Heritage stock car racers take to Buxton track

Heritage stock car racers from the Rochdale borough took to the tarmac Buxton oval over the weekend of 16 and 17 September.

Racing in the heritage F2 category, these race cars are mainly replicas of stock cars that raced between 1960 and 1972.

The drivers generally have been stock car fans or have raced stock cars in the past.

 

 

Locally there are about six active racers, across Milnrow, Castleton, Middleton and Heywood taking part in the race season from April to October.

They have also taken their cars to local charity shows with three recently taking their racers to be filmed for the ‘Bangers and Cash’ television show on Yesterday.

Steve Hayward, of Leewood Autograss, explained: “The original Formula 2 was started in 1960 as a cheaper alternative to the more brutal F1s.

“The cars are mostly replicas but follow the rules that applied from 1960 until 1972, when a more modern engine and gearbox started to be used. The early racers used full-bodied cars, fairly easily identified; by the mid-60s, more streamlined bodies were being used.

“A certain Bernie Eccleston of Formula One fame even tried his hand, similarly Derek Warwick, who went on race Formula One, quite successfully. The mechanical bits used were from the Ford Popular of the 1950s.”