A WIBSEY man is hoping to ‘live the dream’ and follow in his father’s footsteps by racing a stock car at Odsal Stadium in Bradford.

Craig Page, 45, who owns Trade Carpet and Vinyl Ltd in Wibsey, was hoping to race his Formula 2 at Odsal this Saturday. Covid-19 restrictions have seen the meet postponed - but he plans to race at the next event, on July 17.

Craig said:”Ever since being a little boy I’ve been a petrol head and wanted to someday follow in my late father’s footsteps Roy Page. I was around the sport from a young age watching my dad race Formula 2 in the late 70s and Formula 1 in the 80s travelling around the country to various tracks, but Bradford being my dad’s favourite as it was our local track and he loved racing there.

“My dad was a local and well-known Bradford driver with his garage Page Motors on St.Helena Road, Wibsey, where we also lived.

“Stock cars around Wibsey was a regular sight for the locals. My dad’s driving days were cut short due to a back injury in the mid 80s and he would have loved to have seen nothing more than see me follow in his footsteps as many of the children and grandchildren in the stock car scene have done and are still doing to this day, such as the Wainman family at Silsden. Unfortunately my dad’s life was tragically cut short when he was 52 and I was 18 so it was not to be.

“Over the years I’ve been in to cars and motorbikes and kept my eye on stock car racing whenever I’ve had the chance, dreaming that one day I will be driving my own stock car.

“With the great work from Startrax and all involved bringing racing back to Odsal and being a local Bradford lad I couldn’t miss the opportunity to live out my dream.

“My very first race day was at Sheffield Stadium last Sunday, and as a novice I could have gone on track to start at the back, but I decided to throw myself in at the deep end and start at the front and get stuck in as my dad would say.

“The day unfortunately didn’t go to plan as I had engine troubles from the start resulting in a blown engine just before the race finished. All was not lost as I loved every minute and was still really proud of my efforts.

“I’ve received an overwhelming amount of help and advice from so many people, including drivers who raced with my dad many years ago and also from new supporters of Team Pagey, all with offers to help to get my car back race ready for the next event at Odsal on July 17 run by Startrax Stockcar Racing.”

And it sounds like Craig will be ready for the big day.

He said: “I’m a big believer in living life to the max, you only live once so follow your dreams.”