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Current Race Cars: 1960 Lotus 7, BMC 998cc, #29
1960 Turner, BMC 998cc, #27
1963 Ginetta G4 being repaired, #29
1972 Hawke DL 9 Formula Ford, #29
1968 Volvo 22, historic sedan, #12
Other Cars: 1972 Maserati Indy, 1968 Maserati Mistral, 1974 Maserati Merak,
1959 MGA, 1963 Sunbean Alpine, 1962 Lotus Super 7.
Racing History (early): Started racing in 1959 in a borrowed Sprite at
Harewood and Greenacres (now cornfields). Placed 1st overall in every race that I
entered that year (really). I raced at the inaugeral race at Mosport in 1961.
In 1964 I bought a "well tweaked" 1960 Lotus 7 from Colin Chapman's
racing buddy Ian Raby. I raced that and won the CASC region class championship.
I raced at the inaugeral event at St Jovite (Mt Tremblant ) where I encountered
John Sambrook for the first time. I continued racing for some years becoming part
of "Shelton Mansell Racing Partnership" and racing many different cars
and classes throughout those times. I drove "works" TVRs MGAs, TR2s,
Canada Class specials, and Juniors. I raced and tested "customer" cars
and specials. Raced alongside all the older heroes of Canadian motorsport:
Al Pease, Eppie Wietzes, Walt MacKay, Ollie Clubine, Van Worsdale, Jack Boxstrom,
Phil Lamont. In fact in those days,
practice was "open" so the grid could include Pedro, Ricardo, Stirling,
Jack Brabham, Jo Bonnier, John Surtees. ......yup you got used to mirrors ......
I stopped racing in 1969, sold my Lotus, to try to make a living !! It turned
out OK..!
To be continued.......
About me: I was trained as an auto mechanic in postwar (the second one,
dummy) Scotland.
I emigrated to Canada on Christmas day 1957 on just a whim.
I got a job with Shelton Mansell Motors in Willowdale, who were an import sales
and service outlet and whose owners were race/rally car nuts.
Hence my foray into racing.
I got married to Heldi in late 1965 and by strange coincidence (nudge nudge) our
honeymoon wes spent at the Bahanas GP.
I opened a small import repair shop in
Richmond hill in 1968 after working around Toronto in the sporstcar repair trade
for 10 more years.
This gas station business morphed into a small Renault sales & repairs, then
later morphed into Renault / Peugeot, and then Renault/ Peugeot/ Volvo, and in
1984 we took on Hyundai Pony. So we had Hyundai and Volvo and after a while it
grew up to be a full blown Auto dealership with Sales Parts and Service and
35 employees.. ... It was quite a ride!!
I packed it in and retired in 1995 when, one morning I met the grim reaper in my
driveway checking out my mailbox number.
Racing with VARAC: I visited VARAC's racing festival in 1981 and got
hooked again, especially when I found a basket case Ginetta G4 just longing for
a new owner. I joined VARAC in 1983 and got the G4 together to
"start" racing again in 84, and have raced with VARAC every year since,
usually running between 10--14 races per year. I have won the VARAC or CASC
points championships about 5 times. And I have raced in almost all North American
tracks that I can reach in a two day drive, plus the 1989 Bahamas GP
(what a party).
In 1988 I stumbled upon my old Lotus 7 rusting away in a driveway (the guy was
asking way too much money for it, so I bought it anyway). I restored it just in
time, as I had bent my G4 badly, so now I am reunited with my old 7 and she
fits like an "old shoe".
I have served on several VARAC Board of Directors and am now President of VARAC
since 2004--??
I help out with tech inspections, and am chief cook and bottle washer for the
2006-07-08 Vintage Festivals and involved in just about everything in between.
Favourite Tracks: Pittsburgh Shenley Park, Mt. Tremblant, Waterford
Hills, in no special order
Other Useless Info: I was divorced from Heldi in 2002 (still good
friends). No Children, not even a dog, although I love dogs. Presently live in
Oshawa.
I enjoy travelling and have seen quite a bit of the warmer climes and most of
Europe.
I enjoy dancing to 50-60s music rock n roll / big bands, especially when I
find a swinging partner.
I used to ski a lot, but now I spend my time cruising the gentle slopes
"assisting " ladies in distress who may have become disoriented
and need help to locate their rental chalet.
My Favourite pastime is Apres racing, sitting around, chatting with the gang,
having a beer or glass of wine,and mooching a cigarette.
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