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| Profiles  421 'Nutty Nige'
Name: Nigel Riley The original Bear, 'Nutty Nige' began his career in the early 80's when he raced at Cowplain following getting into the sport thanks to 'Mick the Tip'. His first race was a lively one, he remembers "smashing em up" & reluctantly admits getting "smashed up" himself. Something that doesn't happen so often these days! Never knowing anything other then The Bears, 'Nutty Nige' classes his proudest moment as having his two sons join him on the track as Bears for the very first time, a memory that still brings a lump to his throat to this day. 'Nutty Nige' possesses a never ending list of tracks raced, including Horndean, Westworld & Buxton, but loyally classes his favourite track as his local Smallfields, and would like to race "anywhere we are welcome". Not a man who looks upon this sport lightly he confesses that his biggest meetings are "everyone I race at". "Don't hang around with those kids on the council estate" being the most valuable advice given to him by his late mother, he also gives thanks to his wife for putting up with him! The motto he lives by is "live life to the full, you are dead a long time", a motto that morphs itself onto the track every meeting attended by The Bears. What does being a member of The Bears mean to Nige? "As the story goes... That's life! Is there anything else?" Although uncomfortable being labelled the 'Captain', the founder of The Bears has assembled a spectacular team of drivers, cherished and loved by the fans - something that he can surely be proud of.
 521 'Ace Ash'
Name: Ashley Riley Fans' favourite 'Ace Ash' has been a member of The Bears since his racing career started in 2000 at Smallfields. An excitable racer, his first race gave us a taste of what was to come. Racing a 1600 Ford Capri, he remembers following in a lady driver, having a head on with a Sierra, jacking a Cortina to the cage & still managing to finish the race! A perfect start to a moment he had anticipated his whole life. Born into The Bears, 'Ace Ash' (a nickname thought up by his Dad) always knew he would get into racing & echoes his Dad's opinion that all meetings he has raced are "big to him". Racing at tracks up & down the country including St Day, Coventry, Skegness & Arena Essex, 'Ace Ash' classes his favourite track as Kings Lynn. However, there are two tracks 'Ace Ash' has not yet raced & hopes to add to this never ending list, being Ipswich & Scotland. The list of cars 'Ace Ash' has raced is just as impressive as the list of tracks; classic beauties such as a '64 Caddy Fleetwood, Crown saloon & Daimler Majestic sit alongside his favourite car raced - a Toyota Crown custom estate. Ten years of racing has seen many ups & down including a dismal 2 laps at Warton & on the other end of the scale placing 3rd at Crasharama & riding the pace car with his son, a treasured moment. His Dad told him to "just go and have fun", the most valuable piece of advice given to him & a piece of advice that has ensured every banger fan has been entertained by 'Ace Ash' at one point. Driving by the motto "drop it into 3rd gear when possible", 'Ace Ash' admits there are two racers he admires, his Dad & Polo. Being a member of The Bears means he gets to see his family far too often! Love him or loathe him, 'Ace Ash' is one of the sport's most fearless drivers, a sport in which he gives complete dedication & for enduring that dedication 'Ace Ash' gives thanks to his family, wife & kids.  221 'Motormouth'
Name: Justin Riley 'Motormouth', a nickname that says it all, is the second son of team founder 'Nutty Nige', so unsurprisingly was brought up into the sport. His career started seven years ago at Smallfield where he ran a Cortina in, then got jacked & has led him to tracks like Buxton, favourites Kings Lynn & Ringwood, & the tracks he classes as his biggest; Shamwreck & Belgium. It was at these two meetings that 'Motormouth' remembers his best banger moments - winning Shamwreck in 2008 & getting two best entertainer awards at the European Championship - Belgium in 2009, for a team focused & successful on entertaining, that is questionably the highest accolade available. Racing cars such as a Mk1 estate, Supras, Lexus LS400 & a Capri, Motormouth' has another meeting on his 'to do' list, the Champ of Champs at Birmingham! 'Motormouths' tongue in cheek worst banger moment was when Bears team mate 'Karly' caged him at Warton, a moment 'Motormouth' ensures Karly will "learn from!" Lol. 428 'Grumpy', member of the Hitmen & brother 'Ace Ash' are two drivers 'Motormouth' admires, valuable advice he has been given is "just have fun" by his Dad. An unsung member of the team, who never shies away from a crash, 'Motormouth' admits life would be dull without racing, drives & lives by the brilliant motto "just grin & Bear it" & thanks his Mum, Dad, brother & girlfriend Nadia for putting up with it.  28 'Ozzie'
Name: Neil Osbourne Coming soon...  721 'Thug'
Name: Grant Butler 'Thugs' racing career started nearly 10 years ago after a chance meeting with fellow Bear members 'Nutty Nige' & 'Ace Ash', what began as a gearbox conversion on a Ford Anglia road car turned into a first meeting at Smallfields, considered his favourite track, in a Capri, where he got "smashed from one end of the straight to the other... but what a buzz!" Racing some of the biggest meetings in the calendar such as Icebreaker, Warneton & Shamwreck, 'Thug' would still like to race Ipswich World Final. He also has an impressive list of tracks raced Kings Lynn, Taunton, Ringwood & Arlington to name a few & would be happy racing anywhere the rest of the lads are racing. A long standing career brings with it many highs & lows, 'Thug' recalls his best banger moment as finishing the race at Metal Mania & enjoying a private DD with 28 'Ozzie' & 521 'Ace Ash' & his worst as pulling off the centre right into the path of the pack at Taunton, being airborne & wrecked! The most valuable piece of advice 'Thug' has been given was "go in flat out, get at least one, before they get you!" & he lives by the fantastic motto "believe in your own hype because no-one else does" Being a member of the Bears means everything to 'Thug' & he admits he wouldn't want to race with anyone else!!  331 'Wally'
Name: Shane Fry Son of Bear member Brett ‘Wingnut’ Fry, 'Wally' followed in his father’s footsteps, with his first race being in 2005 at Smallfields. Another Bear who was born into the sport, and the team, ‘Wally’ picked up his nickname from teammate ‘Ace Ash’ who was taking the mick out of him for hitting a wall, hence the name “Wally”. A well accomplished driver, ‘Wally’ has raced at favourites Kings Lynn & Belgium as well as Ireland, Smallfields & Buxton. Arena Essex would complete an already good looking list for ‘Wally’, and he too would like to race the World Final & Firecracker, although the latter seems unlikely now. ‘Wally’ rates a Volvo as his favourite car, but has also raced a Jag, Datsun 300c & 280c & an Omega. A favourite banger moment for ‘Wally’ is beating his extended family, the Rileys, in a DD at Arlington, and his worst – racing half a lap at Brampton and “seeing stars” in 2007. A member of the team who, like the Rileys has never known anything different, ‘Wally’ claims being a member of The Bears is “just part of life, always has been”. As a career serving member of The Bears, ‘Wally’ drives by the motto, “anything that’s not red, white & blue gets flattened!”. The nuggets of advice that 'Wally' holds dear come from 'Nutty Nige', "Don’t drink too much the night before” and his Dad, “Always wear protection.” Clearly a team member with a sense of humour, when asked which driver he admires most, ‘Wally’ responds with “a bus driver – they’re always on time!” A rated member of The Bears, ‘Wally’ owes the earliest of his career to his Dad, without whom things would have turned out differently, and he would like to take this moment to thank the farmer.  133 'Karly'
Name: Karl Day An experienced driver whose career started 17 years ago at Standlake, 'Karly' was originally a member of the team 'Hitmen' & joined The Bears 3 years ago. Another driver who became involved in the sport through his Dad, he also has his Dad to thank for the most valuable advice given to him - "turn right at the end of the straight". Growing up 'Karly' admired a guest of The Bears 33 Simon Reed & also takes notice of those who "take a hit & don't cry about it!". Having raced at Mildenhall, Ireland, Belgium & Hednesford, 'Karly' classes Kings Lynn as his favourite track but would also like to race at Cowdenbeath - Scotland at some point in his career. Having raced a P5, Volvos, Cortinas & Yanks, 'Karly' rates his favourite car as a Bears favourite - a Supra. A big meeting he hopes to reach is the World Final, to sit alongside meetings like the European Championship & Shamwreck he already has on his list of achievements. His motto being "just enjoy yourself", 'Karly did not enjoy himself at the East Anglian Championship after driving his Jag off the back of the lorry only for it not to run the rest of the day! 'Karly' recognises teamwork as what encompasses being a member of The Bears & this was more than evident when his garage burnt down and Nige and his family built him a new car, in which he won the Shamwreck Final in 2009, his best banger moment, & a kind gesture for which he gives thanks to Nige and his family.
 207 'Compo'
Name: Michael Woodward 'Compo' began racing in 2003 at Aldermaston race track, where he remembers winning his first trophy & being "done" by Jethro. His love of racing grew from watching his father race from a young age & even now wishes he could have experienced racing at Prestwood, one of his Dad's regular tracks. Nicknamed 'Compo' due to his resemblance to Last of the Summer Wine character Compo (wearing a bobble hat & wellies in the Summer), he raced on his own until guesting for The Bears at 'Metal Mania' Warton nearly 2 years ago. Since then he has become a regular driver for a team he "rated" before joining them. Although the best advice he has been given is "if it ain't red, white and blue, hit it" a pearl of wisdon from 'Nutty Nige', 'Compo' cheekily rates his best banger moment as "doing 'Ace Ash' (on purpose)", along with his worst banger moment "doing 'Nutty Nige' (by accident). In his earlier career 'Compo' raced some beautiful motors, such as a P5 & a smart Gran Tourino, both at Blockbusta St Day & St Columb, although now, a Volvo is his preferred choice. Racing many tracks up & down not only this country but others as well, including Hednesford, Ipswich, Cowdenbeath - Scotland & Nutts Corner - Ireland, his favourite track is a Bears regular Kings Lynn. 'Compo' considers his biggest meetings as the European Championship in Belgium where he placed 3rd in the Final, the BBA Supreme & was proud to be selected as a member of The South at this year's Civil War, but would still like to add the World Final to his racing credentials. Since joining The Bears the racing style & confidence of 'Compo' have grown & being part of an entertaining team is a highlight of his career, a career for which he gives thanks to his Mum & Dad for.  726 'The Chimp'
Name: Kalin Dawe 'The Chimp' was a relative newcomer to the sport when he joined The Bears a year ago, after being asked to race at Nutcracker. Beginning his career after watching & helping out his current Bear teammates 'Karly' & 'Compo', 'The Chimp' fell in love with the sport after being "smashed up quite bad" in his first race at Standlake in 2008. Since the relative calmness of Standlake he has raced at Wimbledon, Mildenhall, Hednesford & Coventry, as well as across the pond at Nutts Corner - Ireland - a meeting he classes as his biggest to date. Belgium was a track that he missed racing at with The Bears & hopes they return this year to add to his ever growing resume. Although having raced in Jags, Granadas & Yanks, 'The Chimp' along with 'Compo' classes a Volvo as his favourite choice of machinery. The banger memory he rates highest is knocking out 384 'Goldie'. And the one he'd most like to forget is getting t-boned at Standlake by Jack Overy & breaking a bone in his hand. Another Bear member who rates 'Nutty Niges' advice as the most valuable given to him - "Go in flat out", 'The Chimp' likes to live by the motto "one life, live it". A solid member of the team, 'The Chimp' admits that racing with The Bears means a lot to him & classes 'Nutty Nige' as a driver he admires. Along with thanks to Nige, he thanks Karly, Knocker & Taps for their input into his racing career.  44 'Trouble'
Name: Jamie Ddin Son of original Hitmen member Spike 'Trouble' began his career in 1998, racing a 2.8 Datsun aged just 9 at Aldermaston. A member of the team for a year, 'Trouble' got into the team after racing with The Bears at Nutts Corner - Ireland. Previous to racing with The Bears 'Trouble' was no stranger to the team after battling with them as a member of the 'Surrey Street Squad'. Trouble by name, trouble by nature, he earned his nickname for obvious reasons. No stranger to the circuit 'Trouble' has raced at Ringwood, Wimbledon, Ireland, Smallfields and classes Firecracker as his biggest meeting but still wants to add the European Championship in Belgium to that list! Racing Jags, a P5 & P4, 'Trouble' also rates a Volvo as his favourite car & Kings Lynn as his favourite track. A memorable banger moment for 'Trouble' is giving his Dad Spike a head on, this fierce racing attitude also means that his worst banger memory is being knocked out for 15 minutes and injuring himself. His Dad supplies the most valuable piece of advice given to him - "Don't let off the throttle" and 'Troubles' admiration is for a driver who has exactly the same mentality, team member 'Ace Ash'. Being part of the best team around is what being a Bear member means to 'Trouble' and he would like to thank Nige for letting him be part of that, although most would agree he has earned his spot on his own.  785 'Jambo'
Name: James Taylor Newest regular to the team, ‘Jambo’ joined The Bears a decade into his racing career after being asked to race at ‘Icebreaker’ in 2011. Introduced to the sport by his Nan who took him to watch every week, ‘Jambos’ first race was at Aldermaston, since then he has raced at Arlington, Arena Essex & his personal favourite Kings Lynn. Previously racing on his own 'Jambo' records his biggest meeting as Firecracker (sadly not a meeting he will race again as a Bear) & still wants to add Shamwreck & Crasharama to his list - both meetings in The Bears calendar. 'Jambos' favourite car is a Jag but he has also raced a Mark 1 Crown, Granada & a few smart Yanks. His best banger moment was winning his first race & he classes his Mum & Dads advice to "just go & enjoy yourself" as the most valued. A ferocious racer, 'Jambos' racing style fits in perfectly with The Bears brand of driving. Never one to shy away from a crash 'Jambos' reliability as a driver never to pass a team mate in trouble will ensure he becomes a favourite with the fans & team mates alike. 'Jambo' rates 'Ace Ash' as a driver he admires & says that being a member of The Bears means that he is part of the best team around - for that he wants to thank Nige for asking him to be part of the team, he also wants to thank anyone else that helps him with his racing. Although only having raced few meetings as a Bear, 'Jambo' has been an exciting racer to watch & there is no doubt we have plenty more to see! | |
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