Saturday 20 Sept had arrived and the event I'd been looking forward to all year was just a few hours away. I was born in Ipswich and saw my first ever stock car race at the local Foxhall Stadium fifty years ago. Today the most important event in UK oval racing was taking place there. For the first time ever, the BriSCA F1 Stock Cars were staging their World Final.

It was my buddy ,Colin's turn to drive today and he picked Roger and me up from my Mum and Dads place in his Vauxhall, soon after 10-00pm. Before heading off to Ipswich we were joined by another race fan and friend of Colin, named Barry White ( not the singer ! )

I still have a lot of family living in the Ipswich area and we'd arranged to meet some of them at The Raven (pub) on the Nacton Road, close to the race track, for lunch. My cousin Jamie and his partner Michelle were there and his son Stuart (my nephew). Stuart who works behind the bar at The Raven, stayed at my place in Canada a few years back while working as a Ski instructor, so it was good to see him again. We were also joined by Malcomb Burton , an old friend of mine who had a spare ticket for the Grandstand to sell to Roger. The food in The Raven was excellent and I can definitely recommend the steak and ale pie.

After lunch we moved down to the track which was already packed with people.

Today was going to be another day of meeting old friends and enjoying the big event. While touring the pits the first person I spotted was Martin Clark, fellow SHORT CIRCUIT MAGAZINE scribe and photographer, who like me, had crossed the Atlantic for the occasion. Martin is based in North Carolina. The number old friends I bumped into were too many to mention, so apologies for anyone I've missed. Stuart Ralls and Steve Mayhew were there with Ian Hall ( who'd met us at the airport).

I had a good chat with Derek Hines, who's son Paul # 259 was competing in the World Final. I knew Derek long before he formed  his race team and my daughter Carla used to sit at the races with Paul when they were kids. I remember going to the Lelystad Raceway in the Netherlands with them back in the 1980's.

Not in the big race, but part of the support program was Tim Warwick # 307, who I've known since we were teenage race fans. Tim also likes traveling around and I last bumped into him at a DIRT Modified show in Volusia (Florida) two years ago.  I also met up with former driver Phil Elsden who's son Mark # 401 was also in the support races.

One of the reserves for the World Final was Mark Woodhull # 335. It was his car that 358 DIRT Modified driver Dave Heaslip drove when he represented Canada in the event back in 2003. Mark's father, Nev, is another old friend of mine who I raced against in the 1970's.

As Colin and I toured the pits we came across Stock Car historian, ex driver, promotor, publisher... you name it he's done it, Keith Barber. He was escorting 'guest of honor' Guy Curval around. Guy # 00 was the top French driver of the 1960's who often traveled over to the UK from France to race. I remember seeing him compete at Brafield and Harringay ( North London) but his more frequent outings were at Brands Hatch.

After spending a long time in the pits chatting I moved inside the stadium to try and find a good place to stand ( yes , that's right, North American readers, don't be shocked, most oval tracks in the UK have very little or no seating accommodation ! )

Just inside the main entrance there was a nice display of heritage stock cars. There was a replica of Chick Woodroffe's F2 ( Junior) of the 60's and retro Fiat Toppolino bodied F1 that was built by John Plant (another old friend).

For some reason the World Final format was changed this year, and instead of the big race taking place late in the evening, it was the first event of the day and was completed in broad day light.

Another change to tradition was the pre-race driver parade. For me, part of the excitement of a World Final is the driver parade with them sitting on their cars with the various nations flags flying. This year, the World Finalist's were paraded round on an open topped double decker bus while their cars remained parked on the grid. A lot of the pre-race atmosphere was lost by doing this.

Once the race got going, it too, was a bit of a disappointment, with front row starter Andy Smith # 391 leading from Start to finish. There was very little 'aggo' and no major wrecks. The most notable drive was from Dutchman, Ron Kroonder # 217 who chased second place man Paul Harrison # 2 over the line to take third.

Unfortunately , I was unable to gain access for the Victory Lane photo's ( or for race action)

Since I left the UK in 1994, the country has been turned in to a 'near police state'. The socialist government that has been in power for the majority of the time since I my departure, has brought in many ridiculous 'big brother' laws and regulations that have aggravated the masses. ( like the speed cameras mentioned earlier). It's not just the Ministry of Transport that has too much clout , but also the Health and Safety Department . Everybody 'and his dog' in the working arena, seams to be wearing 'Hi Vi' clothing ( bright yellow luminous jackets like I wear for infield racing photography) even bus and van drivers.

From what I gather from fellow racing photographers, the 'H&S' only permit a small number of media on the infield, so I had to miss out. Thankfully my good friend Colin Casserley, was able to supply me, and other media members with the pictures we needed.

The racing got better as darkness fell and I got that 'Foxhall feeling' back as the night went on , as some 'real' stock car racing began to take place. The final was a real cracker ! On the last lap, Paul Harrison who was leading, received a big hit from the chasing James Lund # 153 which put them both wide. This was just enough for Frankie Wainman # 515 Jnr ( who was running third) to nip by and grab the checkers. Great stuff ! just the sort of thing that makes BriSCA F1, the sport it is.

PIC 1   Photographer friends Martin Clark (L) and Colin Casserley (R) at Ipswich

PIC 2  Mick ' Blacky' Black in the Ipswich pits

PIC 3  Keith Barber (L) , Guy Curval (M) and Colin Herridge (R) in the Ipswich pits

PIC 4   Tim Warwick and me in the Ipswich pits

PIC 5   Phil Elsden and his son Mark at Ipswich

PIC 6  The replica of Chick Woodroffes F2 (junior)

PIC 7  That's where I watched the World Final from

PIC 8  Just a few yards ahead on the right was where I saw my first stock car race (50 years ago)

PIC 9  Driver parade on the open top bus

PIC 10  Colin Casserleys World Final Victory Lane photo

PIC 11  The winning World Final car of Andy Smith # 391

PIC 12  New World Champion Andy Smith poses later in the evening

PIC  13  That's more like it, racing under the floodlights

RACES ATTENDED IN 2008

1           JAN  19          ARENA ESSEX (Thurrock UK)

2          JAN  27            LAC MORIN (Que)

3          JAN 27             ST EULALIE (Que)        

4          FEB 16             KAHNAWAKE (Que)

5         FEB   17            CLARENCE CREEK (Ont)

6         FEB    24          BERTRAND FABI CIRCUIT . Sherbrooke, (Que)

7         FEB     24         BEAUHARNOIS , (Que)

8       MAR    21           WILLIAMS GROVE SPEEDWAY (PA)

9       MAR    22           LINCOLN SPEEDWAY (PA)

10     APR    19         CAN AM SPEEDWAY,Lafargeville, (NY)

11    APR    20         CAYUGA COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY,Weedsport, (NY)

12    APR   26         MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY (Ont) 358 SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES

13    APR    27        HUMBERSTONE SPEEDWAY, Port Colborne (Ont)

14    MAY  3         MOHAWK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY , Hogansburg  (NY)

15      MAY  9          CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY , OTTAWA  (Ont)

16     MAY  10       MOHAWK INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY , Hogansburg (NY)

17     MAY 17      BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY, (Ont)

18    MAY  18      CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)

19    MAY   24     MOHAWK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY , Hogansburg (NY)

20    MAY  25     CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY  (Ont)

21   MAY 29      CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont) KART TRACK

22   MAY 30     AUTODROME EDELWEISS , Cantley, (Que)

23   MAY  31   BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY, (Ont)

       JUN  1     AUTODROME ST EUSTACHE, (Que)  RAINED OUT

24   JUN 6    AUTODROME EDELWEISS Cantley, (Que)

25    JUN  7    FULTON SPEEDWAY (NY)    SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES

26   JUN  8    CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)

27    JUN  11  CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY , Ottawa, (Ont)

28   JUN  21   BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY (Ont)

29   JUN  22   CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)  WORLD OF OUTLAWS LATE MODELS

30   JUN  28    CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY, Ottawa (Ont) RAINED OUT

31  JUN  28   MOHAWK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, Hogansburg, (NY)

32  JUN 29   CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)

33  JUL 3    CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY Ottawa, (Ont)

34  JUL 5   BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY (Ont)

35  JUL 6   CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)

36  JUL 9    CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY ,Ottawa (Ont)

37   JUL 10  BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY (Ont)  SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES

38   JUL  12  ICAR CIRCUIT, Mirabel, (Que)

39   JUL   12  AUTODROME DRUMMOND (Que)

       JUL 13   CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY(Ont) , RAINED OUT SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES

40   JUL  16   CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY,Ottawa (Ont)

41   JUL  18   BRIGHTON SPEEDWAY (Ont)

42   JUL  19  AUTODROME DRUMMOND (Que)

        JUL  20  CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)  RAINED OUT

        JUL  23   CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY,Ottawa, (Ont)  RAINED OUT

        JUL  26  MOWHAWK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, Hogansburg (NY) RAINED OUT                  

43   JUL 27  CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)

44    JUL 30  CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY, Ottawa, (Ont)

45    JUL 31   MOHAWK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, Hogansburg NY (LUCAS OILS CDS)

46    AUG 1    AUTODROME EDELWEISS, Cantley (Que)  (LUCAS OILS CDS)

47    AUG 2   BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY (Ont)  (LUCAS OILS CDS POSTPONED)

48    AUG 3   CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)  (LUCAS OILS CDS)

49    AUG  6   AIRBORNE SPEEDWAY PARK , Plattsburg ( NY)

50   AUG   9  CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY, Ottawa, (Ont)  (ACT SERIES RACE)

       AUG 10   CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)  RAINED OUT

51   AUG 13   CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY , Ottawa , (Ont) 

52   AUG  16   CAN AM SPEEDWAY, Lafargeville, (NY)  SUPER DIRTCAR  SERIES

53   AUG  17   CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)  SUPER DIRT CAR SERIES

54   AUG  20   CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY Ottawa (Ont)

55   AUG  21    MOHAWK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY , Hogansburg (NY) 358 SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES

56   AUG   23   BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY (Ont)

57    AUG 24  CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)

58    AUG 27   CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY , Ottawa, (Ont)

59   SEP 1    CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)  358 SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES

       SEP  6    CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY, Ottawa, (Ont)   ACT SERIES RACE (RAINED OUT)

       SEP  6   BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY (Ont)  358 LUCAS OIL CDN / SUPER DIRTCAR (RAINED OUT)

60   SEP  7   CORNWALL MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Ont)  ENDURO

61   SEP  13  BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY (Ont)  RUN WHAT YA BRUNG

62   SEP  17   ARLINGTON STADIUM , Eastbourne, (UK)

63   SEP  19   SKEGNESS STADIUM, Orby, (UK)

64   SEP  20  FOXHALL STADIUM , IPSWICH, (UK)  BriSCA F1 WORLD FINAL) 

My RICK @ the RACES race report goes out to a mailing list of about 200 people, which includes, family, friends and acquaintances, I've either met or known during my life in auto racing. Please feel free to pass these on or use on websites etc.

My RICK @ the RACES (RETRO) reports are a little different, as they are an ongoing account of my times spent at the races through the years. Some time in the future, once they have been tidied up and edited, I may look into getting them published. I still have a long way to go before I'm up to the present day, but in the meantime, please contact me for consent before before using ( websites or publications) Thanks Rick