Aircheck Radio Museum
Radio 1 Page 4
30th September 1967 - in answer to the popularity but predominant silencing of the pirates, the BBC did away with the Light Programme and Tony Blackburn launched Radio 1 with 'The Move' and 'Flowers In The Rain'. To commemorate the 35th birthday of 'Wonderful Radio 1', we feature a vast array of archive presenter photographs of people like DLT, Simon Bates, Steve Wright, Jackie Brambles and more ... and we feature items of text and scanned images from Radio 1's very first magazine, from around 1975/1976.
Radio 1 D.Js On The Right Track: 'It is not surprising that you fans who love the excitement of today's pop music also get your kicks from watching the high speed performances of racing drivers and their cars. Your Radio 1 D.Js feel much the same, except that some of them take it a stage further by taking part in the races themselves.
Noel Edmonds and Dave Lee Travis led the field when they took part in celebrity racing at Brands Hatch several years ago. For those uninitiated fans, this is where teams of well known people race each other in identical Ford Escort Sports cars. The cars being equal, the most skilled driver is usually the winner. Noel, Dave and Rosko all became hooked on the sport after this rather gentle start and began to take their racing more seriously. Later we expanded celebrity racing into full scale Radio 1 Fundays at the circuits. Where, in addition to the racing we provided other entertainments. For instance, at Mallory Park last year (1975), Tony Blackburn was giving speed boat rides, Showaddywaddy gave a demonstration of water skiing, there were helicopter rides, a visit by the Radio 1 Road Show and an impromptu swimming display by the fans of the Bay City Rollers.
Incidentally, a by-product of these Radio 1 days is the money we are able to pass on to charity. During the last three years (1973-1976) this has amounted to £40,000. There is a more serious side to the racing too, as we now run the Radio 1 Production Saloon Car Championships. Noel is a keen competitor, so too are several other pop people. This is for standard production saloon cars, suitably equipped with safety equipment, but unmodified.
Last year (1975), over 70 drivers entered the 20 race series, and it was one of the most popular championships, being won by Jock Robertson, who subsequently was presented with a coveted Grovewood Award. The 1976 series which started on March 7th at Brands Hatch is attracting an equally large entry. At most Rounds, a Radio 1 D.J is on the track to help the regular commentator and to present the awards. Some time during the day he will visit the Radio 1 Goodie Mobile to sign autographs and meet fans. If you go along, listen out for local announcements so that you will know where to find him and Smiley Miley.
If you have not been to a motor racing meeting before, then why not try to visit one of our championship rounds, the next time it takes place in your area? We do not think you will be disappointed and you may become addicted as Noel Edmonds, Dave Lee Travis & Rosko!'
Noel Edmonds at a Radio 1 Race Meeting
DLT getting kitted up for racing