Driver Of The Year Semi-Final Meeting
Top 3s
Heat 1
1st 199 Mike Close
2nd 364 Jamie Davidson
3rd 182 Mike Cheetham
Driver Of The Year Semi-Final
1st 391 Stu Smith
2nd 2 Willie Harrison
3rd 212 Frankie Wainman
Heat 3
1st 190 Len Wolfenden
2nd 367 Ian Smith
3rd 229 John Hillam
Consolation
1st 89 John Young
2nd 260 Dave Berresford
3rd 160 Andy Stott
Final
1st 190 Len Wolfenden
2nd 2 Willie Harrison
3rd 260 Dave Berresford
Grand National
1st 199 Mike Close
2nd 260 Dave Berresford
3rd 190 Len Wolfenden
A mid-season new car for Stuart Smith 391
Rochdale on 3rd August 1980 was my first glimpse of Stu Smith with a restyled car, versions of which saw out his career. The Daily Mirror Grand Prix meeting at Belle Vue on 26th July 1980 saw the The Bread Tray Special that had landed in 1979 virtually demolished on the back straight. Such was the damage a complete rebuild was necessary. The new body incorporated a revised strengthened roll cage. This car went on to give Stu his 3rd world title at Coventry a month later.
Stuart Smith 391
Winner of the 1980 Mike Parker Promotions Driver Of The Year Semi-Final, Stuart Smith 391
Yorkshire stars
John Hillam 229 and Willie Harrison 2
Mike Close 199
Mike Close alongside Stuart Smith 391
Len Wolfenden 190
One of 12 meeting final wins at Rochdale for Len Wolfenden 190
Frankie Wainman Senior 212
Rolling lap with Stuart Smith 391 on pole and Frankie Wainman Snr 212 on the outside front row