A series of interviews from people connected with the world of BriSCA racing
that don't sit behind the steering wheel, but are all an integral part of this great sport.

I also know you promoted at Stoke for a year – can you tell us more about that – for example how it came about, your time there, and why it passed to somebody else?
How it came about – the Promoters at the time, Dennis Higgins and Tim Mann were looking to sell. I was working full time at Buxton then, and just thought I wanted to have a go on my own instead of just working for Barry. Dennis and Tim had done a great job in building the place back up with some excellent meetings there previously, and I rather naively thought it would be easy. I had been introduced to the stadium owners who seemed quite pleasant people and they were prepared to accept me as the new Promoter of four wheeled motorsport at Loomer Rd. Anyway the deal went ahead, I made the trip to York to see Dennis and we signed up.

My year there was not one of my best experiences and was fraught with problems.

The track itself had no proper drainage, was built I understand on sand and despite spending many hours and a lot of money we never seemed to get the track right. It was ok for the lighter domestic formulas but the F1’s used to rip it to bits and ruts kept continually appearing whatever we did.

We were constantly in dispute with the speedway team as we wanted to spend money on the track but they were not prepared to contribute.

The boundary fence was non existent in many areas so you could just walk in, and the stadium owners were not prepared to spend any money on the place.

Phone calls were received after every meeting to say that some shale had gone onto the dog track and if I did not send someone down to move it they would do it themselves and send me the bill.

It just went on and on.

It passed onto Mr Rees or Startrax at the end of the season as I had just had enough – sharing a stadium is not easy – it is much easier for me now at Buxton as I am my own boss.

After working with Barry Watson for all that time how did it come about that you would take over the running of Buxton Raceway?
Although I did work for Barry full time, this only lasted around 2 to 3 years and I left to go back to the world of Insurance. Barry and I remained friends but could not get on together running the track – our thoughts on how the track should be run were miles apart.

It must have been around 1998 when he rang me to say he was moving away and asked if I would consider running the meetings for him. I agreed to this, as well as working full time, for the whole of 1998 and into 1999 and on occasions he had hinted that he had had enough and the place went up for sale. There were interested parties but nothing materialised and he asked me if I would be interested in renting the place. This was in the summer of 1999, a time when I had just come out of work, and arrangements were put in place for me to take over the reins after the F2 World Final. That was a great meeting and at the end of the day, he handed me his bunch of keys, wished me all the best, and said – “It’s all yours now DP”

Barry would be the first to own up that his interest had decreased, the place was not being run as it should be, and it needed a fresh approach.

Many fans still think of Buxton Raceway as “Hi Edge” – was renaming the track needed to show that the place was under new management and a new way forward?
This must be the easiest question to answer so far – that is exactly why I changed it, but having said that, the “Hi Edge” tag will never go away. People still ring us up and say – “Is that Hi Edge?”

Are you proud of Buxton Raceway – what is your favourite part of promoting there?
Most certainly I am proud of Buxton Raceway, to include all my staff and the way it operates. It has been a long haul from late 1999, but Buxton is now a place where drivers want to race and spectators want to watch.

The favourite part would have to be meeting the drivers and spectators on racedays and having a good old natter, in the knowledge that my staff just get on with the running of the meeting.

What is it like to be the BriSCA F1 Chairman?
It never entered my mind at anytime that I would be the BriSCA F1 Chairman. However, with the retirement of Malc Aylott, after many years of sterling service, it was down to the Promoters to elect their own Chairman. Elected is the posh term – we call it “shafted” around the Promoters table!

Really the only difference I have noticed so far is the extra work it has created – all negotiations between the Promoters and the F1 BSCDA are routed through the respective Chairman. Having said that we did manage to prepare and issue the 2008 Fixture List on time for the World Final and the Pay Schedule has also been agreed. Sometimes it is really quiet and then it can suddenly change to spending all day on F1 matters.

Do you think the new F1 Management Board is a good idea?
I have never been to a Management Board Meeting, but if I base my answer on the minutes produced from these meetings and the relationship we have with the F1 BSCDA, yes - it is a very good idea. I would even go as far to say that the relationship between the BriSCA F1 Promoters and the F1 BSCDA is the most stable it has been for some time and things are getting done to take the sport forward.

What, if anything, really gets on your nerves about oval racing, or the job of Promoter?
One of my pet hates is a driver who books in late or just turns up without booking in at all. We always try to produce an accurate and presentable programme, but to date have never achieved this.

I do understand that some drivers may be hesitant to book in if there is damage to repair, or parts are awaited, and perhaps there is no perfect solution.

There have been occasions over the last three years when we have had to cancel pre-season practice sessions and opening meetings due to snow. We have always rung those up that had booked in to save them an unnecessary and possibly a dangerous journey, and that is when we have caught out those that did not book in. I even had one driver ring to say that he had tried to negotiate the road down to the track and ended up in a ditch at the side of the road – he had not booked in.

Not very funny for the drivers involved but it gave me a little chuckle.

Is there a worst encounter you have had while being involved with the job?
I am sure there must be somewhere but really nothing instantly springs to mind.

As this site is aimed at Stockcar racing, can you tell us how you think the sport has changed over the timescale you have been involved? Has it changed for the better? – or worse?
I tend to just move with the times and progress and not really think about it very much. Having said that I do really enjoy reading the “Backtrackin” article every month in the Stock Car Magazine.

Stock Car Racing, like any other form of Motorsport, has never stayed still when you look at innovation and technical progress, as every driver wants to be the best by careful use of construction rules.

Sponsors used to be very few and far between, but many now seem to be able to attract sponsorship and a reasonable level of support.

Yes it has changed – the thrills and spills of uncontrollable cars are now converted to super-quick racing machines, where thrills and spills only sometimes occur. It is a different animal now than it was back when I first spectated in 1967 but we have to accept the progress.

It is difficult to say if it is any better or worse as it is not the same product anymore.

The turn around in tarmac racing is good for the future, and it is great to see so many new young drivers in F1 Stock Cars – just look at the talent out there – Dan Johnson – Lee Robinson – Tom Harris – to name but a few!!

Final point – aerofoils are a major change and one of my pet hates I am afraid! Sorry, but I do not think they are safe - it just needs one of those to be wrapped around the driver’s exit routes in the wrong conditions and there could be problems – I hope not but just my view.

Who are your most memorable characters in Stock Car Racing?
This could take ages but I will try and trim it to a reasonable size!!

Ron Rogers (152) – I was told he was the best at my first meeting and that I should not support his archrivals Willie Harrison and Charlie Finnikin.

Stuart Smith (391) – Stuart has to be on everybody’s most memorable list – half used to go to watch Stuart win and the other half hoped someone would take him out.

Dave Chisholm (252) – one of the very few to be able to master Stuart Smith in the early 1970’s with three successive World titles.

Willie Harrison (2) – Willie is another who must be on everybody’s list. I can still remember the salute he got when he won the World in 1982!

Rod Falding (36) – I must include Rod on my list as I looked after his Fan Club for several years including the annual buffet dances plus many memorable trips to the Falding household in Rotherham, where we were always well looked after.

Gordon Smith (293) – I am still trying to work out how he could win a Grand National at Nelson and still get to the Junction Pub and get served before me!

Allan Edgar – Alan was landlord of the North Briton pub in Aycliffe, who used to invite us in through the back door if we were there a little early on raceday’s. I am sure them cars used to go faster at Aycliffe.

I could go on and on with so many memories from 40 years.

How do you think the sport will progress over the next few years? I am meaning Stock Cars, but I could also say contact racing in general.
We cannot hide the fact that we are under continual scrutiny from Environmental Health and Health and Safety Departments. This is very much so at the moment with four deaths in as many years on short circuits in the UK, plus noise problems raising their head again.

I am not too sure just what progress can be made – we have an excellent safety record but despite this we (Promoters) are presently in conversation with the various Departments. This question could perhaps be answered better in six months or so.

In these days of Internet access, do you think that it’s easier to sell the product that way to the public? What are the downfalls of the Internet in the world of oval racing promotion?
It may be easier but it definitely does not reach everyone that you target as your audience. It could be thought that if you put something on your website everyone in the world sees it – I have to disagree with this and still use the “old fashioned” methods such as local radio advertising, which works well for us, and a fair and varied spread of newspaper adverts.

The result services provided by the websites are great if you cannot get to a meeting, but there is nothing like being stood there on the terraces.

I do wonder sometimes, when I see the number of subscribers looking at results, how many of those would have actually gone to watch in pre-internet days.

Back to the Raceway, how does the future look?
Buxton is doing well with a very solid base of domestic drivers, a good mix of visiting national formulas, dare I say it a good Promoter, and a dedicated staff team.

I have previously mentioned Environmental Health and Health and Safety problems, which we all share as Promoters, and they do vary around the country. At Buxton we do have a very good relationship with our Local Council and their departments, and currently do not have any local issues. Having said that, these boys talk behind the scenes, and what is a problem at one track could soon move around the country when they get their heads together.

We have made improvements at Buxton and will continue to do so. It just feels sometimes that wherever you look you could soon spend thousands of pounds.

I had already said I would retire at the end of the 2011 season, but since a health problem reared its head in June of this year, this may well come forward – I don’t know just yet.. What I want to do is make sure that all the hard work I have put into the place is continued and that the place does not return to its former days.

I think you will see me at Buxton, in one form or another, for a few years to come yet. Barry Watson was nobody’s favourite Promoter, but I would like to thank him for giving me the opportunity to look after the place and also for staying away except for fleeting visits.

The Raceway is far from any built up area, so there is never going to be a supermarket after the land! Are there any issues from a health and safety point of view (etc) that could make it hard to operate in years to come – environmental issues etc?
I think I may have answered this earlier. The only problem we have had in the last few years is when we opened late due to the foot and mouth crisis. I had a meeting with the local farmers, as they were concerned about anybody bringing the disease into the area, but with agreed precautions in place we managed to get up and running for the Easter meeting. We never get any complaints about noise or anything else for that matter.

Do you think that if oval racing survives, then it might become an all non-contact sport?
I would like to think not. With such an excellent safety record for in excess of 50 years, I think we have enough experience behind us to deal methodically and sensibly with any problems which may occur.

What do you think fans and drivers can do to help the sport live on into the future?
There is no doubt about it there has been a decrease in crowds over the years and that trend continues. Quite simply fans could bring a friend with them every time they go. The law of averages would say that would create some new fans – it worked with me.

Drivers who show their cars (it has been done in supermarket car parks) all help the cause ahead of a local meeting. Every driver I have ever seen on promotional videos have been very positive and done their bit.

Finally, a few words please to sum up oval racing in general, in this day and age.
Colourful, exciting and still the best way to spend a Saturday night or Sunday afternoon. I have made so many friends over my term, and just feel a very small part of a very big family!

Interview by Nik Eastwood

FLAG MAN, SHOWMAN.
Interview with Richard Kaletta.
By Pedro

WITH RICHARD ANNOUNCING WHAT WILL HOPEFULLY BE A TEMPORARY RETIREMENT AT THE SKEGNESS WEEKEND, IT WAS TIME TO INTERVIEW THE MAN WITH THE MOST EXTENSIVE CV IN THE BUSINESS.
STARTER IN GOLD ROOF RACES FOR F1(THE YOUNGEST EVER, AGE 23 ?), F2, SALOONS, V8’S, 1300 STOCK SALOONS, STOCK RODS, ORCi MINISTOX and BriSCA MINISTOX !!
STARTER IN EVERY MAJOR F1, F2 AND SALOON TITLE EXCEPT THE F1 EURO, AND REGARDED BY A LOT OF PEOPLE AS THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS.

WERE YOU A FAN AS A KID ?
Yes, I was bought up watching at Boston, which was my local circuit, and also at Skegness. We lived between the 2 and I used go with my Dad. He had got into it at Cadwell park in the 60’s and we expanded out to watching Spedeworth at Wisbech and Cleethorpes, and on to Mildenhall although they were all never too far away from home. I got to know people and started watching further at Coventry and other places. In my early teeneage years I was often seen wearing my coat full of badges and clipboard in hand.

A TOTAL ANORAK THEN ?
Oh yes, and that’s where I picked up the traditions, knowledge and history of the sport. When I was at school I used to do projects on it full of facts and figures, had all the programmes and magazines, I was just totally hooked on it from an early age.

SO HOW THE TRANSITION FROM FAN TO BEING MORE INVOLVED.
Well my Dad sort of knew some people on the staff, and I got roped in really through my knowledge, into writing for a magazine. I used to cover the Boston and Skegness banger scene and write the reports, and that led to Vince Moody asking me to do some articles for his programmes, which also meant covering the saloons , F1’s and 2’s and whatever. Then one day at Swaffham he was short of a commentator, and he said “you know your stuff, you know what your on about, and have heard enough commentators over the years. Do you think you could have a go ?” I was 18 at the time, and he sort of threw me in at the deep end, but I seemed to get on alright. He then asked me if there was anything else I would like to have a go at . I said that I’d always liked to have a go at what the starters did, which is when he introduced me to Mick Bulldeath and Steve Markham. They thought it would be good to have some new blood come into the sport, took me under their wings, and the rest is history as they say.

WAS THERE NO DESIRE TO RACE AT THAT TIME THEN ?
(big sigh !) I always thought it would be nice to do that , but you’ve got to have the facilities and the finances. My Dad wasn’t in a position to do that. We didn’t have the facilities, nor the finance, and weren’t that technically minded, so it was nice to get involved without having all that expense.

SO WHERE AND WHEN WAS YOUR FIRST MEETING ON THE FLAGS ?
It was at Swaffham in June 93. I’d been doing some commentating there right through from the winternationals, but it was June before I did the flags, and then did 2 tracks on the same day. Mick was the usual starter at Swaffham and Steve at Boston.

WAS IT INTIMIDATING ?
It was domestic formula’s so it was less intimidating. Saloons were something that concerned me a bit, cos it was rope and post at the time, and saloons with a rope and post fence is always a little less forgiving. It would be in the august of that year before I did my first F1 race, and it was a consolation at Boston and Lisa Harter won it. The first f2 race I did was a GN at Swaffham and Ian King won it.

WAS THE STEP UP FROM DOMESTIC FORMULA’S DAUNTING ?
I t was very nerveracking. The racing at Boston and Skegness was so fast, you knew that the margin of error was so tight, and being rope and post, there was very little between the cars and you on the starters rostrum. The more I did it the more faith you have in the drivers, and the more your eye trained on the time when you knew it time to abandon ship and jump off, or show confidence and stay on the rostrum. The one thing that really did worry me at the time was the incident at Boston with Glyn Daft. Glyn ended up rolling along the top wire and knocked the starters rostrum over with Steve Markham still stood on top of it, from which he received a leg injury and consequently retired from starting. Im glad I didn’t think about it too much at the time, cos whilst Steve was in the company of the first aid I was told to get up and finish the race. If I had of thought about it too much, things might have been different.

SO NOW AFTER ALL YOUR EXPERIENCE, DO DOMESTIC FORMULA’S SEEM SO SLOW TO FLAG ?
You do have a lot more time. Slow is maybe not the way I’d describe it , but you do have more confidence in doing them, and that’s the appeal of F1. Its big, fast and noisy and thats the appeal of being on the starters rostrum for them.

DID YOU SEE THE FILM CLIP SCOFFIAN PUT ON YOU TUBE, OF YOURSELF AT WORK DURING AN FI RACE AT KL.
I did. I looked at that and thought, wow, I must be daft to be up there and so close., but you see its not rope and post anymore, which does give you so much more confidence. What Gary Osbourne does at Sheffield and Belle Vue, well that’s just a different game altogether. Providing you got your safety goggles on and you can see, its just such a buzz, its what I do it for. Having those Chevy engines running past your toe caps at that speed is a feeling that is out of this world.

YOU HAVE ALREADY MENTIONED A FEW OTHER STARTERS. WHO INSPIRED OR INSPIRES YOU ?
Steve Markham really was who I was bought up on, and also Adrian Hudson who went on to race F2’s, but Steve set the standard for me. Also Dave Smith at Spedeworth, who I am very good friends with. He tells me he was the one who started the thing with the white trousers, and he really was the complete showman. Hanging off the back of the control car and being down on the track on one knee with the cars going by are things Health and Safety just wouldn’t allow now. They were my roll models. Steve had so much repect from the drivers, and Id like to think with their showmanship, I’ve taken a bit from them, and with a bit from me, and succeeded in becoming what I am, which is what I hope is the best I can be.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS WORKED WITH EARPHONES ?
Yes. I’ve worked with other systems when I ve guested at places like Cowdie and Ringwood, but I like the system we run here. I listen to the race commentary, which leaves the radio airways open for the Clerk of the course and the steward and they can have a conversation without getting in the way of what the starter needs to hear. It works the other way to, if the Steward is talking to the starter saying 5 laps to go or whatever, then he cant be conversing with CoC about potential safety issues. The commentator sits next to the steward and therefore relays everything to the starter at the same time as everyone in the crowd hears it. There is no confusion and it works really well.

YOU READ THE RACE AS WELL THOUGH, CAN YOU OR DO YOU EVERY OVER RULE WHAT YOU ARE HEARING ?
Yes, you do have to read the race as well, and the trained eye comes with years of experience not only from the rostrum but as a spectator in the same way a spectator does as well. The first four cars might come by and then go out in incidents, so you have to know which driver is picking up the pieces. There are times when you give out the wrong positions or drop the flags on the wrong car, but just have to correct it next time. If your going by you own intuition, then you have to be brave to make that decision and better be sure you are right, or you will end up with egg on your face if you are wrong.

HOW MUCH FEEDBACK DO YOU GET FROM THE DRIVERS ?
Not so much from the F1’s and 2’s because of the speed, but certainly you do from the domestic formula’s with more open windscreens, you often get the thumbs up.

SO THE AGE OLD QUESTION. WHO STARTS THE RACE, THE STARTER OR THE FIRST CAR ?
I think its better now than it used to be, now that it’s a dockable offense if the first car breaks rank to early. The race should start on turn four, but obviously with the adrenalin pumping some of them go on the apex, and you have to give them a little bit of leeway. It comes down to the common sense of the starter and the steward. Sometimes if you think there has not been much advantage gained, it will come down to just a quiet word after, but if someone is streets ahead then you have to pull them up. Its something that is a little bit of a grey area, and difficult to set in stone, as I say, it just comes down to common sense really.

FOR PROFFESIONALISM, AND CONTINUITY ,SHOULD THERE BE A TRAVELLING CIRCUS OF OFFICIALS FOR F1
Some people have said to me before that I should do all the starting, but it would be very difficult for anyone to do that if it wasn’t their full time job, specially as we now have the Scottish weekend, the trip down to Bristol, Wimbledon etc, on a Sunday. You just couldn’t do it and hold down a full time job. If it was somebody’s full time job, for proffesionalism within the sport, then yes, I think it could probably work. It raises the question then though, of who steps in if you cant make a meeting through illness, holidays or whatever. Who would want to play back-up to the main man, just waiting in the wings. It’s a tricky question.

SO IN A PERFECT WOULD, IF IT WAS OFFERED TO YOU ON A FULLTIME BASIS WOULD YOU TAKE IT ?
Yes, I think I would, If I could earn a living out of something I am so passionate about. I would feel though that I would be letting down trackstar/Skegness if I wasn’t doing their domestic meetings, when without the domestic formula‘s, the venue‘s, and F1 wouldn’t keep going. So many drivers have come out of domestic formula’s and its really important to keep a grasp on what goes on at that level. So in a perfect world , yes I would, but as a starter, I think, how would I feel doing all the domestic meetings and the minute F1’ S come on the track, you not doing it.

TALKING TO YOU, I GET A SENSE OF A REAL ‘FAMILY’ ABOUT SKEGNESS AND KINGS LYNN PROMOTIONS.
Yes, there is a strong bond. Seen a few faces come and go but we’ve all been through a lot together. I just play my part and it is no more important than anyone who does anything such as admin, marshals or whatever. We all have our role to play and we all work together including taking the criticism and praise. Sure we have words and discussion behind closed doors, but on a public level it is a solid front.

ON THE WHOLE TRACKSTAR AND SKEGNESS HAVE HAD A PRETTY GOOD PRESS YOU THINK ?
There’s a big group of us that have been there for many years, and in recent years we have raised the bar for ourselves, whether that has raised the bar on a national level I don’t know, but you just learn what people like, what the drivers like. Your never going to please 100% of the people ‘cos everyone has their own personal preferences, but it is about putting on a show. Gone are the days of doing a purist race meeting and being able to fill the stadiums full of people, you have to put the trimmings on now and make it more family night out, and I think we have responded to that. We try and make it that new people understand what’s going on and if the old hands have to listen to the same thing over and over again, including those on the net who have said it repetitive and boring, then that’s the way it is.

CERTAINLY THE SHOWMANSHIP HAS COME OVER IN RECENT MEETINGS. HOW MUCH OF THAT IS DOWN TO YOU AND HOW MUCH THE PROMOTORS
They are always open to idea’s and obviously have the final say. You have to keep your feet on the ground and work within a budget but I have had a say in certain things. You might have one idea, and Hazel or Paul might see things working a different way, and hopefully it all comes together in the final idea. Sometimes it’s the little touches that make a difference.

LIKE THE JACKETS AT THE WORLD AND BRITISH ?
Well you have to have something special for the world final, Like Tony Osbourne with the tails, so Helen and I had the Jackets done for the world final, We were all very proud of Skegness getting the British , it was like Skeggy’s world final in a way, so we had the Union Jack jackets done., to try and match the occasion.

DAVE SMITH WOULD HAVE BEEN PROUD OF THEM. WHO OTHER THAN DAVE WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR BEST FRIENDS IN RACING.
That’s tough. There have been so many people that we have kept in contact with, be it drivers, spectators, officials. I don’t think I can really single out any people ‘cos I would only feel guilty about those I forgot ! Racing is a family, it’s the whole scene, you just cant single people out.

WHAT ARE YOUR OTHER INTERESTS
I like football and am a Liverpool supporter. Used to go quite regular when fixtures allowed and we could get tickets. Used to play darts a bit and I like to watch almost any sport.

SO OTHER THAN THE ‘OFFICIAL’ REASONS, DID ANYTHING ELSE INFLUENCE YOUR DECISION TO RETIRE FOR NOW.
No not really. As I said to you mid year, I needed the break. The building on our extension at home was finished in February, and that still needs interior finishing. I need to sort out the kids bedrooms, I have kitchen cabinets sitting out in the shed, I have tiles that need putting up, paving needing laying, My partner has the twins 24/7 and then at the weekend still doesn’t get a break if I go out racing. I want to be able to do the shopping and Mow the lawn and know everything’s done, spend more time with the family and things like that and at the moment that’s not happening. Something had to give and you cant give up work or family or home so the racing had to go. I didn’t want to be watching the clock at meetings thinking my family are waiting for me at home, and possibly taking my eye off the ball at all. I just opened my eyes to reality and realized I needed the break, and with having the World and British this year, thought it was a good time to give it my all till the end of the year and then do all the things in life that I wanted to do. Maybe in 3 or 4 years when the twins are older and everything is sorted, we will see where we are then . I wouldn’t rule out the odd meeting helping out on the microphone with Paul or Hazel if time allows and they want my help though

SO WHEN YOU DO RETURN DO YOU SEE YOURSELF BECOMING MORE INVOLVED THAT JUST AS A STARTER ?
I suppose yes I would. I have got a racing brain, and if my numbers came up on the lottery and I could by a stadium then I would like to have a go at being a promoter. Yes I would love to be a promoter. I’ve tried to stay in touch with what the drivers want, what the spectators want , and also what the promoters I’ve worked for want. I’ve seen it from all angles really and I’ve tried myself to make a difference, so to be a promoter would be ideal. Having said that, I think the sport is in a rich vein of form at the moment and that the majority of spectators are getting good value for money, and some great racing to watch.

SO YOUR OWN PERSONAL STADIUMS ?
Boston was special, I saw everything from ministox to hot rods there and it didn’t matter what formula was out there, the racing was always good. It had a great local following and on a Saturday night the atmosphere was superb. It was very sad when that went, and I’m very proud to say I was the starter who flagged the last ever race there. Of the current tracks, and I now I am biased, but I think it hard to find better shale racing than KL, and better tarmac than Skegness. I do like Cowdenbeath and have been privileged to be able to flag the saloons round there, which was awesome.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO FEEL AT YOUR LAST MEETING AT KINGS LYNN ?
Well if its anything like Skegness last week, then very emotional. I was in bits at the end there but I wanted to say thank you to all the staff there, as they don’t all do both Skeg and KL. When I went round on the control car and the crowd started cheering I had tears rolling down my face, its going to be very hard to get used to it. Being there with Helen was so emotional as well.

I WAS STOOD WITH HAZEL, AND SHE SAID ‘HOW CAN I REPLACE HIM’
Its funny I’ve seen the comment on the forums this week and they are all very touching, and Helen said to me ’You’ve normally got to be dead to have people say that about you !!’ Its all very nice, but also embarrassing because I couldn’t do it without all the team behind me. Its like being the lead singer in a band, I’m on the mic and upfront but it wouldn’t work without all the other musicians. I am just one little bit of it. It will continue in good hands with Helen when her work commitments allow, and Jason who is very dedicated. He also has a young family, but does all the midweek season meetings, and is really coming on as a very good starter. On the mic, well Paul Butler is pretty good at that and with Alistair at KL they will work well. The first real 2 man show on the mic I did was with Paul at Sheffield. Danny the DJ at Skegness could also do some of the commentating so I am sure it will all slot in very well.

WHOSE GOOD TO TALK TO ON THE MICROPHONE.
Frankie and Andy are both good to talk to. I said to Frankie about the Red Roof at the weekend, and Andy Smith said to me that was a bit out of order with him just having lost it., but I think on the mic you have to say what people are thinking, and reading the forums, that is what people were thinking. You have to say it as you see it, and I think the drivers respect me for saying it as it is. I’ve always been able to have a laugh and a joke with Gorden Moodie and Mick Sworder. I remember when Skegness was tarmac years ago, Mick would be coming round trying to take the lap boards out of my hand and waving at me as he passed.

IS THERE ENOUGH CHARACTERS IN THE SPORT NOW.
I think potentially there is, although I do think they could go a bit further than they do. You only had to see the champions parade at Kings Lynn, which I wanted to do, and was very proud to do, to see what I mean. Could you see any of the current racers doing the sort of things that Len Wolfenden and Stuart Smith got up to out there ? So the answer to the question is no, there isn’t. I think there is an important role to play when they get out of the cars. It doesn’t matter if there is a bit of banter between the drivers out of the cars. I don’t think it has to go to the extent of WWF wrestling, but if Frankie says I’m gonna get get Andy it the next race, and Andy says oh no your not, then it stirs up the imagination. I think there should be a code of conduct where they say off the track, yeah we will put on a show, we will wind the situations up, but out there its total professionalism. Look at Barry Lee and George Polley, Len and Stuart Smith, then look at Andy Smith and Frankie and ask yourself, in this respect are they in the same category as that ? Commitment to the racing and yes I think its all there, but showmanship, I think there could be a definite improvement from a lot of drivers. Look at the likes of Timmy Farrell as a role model, Enters Miss Stock car competitions , comes out on parade laps with a wig on, and just generally up for a laugh. Would he have the following he has without all this ? We need more drivers prepared to make it a show. It makes it so much better for the spectators.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD ?
I would like to thank through allstox, all the people who have made it such a great experience so far for me. I do also think that the forums have opened up so many doors for people to meet each other now, which is great. I also like the fact that with allstox, you have recognized the fact that there is fans out there of all forms of stock car racing, because without all the other forms of racing F1 would not exist and I think that should be realized more.
 

BEV GREENHALF, BEYOND THE MICROPHONE.

When I started thinking about people I would like to interview for this section, Bev Greenhalf was naturally very high on the list. In the Jubilee poll he was voted the 9th most influential person in the history of stock car racing, the highest non promoter or driver. That speaks for itself. I also knew that I wanted someone with a longer history in the sport than myself to do the interview, and Darren Davies kindly agreed to do this for me. So its over to Darren for a fascinating insight into ‘The voice of stock cars’
(The following has been proof read and is printed with permission of Bev)

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I’d arranged to meet Bev at Brafield on the Saturday of the European Championship and when I arrived he was in the middle of selling programmes, one of the many jobs he still undertakes during race day.
Over the next hour or so our conversation was frequently interrupted by friends, fans and complete strangers stopping by, not just to buy a programme but mostly for a brief chat. All were greeted with a broad grin, a warm handshake and in the case of the many visitors from Holland a few words in their own language.

It’s been a long time Bev, how did it all start?

It’s my 40th year of commentating would you believe, and my 46th year of racing. I started watching at my local tracks around Birmingham, firstly at Perry Barr in 1954. In fact I went to Hednesford on a steam train. I’m old enough to have done National Service and I was stationed at RAF Gaydon in Warwickshire. From there I went to Coventry and then travelled around, attending as many meetings as possible.
For one reason or another I didn’t go between 1957 and 1963 but when I went again I was hooked.

How did you get involved with commentating because I’m sure I read somewhere that you use to record yourself during races long before you got involved officially?

That’s right; I used to make my own commentaries just for my own amusement and to complete my own records. The legendary starter Al Henderson used to work opposite where I was and Al being Al, he came over one day and introduced himself by asking whose the car with the stockcar stickers was.
We became friends and eventually he heard some of my tapes and suggested I sent them to Charles Ochiltree at Coventry. This was in 1966 and in those days Coventry used to run two meetings in October. The CO heard my tape and invited me to be a guest commentator at the first October meeting and was invited back to do the second as well. I got my BriSCA officials license and in 1967. I also got a call from Reg Saul and became the permanent commentator at Long Eaton.
Al introduced me to Mike Parker and I started commentating at his tracks and it went on from there. In all I’ve been lucky enough to commentate at 46 tracks, the latest one being Warneton last week.

That leads us nicely onto the Dutch connection which is something you’ve played an important role in, how did that come about?

Initially through Keith Barber when the links with NACO were being set up and then later through Nol and Kitty. In the mid 80’s, I got a phone call out of the blue asking if I wanted to commentate at Baarlo which was a lovely surprise. I was then at every Long Track World Final until Baarlo closed and now go to Venray every year for the Gold Cup.

Many people will be aware you’ve taken the trouble to learn the Dutch language, are you fluent now?

Well, I’m not fluent but I can certainly get around. I just thought ‘how nice it would be to say a few words to the Dutch in their own language’ so I advertised in a local paper to see if there was anybody willing to try and teach me. Through that I met a marvellous family from Delft in the Netherlands who had been living in Birmingham for some time. They were very patient and understanding and we’ve become firm friends.
It is such a hard language but the wonderful thing about the people is that they are so pleased you are making the effort they will put you right in a nice way.
There was one time I had to make a presentation to NACO and I wanted to do it in Dutch. I was in my hotel going through it beforehand when the owner said to me; ‘Tonight you will stand up in our restaurant and present it to our guests. If they understand you then everyone will’, and I did it too!

You seem to have been at Brafield forever and I would guess it’s the track people associate with you the most, how did you become so involved.

When Graham Guthrie died the then promoter John La Trobe asked me if I’d get more involved and become the stadium manager. When John handed the reigns over to Tom Bissett I stayed on and then continued when John Heynes took over the promotion. I thought that Incarace taking over might be the end of it but Phillip Bond wanted me to carry on and I’m still here.
John La Trobe took me to a BriSCA promoters meeting during the 70’s and asked if I could become his representative and speak on his behalf. At the time there were people like Charles Ochiltree, Mike Parker, Trevor Redmond and Gerry Dommett sitting around the promoters table and this was unheard of at the time. Eventually I was asked to leave the room while it was discussed and when I was called back in it was agreed in principle with a few conditions.
Firstly I had to end my association with Stockcar Supporter magazine, secondly end my involvement with the Association itself and finally pledge that I would never reveal anything that was discussed at the meetings. Even now I attend with Phillip, and sometimes without him.

You mentioned your involvement with the Supporter but today’s generation of fan may not have seen the magazine or even realise that there was such an active Supporter’s Association.

Yes, we started with the magazine in 1965 hoping to run monthly and I like to think of it as an up market fanzine. I’m very proud of much of what we achieved although there are things that I look back on with embarrassment. One such instance is when the Supporter led a backlash against the then Chairman of the Board of Control Stan Hinckley. The only nice thing about it is that many years later Stan was attending a World Final at Coventry and he asked me to meet him. I’m pleased to say that we were able to shake hands and part on good terms.
It’s all part of a big learning curve and I’m still learning now but I can say I’ve enjoyed every minute and made a lot of friends as well as working with the very best.

Colin Casserley told me he can remember sitting behind you at the 1972 World Final at Belle Vue watching you record your own commentary.

Does he really, well I can tell you that last year was the 30th World I’ve been involved with and I’ve seen every one since 1965.

That beats my record, although I haven’t missed one since 1983! Obviously the racing is totally different now but do you still get the same excitement from it.

Oh yes, I still get a kick from it. The frightening part is looking down on the track and realising that the guys out there are the second or even third generation I’ve commentated on. The racing today still gives me a great buzz.

You could probably have guessed this question would come up but you’ve had some strong opinions about the internet forums in the past, how do you feel about it now.

My biggest concern is people jumping in with both feet and posting something irresponsible without a thought for the consequences. You have to remember that there is somebody watching everything. Take the guy who filmed himself at nearly 200mph on his motorbike and posted it on the net - he was caught because somebody saw it, reported it and he was tracked down. All I think is that if everyone took a minute to think it about what they are doing it could save a lot of bother in the end. Many years ago when I was with the Supporter we came close to being sued for libel by the BOC but eventually settled out of court and had to pay costs. There could be a similar situation now over something written on the net so I maybe some things just don’t change!
Perhaps I’m really showing my age but I was amazed at a recent meeting to hear ‘Here come the results, get your pens and telephone’s ready!’
Undoubtedly there are some great ideas coming from the forum’s such as the under 25’s championship, the fans race and the fans tyre fund. It gives the real fans the opportunity to give something back to the drivers, and I hope that the White Top race here on August 11th is met with the same enthusiasm. In fact I’ve already had one or two drivers who wouldn’t normally race here say they’ll be along to give it a go.

I think many fans were surprised you won’t be heard at Coventry, are you disappointed not to be there this year?

Every promotion has the right to hire and fire as they please, but I was very disappointed to be told I wouldn’t be commentating in 2007 by spectators and by other colleagues who’d been approached to do the job before anyone had the courtesy to talk to me.
I had been there for 33 seasons, 8 times a year and never missed a meeting and I found the way the whole thing was handled terribly unprofessional.
I understand that anyone can employ who they want and have no problem at all with that but after all that time I was disappointed to end my association on such a sour note.

I certainly think your presence has been missed there this year. If you are still enjoying yourself I don’t imagine you’ve got any plans to retire.

No, when I stop enjoying it then it’s definitely time to go but I intend being around for a while yet.

Thanks for making the time to talk to me Bev; it’s been an absolute pleasure.

And off he went to oversee 35 races across the weekend with an energy and enthusiasm that belied his near 50 year dedication to stockcars.
If, like me, you’ve been involved with stock cars for any length of time it’s highly likely that Bev has voiced the soundtrack to some of the most enjoyable moments in your life and for that reason alone it’s easy to share the affection there is for him throughout the stock car community.

INTERVIEW WITH SAM WAINMAN, THE FIRST LADY OF STOCKCARS

Sam Wainman probably needs no introduction to most of you, as the , some would say,’ formidable’ woman behind THE man. Obvously then, the Lady had to be high up on the list of people I wanted to have a chat with, and here’s the result of a early Sunday morning at skeg meeting in the B-warm interview room.

So Sam, does he do the washing up ?
Not very often, no, not even when I’m ill !

Would you say it’s a normal sort of household ?
Well he’s the main wage earner and he does his thing and I run the household. It’s a bit old fashioned these days but that the way we like it. He takes the kids to school some mornings, that’s the beauty of being self employed. I work at the school as a first aider and I teach a couple of classes of art and crafts a week. Ive always been interested in first aid and nursing and I took a couple of courses and I really enjoy it. I’m certainly not afraid at the sight of blood

How did you meet ?
It was about ’93. My brothers Shane and Clint were racing at that time and they bought a car off Frankie, and I met him and thought "he’s a bit of alright!", and it just went from there really. We both sort of knew straight away that it was meant to be.

Does the travelling get you down ?
No not at all. I love it, you cant get better really travelling all over the country every weekend. What else would you be doing ? Sat at home all weekend watching the telly ? No getting out and about, seeing the country is great. Almost our whole social scene is around Stock cars, I have a few friends that I keep in touch with from school all those years ago, but really its stock cars all the way. We enjoy the weekends away, but we’ve both settled down a bit. In fact last night (Saturday of the weekender) we stayed in and watched a Scooby Doo film with the kids

How did the farm become what it is today ?
It was a dairy up until about 1979, Grandma and Grandad ran it really hard up until then, very hard work, and then it became more sort of agricultural doing repairs to tractors and farmyard machinery and now its where all the stock cars are done. They take over everything eventually. Everyone thought the skip business was ours, but it wasn’t. It was a friend of ours and Frankie and Dad just used to help out when things were a bit quiet, but we havent done anything on them for a while now.

How many hours a day does Frankie put in working on the cars
It’s a bit different for us with it being his job and his hobby. He usually goes into the garage at about 8.30 in the morning and comes in around 10.30-11.00 most nights. He’s been known to work through the night on many occasions, it just all depends.

Does he take a day off at all then ?
No, not a day. But we do go out on one evening. Yeah I put my foot down about that one a few years ago, I was getting a bit fed up, but now we go out religiously on the same night every week.

We was talking last night and you mentioned the websites. Does some of whats written annoy you ?
No not really, you just take it with a pinch of salt. Basically theres a lot of people on there who havent got a clue what they are talking about so you have to take it with a pinch of salt. You cant let things like that get you down.

Frankies crash at Hednesford. Total horror for you ?
I’m always cool in a crisis, and with it being Frankie, I though, he’ll be alright and then it was 5 minutes and all the medics were out and I thought maybe I’d take a wander over, but I waited a bit, expecting him to pop his head out, and he didn’t so I had a wander across, and yeah it was nasty but that’s racing and you just got to get on with it.

Has he recovered fully now ?
Not really, not 100% physically, but you cant tell him anything. He’s very determined what he wants to do. I wanted him to have a few weeks off, but you know, you just cant tell him anything!!

Given half a chance would he have raced at Kings Lynn the following week ?
Oh yeah. He actually thought he was going to be, but it knocked the stuffing out of him a bit this one. He's had a few accidents over the years. He’s knocked his coccyx off and broken ribs but this was the big one. It’s slowed him down a bit this time. For the first 2-3 weeks he was managing to get to the garage and do about an hours work and then he’d have to come and sit down for about 10 minutes, but he’s back doing his 15 hour days now.

The trip to Venray that went horribly wrong a couple of years ago, did that effect you ?
Its all water under the bridge now. It’s just one of those things that happened Frankie and Willie Peeters and his dad are all on talking terms now, and Willie phoned Frankie to see how he was after the big crash .

I bet the phone never stopped ringing after that though ?
It didn’t. Honestly it is nice that people are concerned but it never stopped ringing. We put our daughter on phone duty in the end “Yes daddy is fine. He’s hoping to be racing back at Coventry. Thanks for calling. Bye “

How do you feel about him being off the BSCDA now.
I have to be careful what I say here or I’ll be getting a letter through the post ! I’m glad he’s off in a way. Nothing really seems to get sorted, I reckon they should let the drivers wives do it and a bit more would get done, sitting around a plate of sandwiches and talking rubbish. I’m sure there’s time for them to suggest Frankie drives blindfolded yet !

Did it take much time up ?
They had about 1 meeting a month and they are not supposed to say what was said .

It’s a bit like the Masons then ?
Yeah, probably more so that ever before.

And BriSCA ?
There’s been a lot of people come in and try to change the sport over the years but it is just the way it is. What we have to remember is that we are one of the only sports that get paid to race, so it has ups and downs

What ambitions do you have outside stock cars ?
That’s really difficult because stock cars is our all and everything, and with the children growing up there’s no getting away from it. Little Frankie's eager to get in a Ministox, and is already helping dad out in the garage passing tools and things, So its just going to be an ongoing thing. Love to visit Shane in New Zealand, but of course we are racing out there as well, and I wouldn’t want life any other way.

What your view now on the Frankie and Rob Speak spat now ?
We got blamed for a lot of it but it wasn’t just us, it started off with a lot of rumours going round but what pissed me off was that I thought these people were our friends. What annoys me the most is cos Frankie’s so soft, that the likes of Rob and others, when they come into racing, are like our best mates, on the phone every night asking about set up and everything, and Frankie being Frankie has told them everything they need to know and I’ve said to him; "let them find out for themselves. Nobody told you. You’ve had to find it all out for yourself." As soon as they’ve found out all they need to know, the phone calls stop and thats it, you never hear from them again.

It’s got a bit rough on the track though.
Yeah, but you even get that in the Mini’s now. Its tough at the top isnt it! Even though Frankie’s not having the best of season’s with the Silver and Gold gone, He’s still the man to beat. Nobody worries about beating the others, they all wanna beat Frankie, tough at the top.. Same in the pits, years ago women were fighting in the pits but nothing seems to get said about that its just the way it is. I mean I know I’ve got my faults and I’m a fiery bugger, but I’m also the person who will help anyone anyway I can. The fiery moments don’t affect me, I’m not going to lie in bed awake worrying about anything though. Cant have any regrets.

Everyone has their breaking point though ?
Yeah. A gentleman down at Wimbledon. When Frankies car caught light in the pits, stood behind me and said “He should have burnt to death” I said "do you mind, my children were around that car when it went up." He said “I don’t ****ing care. He should have burnt and so should they” He got my left hook and its quite a good one ! I‘m not condoning violence, and as I say, I have calmed down a lot since then, but all those people who think I need to calm down don’t get half the crap I get. I’ve even had the Kids come back to the car with spit on their backs, and that done by grown men. Whatever sport your in though, your always going to get some assholes, and it’s a shame as there are so many nice people in the sport.

You said earlier Frankie was soft ?
He’s soft altogether. He couldn’t fight his way out of a wet paper bag ! There’s nothing wrong with that. He’s a soft touch, just a very gentle natured person. Just a nice guy and that why I stick up for him like I do, and why I get a bit fiery and snappy with people like I do.

So your his corner man ?
Well I am yeah. Just defending my husband like I always will do. He’s my husband and I love him to bits.

What your favourite track to visit ?
I like Cov. Me and Simone (Paul Hines' girlfriend) and of a few of the other girls go up to the restaurant , it’s a bit of a treat, air conditioned, no smoking and a great view of the racing. I don’t like Kings Lynn much. Its not the track or the racing, it’s the trek there. Its just seems to take forever.

There’s even more new drivers in the sport now, who impresses you ?
Ryan Harrison, I think he’s been faultless so far, and Hayley Parkinson as well, I’ve watched her get better and better and she’s stunning. Looks like she should be on a catwalk, let alone driving a stock car.

Who are your best friends in racing ?
Wendy Brighton, sister of Norm (Richard). We’ve had some great times over the years, on the bus and at the tracks. The stories I could tell you..but I wont !! There are some great people in racing though, Simone’s a little cutie, Paul and his dad derek, Gordon Moodie’s clan are great and his Mum's and sweetheart and Murray and Sally, yeah there’s some real nice people in racing. Tell you a funny story. One day this guy approaches Frankie and says he’s got some cheap petrol. Frankie being Frankie gets the address and we end up going down these tight roads in housing estates, cars all down the sides, and this was in the coach at the time. Anyway eventually we get to this place and the guy come’s out with a jerry can of petrol!! He was just desperate to get Frankie round his house. We’ve had many times like that over the years, some great laughs, and great times remembering them

Do you ever see him moving into another form of motorsport ?
I don’t think so. I sometimes wish he would, not give up the F1’s, just have a go in something else, anything except bangers, whilst he’s still relatively young. I really enjoyed him in the F2 at Belle Vue in Bert’s car. I think though that with a lot of the drivers in F1 if you learn to master these then you can pretty much race anything.

Lastly, have you ever felt like signing up to one of the websites, or have you already?
No we get Frankie senior to do that. We suspect one of the guys who help out in the garage has been on a few times though. I don’t know - maybe we should!

MARION FARROW
TRACKSTAR, SKEGNESS AND SALOON STOX SECRETARY.

There really cant be too many people in the stox world that have not come across Marion at one stage or another I hope that in my delightful chat with her that you can all get an insight into one of the hardest working and most dedicated ladies in our sport.

I started by asking the obvious question, how did you get into it ?

MF: My husband John used to help a stock rod driver who lived over the road from us and we used to go to watch him.

How did you get involved ?

MF: I got the job by being outspoken ! When Spedeworth pulled out of Cleethorpes I didn't feel that Vince had got the right charisma, didn't do driver parades and all that sort of thing, and so I wrote to him and said I didn't think his presentation was up to standard. He wrote back to me and offered me complimentary tickets, and I went, had a chat with him and the next thing I was working on the turnstiles. That must have been over twenty years ago now, and it went from there. Gradually he got me on the track and that was at Boston, and the rest is history and I haven't had a break since.

Was Boston a favourite of yours ?

MF: Yes, Boston was a favourite and Swaffham as well. I missed Swaffham very much when that went, it was a shame Vince couldn't make a go of it. I also worked Sheffield for Vince as well. He asked John and I if we would help there, and as he had trouble getting staff for Sheffield it was run on a real shoestring of staff as he tried to build it up. Now of course its Kings Lynn and Skegness. Ive taken on more and more and now all the drivers book through me and Paul (Butler) puts the phones through to me. It's a good job I'm retired now Pedro !!

How many meetings a year do you do now Marion ?

MF: Because we do both (tracks) we don't do all the meetings. Until the kids break up hazel doesn't really need us for the Thursday nights. We do all Hazel's f'2 meetings (that's 21) and all her F1 meetings, and we do all  Paul's F1, F2 and Saloon meetings. I wouldn't really like to say how many I  do but its quite a lot. We've cut down a bit and its mainly BriSCA now but it all the work I do at home as well with booking, paperwork and drivers lists for the programme's. But I do love it.

I suppose you don't get any grief form drivers ?

MF: No and if I did I would report it to Paul or Hazel. I've been very very fortunate. Ive gained a lot of respect from drivers. I've tried to give respect and I've gained it back. Obviously some of the drivers get a bit of red mist on the track at times but you allow for the adrenalin, but I've not had any aggression. I was bought up in the Vince Moody era, and he said in regard to verbals to turn the other ear. We weren't supposed to give it back. I look at it that I'm in a man's world really and have to put up with it, but I do give it back now. I think if their prepared to give me a mouthful, then I'll give it back ! Drivers will come back though and apologies and say they were out of order which is good. Its usually adrenalin speaking anyway.

Was you surprised Vince packed it in ?

MF: Yes I was really, and missed him for a long time but you get on and I enjoy working with Paul and Hazel and they are appreciative of what you do, and that makes life a lot easier. It makes a big difference if you are a happy band.

Do you have a favourite formula ?

MF: I enjoy watching the F1's, F2's and saloons the best. Do you know I'm the saloons secretary as well ?

No !

MF: I'm just doing their newsletter now as it happens. I take all the booking for them from cowdenbeath to Cornwall. They all book in with me and I put them on a data base, and then the week before the meetings I contact the promoters and book them all in. I contact all the promoters for any news and that's what goes into the news letters. I've been doing that for four years now since I retired. I worked 35 years in local government, and the people I know form outside racing cant believe I am involved in it at all.  Steven Lovick (Steven 557 on Stoxnet) is like my go between and is very helpful with the stock saloons for me.

Marion then bought up the subject of the internet.

MF: I don't go on the forums. To be honest with you Pedro, I don't think as a member of staff it's a good thing to do. I am often itching to when I see some of the things written on them. I think they are a very good thing but I would be like a lamb to the slaughter if I went on there to answer some of them. I ve got to say I think Skegness and kings Lynn get a very good press generally, obviously people are entitled to an opinion but there are some untruths on there I'd like to answer, usually in regards to the drivers lists. I 'd like to go on there and tell them exactly the situation, but I don't think as a member of staff that it a very good thing to do. If there's anything really bad then Richard (Kaletta) has usually gone on and answered it. The UK weekend drivers list was unbelievable. I went away on the Thursday and when I came back could not believe the amount of drivers that had cancelled, and neither could Hazel, all for genuine reasons I hasten to add, but it's incredible and that's the sort of thing that gets knocked.

Marion finished the conversation, by saying that she loves working at KL and Skegness, but that even now she really misses Boston and Swaffham.

I would like to thank Marion very much for taking the time to talk to me. She's a real gem and without the likes of her, this sport would struggle to exist. She will actually be away from the raceways for a while and will no doubt be sorely missed by both Paul, Hazel and all who work with her. When you do see her next say hello and say thank you, I think she deserves it for all the hard work. I would like to wish her a speedy return to the raceways soon.