Newcomer Nee's first outing
Colin Casserley Picture
You rarely have a new driver come in to the BriSCA F1’s without any previous racing experience; but 22nd September Peter Nee (90) jumped in to a Stock Car for the very first time; a BriSCA F1 no less and gave a good account of himself competing in all his races. Here Peter tells Keith Organ more about him and his first F1 experience.
“I am a self-employed commercial gas and oil heating engineer. I have attended Stock Car meetings since a young age; i have been around racing most of my life and I always told myself one day that would be me racing around the track in an F1. My elder brother Carl Nee (111) raced Ministox alongside my cousin John Nee (110) in the 90’s, I would wear my brothers helmet and gloves and run around as if I was driving a stock car, unfortunately when they outgrew Ministox; that would be the end of their racing career as they began to focus on other interests such as horses and pigeon racing, which until now is the closest I came to racing anything. During the last 18 years racing pigeons with Carl we became very successful and represented Great Britain in Olympia.”
“As time passed, Carl moved away and started a family; he could no longer take me to meetings. I then met my partner Grace and managed to convince her to come along with me to meetings, usually just shale. Last year however, I began to car share with a local Stock Car fan Andy Kirby and went to a few tarmac meetings aswell. Earlier this year we went to a meeting at Kings Lynn where I saw the Chris Farnell (32) car for sale, I briefly mentioned it to Grace and luckily she’s very understanding; both her and my 18 month old little boy are fans of Stock Cars and told me to follow my dreams and go for it. I didn’t mention to anybody else until I purchased the car; I asked Dad to drive me to Murray Harrison’s to view the car, luckily he has come round to the idea; both him and Mum are proud of me for going for it as they are also fans; they regularly attended Aycliffe, the old Belle Vue, Hartlepool and White City.”
Dave Bastock picture
“When we visited Murray and Ryan Harrison we had intentions of bringing the car home with us, but decided it would be more beneficial to leave the car with them so it’s properly maintained. In my time spent watching Stock Cars I’ve never heard a bad word about them as a whole family and I already feel I’ve made the best decision I could.”
“At my first meeting Murray and Ryan said to me to take my time and get used to the car during my first 5 laps, i felt really reassured. The 5 Laps went well, i wasn’t trying to set any land speed records and with no history of racing motorsports, I was impressed with myself. Ryan even made an effort to come up to me afterwards on the infield whilst I was waiting for my first ever F1 stock car race, to ask how it was first time driving the car on track. He’s been supportive and gave me advice which put me at ease. I did all my races and all the way through my first meeting the Harrison’s kept the car at its best and continued to give me very much appreciated advice. Words can’t describe what it’s like to drive and to be in the seat of an F1. As a spectator you hear people saying I would have done this, or, I would have done that, but just getting the car around takes some doing.”
Dave Bastock picture
“I was completely unaware what to expect when I was racing as I’ve spent 100% of my time on the other side of the fence. I took a few knocks from the other drivers, I was trying to avoid others as best as I could, but also wanted to make sure I was on the racing line, the top graded drivers seemed to pass round me with ease!”
“For the time being i have decided to stick with racing at Kings Lynn although I considered giving Stoke a try. I know i didn't want the risk of causing damage against a wire rope fence (racing at Belle Vue or Sheffield). Next year i intend to do as many meetings my wallet allows.”
“I would like to thank my partner Grace for all her support; also my Mum and Dad for being at my first meeting and letting me make them proud. A special thanks to The Harrison’s for taking me under their wing and giving me the best advice both at the meeting and beyond.”
Thank you to Peter for taking the time to help with this article; we wish him well in his Stock Car racing career; in particular his second meeting 20th October with us; comprehensive meeting details for the 20th here: http://www.stockcar-racing.co.uk/content/news/sat-20-october-530pm-preview.ashx