1981 Membership Card
1981 Run Down
Racing with one of the best #37 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
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
Richie and the crew lift the 33 Ford Coupe body
Lots of work from here.
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
There at the post!
Honey we found the engine miss!
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
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
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
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
Start the re assemble
Coming together
Engine Next
Body’s On
Harry Bow At Work
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
Flamboro 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.
The first year of a black #36. We did get a good paint job in 81′ at Elgin Ford.
Lettering by Norm
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
Getting Ready To Go Racing
My dad Merile, and my mom Shirley
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
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
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
Ken Hillis #43 is outside Jim English #55. Doug Didero is driving #75.
Early Points Race Stats
Loading Up to go Racing
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
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 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
Dave McKee was surrounded by Jeromes. John Hasselfeldt ran well with slicks.
New Car
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
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
1981 was one of our worst years and this particular day was mild compared to some.
Hard Hit Backwards
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
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
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?
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
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
Almost ready
Saturday Morning… Almost As Good As New
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
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
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
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
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
Sammy ran sparingly, but when he did he gave it his best.
Tom Gallinger #30
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
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
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
Points chase is close up front
My Future Car..1936 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
Doug Didero, Jeff Bedell then me.
The Kids and Crew Chief
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 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
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
Ron Holds Top Spot Over Dad
President In The Best Appearing Car
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
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
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
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
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
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
Side by side with Jeff Bedell.
Tom Gallenger #30
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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?
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
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
Tammy, Gary, David and Grampa Merile
Close Call
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
David Was Learning
Close Quarters
Roger Perry #98…Jeff Bedell #65
Judging By The Smile
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
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
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
Jeff Bedell #65 and Ron Butts #88 Just Ahead
Hobby Cars Were Always Fun To Race
Having Fun Is Hard To Quit….Quit?…Never
John Hasselfeldt #66
One Day The #66 Car Would Be Mine…1990
Mid Season Heart Break
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
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
Shutterbug #43 Ken Hills Jr and Lee Jerome #57
Dad, Harry and Richie
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
Doug DiDero Would One Day Become A Super Modified Champion
Super Wreck In The Next Sequence Of Pictures
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
Once The Dust Settled We Could See The Damage
King Pin Sheered….Thats Not All
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
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
Holding Up The Show?…We Came To Entertain
We Didn’t Make It Back Out
First Time In 10 Seasons To Need Two Tow Trucks
Back In The Garage
A Lot Of Work To Do With Three Nights To Go
Taken It Apart
Needs To Be Disected To Discover All The Mess
Pledge On The Roof
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
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
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
Jim Granger Gives A Hand
Richie and Angie
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
Body Goes Back On…Jackson All Smiles
Ready To Go
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
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
Soap Box Racing Was A Big Deal For The Kids
David, Gary and Sharon
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
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
Brian Book #56 and Harold Lawrence #39 Lead Pack
Ed Sooley #72
Ed Sooley and Murray Lockhart drove the #72
Jim Collison #12
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
“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
Harry Nicholson…Best Appearing Car In 1981
Tom Gallinger #30
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.
Quaker State…It Was Our 8th Year With This Great Oil Sponsor
Front Chute Flamboro
Just A Blurr
Bob Kurtin #80
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.