1983 Hobby Membership Card
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
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
Corfe Pontiac Supplies Pace Car In 83′
Installing The Engine
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
Kids help work on the car.
Coupe Waiting To Go For Lettering
Ramp truck sits on the street
Heading To The Beauty Shop
Jim Granger Tows Coupe To Be Lettered
Stewart Pitchford #47 TQ Midget
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
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
Stewart Supports TQ Club
Ron Butt #88 In 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
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
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
Mike DeLeeuw made this awesome eye catching sign for the Hobby club.
Big Foot
Big Foot set to crush some cars
Motion Car Show
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
Roger Parry #98 Suuports Club
Coming Off Two…Flamboro
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 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
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
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
Rich Farraway Leads The Pack
Quaker State
This Was Our 10th Season With Quaker State
Varney Speedway May 22nd
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
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
Jim English #55 Wins Heat Race
Varney Semi Win
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
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
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
Ding & Judy Did Weekly Reports Helping Promote The Hobby Club
Flamboro Pits
Lined Up With Mike DeLeeuw #17 In Front, Dave Bentley #29 Behind
Side By Side In One
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 Didn’t Take Long Getting To The Front
Hobby’s Always Backed These Shows
I’m Guessing Junior Hanley Won
David Becomes Part Of Our Crew At Eleven
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
Jim Leads Through Turn One
Racing At Flamboro
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
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
Crusing At Flamboro
Flying On The Front Chute
We Are Way Ahead….Or Way Behind
Peter Ireland…26
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
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
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
Smoking In My Own Spin
Nice Looking Engine….Don’t Be Deceived
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
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
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
“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 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
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
Race Pro Photography
Different Angle
Picture By Race Pro Photography
CN Tower
Autographed By Late Model Driver Robin McCall
Cayuga Pit Row
Robin McCall #11 Late Model
Close Quarters
Jim Collison #12…Me #36…We Were Close This Time
Ray And Rick
Ray Hughes #24 Battles Team Mate #42 Rick Koebel
Bill Spero #71
Bill Makes Lotsa Tire Smoke
Rick & Dave At Sauble July 1st
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
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
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
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
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Battle In Sauble Feature
Jim Sweers #75
Jim Sweers and I Battle In Feature
Rick Leads Ray Past Davey Jones
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
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
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
No Helemt, No Race…Interview Coming
Kids Wait With Dad
David & Shirley Join Me At Center Ice
Crew Joins Us
Celebraton With Kids And Crew
Gary Scott Interview
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Loaded Up
Easy To Walk In These 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
1983 Hobby Champ Wins One Of Many At Varney
Cayuga Race…Motion 250
$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
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
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
Lots Of Work To Do
Rookie Jim Sweers Takes A Beating
Jim Sweers #75 Took A Huge Hit In This Wreck
Jim Collison #12
Jim Collison Waits For Tow Truck
Racing Into Three
Bill Spero and Brian Atkinson
Hang On Wayne
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
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
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
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
Ding & Judi Help Promote The Hobbys
Smiling David
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
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
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
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
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
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
Battling With Ron Butt
Ding Deleeuw Senior
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Parry & Gary Collide
Roger Parry In His Pink Panther Fire Suit
Roger Always Had Fun
Bruce Manson #74
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!!
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Heat Win For Ron
Charlie Beck #79
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
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.
Dingman DeLeeuw, Just As Lovable As His Smile
Barrie Speedway September 12th
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
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
Plug Wire Fixed
Jeff got his car fixed for the Consi and went on to pick up the checker.
Jim Collison #12
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
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
Rich Wins
This was a taste of what Rich could do, but he makes much bigger strides and accomplishments in 84.
David Practising
One Day He’ll Drive For Real
Ray Playing It Safe
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
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
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
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
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
Mark Kowalchuk #89 and Murray Lockheart #72 Battle At Flamboro
Heat Seeking Misile #74
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
In Familiar Territory
Wayne Martin #34
Wayne Takes Coupe To The Winners Circle
Canada Steam Heat
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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.