Carl H

Also, the vast majority of Nelson meetings now have scans of the front covers of the programmes.

Updates in the last month. Photos of Barry Heath, Andy Jacklin, Dave Russo, Lincoln Stott, Liz Hobbs, Mark Webster, Dan Harter, Paul Hindle, Tim Olley, Ray Witts, Nigel Bowler, John Thornton, Boet Eckout, Peter McCrudden. Some results from Norwich 22nd September 1956. Photos of Kerry Remnant, Johan Catsburg, Jan Kuin, Simon Joblin, John Hughes, Arthur Brooke. Photos of Iain Holden, Gary Utley, Garry Lenton, Steve Smith, Jonathan Lewis, Joshua Smith, Mick Harris, Mat Newson, Colin Heffer. Photos of Jamie Davidson, Glyn Rayson, Peter Knight, Neil Smith, Colin Taylor, Chris Anderson, Mark Gilbank, Paul Blything, Steve Cooper, Matt Bennett, Des Chandler, Murray Harrison, Warren Hunter, Pete Johnson, Peter Morton, Anthony Flanagan. Photos of Colin Gautry, Mick Wright, Phil Wheelton, Joost de Bruin, Steve Stretton. Photos of Paul Sumner, Pete Doran, Martin Fernihough, Lyn Carter, Roy Page, John Wyatt, Fred Strecker, Don Buddin.

Great stuff. Would have been good if Jonathan could have asked him about that inboard front suspension set-up though. I'd be interested in that.

Startrax press release. Sat down this morning to look at the applicants for ODSAL and we are aiming to accept 75 [ which, without Dutch visitors we would never have thought possible! ] however the application list is MUCH higher than that and therefore we will be working with Sophie / BSCDA next week to finalise. At this stage priority rightly will be given to those who have supported Startrax regularly at Sheffield, Belle Vue and Stoke for the opener as we owe our thanks and support back to them. So 75 will be the number! If you haven't got one of the few tickets remaining, well I can tell you there is a rather BIG two digit race number booked in!

Odsal 31st - FULLY BOOKED DRIVER WISE! Sat down this morning to look at the applicants for ODSAL and we are aiming to accept 75 [ which, without Dutch visitors we would never have thought possible! ] however the application list is MUCH higher than that and therefore we will be working with Sophie / BSCDA next week to finalise. At this stage priority rightly will be given to those who have supported Startrax regularly at Sheffield, Belle Vue and Stoke for the opener as we owe our thanks and support back to them. So 75 will be the number! If you haven't got one of the few tickets remaining, well I can tell you there is a rather BIG two digit race number booked in!

During his research for this book, Steve came across my Since 1954 project and contacted me for any details that I could provide. We ended up exchanging quite a few emails. In all honesty, I think he gave me a lot more info than I gave him.

Steve Daily, who provided much of the information in the original post, has now released his book all about the USA Team's tour of England. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B092H7M26R

The true story of two South Carolina stock car race promoters and their seven drivers who embark on an epic journey during 1955 and fly the flag for the USA by racing their stock cars on a tour of the UK. The group, and their seven stock cars, were brought across the Atlantic by a flamboyant showman known as Digger Pugh. They find a very different culture and a London still peppered with flattened bombsites ten years after WW2. After many years of shortages and hardships, the British people were finding new hope and optimism and were due for some excitement in their lives. In 1954 stock car racing began in the UK and thousands flocked to see this new phenomenon started by Digger Pugh and some like-minded promoters. In the following year Pugh pulled off his biggest gamble by giving the new stock car fans their greatest show so far; an international England vs USA contest. Unfortunately, Digger Pugh's plans didn't run smoothly, so buckle up as it's a bumpy adventure from the early days of NASCAR through to the tour and an account of what became of those US race drivers known to the English fans as, The White Ghosts. Available from Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B092H7M26R

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B092H7M26R

Catch Up! Well, catching breath after another busy several days and a huge thank you to Jordan Cooper, Jonathan and all the BSCDA TV team for their very professional production from Odsal that was aired Saturday - and we thank everyone for their patience, understanding and support. So what are we on with at the moment ? Karl's team are back on site working to complete the repaint job and since yesterday have started work on the East Stand and painting behind the stock car fence before moving on to outer areas. Helliwells have done a magnificent and major job in fitting the new external gates which are now being fitted with Vinyls etc and are looking really good - certainly will when finished. Planning is underway after a hiccup and reports required so that the back straight 'old' boxes can finally be removed towards the end of the month. All the toilets are currently being worked upon, plumbing and facilities wise and we are just costing out hopefully a complete re paint. Work is imminent over the next two weeks to re commence and complete the track, it has settled well and dried out and a sample of the final 300 tonnes of material to be delivered by the end of the month is 'on site' and looks excellent and we hope should do the job once graded in. Next week we will be planning the final spring clean of the stadium having got a budget which will be done during the period leading up the re opening. A million other jobs are also 'in play' and facilities being renewed in the South Stand. We have met Monday again, long day and we know understand where we are going with the corners and they are currently being finalised for the end of the week for the RFL. Hopefully, we will have a few more photos in the next several days as we start and complete more, but the old girl is starting to look good. Bookings for ALL the opening events are looking excellent, Stan Woods, we published a couple of days ago the bang up to date list for the 22nd May sent over by Reece Woods - FULL and any driver enquiries should go direct to the family. F1's for the 31st as stated are 6 weeks before the event approaching 70 with further drivers to be confirmed. BriSCA F2's opener in June is full with reserves and Micro Banger teams only have 2 spaces remaining as of last weekend. So May and June looking good driver wise! TICKETS - ALL TICKETS AVAILABLE have now been released for both the 22nd May and 31st May - THERE WILL BE NO MORE as once sold we will be at our capacity for May's events - they are ticking over daily, but again, if you want one, I suggest don't delay, checking the shop yesterday, on the current daily rate of sales, they will be SOLD OUT, certainly 31st within days - so don't delay. The large banners are SOLD OUT around the venue, a few spaces remain of the slightly smaller advertising signs, but not many, contact Ian or Billy at FLY SIGNS and similarly, Hospitality boxes, certainly for the F1 events are being reserved in good numbers, again contact Ian. Working wit the Bulls, we will imminently be offering 'branding' right's on the Touchdown / stadium and East Stand [ Currently Provident Stand ] - Ian will release that information as the week unfolds. Unique and high profile. We will keep you up to date - and thank your for your patience, support and good wishes, not too long now

Got around to watching these last night. Top stuff, thanks to all involved.

ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL Another full day at Odsal yesterday and I would like thank Jordan, Sue & Russell Cooper for travelling all the way from Cambridgeshire, Sophie BSCDA and Jonathan Abbott putting together what should be an interesting Podcast with news and insight into development. thanks also to Teams Fairhurst, Jagger, Thackra and Critchley who had the honours of being the first drivers on the Bradford shale since October 1997 and, to Ian Higgins for his help in getting a sample set of friends of Odsal banners up to get the visual effect. We were also delighted to welcome Commander Crosby and Ben, IF you haven't got a ticket for the F1 opener on 31st May, then you should really get your skates on - Sophie revealed to me an astonishing number of F1's booked already for 31st, close on 70. So, don't miss out! By the way, thanks to Sam for managing the HSE protocols required and race teams for their co-operation with this and Covid 19 requirements All will be revealed tomorrow! #THE WORK CONTINUES Photos courtesy Ian Bannister

https://stockcarmagazine.myshopify.com/collections/2021-stockcar-magazines

The Vision starts to become 'real' As work goes on, the dream becomes a reality and very visible now! With the refurb re paint 75% complete, turns 3/4 now underway after shot blasting and paint being applied. In the background work started on installing the brand new gates we really pushed for rather than refurbish rust and liveried up, the project is now moving to support buildings. The grass has just been manicured and the vision #starts' to live and breathe! But, don't underestimate we are still only about 60% through this project with an enormous amount of detail to complete. A design of evacuation stairways to the track in case of fire or terrorism have been CAD designed and prototype produced and tested on site last Friday and due to be inspected hopefully for approval next Tuesday so these may be manufactured. Eventually the pain barrier, stress, anticipation and vision might make it's way into my book if I live long enough - it's a rollercoaster - the longest one in the World that still has an alarming number of loops yet to navigate! We cannot underestimate what still must be done in 48 days! Much more to do, just 24 hours left to help via GoFund me - you can see the impressive South Stand on two floors and imagine a ring of friends of Odsal sponsor banners adding more colour - CONTACT Billy@flysigns to be part of the historic re birth as these are being snapped up quite quickly now as work progresses. And for one last time, you have until midnight tomorrow 31st to get your name on the Board and help us out at Odsal and Live the dream! WE HAVE SO MUCH ON OUR WISH LIST ACHIEVE SO, ONCE WE CLOSE THE FUND DOWN midnight on the 31st we can plan what MORE we can achieve with our added investment, so one last push! If you have already donated you can still help by sharing this post on your social media. All donations are appreciated no matter how large all small, but to have your name on the board it is a minimum £15. Lets all have one final push. Let's make the Friends of Odsal Board HUGE! To donate go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/odsal-stadium-go-paint-it or make a payment to Paypal higgi29@aol.com Phots courtesy Sam Critchley.

WORK GOES ON ~ODSAL LIVE THE DREAM! Monday 29th, week 12! The team are 'on site' The back straight terracing, now fully painted and 'Purple Wellies' on site power washing - The boxes on the back will be demolished and new crowd barriers installed, this should have happened last week however, there were decommissioning issues power wise [ now resolved ] and an asbestos report pre demolition required [ now done ] so will be re arranged in the next couple of weeks. Karl's team are well into the Rooley end terracing, all shot blasted and started painting the upright's black, work due to start in around 2 weeks n the 'steps' What is most impressive and provides a great 'vision' of how it will look, is the fence painting - you really get the picture! AND - JUST 2 DAYS LEFT! WE HAVE SO MUCH ON OUR WISH LIST ACHIEVE SO, ONCE WE CLOSE THE FUND DOWN midnight on the 31st we can plan what MORE we can achieve with our added investment, so one last push! If you have already donated you can still help by sharing this post on your social media. All donations are appreciated no matter how large all small, but to have your name on the board it is a minimum £15. Lets all have one final push. Let's make the Friends of Odsal Board HUGE! To donate go to gf.me/u/zjg6i8 or make a payment to Paypal higgi29@aol.com

Re-done the Champions section and spread it out over multiple pages, as it was getting a bit unwieldy. Current championships (except The Chase, as it's not finished yet) available from the menu, plus there's now some new sections. Former Championships Regional Championships Overseas Championships Also added the Trophies menu of trophies awarded over the years. Big thanks to Barry Tempest, Paul Jenkins, Chris Whiting, and David Whiting for their input with these.

Results : Coventry, 18th August 1954 Photos of Steve Lewin, Billy Dignan, George Dignan, Derek Fairhurst, Marshall Winkley, Ian Ireland, Mel Bassey, Frank Handyside, John Rogers, Ken Dignan, Gerald Dignan, Barry Cousins, Ted Dignan, Wayne Handley, Andy Smith, Richard Mason, Geoff Turland, Rob Scriven, Pete Hamer, Pete Hodgson, Brian Dignan, Frank Dignan

For fans of Oval Racing, Rugby and Speedway to help offset the cost of re-painting the iconic Odsal Stadium Bradford, prior to its Grand Re-Opening in 2021. This fundraiser is to help with the cost of paint and other materials needed to help bring the Stadium back to life. We have the Volunteers, we now need the materials. Odsal is the North's most Iconic Stadium for Stockcar Racing, Rugby League and Speedway. With help from the fans and supporters of all sports it is our aim to make it the Wembley of the North. A massive investment has been made by Startrax Oval Motorsport Limited in installing a new fence and re-laying a shale track so racing can return. Unfortunatly the rest of the stadium is looking a little tired and we want it to sparkle when COVID restrictions are lifted and the stadium can return to hosting Stockcars and Rugby along with many other types of events. The re-opening of Odsal will be a massive boost to the local economy and community. Lets make the Old Girl shine once again and be made to feel proud that we have all contributed. https://uk.gofundme.com/f/odsal-stadium-go-paint-it/

On Saturday 19th March 1955, the third and final meeting took place at Fallowfield Stadium in Manchester. It opened in May 1892 as home to the Manchester Wheelers Cycling Club, and featured a 509 yard concrete velodrome with 30 degree banking, built around an athletics ground and a football/rugby pitch. The stadium was the venue for the 1893 FA Cup Final, and the 1899 and 1900 Rugby League Challenge Cup Finals, plus major cycling events in 1919 and 1934. For this meeting, the perimeter of the sports ground was used as the track, with the concrete velodrome used as a run-off area in place of a fence. It is not clear if this was the case for the 1954 meetings, or if the stock cars ran on the velodrome. This detail is of some historical significance, because if the stock car racing was on the concrete then it would make Fallowfield the first hard surfaced track. The first race was Stretford vs Manchester, with Norman Sutton taking the win for Manchester and Bob Schofield of Stretford the runner-up. Schofield was a prolific traveller and race winner in the inaugural 1954 season. He peaked in August, when he won finals at Wigan on Monday 2nd, Yarmouth on Tuesday 3rd, and Motherwell on Friday 6th. Sutton also won Heat 1. The result of the second heat isn't known. Ray Walster took the final, his only known main event win in his two year career, with Schofield runner up. Fallowfield Stadium - The remains of the concrete track can be seen around the pitch in this photo of a football match in 1985.

GETTING READY TO RUMBLE! ODSAL'S IS COMING! Hard work has gone in and considerable co-operation between BriSCA and BSCDA and within days the 2021 BriSCA F1 calendar should be announced, it's getting real! Startrax are also now finalising our plans for Sheffield and Odsal, it has obviously been a 'sit back and wait' for a number of months until we got a roadmap forward. 'The Boys are Back in Town' for the first time since 1997 - BriSCA F1 Stock Cars with 7 races including Dash for the Cash and 3 races planned for National Ministox - a great 10 race slick show to welcome the 'Thunder back' to Odsal on Monday 31st May. TICKETS ARE CURRENTLY SOLD OUT since 1st January - However, should we be able to release further, we will announce this next month and plan to be available online only from 5th April - more details to follow. It's getting VERY real!

This meeting has been postponed. New date TBA.

Updates since last week. Additional information on John Hayden, Ken Kirk, Bob Reeve, Allan Roe, Mike Garner, Sid Hipperson. Photos from 1981 of Allen Eccles, Brian Tuplin, Jimi Smith, Ian Smith, Gaz Bott, Mark Carrington, Pete Roberts, Terry Davies, Ken Longmore, Mark Pettit, Dave Hodgson, Andy Calladine, Mark Teale, Mike Sharman, Barrie Burton, Pete Morton. Photo of Dick Beaumont in the fence at Northampton in 1956. Photos of Ray Hamstead, Stan Cole, Dave Walker, Brian Linley, Terry Cooper, Mal Brown, Wayne Handley , Nigel Whorton, Ian Bott, Chris Brocksopp. Information added for Sid Hipperson, Fred Butterworth, Mike Garner, Bob Reeve, Jerzy Wojtowicz, Allan Roe, Ken Kirk, John Hayden, Jim Cushine.

Thursday Update Sorry not last night, but did not get back from Odsal until late! Steady progress is being made, indeed what ironically has been a frustration is that 'laying' the track has been going so well with odd breaks due to wet weather that we cannot get material delivered fast enough! In the plan, 4/5 wagons a day were felt 'optimum' but due to the efficiency of Andy, Nigel Land and the Newton family its going down as fast as it's tipped and then have to wait - in some respects a good problem and you cannot just 'plug' in extra haulage as you have tacho, driver hours etc and each round trip is about four hours however last load yesterday was around 6.pm and two / three loads have arrived this morning with more due so optimism is that we will be down to the 'players' tunnel by end of play tomorrow which will be 60% of the track, as we stand now around 50% is 'laid', our target currently is for this phase to be finished by 25th after which we will have a pause until we get a window of decent weather in the next few weeks to add 'top' material and then start routinely grading it. We had a productive meeting yesterday with the RFL and Bulls, with 43 days left before the planned opener and a real focus on what has to be done stadium wise. Our passion is to improve the stadium to the best of our ability and that has to be managed in conjunction with the landlords who are investing also. Our original definition for what we have to do and budgeted for [ and spent ] was to install a fence and a racetrack - that's done and budget [ and more spent ] . Together, we have for some weeks been working on how we can try and finance overall improvements - We have tried to assist where we can with support from our community going above our remit, in terms of 'friends' helping defray costs for the benefit of the stadium in many areas, we undertook helping the RFL in organising the necessary stress testing of the barriers, a requirement for the safety certificate and thanks to support from Graeme Robson a Civil Engineering firm has been in for the last three days undertaking that work. Pride and passion for getting the job right has seen us pushing with our colleagues / landlord to get more done and help, where we have no budget. We have agreed a contribution for example to replace with 6 brand new Emergency gates on Rooley Avenue - repair only sticky plasters them for a year or so, we want if we can, to do it right, so we are investing more there. Painting the place, technically not within our own remit, not either 'essential' but pride and passion from our side is pushing for the extra mile. The Bulls are engaged with the same vision. To go that extra mile in 'like too' projects means compromise and to get it done, chipping in - Shot blasting barriers to prepare for painting, quotes received thus far £12k and £9k and we have another quote coming in Monday - to get that done, we will have to contribute [ we could just sit back and leave these things, but WE want it right ] . Working with Ian, we are in discussions with various major paint suppliers for 'a deal' and hopefully, Monday /Tuesday we will be able to have commitment and cost there. Landscaping, we have managed to square that circle for the benefit of all with kind support from Goodison Landscapes - Richard Baldwin has been helping in support of things such as diesel and other things. Jack France and his boss have been a huge support with work/materials at cost - so, in short to get the job done and look right, we have gone or trying to, beyond our remit for everyones benefit. Our resource is almost exhausted but, by bulling together and the continued support in areas we can go further. Ian suggested the idea of GO PAINT donations, and almost £2k has been raised - we estimate - and it is an estimate, that shot blasting / repaint / materials will be iro £20k - we see it as an essential, reality a nice too, we have no budget for this and it's the right thing to do, and with your support we can get this done. The RFL investment is basics is significant, £50k alone for floodlight repparartions, various other essential repairs and renewals will be a six figure sum therefore we have got involved in trying to drive some of the non essentials [ but appearance and feel good we feel essential ] to speed up the process to open with some pride. The Bulls also have their own huge commitment in getting their team and facilities ready to return when crowds return so what we want to achieve is in all our interests. I had a length phone chat with Mr Nigel Wood this morning and comforted again that as both sports 'we are welded together' at the hip and in this for the long term. The 'new' Bulls are working hard on their own infrastructure to ensure long term viability and plans for which they have shared their vision that has encouraged me - and hopefully should encourage Bulls fans as time moves forward, they have a huge task in rebuilding Odsal as a viable RL enterprise with the baggage of previous franchise holders to manage - and they should get support setting out their own agenda for long term development and for the Bulls to thrive. One point I cannot over stress, how the scale and size of this project has unfolded, had we known it in October 2019, tumbleweed would still be blowing down the terraces! What was straightforward as in life, has not been and it's like unpeeling an onion, it has to be done - However, the motivation v risk has been driven by the support expressed for this to work, and where we can, we are trying - so we appreciate and value all who have supported us thus far and ALL contributions, will be going into the stadium by necessity. Thank you and we will continue to update ever £5 upwards buys some paint or contributes Steve & Jackie #ODSAL IS HAPPENING

Photos of Phil Hare, Michael Ives, Brian Henton, Barry Heath, Graham France, Dave Berresford, Pete Cox, Roger Green, Trevor Butterworth, Peter Falding, Paul Harrison, John Lawn, Bill Aldred, Wayne Handley, George Wilkins, Chris Bimmell, Mike James, Danny Clarke, Steve Bates, Mike Sherwood, Nigel Wilkinson. Photo sequence of Mick Noden losing his back axle at Oxford, September 1975.