I used to go racing in the North in late 70s and early 80s-never had any problem-but different world !
When you got near Banbridge, common remark was "they are so black here they hate Ian Paisley"--tons of bent cash around at races ,remember being in Sean Grehams on King St on a Sat morning early ,circa 10am --25 plus slot machines all being played --and one of his lads pointing out UDA guys on opposite side of the street collecting while Provo's collected on our side --pure business !
Passed where Miami were shot a day after incident--shit myself ,couple of guys in kakis with machine guns waved me down --so I slowed thinking I would hit the pedal --they called me on with a wave on seeing the reg--bricking it !
Went racing and asked to give a lift to a guy back to Dundalk as one of the lads knew him--back in El Paso he insisted we have a drink in McCann's,then on to Maguires on Dorset st -(think that was the name)-I felt safer slowing down for the guys in kaki !
My reward a wallet and a wishing well made in H Blocks--appears my passenger was Albert Price !!
No rush back up there, thank you !