature and had help from Jim Collison, Paul Fisher, Dave Bentley, Ron Shaw and others, but we would watch that feature race, a moment in racing I found very difficult to accept. Some positives included having a great crew with Paul, Steffon and John being there most every week. Nonie and kids made every show as well. Getting Dixie Ford as an involved sponsor also was a great asset for us. Winning the Sauble feature was feature was an exciting night for our team, then winning the heat the next day at Varney gave us some confidence. However 1986 was not going to be a year that we would remember in positive way. Our first thoughts once the year ended was planning for 1987. Mike Witter won the Flamboro Points on the final night, getting by Charlie Beck who was leading the Flamboro points. Charlie did win the Gold Cup series. We won Best Appearing car for the second year in a row, the first time with #36. Special thanks to everyone that participated in making this year as good as it was. The photographers for providing us with awesome pictures. All the great write ups by Georgia Beck. Also to those who helped us directly, my crew, friends and competitors. I hope I didn’t leave anyone out as we pay tribute to 1986 in the following pictures, captions and articles of the characters that made it a special year.

1986 Rundown

1986

More Info From Now On

The 1986 Rundown not only shows the number of races we ran at each track, and the restults, but starting in 1986 I kept track of who won the features each night. That added stat was continued until 2004, the year we switched to Late Models. However, I kept track of all the feature winners in Late Models as well…..I want to thank all those who helped us this year. My amazing wife Nonie and my children David and Shirley, our crew and sponsors, and the many photographers who sold or donated pictures. Some of our shots in 1986 were with the throw away camera……We were blessed to have the dedication of Paul and Steffon, our main crew members for 1986, with John Saucier also making many shows. My Dad, Merile, helped where he could, and David on away shows. Both David and Shirley were not allowed in the pits at Flamboro in 1986, the first year for that rule….Ainslie Hogan was incredible, not only supporting us financially but also with encouraging words. We hope you enjoy the 1986 season, and I will try to get it up as quick as possible.

Hobby Cars Start 20th Season

20th Year

Hobby Club Season #20

Brian Pratt worked with me on the 1985 committee, an excellent group, and had some great ideas. Now he would lead a new committee in 1986 to celebrate the Hobby’s milestone of twenty years.

Hobby Roster

A Good Field

1986 Hobby Line Up

This was my 15th season with the Hpbby club, but someone didn’t know me very well, they posted me as #37. Maybe it was an omen because in 2 years that would be David’s number.

Hobby Race Schedule

1986

Ray Hughes 1985 Champ On 1986 Schedule

Our 1986 schdule had 31 races booked. We had enough to run both our Flamboro home track and Gold Cup series. The club usually booked 30 plus races knowing we’d lose a few to rain, and still give us 25 to 28 race nights. Our plan was to make every race. Of course that depended mostly on the reliability of our inline engines. We blew at least two every year, in 1985 we lost three. We did a lot of work on our car and so a run at the title was the goal and legit. It was our 15th season and time to get to the head of the class.

Proposal To Dixie Ford

Sponsorship Hopeful

Working At Dixie Prompts Proposal

I started working at Dixie Ford as a Service Advisor in 1985. At the end of our race season I put a proposal into Dixie Ford for sponsorship in 1986. This is the proposal given to Ainsley Hogan owner of Dixie Ford in November of 1985.

Dixie Ford Accepts Proposal

New Sponsor

Dixie Came On Board As Our Sole Sponsor For 1986

We were very happy to get this letter, a notice that was sent around the dealership for all employee’s to read. Once we got the go ahead we started getting our car ready. Quaker State and club sponsors were the only other companies on the car.

Car Gets Gutted At Dixie Ford

1948 Chev Ramp Truck

Dixie Ford Let’s Us Use Shop To Strip Car

We wanted to have a good car for 1986 so we decided to strip it right down. It was beat up pretty good after the 1985 season, but still needed some major work to make it look and run right. Steffon Zoskey and Paul Cornwall would help us when they could.

Dixie Ford Contest For Color And Name

Chris Shepherd Wins

Dixie Staff Get To Name Car

We had a contest to see who could come up with a name for the race car for 1986. Many ideas and color schemes were put in. The one that was chosen was the “Dixie Devil”, submitted by salesman Chris Shepher. Dixie Ford had a sales program the year before exclusive to the Dealership for Ford Bronco 2’s, calling them the Dixie Devil. They had lots of decals left over and decided they would look good on the car. There was no problem this year, but there would be in 88′.

Jim Wards Shop

Ray Hughes To Build

Jim Ward & 69 Auto Racing Would Redo Our 1986 Car, Body & Bars

We dropped our car off to Jimmy Ward in early 1986 to let Ray do some chassis and sheet metal work on our car. David stands by the car. We stripped it down as much as possible at Dixie Ford before bringing it to 69 Auto.

Ray Had Help

The Shop “Watch Cat&q

Don’t Leave Anything Unless It’s Metal

This cat walked all over every car that was brought into Jim’s shop. Ray warned us not to leave roll cage padding, seat covers or anything that could be clawed, because it would be.

Snow Day In January

Toronto

David & I Head Out In 10″ Of Snow

Not sure where we were going but we needed to move so we wouldn’t get this new Tempo, my Demo, stuck. we use to get Demo’s as part of our job as Service Advisor. That changed early in 86. Also not sure who took this picture but I’m guessing Nonie or Shirley.

Quaker State Agreement

Longest Sponsor With Us

Quaker State Back For 13th Season

John Allison gave us another sponsorship for 1986. This was our 13th season. We would send in race card reports and pictures. If everyone did that they were in the following year, if you didn’t they would drop you.

1986 Crew

Basement Shop???

Scott, Paul, Steffon & David

While our car was out getting repaired me and the boys tried to come up with some ideas to gain power. Polishing the crank, running a belt driven water pump was on the drawing board. Also, new roller rockers, headers and more. We were pumped thinking we were gaining an edge on the competition. We never gave up trying things.

This Is No Sunken Ship

Jim Ward’s

Grinding & Fitting Roof & Engine

Ray put a dummy block in the car and set the headers in place so we’d know what had to be cut out and fabricated, we being mostly Ray, or Jim. The engine was an old anchor, maybe one of Ray’s rockets that blew up, but the headers were knew, man did they look out of place in that rusty piece.

Flamboro Schedule

Flamboro

1986 Flamboro Speedway Schedule

Flamboro Promotion

Promo

Flamboro Season Promotion

Sunset Speedway Schedule

Shakells Sunset

Sunset Schedule 1986

Sauble Schedule

Sauble

1986 Sauble Speedway Schedule

Hobby Sponsor’s

Sponsor List

1986 Hobby Sponsors

Brian and the 86′ committee worked hard getting these spopnsors on board for 1986. I was able to help with Quaker State again, and many of the sponsors from the year before came back with us.

Daytona Bound

Family Trip

Family Trip With The 4 Of Us & Nonie’s Mom

Nonies Mom didn’t want to go to the 500, but Nonie and the kids and I did. We took her to Palm Springs to stay with her friend and picked her up a few days later. This was our second time to Daytona.

Coming Together

Jim Wards

Bead Rolls…Wow, They Always Make A Job Look Great

Steffon & I Like To Work Together

Fitting Side Curtains

We Fit The Side Curtains

Steffon and I went to 69′ Auto and helped fit the cardboard template for the side curtains. Anytime we could help out was okay with Ray and Jim. We weren’t going to save any money, but then we wouldn’t be standing around asking any kind of questions. It was a fun day and we got a lot done in this shot and the one below…these photos from a throw away camera, though poor quality, helped tell the story.

David Helps

Jim Wards

David Stands Beside Our Nose Cone Creation

We used cardboard again to shape the front nose cone. We fit it around the brand new 1986 T-Bird grill. We got them because they were replaced under warranty for defective chrome. Once the dealership was given the command to destroy them I would head them off at the dumpster and ask if I could have it. The parts man said “no, these have to be destroyed”. I said “don’t worry, it might take us a few races but it’s liable to happen”. Anyway we got a few and it made the car look better, giving it some character.

Drive Roster 1986

Accurate Version

Here Is One With My Name & Number Correct…Nice

Hobby Hall Of Fame 1986

HOF

Joe McQueen & Doug Bowerman Inducted

Fabricacting Almost Done

Pre Season

Body Looks Good…Next Step Is Paint

Body Work

Prep

Body Work On The Roof Gets Done Before Paint….That & Trunk, Only Original Parts To Coupe

Ready For Paint

Paint Crew

Prep Done Paint Booth Awaits

Paint It Black

Painters Happy

This Was A Great Paint Job On This Car…We Were Getting Geared Up In Every Area

Dixie Devil Lettered

Ready To Go

Lettering Complete…By Spider!!

Article Before Motion Show

Georgia Beck

Georgia Beck Writes Pre Season Hobby Article

Bill Elliott Signs Picture

Motion Car Show

Bill Elliott Signs Picture Of Our 1985 Best Appearing Car…Shirley & I Are Excited

Bill Elliott…& The Elliotts

86′ Motion Car Show

Nonie, Shirley & I Get Picture With One Of The Best NASCAR Drivers Ever

In 1985 we used the number 9, the first and only time. We loved watching and cheering for Bill Elliott. We had our car painted like his and got a thrill of a life time having him sign it for us. We didn’t do very well on the track, but we did win Best Appearing Car. It was our first time winning that award, and kind of incredible considering we’d run #36 for 16 years before that in Mini’s and Hobbys.

Dixie Ford Race Night

May 2nd

Meet The Race Team

On this night at Dixie Ford, Ainslie Hogan introduced all of us and basically got our season going with a great send off. On the right side of the picture is Ron Corbin the shop foreman who would become the service Manager, and beside him Brian McLean, the transmission specialist. All the staff were invited to meet our race team.

1986 Pit Crew

Show Room

New Uniforms, New Paint Scheme, New Sponsor….Great Crew.

This was our first time to have nice uniforms. They were all embroidered with crests attached. We looked like a professional race team. From left to right our crew consisted of David Elliott, Paul Cornwall and beside me Steffon Zoskey. Paul and Steffon were in there 7th season as our pit crew, but importantly our friends. This was David’s first official year, although he helped at home in previous years, he was now a bona-fide member of our crew.

Dixie Ford Mustang

Pace Car

Dixie Ford Sponsors Flamboro Speedway Pace Car

Hobby Pace Car

Pace Car

Brain Pratt Lands Wellington Chrysler Dodge To Sponsor Hobby Pace Car

Dixie Ford Ad

Promotion

Dixie Ford Promo Ad For 1986 Season

Season Opener May 3rd..Witter Wins

Flamboro

Mike Witter Win’s Feature……Not A Good Night For Us

Over the winter we did many things to our car to try and give us an advantage, gimics maybe, but we thought some would work. One that didn’t was the electric water pump. The idea was to save horsepower, but the problem was it didn’t turn the water pump fast enough and we blew two head gaskets this night…..just prior to the season starting I was tightening up the the motor mount bolts at Dixie Ford, a week before our season started, and was using an impact gun to tighten up the four half inch bolts. I didn’t notice that the mounts on the engine were not even with the chassis mounts. I should have tightened the bolts up a little each, but instead jack hammered the first one. That pulled the left rear mount about 3/4 of an inch off the chassis. So not noticing, I decided to tighten it up as well using all the power this impact gun would give, and the I heard this loud terrible bang/clunk. A few seconds later oil came running out of the back of the engine. It was easy to spot, it was coming from the large crack from the rear of the 250 engine broken from the head to the flare…..anyway I learned a lesson on that, and tonight I learned another, use a regular water pump so the engine dosen’t get over heated and warp everything inside. Our screw in the distributor also came loose making the timing go south adding even more the over heating of the engine. Congrats to Mike and his team, back to the drawing board for us…PS…in fairness to the trouble I’ve had with inline sixes, both of these issues were my fault. Having said that, inlines are up ’65 to 6′ (at least) since 1972.

Heat Winner #22 Ken Frost

#22 Ken Frost

New Comer Kenny Frost, Raced In 85…Still Winning in 86

Early Season DNF

May 10th

Second DNF In Two Nights…..Engine Woes Continue

On May 10th we had to use our spare engine. The overheated engine from opening night needed 3 pistons, rings, a new block and $1,000 to cure. That was totally our fault, or at least it was the enigne to blame. The overheating was caused by a defaulty set of points in the distributor combined with the new electric water pump that did not do the job of cooling. We reverted to our spare engine, we call it the Hays engine…Gabby Hays that is. There was a lot of work needed to get it ready for the 10th and by the time we left home it was after 6:30 and we missed practice and our heat race. There were 30 cars, and 21 had made it into the feature through their heats. We had to start 9th and only 3 qualified. It wasn’t long in the consi before the engine started to overheat again. I was running 7th at the time, but had to pull to the infield. This picture says a lot for our hopes at running for a title. The only thing we were running for was a tow truck, and more money to fix our engine problems. Jim Lindsay was building our engines, he built Ray Hughes, and many others as well. The problems with our engine were nothing to do with him…….Larry Westwood won the May 10th feature.

Trouble In Turn Three…May 10th

Flamboro Speedway

Ron Shaw #81 Goes Low, Wayne Stevens #99 Goes High…Ron Easton #00 Undecided

Larry Westwood Wins May 10th

#21 Larry Westwood

Feature Winner May 10th

30 Hobby cars showed up on Saturday night at Flamboro. Larry Westwood #21 won the non stop feature.

Ray On Top

Flamboro

Hobby Top 12….1985 Champ On Top After Two Nights

Hobby Tech Inspection May 17th

Tech Sheet

Hobby Inspection Sheet…1986

Rich Farraway Wins Feature

#53 Rich Farraway

1984 Points Champion #53 Rich Farraway Wins May 17th Feature

The biggest field of the early season had 31 cars come out to Flamboro Speedway. We had more bad luck this week making it 3 non feature starts in three weeks. Our hopes of winning a points title were quickly going away as overheating woes (all different reasons) would not leave us alone…..there were no woes this night for veteran racer Rich Farraway who won the main event 20 lap feature. Pictured here are Rich’s boys, Leonard, his dad Bill on the far left and the others may include one of his sons, Jason or Darrell.

Keith Barton #85

Hobby Driver

Long Time Hobby Racer, Committe Member & Club Sponsor #85 Keith Barton

Dave Bentley Wins May 24th

#29 Dave Bentley

Hard Runner Dave Bentley #29, Wins May 24th Feature

What a night this was for Dave Bentley and his team winning the feature. Dave was the fourth different driver to win in 86. We had a terrible night again. We managed a 3rd in the heat race, our first finish of the season. However there were troubles once that race ended. Steffon was sick and we needed to do a ton of work, and I was lucky to get some great help from Eddy Askin, Don Shaws crew chief, Charlie Beck and Ray Hughes. Paul Cornwall noticed a clunk from our starter. On closer inspection we found the flywheel was loose. We had to remove the driveshaft, trans, bell housing etc. We were suppose to start outside pole in the feature. It was a night mare repair as we found a broken flywheel bolt and all the bolts loose. Charlie Beck had an extra bolt. We started putting it back together and Sharon Yost came over to let us know the cars would be lining up soon. We scrambled hard and were having a terrible time lining up the bell housing to the back of the engine. It was taking way too long. Jim Collison was the bubble car and was watching us like a hawk on a field mouse. We finally got three bolts in one side but could get none in the right side. I made the call to weld the bell to the engine. The transmission went in easy, and while the welder was doing his thing, John Saucier and I tried installing the drive shaft but were getting zapped by the welder. We got it in and the starter, but we couldn’t get the clutch rod in. Sharon came over again and my crew said “we’re coming”. I’m sure Jim Collison’s crew were saying “no there not”. Anyway we finally got the car on the ground but no clutch. The cars were going on the track. We were to start outside pole, but now we’d be lucky to start period. We finally got the car moving and it wouldn’t go, but I did get it to go with the starter engaged. We made it out just a split second before Sharon was sending out Jim. It was a wild race with Ray and Mike Witter having trouble. Mike had an axle shaft come out Murphy’s Law 1…Mike O. We lasted half the race with no clutch pedal, and then the car started overheating again. If it could go wrong this year it was going to Murphy 6…Gary…0 Anyway it was the best night of the year, though we fell to 28th in points, so much for a shot at the title. Steffon had a good night off, but would earn his keep during the week when we fixed this once again.

Hobby Standings

Club Points

Dave Bentley Early Points Leader

Sponsor Night At Flamboro

Dixie Ford Staff Announcement

Dixie Ford Night At The Races….Memo From Ainslie Hogan

Dixie Ford was one of my best sponsors to this point. They were very involved and wanted the staff to come to the races and cheer on their car. I was happy but worried, because we had not qualified for the first three features, and didn’t finish the only feature we were in. Out of 8 possible races, we only had one finish, the rest were DNFs including heats. So we had to make sure we were ready for this weekend….but to be honest, if it was the Iranian Dance Festival we’d still want to be ready to go for the win. The frustrating part for us, and it could be considered by now…maddening…was the fact that the 40 changes we made to our car were suppose to help us be a championship team, but now we were 28th in points having our worst start maybe ever. It would be good to have a turn around night.

First Win Of Season

May 31st

Dixie Ford Night…..Nothing Like A Win To End Bad Luck Streak

First Win Of 86

Ken Rodd

“Dixie Ford Night” Sponsor Comes And We Win….Nice….Our First Win Of 86…Ties All Of 85

Kids Join In Celebrations

Heat Win May 31st

Heat Win A Big Relief….Feature 5th….Lead For 17 Laps

It was great to win the heat race this night. With all our friends, fans and colleagues from work here, and my boss Ainslie Hogan, it sure was a good feeling to win in front of them, especially for Dixie Ford Night. In the feature we started outside pole and lead the first 17 laps. Jim Collison, who told me prior to the race that we did amazing to get our car out in time last week, won the feature. He missed the feature on the 24th but made up for tonight. We were very tight in the feature race and pushed so bad that Jim, Ray Mike and Charlie all got by me. My co-workers were still excited and it was a great night overall…obviously we broke the jinx that was haunting us the first month of racing. Congrats to my crew Paul, Steffon and John for hanging in there.

Points Leaders

Flamboro

Mike Witter #19…Tops In The Class After May 17th…We Sit Uncomfortable In 28th Place

Rich Farraway #53

Promo

Promotion For Rich Farraway

Kyle Petty Wins

Richmond

Bill Elliott Crashes..Kyle Petty Wins

Point Standings 6 Weeks In

Hobby Points

Ray Hughes #24….Top Of The Leader Board

Triple Header Week End…June 6-7-8

Barrie June 6th

First Gold Cup Feature Goes To #12 Jim Collison…Jim Makes It Two With Heat Win

We did not have any Barrie pictures, but this will do. Jim won the feature, his second of the season, and second in a row. Ray was 2nd and Mike Witter 3rd. We finished 2nd in our heat this night and were running 5th and got tangled with Dave Bentley. We were a DNF because it was a closed pit gate race. We were naturally hoping not to start the Gold Cup Series with 4 DNF’s, but we were off to a good start if 4 DNFs was the plan….but it wasn’t. We did have a decent run this race, just some racing luck. Ray Hughes, Mike Witter, Jim Collison and Larry Westwood were all heat winners with the Consi going to Larry.

Sauble Heat Goes To #33 Wayne Martin

Sauble Speedway

Gail Shaw Present Trophy For Wayne Martins Heat Victory

Wayne Martin is usually #34 but he was driving Tims #33 this night. There were 26 cars on hand for this second race in a Triple header Gold Cup week end. We finished 2nd in the heat behind Wayne. We had a good run, but our feature would even be better….see next photo.

Sauble Feature Winner #36….

Sauble

Great Night For Us With Sauble Feature Win…2nd Of Triology Weekend

This was the second Gold Cup race of 1986. What a great night it was for us. We ran good all day in practice, in our heat and in the feature. Nonie came over to the pits before the races and pumped us up by telling us that our car looked very strong. That was encouraging. There is so much to talk about this night, we sure were on our game plan. We started up front because of our bad finish at Barrie Speedway, but got a second in the heat, and started 4th in the feature. We got the lead at the end of lap one and then it started to rain. We drove around a few laps trying to dry the track, the rain had stoppped. Then when the starter motioned me if it was good to go, I waved him off twice. They sent us to the pits and let the Challengers run their feature. After that the track was perfect. A huge dispute started in the pits when some wanted a completle restart. I argued for us because we had completed one lap and it was only a rain delay. The race restarted with us on the pole and we ran hard all race. Near the end it was getting tense with Jim Collison and Mike Witter right on my tail. Near the closing laps of the feature we were lapping cars and I knew by the sound of engines, someone was right on me. Lapped cars were battling side by side, they still were racing, but that made it possible for both Jim and Mike to catch us. On the white flag lap I was really nervous..don’t blow it…going down the back chute lapping cars on the outside was perfect because it meant no one behind could dive in low. Coming off four the car was perfect and we crossed the line with two cars right with us. Steffon and Paul were there to enjoy the feature win, our first since Barrie in 1984. We celebrated this night for sure. After the races, our crew and family, Jim and his crew, Mike and Paul Fisher as well as Dave Bentley and Mike Kostel all met at our hotel in Sauble. I bought the pizza, and it was great. I slept good knowing we could win another feature.

Ron Shaw #81

June 6 Varney

Ron Shaw Wins Heat Race At Varney Speedway June 8th

After starting outside pole in the fast car heat Ron went on to take the checker in this competitive race. Ron and Don have become tremendous supporters of the Hobby club working hard, doing what they can to make the club stronger.

Rich Farraway #53

Varney

Hard Luck At Varney For Rich Farraway Our 1984 Club Champion

Trouble In Turn 3

Varney Speedway

Mike Kostel #20 Spins…..Look Out!!!!

Charlie Beck #79, Jim Collison #12 go around the spinning #20 of Mike Kostel. Ron Shaw #81 hits a road block and I try desperately to get out of the way. We all got through this mess.

Varney Speedway

Back Chute Varney

Varney Speedway, A Fast Little Bull Ring

Jeff Bedell Wins Varney June 8th

Jeff Bedell #65

Final Race Of Triple Weekend

This was the final race of the 3 day series, Barrie Friday, Sauble Saturday and Varney on Sunday. The weekend saw 3 different drivers take the feature, Jim Collison won Friday, we won Sauble and Bedell won this one……This was our 8th feature of the season with the 7th different winner…on this day our team had fast time in hot laps, won our heat but wrecked in the feature. There was a pile up and I couldn’t avoid Ron Shaw and bent our tie rod and axle. We were pushed off the track and immediately my crew, Steffon and Paul as well as Larry Westwood and his crew Lloyd Loveridge helped change the tie rod to get us back out and we finished 11th……hard charging Jeff Bedell started pole in the feature and ran away with it, taking his first feature win of 1986.

Ken Frost Wins June 14th Flamboro

Ken Frost #22

Kenny Frost Wins Feature….8th Different Feature Winner….We Finish A Close 2nd

This was a great night for Kenny Frost picking up his first feature win of the season. It was a great night for our team as well, we won our heat, from the back and finished a very close 2nd in the feature. The best part was Ainslie Hogan owner of Dixie Ford was there to cheer us on…..it was an awesome night for all of us. My Dad was very happy with our night and I gave him the hat from the nightly sponsor, Forbes GM Truck, Dad loved in and would wear it as he headed the next day to Nova Scotia….nothing like a good night to keep the spirits high.

Hobby Points

Standings

Ray Hughes Holds Point Lead…Mike Witter Close Behind

Dave Bentley #29 June 21st

Dave Bentley

Dave Bentley 9th Wins Flamboro Feature….9th Different Win In 1986

Tonight was regular racing and the Hobby Clash, a race that featured all the feature winners from the year before. The regular racing was great, we had another full field of cars and the hard charging Dave Bentley #29, became the 9th different feature winner of the season, showing how competitive the class has become…..we finished 2nd in our heat and crashed in the feature, unable to put 2 good nights back to back…..Bruce Manson returned to win the Clash and did so in fine fashion.

Mike Kostell 20 Wins Feature June 22nd

Mike Kostell

Sunset Speedway Feature Winner #20 Mike Kostell

Mike Kostell #20, the young hard charger became the 10th different feature winner of the 86′ season. Jim Collison is the double feature winner, and he has been running excellent this season. However on this night it was Mike Kostell who took the win and the checker……We had a bad night. A severe engine miss, that developed into a no start kept us from running in the feature. There are not many things that bother me, but one that changes my personality is not starting a feature. We wait all week to race and to have some issue with the car keep us out of the race, especially when we’re having our best season, was just over the top disappointing. We were 5th in the points, but not starting the feature was a huge hit……congrats to Mike on his awesome win.

Heat Race Sauble Speedway

Sauble Speedway

Hard Battle In Heat Race At The Beach

This was our second show at Sauble Speedway for 1986. In this heat race I am leading Wayne Martin #33 (driving Tim’s car), Ron Shaw #81, Larry Westwood #21, Wayne Stevens #99 and Jim English #55. Twenty five Hobby cars made it to this race and we would hang on to take our 4th win of the season……Wayne Martin would go on to win the feature, his first of the year.

Sauble Speedway Win July 12th

4th Win

David Gets In Picture

Racing is all about family and fun and nothing better than winning a race and your children get in the picture. David was a big help for us in 86, learning a lot as he was being prepared to one day race…….this was our 4th win of the year and sure felt good.

Press Recap Early 86

Gary The Writer 🙂

Hobby News, Recapping The Early Racing

Press Update Page 2

Continued

The Rest Of The Story

Wayne Martin #33 Varney Speedway July 13th

Varney Speedway Pits

Wayne Martin #34…..Wants To Make It 2 In A Row

We ran a double header this weekend, racing Sauble Speedway on Saturday and Varney Speedway on Sunday. It rained most all night but cleared up and we had most of our cars show up. Dave Bentley missed the show, but we still had 25 to compete….Wayne Martin, shown here, usually drives #34 but was driving Tim’s car again, and after winning the feature last night at Sauble he was looking at making it 2 in a row.

Wayne Stevens #99 Varney July 13th

Varney

Wayne Stevens Hot Laps Varney Speedway July 13th

Wayne Stevens was a great addition to the Hobby club. He was always giving more than he took and would become a great supporter by being part of the club executive as well as a full time racer.

Jim English #55 Varney Speedway

Varney July 13th

Jim English #55 One Of The Toughest Ever…..He Gave Up Nothing To Win Or Keep His Spot

Mike Ball #13

Varney July 13

Mike Ball #13 Flies Down Back Chute At Varney During Practice

Brian Barton #95 Varney Speedway

Brian Barton

Brian Barton…..One Of Many Racing Barton’s

Brian Barton is a great addition to the Hobby club. Just like his Dad he cares about the club and puts in extra effort to make it better. It seems that most all the racers join the Hobby Club and then do whatever they car to make it better, or keep it going in the right direction…..it seems to be working, as the drivers have lots of races, awesome reviews from every track and incredible competition……Brian’s Dad Keith, raced in the early 70’s and I had the pleasure to race with him as well.

Bev Thring #57

Varney Winner

Bev Thring #57 Wins July 13th Feature

It didn’t take Bev Thring long to start winning in this club. He brought out this car, I called it the roof, because that’s about 90% of the body. Anyway his set up and driving skills made the Hobby club even tougher competition wise, but on this night none could touch Mr. Thring.

Driver Of The Week Dave Bentley #29

Clash Winner

Dave Bentley #29….Winner of the Clash…Driver of the Week

The Hobby Clash was sponsored by Dave Franks Photo’s left, Brian and Keith Barton from B&B Decals. Dave Bentley was the big winner of this race held on June 29th at Flamboro Speedway.

Twin 25 Flyer Flamboro Speedway

12th Annual Twin 25’s

B&B Decals Sponsor Plus Many Businesses Sponsor Twin 25’s

The Hobby club members and drivers sold laps for this event to help pay for the 2nd feature. Flamboro wouldn’t give anymore money to run the 2nd race so we raised our own money. Some years, we raised so much, the track owners didn’t want to pay us for any races because we were so successful in our efforts…..anyway special thanks to all those who did support us with $10 lap donations.

Jim Collison #12 Wins Twin 25’s

Driver of the Week

Jim Collison #12…Having An Awesome Season…Takes Twin 25 Overall With A 4th & 1st In The Features

Kalamazoo Sppedway August 8th

Kalamazoo Speedway

Hobby Club Makes 2nd Visit To Michigan’s Kalamazoo Speedway

We were very popular our firs visit to Kalamazoo in 1985. Brian Pratt, our President, easily booked us for 3 races this weekend. Our first stop was Kalamazoo, then Flat Rock and then Spartan Speedway near Lansing. We got rained out at Spartan but ran very well at the other two races prompting shows for 1987.

Track Promotes Race

Kalamazoo

Hobby Cars Prompt Old Timers Night That Includes Match Race….With John Benson Sr.

After the Hobby feature the Old Timers race took to the track. Two track Champions, Roger Gilligan and Johnny Benson Sr. (father of Johnny Benson Jr. who would soon race NASCAR), raced against 6 Hobby drivers.

More Track Promotion

Kalamazoo

Hobby’s Are Coming But The Main Excitement Is Put On Track Icons Roger Gilligan & Johnny Benson

Johnny Benson To Drive #36

Kalamazoo Speedway

We Proudly Give Our Car To Past Track Champion Johnny Benson…Winner of the 1965 Oswego Classic

Johnny Benson stands by the car he will drive in the Old Timers race against the Hobby cars. Our crew were very excited and proud to have him drive our car and he did awesome.

Kalamazoo Pits

Johnny Benson

Happy and Proud To Be Standing Next To This Kalamazoo Legend…Paul Cornwall Is At The Rear Of Our Car

Practice Kalamazoo

Johnny Benson

Johnny Benson Shakes Down #36

In the first set of hot laps Johnny drove Jim Buntings car and I could not pass him, I always pass that car, but could not get by. Later, in this set, he drove our car and almost spun out. He said there was lots wrong with the car and was prepared to help us get it right. I had been compensating for a poorly set up car and could avoid spinning out, but I was wearing myself out trying to keep the car right. Tonight was a huge help for us with Mr. Benson not only giving us tips and helping, but also driving the car to see how the improvements were doing.

Timing Johnny Benson

Hot Laps

Brian Pratt Watches As I Check Lap Times On Johnny Benson

Right after the first set of hot laps Brian Pratt, President of the Hobby Club, asked for a volunteer to loan their car for Mr. Benson, he was having trouble adjusting to Jim Buntings car. I offered our car for a Trophy Dash featuring him, Roger Gilligan and a few Hobby drivers. I said yes, but only if Jim’s car was given to Roger and it was agreed. So Johnny got out in our car for a few laps like this practice session……after these hot laps Johnny said the car was loose going into the corners and I agreed that it was for me as well, but didn’t know how to fix it. He said “you need more wedge” and so we went down one hole on the right front and it was better. A few more practice sessions and a few more changes and he was happy with the car. He said he didn’t want to change it too much for me, but my crew and I laughed saying “don’t worry, we have been driving it like this off and on all year and whatever it is it will be better than what we had”…….in our heat race we finished 5th, and because of a big wreck in their Thunder Car division, they cancelled the Consi and brought out the Trophy Dash Match Race.

Mike Kostell #20

Heat Wreck

Kalamazoo Collects Kostel

Paul Cornwall & Nonie Relaxing

Pits

Just Taking It Easy….It’s All Good

Kalamazoo Trophy Dash Winner

Johnny Benson

Johnny Benson Wins Trophy Dash To The Delight Of Everyone

The ten lap race was awesome. There were 6 cars in total. Mike Witter, Dave Bentley, Ron Goodison and Ron Shaw. Johnny started outside pole beside Roger and took the lead. For the first few laps he pulled away but slowly Mike and Dave were closing in. When the white flag came out it was a 2 car race with Witter putting tons of pressure on Johnny, Fans were screaming and cheering as the 2 cars flew down the back chute with Bentley close but not near close enough to do anything with half a lap left. Going into three side by side Mike was slightly ahead but Benson wasn’t letting up and drove hard into three, gaining the lead by half a car length. Mike was right there but knew to try and win he would be taking a chance of wrecking both cars. The little hesitation, and the momentum off turn four was all Johnny need to grab an incredibly exciting victory. His daughter filmed the race and screamed most of the final 3 laps, especially the last lap. we were just as excited. The grand stands were packed and the fans loved it.

Crew Joins The Winner

Kalamazoo

Paul, Steffon, David, Johnny & One of His Crew Take A Victory Picture

Ken Frost #22 Feature Winner

Kalamazoo

Happy Ken Frost #22 Wins 25 Lap Feature….We Finish 3rd

What a night for our team. Not only did our car run awesome in the Trophy Dash with Johnny Benson, but ran almost as good in our feature. we started 18th and managed to finish 3rd behind Ken Frost and Mike Witter. Dave Bentley was 4th and Charlie Beck 5th

News Release August 8th Kalamazoo

Kalalazoo

Nice Report Following Nights Races

Flat Rock Speedway August 9th

Track Ad

Ron Shaw Wins Inaugural Flat Rock Hobby Race

This non stop feature was a good one for our first time to this track. Unfortunately there are no pictures from 1986 of Flat Rock, but Ron Shaw won the feature. We finished 8th, started 19th and the key to this track was the constant turning that soon wore most drivers out……we won the consi

Ron Shaw #81

Flat Rock Winner

Ron Shaw One Of My Favourite Competitors

Spartan Speedway August 10th

Rained Out

Coupes & Winged Midgets….Would Have Been An Awesome Show…Rained Out

After Flat Rock was had our 3rd US race for the weekend but the rain spoiled our chance to have fun at this weird designed oval. This was to be our first visit at Spartan Speedway and we were all looking forward to it.