Hi Brian Watson here,
My introduction to Stock Car Racing commenced at Stoke on June 6th 1976, I hardly missed a weekend until the closure of my local track at Aycliffe, Co Durham in November 1989. During this time i gained the photographic advantage of the centre green and have witnessed many unforgettable moments in this sports history from a very privileged position. This site therefore mainly features photographs taken during what many say was the golden age of stock car racing the 80′s.
Unfortunately a check of negatives early 2011 identified that many had been damaged during storage, so i started to scan them. I have not been selective, they all get scanned whatever condition, so i make no apologies that some are not in best shape. This revamped site now features over 3000 photographs. I have changed the viewing format with photos now mainly featured under respective tracks.
Only a small selection of the photos taken at meetings find their way into magazines and meeting programmes, so hopefully you will enjoy those that didn’t make it, in what could be one of the largest collection of 80′s photographs around, they might as well be on here than stuck in my loft or lost forever.
The vast majority were taken with a Pentax MX 35mm camera, powered by a 6 frame per second motordrive, my spare camera was a Nikon EM with a 2fps motordrive. Most black and white film was self developed and printed usually on a Sunday night after meetings, so the following weekend programme or magazine demands were met.
I have now fully ventured into the digital world with a Nikon DSLR camera with a handy 3fps drive, my feet however will firmly stay trackside. My first play with this modern camera technology was at the Coventry June 4th 2011 meeting, 2 days short of my 35th year following Brisca Stock Car Racing.
Stock Car Racing has been more than a passion, i have many fond memories and made some great friends over the years, our brand of full contact, no holds barred racing is second to none.
My very special thanks go to Jim & Rosie who introduced me to stock car racing, to Nigel ‘Buster’ Watson ex 59 (no relation), John Toulson ex 286, Jeff Smith of Offshore Fuels, Hartlepool and John and Joyce of John’s Studio, Middlesbrough for their friendship and support over the years – thank you.
And finally to the all the drivers, mechanics and promoters.
Yours in Stock Car Racing
Brian Watson
All photography © Copyright Brian Watson. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction of any photograph without permission is prohibited – online or offline.
Please contact brianwatson29@sky.com for details.
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