David Riswick is the head honcho at John Woolfe Racing
and was a pivotal figure in UK drag racing for many years.
His involvement with UK drag racing began with the
Hustler Racing Team founded by Mark Stratton way back in 1965.
This page tells a brief, illustrated story of the team.
Also included are pictures of a 50th anniversary reunion bash
which took place at the John Woolfe Racing Museum on 16 May 2015.

On Saturday the 16th of May 2015 at its newly-completed Museum in Bedford, John Woolfe Racing hosted a 50 year reunion in memory of Mark Stratton, and the Hustler Racing Team. There were approximately 30 guests consisting of Mark’s widow Daphne Stratton, the three original American members, plus families, associates and friends.  It was really cool with all the folks together again.  For one of the members Skype came into play.  The original Hustler Team established in 1967 was made up of three Brits from Northampton and three GIs from RAF Upper Heyford air base in Oxfordshire.

It all started back in 1965 when Dave Riswick arrived in the UK, compliments of Uncle Sam.  Soon after his arrival Dave met up with a chap by the name of Mark Stratton who lived about 25 miles north of the USAF airbase near Towcester Northants.  At the time Mark was running a Jag-powered Ford Pop with Ron Stanton, Freeman Rogers and George Eastman, all USAF airmen from RAF Upper Heyford. This car was appropriately named the “Anglo American Anglia”.

MARK STRATTON
(20 May 1935 - 7 March 1995)
This photo was taken at the JWR 20 year anniversary gala night
at Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire in 1988.  Mark was one of the Honoured Guests.
 

ANGLO AMERICAN ANGLIA
This is referenced from an early issue of Drag Racing &
Hot Rod Magazine.  George Eastman (GI from RAF Upper Heyford) and Mark Stratton
built this 3.8 Jag-powered entry on time for the first meeting of the
1965 Dragfest held at Blackbushe.  Unfortunately it didn’t get past Scrutineering.
It didn’t have any front brakes.  But at least they were there.  Then the Anglia was sold on.
 

The next year Santa Pod opened, and Mark entered his first Chevy-powered car; a 1936 BSA Scout.  Dave entered his '57 Chevy and this meeting got things working between Mark and Dave improving the performance of Stratton’s BSA Scout.  Dave knew Chevy V-8’s very well and this knowledge was passed along to Mark. 

THE ANGLO AMERICAN DRAG TEAM 1966
George Eastman and Mark Stratton found and fitted a 265 Chevy engine into the BSA Scout.
However, it didn’t run too well as the block was cracked and it kept misfiring.
It got sorted out after a few attempts and the best they could get out of it was mid 15’s.
 

By mid-1966 “The Anglo American Anglia” boys who had previously helped Mark ended their tour of duty and returned to the USA.  Dave was offered an opportunity to step in and soon introduced another two enthusiastic Yanks from the Oxfordshire airbase:  Bill Correia and Noel Blake (aka Tex) (Noel must have been from Texas!). 

THE FIRST 1957 CHEVY
This was the first 57 to race at Santa Pod, the chap in the other lane with the
1955 Chevy was from Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
After running the 57 for a few races at the very end of 1966 and in early 1967,
the 283 engine came out and was fitted into the much
modified BSA Scout including a woody pick up bed.
 

At this time there were substantial changes being planned for the 1936 BSA.  Mark’s other mates working with him were local lads: Bob Copping and Brian Matchett.  A new team of 6 was established as “Hustler Racing”. Named after the USAF B-58 Supersonic Bomber.

B-58 HUSTLER BOMBER
 

THE HUSTLER RACING TEAM
In the fall of 1967 Hustler Racing was expanding and still had the main six consisting of:
L to R: Bill Correia, Bob Copping, Brian Matchett, Tex Blake, Dave Riswick, & Mark Stratton.
 

The team set the pace and challenged many in the following seasons, first with Dave Riswick at the helm winning the Super Eliminator Championship Trophy in 1967, following in 1968 with Mark Stratton in the BSA but with a new 427 Chev L-88  that blew the competition away winning the Super Eliminator Championship.  Dennis Priddle followed in 1969 driving an all new Reliant Scimitar GTE 427 “Whistler” taking the gold at the BDR&HRA finals on the August Bank Holiday.

1967 SUPER ELIMINATOR TROPHY
  This was much loved by  the whole crew as it represented many hard hours of work
by the main six,  plus many hangers-on, wives, girlfriends, etc.
They all felt a connection and quite rightly so.
 

For the next few years many variations of Drag Racing’s best were constructed by Mark and his team and besides the many Championships won, Drag Racing speed & ET records were also set by Hustler Racing including a World Record at RAF Elvington in 1968 with Hustler II, (a twin engine dragster powered by TWO 283 Chevy V-8’s.) piloted by the late John Woolfe.

BSA 427 L-88 OFF THE LINE AT SANTA POD MAY 1968
Mark Stratton on a hairy ride with the new BSA in the John Woolfe
newly sponsored Hustler Team car  There were few cars that made so much smoke
back in those days and they were usually Top Fuel Dragsters.

1968 TOP ELIMINATOR TROPHY
Stratton being presented with his Championship Trophy with Christine Skilton
doing the honours on a very stormy afternoon in late August.
Seems about right for the Pod at that time of year.
Click here or on the image to see a larger version.
 

STRATTON AT SILVERSTONE
Mark on the Club Straight at the Silverstone Circuit showing off the new John Woolfe Racing
livery for the first time during a photo shoot for a May 1968 edition of Motor Magazine.
 

1968 HUSTLER II TWIN CHEVY V-16 DRAGSTER
This was the first time the dragster was pushed out of the
workshop onto Mark’s driveway, it was April 1968.  By this time John Woolfe
had offered to sponsor the Hustler Team by providing funds to obtain the very latest
427 Chevy L-88 for the BSA and with the 283 engine out the original Hustler,
along with another that the team had acquired, the Hustler II project evolved.
Mark had worked out the connection of the two engines to make a V-16.
Wow - when it fired up for the first time we all ran . . .
In the photo from L to R : Tex, Bob, Bill, Colin Saunders, Mark and Mark's dad William Stratton.
 

COLIN SAUNDERS AT THE POD SPRING 1968
Colin was a neighbour of the Strattons he came over one day to see
what we were up to and said "Hey I could drive that thing".
Mark took him at his word and the next thing you know there
was Colin sitting in the fire up road, wondering how he got there.
You must admit the car was a bit overwhelming for most.
 

HUSTLER II AT RAF ELVINGTON, YORKSHIRE
John Woolfe had Mark enter the V-16 dragster for the
1968 ISO World Record attempts at Elvington in early October.  John driving
the two way average established a World Record for over 8 litres for the Standing Start ¼ mile.
 

RAC WORLD RECORD CERTIFICATE
It took the ISO, the FIA and the RAC two years to process
the official documents and lodge the facts in their history records.
 
 

THE DEBUT OF "WHISTLER"
This was another brain child of Mark Stratton.  A brand new Reliant Scimitar GTE powered
by the same 427 L-88 but with more gear.  It was April 1969 and this was the first
time the car ran.  Mike Treutlein was the first to drive it followed by
Dave Riswick for another couple of passes to get the bugs out.
 

RELIANT SCIMITAR GTE WITH THE CHUTE OUT 1969
  After the finish line on the second run the brakes failed, so out came the chute in
an effort to stop the beast. That didn’t help much either because it was only doing
just over 120 mph.  That was the last time Dave wanted to drive and went to find Priddle.
 

DENNIS IN COMMAND OF THE "WHISTLER"
It didn't take Priddle long to get to grips with the Reliant.  Soon the car was
running respectable times and was reliable.  I guess that is why it was a Reliant!
This picture came out of the Drag Racing & Hot Rod magazine.
 

DENNIS PRIDDLE 1969 SUPER ELIMINATOR
Dennis took the Super Eliminator Championship in grand style with a series of 10 second runs.
Bob Phelps presented him with the winning trophy.  Real signs of things to come!
 

By the end of the decade Bill and Tex from RAF Upper Heyford had ended their tour of duty and were back in America.  In the early part of the '70s Mark went on to build many more astonishing Drag Racing machines.

HUSTLER RACING "METRONOME"
This is Steve Cryer in another Reliant - Reliant Bond Bug.  Could Mark ever think of
anything conventional?  The answer must lie in this creation.  What started off as
a mundane three-wheeled runabout turned into this outrageous smoker.
Steve Cryer from the Manchester area commissioned Mark to build him something special.
The altered got much publicity and everyone wanted to see it run.  But then Steve
disappeared suddenly and Mark was left with no driver!
There is a story there somewhere but not right now, as Currans says "Wait for it".
 

ED SHAVER AND THE REAR ENGINED FUNNY CAR
Here is Ed Shaver driving the Vauxhall VX 4/90 rear engined funny car which Mark
created and reportedly was financed by none other than Clive Skilton.
This was an experimental effort that only Shaver could manage (Only just).
Ed had razor- sharp reflexes, but even that wasn’t good enough to go the distance.
Like so many other rear engined devices being pioneered back in the early '70s,
the answer was in the steering ratio.  By slowing it down the car was much more
manageable and this is how the top fuel boys in the States got to grips with it.
Longer wheelbases and higher gearing on the steering and presto most
could then manage and develop.
Mark worked on many other projects but this was the one which he loved.

50th YEAR HUSTLER RACING REUNION PHOTO GALLERY

REUNION GATHERING 16 MAY 2015
From L - R : Dave Riswick, Patricia Riswick, Dennis Priddle, Mark Saunders upper,
Tony Watts lower, Colin Saunders, Tex Blake, Paul Saunders, Daphne Stratton,
Gwladys Whittle, Fred Whittle, Paula Stratton, Adam Stratton,
Lydia Stratton Fry, Tony Stratton ,Lucy Stratton,
John Fry, Bill Crouch ,Val Crouch, Marilyn Correia, Bill Correia.
 

HUSTLER HISTORY WALL AND BUFFET
In the background is the History Wall chronicling the progress of years gone by with
Mark Stratton’s family chatting over photos, Daphne Stratton listening to Tex telling it
like it was.  Studying the pictures on the walls is the Saunders family looking through
the montage of the early days when it was so much fun.  On the right is Tony Watts from the
“Weekend Warrior Drag Racing Team” out of Kettering.  He is chatting with Patricia Riswick.
 

DAPHNE STRATTON
"QUEEN FOR A DAY"
Daphne Stratton, the long standing supporter of all Mark's efforts in helping others
is still prevalent today.  She lives with her daughter Lydia Stratton Fry in Milton Keynes.
 

BILL & VAL CROUCH
Dave (left) talking with Bill and Val Crouch.
 From way back in 1967 Bill & Val were close associates and good friends with Bill Correia.
They were always there to lend a helping hand in support of the Hustler Racing Team.
 

BOB COPPING ON LINE
Bob Copping was not well enough to make the trip from his home in Looe, Cornwall.
However he did enjoy the day via SKYPE and everyone had a good chat with him
and his wife Kate.  Their daughter Steph Staples and her partner Mike Sampson
were in attendance on Bob and Kate’s behalf.
 

MARILYN & BILL CORREIA
Bill and Marilyn Correia live in Florida and keep close ties with their friends
in the United Kingdom.  Bill remained in the USAF after his tour of duty at Upper Heyford
back in the '60s and eventually got posted back to the UK at RAF Fairford in the early '80s.
 

COLIN SAUNDERS & TONY STRATTON
Colin Saunders was the key driver with the twin engine Chevy dragster
but for only for the 1968 season. Colin Joined John Woolfe with the roundy roundy
boys in late 1968 and worked at John’s race shop at Pitstop Motors in Eaton Socon into 1969.
Colin lost touch with John Woolfe Racing after John was killed at the 1969 Le Mans race.
Then Tex found his email on line and invited him to the Hustler Racing Reunion.
He had a lot of catching up to do, and he did, along with his son and brother on the day.
Mark Stratton’s only son; Tony Stratton, lives in the family home at Fosters Booth
and Mark’s workshop is still there after all these years.
Tony runs a successful heavy goods haulage business which is located in the Daventry area.
 

PRIDDLE TALKING TO THE WHITTLES
The photo shows ; Gwladys and Fred Whittle being brought up to date by Dennis Priddle
with the restoration of Mr Six.  Fred was a close friend of Mark Stratton and Tex Blake
in those pioneering days. Over the years Fred and his wife have operated an American car
servicing and repairs business located in Bolton Lancashire.
 

TONY AND ROSIE WATTS
Tony Watts was partner with Allan Blount of the Weekend Warrior Drag Racing Team
out of Kettering, Northants and was a close friend of Mark and the Stratton family.
Next to Tony is his daughter Rosie.
 

PETER QUINN & ALAN CURRANS
Two distinguished guests of the day.  I guess one could say the right people at the right time.
Well here you have a couple of real history Icons.  Peter Quinn (left) has been at the helm
of a 35 mm reflex camera attending drag races at Santa Pod as early as 1967,
many of the archive photos at JWR are attributed to him.
Then there is Mr Acceleration Archive himself: Alan Currans attending the
Hustler Racing Reunion on the day to soak up all that Colt 45.
Actually Alan doesn’t drink. Or at least that is what he would like all of us to believe.
They both took some real nice photos at the reunion.
 

LONG TALL TEXAN TELLING STORIES
Tex Blake holding court and keeping everyone guessing as to what went on back
in the days at Mark's workshop.  Mark always wound people up and Tex took a lot of stick.
The photo shows Tex on the left and then Colin Saunders followed by the Stratton’s and
John Fry in the white shirt, and then on the extreme right the other two Saunders lads.
 

AMERICAN BREW OF THE '60s
Colt 45 is still available after 50 years.  The Malt Liquor was the choice of the boys
from the USAF bases back in the '60s.  We all enjoyed the American drink when at
appropriate times in the workshop and at the track.  Well you know what we mean.
So it was only fitting to have a toast at the Reunion as a surprise addition kindly
provided by a certain Mr Tony Watts..
 

HUSTLER WAS A PIECE OF CAKE
All get togethers need a Celebration Cake.  Everyone enjoyed the festive atmosphere.
 

RAF UPPER HEYFORD
After more than 48 years, the three American members
of the Hustler Racing Team return to their old NATO duty station.
Dave from Detachment 4002, 7025th Postal Group,
with Bill & Tex from the 66th Supply Squadron.
The boys served from mid 1965 through to late 1969.
This visit was very emotional in as much as the base is still as it was left all those years ago.
The official close down as a USAF NATO base was back in September 1994
when it was handed back to the MOD.
 

STRATTON'S OLD WORKSHOP
L to R: Dave, Tex, Paula & Tony Stratton, and Billy.
 

 
OUTSIDE THE STRATTON WORKSHOP AT FOSTERS BOOTH, NORTHANTS.
 

See Ya in another 50!

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