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Bob Davidson,
Sr. "The Ram" |
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Bob Davidson Sr. on the
front stretch once again
with current racer Bob Jr,
and current starter Barry
Davidson. (unidentified
relative on the left) |
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Everyone around racing at
Merrittville Speedway knows
the Davidsons - either for
the exploits of young Bobby
Davidson or for the
judicious flagging of
starter Barry Davidson. So
here we are in the year 2000
with one Davidson ruling
over the racing at
Merrittville Speedway while
the younger Davidson is in
the thick of competition in
the Sportsmen division
carrying on the family
tradition in the Ram's head
# 73.
How did it all
start?
Well back in
1957 - a younger Bob
Davidson - later to be
called Senior embarked on a
racing career. Bob was
originally one of the first
Hamilton boys to tow to
Merrittville Speedway. His
car was built along the
lines of the infamous
Hamilton car builder - Wimpy
Nicholls. A 1936 Chevy Coupe
with a GMC 6 Cylinder
engine. This was again
during the era of the Ford
Flat head but none-the-less
Nicholls would build cars
for Ernie Knight, John
Bezanson and Bob Davidson's
# 73. The high-pitched whine
of the GMC six cylinder
engines was unmistakable and
also very fast.
Bob along with Wimpy
Nicholls and Collie
MacDonald would keep his
fast car race ready with the
help of sponsor Hartzell
Road Motors - this car would
soon be nicknamed "The
Hustler."
As the
1950's drew to a close the
Chevrolet V8 became a weapon
and with Wimpy Nicholls'
help a new # 73 car was
constructed with the first
appearance of the Ram - the
car now nick-named Ram Rod.
Wimpy Nicholls along
with Jack Munn, Junior High
and Norphy Rosetto would
crew on the #18 Drinkwater
Motors '36 Chev Coupe of
George Winger- 1959 and 1960
Points Champion at
Merrittville. While the #18
dominated - the #73 was
always a contender. The #73
was now the familiar blue
and white color sponsored by
R.C. Davidson Power
Sweeping. The Hamilton boys
and their Chevies would now
tow to Speedway Park on
Fridays and Merrittville on
Saturdays.
Wimpy
Nicholls' racecars were now
in demand and Bob Davidson
remained a constant
competitor until he retired
in the late 1960'
All
during this time his son's -
Barry and Ralph seemed to
follow in their dad's
footsteps. At one time or
another - whether it was a
bomber, late model or
sportsmen - a Davidson was
driving it.
Eventually Barry gave up his
driving and became assistant
starter to Ted Beaucock.
When Ted would retire, Barry
would assume his present
position at the top of the
tower. For almost 20 years,
Barry has watched over every
race and competitor at
Merrittville Speedway -
loving it all.
For
most of the last decade the
Davidson Family has remained
actively involved in the
sport with Barry's
officiating and Ralph's crew
chiefing the career of the
4th generation - Bob
Davidson Jr and the familiar
Blue & White Ram #73
sponsored by R.C. Davidson
Power Sweeping and Pete
Cosco Haulage. If the last
couple of weeks are any
indication the # 73 is back
with a vengeance - so watch
out for the 'Ram.'
So behind every man is an
understanding wife and for
Bob Sr he has to thank
Muriel for her support.
Behind a lot of
individuals are their
trademarks and for the
Davidsons it's the Ram.
So Bob Sr as you enjoy
watching the #73 race
feverishly in the Sportsmen
division - it's been a
tradition for over 40 years
at Merrittville - a Davidson
racing the Ram Rod Special
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Sincerely, Rick Kavanagh
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