Steve Harris

Really really Sad shocking news. RIP Tim. My heart goes out to Chrissy and the family.

Very sad news indeed. I'm sure many of the National Saloon Stock Car fraternity will be upset by this news

I forgot to add... A "grader" can be used to break up the top surface of compacted shale to make it loose. The amount of depth of shale left "loose" is down to the experience of the track curator.

As I understand it shale is normally packed by rolling, I presume it is done whilst it is wet so it binds together (think of mixing ingredients to bake a cake). When racing the cars normally scrubb off the top surface (which yes gets pushed towards the fence). After a meeting the track curator uses a blade (a bit like a snow plough) to pull the loose shale back from the fence onto the racing line. Then it gets packed again. Or left loose depending on the depth. There is slightly more to it, but in simple terms they are the basic mechanics behind preparing a shale track.

Indeed John.

I do know. I think I met you on the protest march. As I said, I didn't know about the pub on Nottingham Road, hence why I questioned it.

It's not that we don't want to believe you. It's more being unable to recall the memory from 20+ years ago to say yes your defently spot on. Which on this occasion you are !

Thanx Dave for the detail. I never knew there was a pub there, I do remember the turnstiles on turn 2 though. I will look later when I'm not at work

I don't think it's the pub in the background Dave (the pub was pretty much behind the grandstands). But did there used to be a house on the opposite side of Nottingham Rd to the chippy (but a little further down)? If so, that could be what the building in the background is. I can certainly remember Hotstox being in the overflow pits at Long Eaton (drive off track and turn left), they used to be between the track and the access road which used to link the pits to Nottingham Road. As I think it is those pits in the photo.

Your Welcome CC.

199 was normally graded as a Blue top on Spedeworth (ok, I can only remember him being blue from 1988 - 1994 when I used to see Spedeworth F1 Stock Cars as they where known then). Yes he was a rather large lad and if my memory is correct, I was led to believe he was "advised" to retire from racing as he had trouble getting out of his car and the fence in a timely manner ! I don't know if that was just a rumour of truth but nowerdays with H&S etc I could well believe it to be truthful. As for the track ? I have no idea I'm afraid. I have ruled out Wisbech, Aldershot and the other usual haunts etc. It could be Rye House ? But I only did a handful of meetings there so can't be sure. Although I can be sure it's 99 Peter Scott's Bus in the background, who used to be sponsered by Ahern Rubbish Disposal. A link to Brisca F1 if ever there was one. Finally, I would say your right regarding THE Fred Mitchell, as its an Abington phone number and 38 Jason "The Pink Panther" Holden (Freds nephew? or was grandson?) used to hail from Abington also.

Brilliant interview with Mr Robbie McSpeak. I was slightly disappointed that it wasn't mentioned that Rob had a stint in Bangers between his F1 and 2 careers. In answer to Andy I, Rob used to race at Cowdenbeath on a nearly weekly basis and he loved to wind up the crowd. He even had "Robbie McSpeak" sign written on his car ! As Rob said, he pushed things a little to far, hence the police escort.

Very interesting Roy. I believe one of the old Woodhead Route electric locomotives is in the railway museum at York.

Have a look at the link I posted... It gives you all the information anyone needs. You are right in the fact of the webmaster/website owner being the first point of call. However, just because a website poster is "anonymous" doesn't mean that the anonymous person hasn't broken the law, it just means it becomes more difficult to track them down !! As for webmasters/owners being also liable, depends on what is written in the terms and conditions of said website which members have to read and sign up to when joining. Still doesn't stop the chancers...... whatever side of the fence they are on. A golden rule of thumb is only ever upload a photo what you have taken yourself in a public place. Photo's taken by others or taken on private land... always check before uploading/posting.

I concur with you linky. There is only one way to find out.....

Carl, you really do need to read up on the law as the person who uploaded it is also breaking Copyright Law. I don't want this subject to get into a argument.... what I am trying to do is make sure people are aware of what they can and can't do so they don't get snottograms as you put it and end up with expensive bills comming their way. As you rightly say, most photographers are happy for their photo's to be used and as you have pointed out after being asked they said yes. I find being asked is normally the game changer. It is rather similiar to 2 mechanics in a garage and mechanic number 2 going to mechanic number 1's toolbox and helping himself to a spanner! It's not really the done thing. As an engineer, I was taught if in doubt, ask.

You may be the owner of the picture/image, but that doesn't make you the Copyright owner, as you did not create the image. (Photo's are sold at trackshops on the premise that they are for "personal" use). I suggest people have a look at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/copyright-notice-digital-images-photographs-and-the-internet Which clearly states... you should get the copyright owners (normally the person/company who took the photo/image) permission before you upload to / publish on the internet. A lot of people think it's down to the photographer / image creator to ask to "take it down". It's not. It's the other way round, (the onus is on you) !! Of course, if it's 70 years after the photographer died your fine. Please don't think I'm trying to be a killjoy, but I would rather you and others know where you stand in the eyes of the law. (And ignorace is unfortunately no defence in a court of law). A lot of people who used "file sharing" websites found this out the hard way. Please don't fall into the trap. This subject also links in with people who are live streaming meetings on the internet without the promotors permission. Here, again like images, the contract of admission is that any filming or photography is for personal use and not publishing or broadcasting.

I'm only saying what is written in Copyright Law. I'm not attacking you or anyone else for that matter, just making sure people are aware before they end up in hot water ! The reason I know all this is because I have a friend who is a Professional Photographer with a degree in photography. Hence why I know about Copyright Law, as he's bored me enough about it, lol As a side note, most photographers are happy to have photo's published providing a few conditions are met. One of which (and probably the most important) is to state who took the image.

And you obviously got the original photographers permission to publish it !!

That reminds me of one of the co-promotors of Spedeworth Scotland trying to drag Saloon Stock Cars back onto the centre green at Armadale in 1989 during the World Final meeting.

No worries. As a side note, Jason's cars where always painted pink and a stuffed pink panther toy used to be fixed to the aerofoil.

The only "Pink Panther" in Stock Cars I can remember was 38 Jason Holden. One of the few drivers to have raced Brisca and Spedeworth Formula 1 Stock Cars. And if my memory isn't playing up, he was a Star Grade driver in both.

Is that Haddenham in Cambridgeshire ?? If so, I can't think of any off the top of my head, but there used to be 2 brothers from Cottenham (not to far away) who used to race F2. I'm sure if there was any Carlton will know. 😊

Thanx for the photo's Roy. I noticed that some of the fencing at Armadale looks like it is still the same as 1989 when I visited. Noticeably the brown back straight fence, lol.

If you mean on here, it's there race (car) number. In the game, the first ( ) is their position in the race. The second ( ), I have no idea.