1980 OARC Membership
Harry Nicholson was President and Bryan Rashleigh was Secretary Treasurer.
1980 Rundown
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
Hobby Drivers for 1980…No Ray Hughes
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
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
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.
Body Man’s Nightmare
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
New Sponsor Picks Up Car
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
New Home for A While
New Home for A While
Dad Puts On A Front Clip…No Jig
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
Dad made the cross member and did a great job making it fit.
Cross Member In Frame Rails Capped
Welding Motor Mounts and Supports
This car badly needed a front clip and Dad did it all.
Axle In with Drum Brakes
Drop In The Motor
Motor In….Dad With TheCool Glasses and A Smoke
More Stick Welding Needed
Richie Puts On The Wheels
Richie Puts On The Wheels
Paul Works On The Wheel Bearings
There Was A Lot To Do After 1979
Dad Thinks About How He Will Fit The Front Bumper
Harry Holds The Bumper…….Not Tim Horton’s Cups
Grandpa Raymond Elliott’s House………A Wise Man
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
Transmission and Driveshaft…HeyThis Is Easy
We Need Gas
Ramp Truck Not Ready……..Butch Tows Opening Day
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
Trailer Trouble……….Dad Checks It Out
Buzz Works On Ramp Truck
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
The boy made need a haircut.
It’s Much Better When You Have Your Own Stuff
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
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
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?
Shirley and Tracey with Ontario’s finest.
Early For Practice
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
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
Nonie and David at the club picnic, and Shirley at the table. That’s me taking the picture.
David and I
Entering Flamboro Fprm The North Gate
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
Going through Tech…”don’t worry boys we fixed it since the 79′ roll over”.
Delaware June 20th
Delaware 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
Delaware Fast Heat Winner…Dave McKee #37
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
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
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
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
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
Jerome Pulls Away….McKee Back To 2nd
5th still?…that could give a guy a lot of confidence.
Flamboro Action Turn 3 & 4..Brian in Front
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….$$$$$$$$….
Flamboro Points…Lee 1st….Should Be Brian Book
That should be Brian Book…..we drop to 6th and top cars pull away.
Flamboro Turn 3
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
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 Out
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.
Flamboro Practice
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
Sponsor Appreciation Display
Flamboro Program
Dave Carson #83
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
We raced at sauble twice in 80′. Once on June 29th and this week end.
Sauble Turn Three
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Sauble 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 #56 and I exit off the back chute.
Sauble Pits….#47 Stewart Pitchford
Sauble………….. Pete Ireland Rolls in Feature
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
In his rookie season Doug had this terrible crash with his immaculate Coupe.
Sauble…….Feature Front Chute
Look Suede Racing Boots…
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
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
Butch Beside Our Car…..Nice Tool Box
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 his friend David Lewis.
Accidents and I Wasn’t In Them……..Linc Brown??
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
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!!
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
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.