Stock Car Racing - Brandon and beyond

I remember Coventry Avengers banger racing team in the early 70's. The team colours of the cars was blue and yellow.

Yes that's right Beesman I remember those too now you've mentioned them. I wonder what the drivers of all the banger racing teams are doing now, wonder if any of them still banger race.

The 17th Aug seen the return of the Classic Stock cars and Bangers to Coventry for there 2013 Heritage Celebration. As well as Heritage stocks, there were also modern F.2 stock cars, The Junior mini's, and the 1600cc Bangers. A good night had by all.

I knew I'd been once! - 1967 Didn't appreciate what the cars were doing to the hallowed shale Jim Esau (244) won the Grand Final

Leo McDermott was another Coventry stock car driver in the late 60s/early 70s, he owned the Ace Garage just off the Radford Road and King William garage (body repairs), Stoney Stanton Road. His mate who went with him and worked for him was Tony Packham, brother of Phil Packham of The Sorrows, a famous Coventry band in the 60s

The Ace Garage, Wyley Road, was run at times by speedway stars Wilmot Evans and Les Owen

Leo McDermott bought the garage off Les Owen after his accident, we did some building work on it for him

Leo was a good bloke. I knew him as he was a regular in The Devon. He enjoyed a round of golf and was also a big Sky Blues fan. Funnily enough, I never knew he had driven stock cars!

Hi Beesman, Leo used to keep his stock car behind my mates house in Avon Street (the three storey houses). We used to clean it off for him after meetings while he did any repairs. We were about 14/15 at the time. I met up with him in later life when we both used the Grange, that's when I met Tony Packham as well (he even lent me his golf clubs once). You're right, he is a good bloke. Billy Martin must have been the gaffer of the Devon in those days?

Hi mickw, John and Nora Mulhall were gaffers of the Devon when I knew Leo. Leo used to do work on my Volvo 1800 (Simon Templar car!) and he nearly died of shock when I sold it for £2,800 in 1991. He knew it was only worth about £1,000!!!

Hi Beesman the Mulhall`s must have been after Billy Martin. Leo used the Grange for years, he and his wife June came to my wedding. He must have started using the Devon after my father in law left the Grange. By the way I loved those Volvos

Great photo deano! I guess that to be taken in Swan Lane.

Although not a F1 fan, I love watching F2's and actually had a go for a season scoring all of 5 points!!! but had to give up as I couldn't afford the running costs, also the BRISCA F2 control board are in the throws of wrecking our favourite sport and that's where F1 's have the advantage they don't stand for any c**p!!!!!