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CanadianRacingOnline.com Section => Race Setups => CRO Presents Canadian Driver Hall of Fame => Topic started by: blkflagagain on February 11, 2008, 04:00:13 PM

Title: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: blkflagagain on February 11, 2008, 04:00:13 PM
Well theres been enough discussion about potential changes on track with regards to drivers, so I thought it would be a good time to discuss some rumored off track changes, or areas where you think changes are needed!! The one thing I have been hearing is the grandstand area between the announcers tower and corner 1 was going to be redone with luxury sponsors boxes added and a spruced up VIP area as well. Now apparently included in this will be a wing dedicated to Barrie's fabled past and the drivers who thrilled us all those years ago. Sort of a poor mans Hall of Fame if you will. Now this got me to thinking of who the first potential inductees could be, and I thought we all might be able to have some fun with this bringing up names and stories from years gone by. My first five inductees would be Stu Hunter,Jim Viktil, Mike Shaughnessy, Don Hawn, and Garry Reynolds in the driver category. And for a builders wing I think the first two inductees that I would vote for would be track founder Jerry Watson as well as long time announcer Glenn Archer. Who would you guys like to see added to this potential list????? Theres so many others that could be added so I'm trying this in the court of popular opinion here at CRO!!!!LOL
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: axle on February 11, 2008, 04:12:26 PM
good ideaid go with don wardel or peter shutanus
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: blkflagagain on February 11, 2008, 04:16:38 PM
I thought of those two right away as well but just listed the first five that popped into my head!! Other changes I hear could be on the way include an upgraded sound system as well as lighting!! I sure hope that a new scoring area is in the works as well as a backstretch flagstand to make viewing easier for the race officials!!!
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: blkflagagain on February 11, 2008, 04:17:43 PM
Vic Parsons would also have to be a consideration being the first ever track champ!!!!
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: axle on February 11, 2008, 04:22:16 PM
flag stand in the back is the fisrt thing i would like to see!having cars stopped in the corner asking for there spot back has to stop! no one should be standing there...
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: Thayne on February 11, 2008, 04:42:48 PM
I agree....that is an accident waiting to happen imo....The nice large grandstand Idea would be sick....but what I would love to see is a DRAGSTRIP....lol..pipe dream i know...but I know that alot of drag racers around here who hate having to tow to Cayuga..
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: smokinjoe00 on February 11, 2008, 05:10:49 PM
hall of fame inductee........john gaunt....i grew up watching that red monte carlo number 6...he was fast when he came to sauble and fast at barrie as well....have to agree with the 14 of shaughnessy as well
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 11, 2008, 06:18:05 PM
 You have to be kidding with a BSW hall of fame . If they want to tack up some old pictures in a small area thats fine but anything else would just be cheesy .

Message edited COC Rule broken. No personal attacks

(http://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/Themes/default/images/warnwarn.gif) What are you trying to do here that is not acceptable. That is a personal attack on some drivers.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: Kahnefreak on February 11, 2008, 06:26:34 PM
Throw Garry Reynolds into that mix, he's a past champ and has been there for years...throw Moran in there for the builder cause he made it what it has become...other names that come to my mind are trent and simon stoltz, Gary Mead, Ian Bourque, Big Bad Bev Bye, Walters who raced there long ago, Ron Tracey, and the list goes on and on
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: flybyya8 on February 11, 2008, 09:33:25 PM
 How about the northern invaders Brain Malcolm, George Steele, Mike "BEAVER" Viancourt ;D
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: blkflagagain on February 12, 2008, 10:29:56 AM
Ok I thought of the names I'll put in on day 2 of the voting and would have to agree on Brian Malcolm for sure and I'll also add Walters, Jack Cook, John Eacott, and Glenn Watson as my next five!! I do have a question for you Rod about the days when you raced mini's!!! There were two Peacock brothers from what I remember Garf and Garnet, one I believe raced #6 and the other was #27 correct??? Was Garf 6 and Garnet 27?? Or vice versa?? And secondly was Garnet ever a track champ??? If so that might be the only pair of brothers that hold track championships correct??? And would have to agree on Moran for the builder category as well!!
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: mike32 on February 12, 2008, 12:38:39 PM
how about Jim Viktil; Ron Mace, Joe Woods, Joe Belesky???. Would Jack Cook have raced there long enough to qualify? I always thought of him as more of a Pinecrest/Flamboro driver.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 12, 2008, 03:15:41 PM
Would Jack Cook have raced their long enough to qualify? I always thought of him as more of a Pinecrest driver.

 I guess it would depend what you consider long enough . He ran the #22 car of Eddie Regans for a half season in 78 replacing Wardle after he came down with that inner ear problem that ended his driving career . I think Cook and Regan won half of all the races they ran that half season switching back and forth from Sunset and Barrie . In 1979 Cook replaced several drivers who had drove the #57 which was John Fletcher SRs last race car . Even though he started about six weeks into the season he tied Herb Erb the points winner that year for the most feature wins . In 80 and 81 he ran Ernie Dimontes car predominantly at Barrie and despite never running a full season finished second in the points i think both years along with winning the first ever CASCAR race held at Barrie .

 I don't think i would classify Cook as a Pinecrest driver even though he won two championships there because he won three at the CNE and is the only driver to ever win Three separate track championships in a single year CNE, Wasaga , South Shore .
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: mike32 on February 12, 2008, 03:16:43 PM
good research Sleepy-thanks
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: axle on February 12, 2008, 03:37:58 PM
Ok I thought of the names I'll put in on day 2 of the voting and would have to agree on Brian Malcolm for sure and I'll also add Walters, Jack Cook, John Eacott, and Glenn Watson as my next five!! I do have a question for you Rod about the days when you raced mini's!!! There were two Peacock brothers from what I remember Garf and Garnet, one I believe raced #6 and the other was #27 correct??? Was Garf 6 and Garnet 27?? Or vice versa?? And secondly was Garnet ever a track champ??? If so that might be the only pair of brothers that hold track championships correct??? And would have to agree on Moran for the builder category as well!!
the murray brothers won a championship each..also i have to agree with gord coats,moran was the woker gord was the money and ideas!
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 12, 2008, 03:49:04 PM
 You also have Mark Dilley and Alan Turner but more importantly you have to include Joan Howard who was Barrie's only Ladies division Championship winner and the best female driver Canada has ever produced .
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: axle on February 12, 2008, 04:10:55 PM
there should be a history or hall of fame section here on cro.....
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: Thunder6 on February 12, 2008, 04:39:39 PM
Barrie City Collision #55, I'm thinking it was Mike Labreque from North Bay? The car was red and black.

I'm sure the Statsman will correct me if I'm wrong.

Both him and Al Reed were my favorites in the 6 cylinders.

My memory for names isn't all that great anymore but I have both those cars clear as day in my mind.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: Thunder6 on February 12, 2008, 04:50:49 PM
Ever get thinking about something and then it comes to you?

I think now it was Peter Labreque in the #55 red and black Chevelle.

And Al Reed in the blue #21 Chevelle.

I loved those old Chevelles when they raced, might have even been a Nova or two back then. For some reason I liked the 6 cylinders when I was a kid. I would have been 6 - 10 years old when these cars were running.

Hawn, Beleskey (the Weed Man Corvette), Tracey, Eacott are all great picks too.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: jf61 on February 12, 2008, 05:56:29 PM
JACK COOK ???
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: blkflagagain on February 12, 2008, 06:02:24 PM
Hey SLEEPY would you be able to tell me who won the first ever CASCAR race at Sunset as well????????
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 12, 2008, 08:27:19 PM
JACK COOK ???

 John this was quite awhile ago and i am doing most of this from memory so if i am wrong about any of this feel free to jump in and correct me .

 This is your dads last car if i am not mistaken . He sold it to a guy named Ernie Dimonte but it may have passed through someone else's hands in between . Dimonte tried racing it at Barrie and decided he was not cut out to be a driver . I think he stuck Joe Belesky in it for a night or two and there was another driver that tried his hand behind the wheel who's name escapes me right now . Finally he put Cook in it .
(http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/7555/fletchla9.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

 I will find a pic of the car after Dimonte bought it and post it tomorrow
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 12, 2008, 08:39:14 PM
Hey SLEEPY would you be able to tell me who won the first ever CASCAR race at Sunset as well????????

 I can do better then that heres a pic from the first CASCAR race at Sunset .
Sunset was not part of the original CASCAR series they joined in the second year . It took two weeks to get the race in after they were rained out with one of the hardest rain storms you ever saw flooded the pits out before the 100 lapper.

 The car leading here in the pic went on to win it . Anybody here name any of the cars in the pic ?
(http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/3562/cascarsunsetaction2vivq0.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)



Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: CanadianRacingOnline on February 12, 2008, 08:41:53 PM
If people want a hall of fame of Canadian Drivers on CRO let me know maybe we could do this on TeamCRO.com

Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 12, 2008, 08:52:42 PM
 Heres a pic of the great flood at Sunsets first CASCAR race
(http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/6400/cascarsunsetfloodvijd0.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: dodgeguy14 on February 12, 2008, 10:44:13 PM
the pic is kinda blurry, but that looks like dave lynch in the infield. And i think one of the cars is tom milligan.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: blkflagagain on February 12, 2008, 11:51:07 PM
Most def thats Lynch and Milligan in there good call DODGEGUY!!! I think behind Milligan its another #23 Larry Lemay who raced at the time out of Mount Clements, Michigan. Is the #82 Jack Cook @SLEEPY??? It almost looks like the 2 is x 'd out??? Was Cook the winner??? Also do I see Paul Hethrington in the pic???
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 13, 2008, 03:36:17 AM
  dodgeguy14 and blkflagagain you guys have good eyes and memories , you got all the cars right . Cook won it Lemay was second and i think Frank Frazier was third . The Sunset cars did not fair so well because they were more restricted back then . The Barrie Delaware and Checkered Flag (Windsor)cars were pretty much super late models except for not being allowed to run coil overs . The top two finishing Sunset cars were Milligan and Walters , both who were a lap or more down . Car counts have been a big discussion on here lately but it was not an issue back then since they started either 24 or 26 cars and they would send close to a dozen cars home that didn't qualify . Thats what happens when most all the tracks have the same rules .

 * credit to Pat Redmonds collection for these pics.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: Thunder6 on February 13, 2008, 07:52:34 AM
Ha ha Sunset in the old "Rhubarb" configuration. Nice pics Sleepy.

These were the glory days, I loved those cars.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: gwatson on February 13, 2008, 09:43:56 AM
I think the other guy that ran Ernie Dimonte's 82 after Jack Cook was Gary Vessair.  I don't remember Ernie taking a stab at the driving back then.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: blkflagagain on February 13, 2008, 10:17:45 AM
Question for Glenn or Statsman!!! Was Ted Watson ever a track champ??? If so he and Glenn would be the only father/son to turn the trick as champs if I am not leaving anyone out???
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: gwatson on February 13, 2008, 10:20:18 AM
Nope, Ted (the Oro Flash) was never a track champ as a driver, only as a car owner
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: blkflagagain on February 13, 2008, 10:44:50 AM
Thanks for clearing that up Glenn. I can still remember your dad when he raced!! THE ORO FLASH!!!LOL Had forgotten all about that nicname!!! I think your dad retired from driving around 80?? that in the ball park??? So I would of been 10!!!LOL OHHHHHHH the memories!!!
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: flybyya8 on February 13, 2008, 12:05:59 PM
 Thats Mike "BEAVER" Vaincourt  #55 Tex.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: blkflagagain on February 13, 2008, 12:35:23 PM
No FLYBY I think TEX has is right, that Labreque raced #55 in the 6 cyl. while Mike "Beaver" Vallincourt raced #55 in the 8cyl. from what I recall. And he had a brown and yellow car where Lebreque's car was red and black!!!
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: gwatson on February 13, 2008, 01:34:58 PM
Yes, I remember John's wedding Statsman.  I can't remember for sure, but there may have been another wedding there - we'd have to check the archives.

I thought Vessair drove for Rono, but I guess you have it - maybe the Vessair brothers bought the car from Ernie??

Labreque in the #55 6cyl and Beaver in the #55 8cyl
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: blkflagagain on February 13, 2008, 01:40:10 PM
There was actually a wedding there just a couple years ago as well!!! One of Thunder car driver #1 Charlie Smith's crew members I think!!
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: Thunder6 on February 13, 2008, 02:20:00 PM
I had occasion to meet Mr. Ted Watson a couple weeks ago at the shop. It was very nice to meet such a pleasant man (as are any of the members of his family that I have met) who is a pioneer of our sport here locally.

I think it would be a great idea to add a history / hall of fame area here. We have to honor and respect those who came before us.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: gwatson on February 13, 2008, 04:14:03 PM
Hell yeah, I was old enough to drive - someone had to get the hauler home  :)

Thanks Thunder6
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 13, 2008, 06:18:04 PM
 The reason that Vassar's car looks like the old Rono car is because it is . Ernie Dimonte sold the car to him after Cook retired .

 gwatson , Ernie Dimonte did race the #57 car one time in one heat race . If you knew Ernie who was probally one of the nicest guys i ever met in racing he always had a case of Crown Royal in the trunk of his car and would always want you to have a drink with him .

 Around 1980 there was a guy that had a beautifully prepared six cylinder 69 Buick Skylark "Peter built"  car that i am pretty sure won the points . Anyone remember who he was ? The car was faster then most of the 8 cylinders  street stock cars of the era .
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: blkflagagain on February 13, 2008, 06:44:09 PM
Well around that time was when Al Reed was winning all his 6cyl titles and as TEX stated he drove a Chevelle!! But if I'm throwing a guess out there maybe your talking about Barry Sweeney?? Or Al Turner?? Seems to me both those guys tended to race Peter Built cars in the day??? But then again I remember both those drivers raced mostly 8 cyl. division I think???
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: gwatson on February 13, 2008, 07:10:08 PM
oh yes Sleepy, I was going to mention the little purple bags in the trunk of his car, but thought I would leave that out - CR in one glass, and coke in the other

I knew it was the Rono car, just wasnt sure if Ernie owned it when Vessair drove it.

I was thinking Scarlett too Statsman
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: Thunder6 on February 13, 2008, 07:14:05 PM
Dave I think Al Reed won in 82 - 84 time period, but I could be very wrong on that.

I started attending BSW in about 1980, I was 6 at the time so my memory may be somewhat incorrect.

I'm not sure who Sleepy is talking about, but Dave you're right Al Reed's car was a very immaculate light metallic blue with red numbers. And I'm fairly sure it was a '70 - 72 Chevelle, the rear pillars were slightly different than the '69's.

I think Sweeney had a Chevelle around that time, I believe he drove quite the assortment of vehicles... Turner had a mid 70's Nova around this time did he not?

Although the Chevelles of the era were very similar to Skylarks...
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 13, 2008, 08:29:57 PM
 Yes it was Ron Scarlett in that #17 Buick Skylark my memory is pretty good if you just give it a little bit of a nudge. . Besides being beautifully prepared and very fast the other thing that stands out about that car was that it was whisper quiet. Around 81 they had a ASA race at Cayuga and they held a street stock invitational they had a ton of cars and he ran in the top 10 with that little 6 cylinder , very impressive on a 5/8 with a 6 cylinder if you ask me . I always liked the six cylinders at Barrie back then because they had a pretty diverse field of different brands . There was a very fast Ford Maverick that was painted spray can flat black , Ken Cole maybe ? and a white AMC AMX but i don't remember who drove it .

 If i recall correctly the hot dog in the 8 cylinders back then was Jacobson (sp)
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: gwatson on February 13, 2008, 10:21:13 PM
I think you are right sleepy - ken cole in the old maverick - cant think of who the amc was

You're really dating yourself now

Turner did have a nova, but i think it was a late model or did they have diamond cars at that time?
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: Justme on February 13, 2008, 11:22:41 PM
Ken cole drove the black #8 mavrick to a championship in the 6cyl streetstock div in 1979, as this was my first yr racing in the same class finishing 8th in th point's myself.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 14, 2008, 09:14:20 AM
 Great pics statsman . Makins and Cole must have run those cars multiple years as i recall them with different paint jobs . I love the pic of Laurie Melsons Ford , i don't think i ever saw that car but i have always liked the few Fords that ran back in that era. 

  Since several people have mentioned Garf Peacock i thought i should post a pic of him . This is from 77 or 78
(http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/4669/1978barrie6garfpeacockvhf6.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

 Heres a pic of Russ Quesnelle notice the left front wheel is hanging about 8"outside the body , I wonder if he ran out of left side rims or fiqured that was the hot set up ?
(http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/363/1978barrie8russquesnellsl2.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

 People forget how long Tom Walters has been around here he is at Barrie in 1973
(http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/8382/tomwalters47barrie1973vco8.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: Justme on February 14, 2008, 09:27:57 AM
More on the generations and great family participation over the years.

 I'm sure that someone around here can help fill in the branches on the Melson family tree.

Ron Melson had been around the Speedway for several years before taking to the track in this very fast 6-Cyl class Chevelle in 1973

(http://images5.fotki.com/v53/photos/5/58484/1926272/nMelson38ChevelleSunsetWin1973-vi.jpg)

(http://images5.fotki.com/v55/photos/5/58484/1926272/RonMelson38ChevelleBarrie1973-vi.jpg)

Ron's son Laurie is known more for many years as a talented crew member but also took a turn behind the wheel in 1973 in this Ford

(http://images8.fotki.com/v159/photos/5/58484/1926272/LaurieMelson39Ford1973-vi.jpg)

1973 was the year that Sunset and Barrie worked together with one point fund.


Ron Melson was the track photographer at BSW from 1969 thro 1972 in late 72 he drove this same 64 chevelle painted red and black, these shot's are 1973, Barrie and Sunset, Laurie took over my dad's car in 1974, then car was sold, not sure to whom but it burned down in a garage fire never to be raced again.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: Justme on February 14, 2008, 10:12:52 AM
I had forgotten about the red,white and black version in 1972. I really liked that colour scheme.
(http://images8.fotki.com/v160/photos/5/58484/1926165/Melson3864ChevelleHooligan1972-vi.jpg)
Pretty hard to call a straight and clean looking 64 Chevelle like that a "Hooligan".

Somewhere I have a program pic of Ron on his mini-bike when he was the photographer.

So Dave by my count we have 3 generations of Melsons competing at Barrie as well right?


Yes 3 generations of Melson's have raced and won at BSW , my dad 72-73, laurie 73-74, myself 79-97 returning this season, my son 02-07.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: blkflagagain on February 14, 2008, 12:52:37 PM
I'm lovin that pic of Walters!!!!!LOL that is just too funny!!! Thats 35 years ago so I'm guessin Tommy would be in the 18 yr old range in that one!!! Great pic none the less!! I cant even remember that car!!! My first memories of Walters seem to be in an old Nova I'm guessin that would of been more towards 78-79 though!!!!!
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 14, 2008, 04:32:57 PM
 Ted Watson may not make Barries Hall of Fame but this T Bird  of his should as the coolest  looking Ford to ever run there.

(http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/4876/tedwatson101976vigi7.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: blkflagagain on February 14, 2008, 06:25:50 PM
Great shot of the WEED MAN corvette!!!!!! What a fab lookin car that was back then and still to this day!!! What was the first year he ran that 83??? Thats my best guess!!! STATSMAN do you have one of Don Mallat's corvette as well??? Post it please if so!!!!!LOL
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: gwatson on February 14, 2008, 09:58:21 PM
I do remember Fairlane from back in the day - the body fill must have been 3/4" thick on the front fenders - but she looked nice!  Thought it was a Linken car

The late Terry Barr had the car before Ted bought it.


Ted Watson may not make Barries Hall of Fame but this T Bird  of his should as the coolest  looking Ford to ever run there.

(http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/4876/tedwatson101976vigi7.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

Actually a 1963 Fairlane built by Lin Stewart and previously driven in the Late Models by Pete Brown, Jim Hallahan (at least once) and likely a few others. But it was very cool and the workmanship was very nice too.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 14, 2008, 11:07:03 PM
 (http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7468/cne9vicparsonsviwq5.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 14, 2008, 11:28:38 PM
(http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1594/cascarbar82cookwitheddisk3.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: noiseyfan on February 15, 2008, 09:12:33 AM
Try Dave Lewis past champ and still running at BSW for 26 years now faithfully lol jmo
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: nascar329 on February 15, 2008, 01:19:18 PM
(http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1594/cascarbar82cookwitheddisk3.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

That is not Mrs. Cook in the picture it is my Mom (H. Mackin, mother-in-law of Ray McGill # 42) and it was her Birthday and she got her pic taken with her favorite driver "Jack Cook".
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: hanley72 on February 15, 2008, 04:38:58 PM
Hey Statsman, Hanley_72 fan here. Thanks again for those pics you sent me.
Jr. Hanley did drive the #82 of Jack Cook to a 100 lap win here at the old Checker Flag Speedway. The date was Aug. 8, 1982. I have an old photo of him passing Don Mallat on the backstretch on the last lap to win the race. Pic I got from the photographer from our newspaper. I also might have a pic that was in the paper that I had kept. I also have somewhere a pic of Hanley accepting the trophy on the frontstretch for that race. I will look for them and post them or I will just email them to you.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: hanley72 on February 15, 2008, 04:44:38 PM
Hey blkflagagain, for pics of Don Mallat's corvette try out this great site. Tons of old pics of the old Checker Flag Speedway. Go to links on right hand side, 10 up from the bottom of the links for a Don Mallat photo page. You will love this site. I really miss my old home track.
http://www.checkerflagraceway.piczo.com/?cr=1&rfm=y
Let me know if you find it ok.
RON
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: CanadianRacingOnline on February 15, 2008, 05:12:55 PM
Ok we see this is become one of the best topics on the site. Please send me pictures racing programs or races from different tracks across canada and I will also make sure they make it on TeamCRO in a nice gallery.

I love looking at these old racing photos and stories.

Thanks
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 15, 2008, 05:24:53 PM
Hey Statsman, Hanley_72 fan here. Thanks again for those pics you sent me.
Jr. Hanley did drive the #82 of Jack Cook to a 100 lap win here at the old Checker Flag Speedway. The date was Aug. 8, 1982. I have an old photo of him passing Don Mallat on the backstretch on the last lap to win the race. Pic I got from the photographer from our newspaper. I also might have a pic that was in the paper that I had kept. I also have somewhere a pic of Hanley accepting the trophy on the frontstretch for that race. I will look for them and post them or I will just email them to you.

  Heres a pic of that day

  (http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/8888/82hanleycheckerflagherejr2.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: Thunder6 on February 15, 2008, 09:19:41 PM
Something really interesting just happened tonight... after all of this discussion one of the racers who we were talking about showed up tonight to my place of employment, he is a retiree.

Anyhow I was thinking maybe we should look into honoring some of these historic figures at a race this summer. With all of the interest shown by members of this site in the history and stories I think it's a great idea!
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 15, 2008, 09:45:36 PM
 Is it a secret who came in to your place of employment ? do you work at a massage parlour ?
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: Thunder6 on February 15, 2008, 09:48:53 PM
Nope. And it was Garf Peacock.

And people who know me know where I work. If you really want to know come see me in the pits and I'll tell you. This isn't a site about where so and so works, it's about racing. I thought I was relaying an interesting story.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 15, 2008, 09:51:56 PM
 Just a little kidding with you T6 . How old a man do you think Garf is now ?
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: Thunder6 on February 15, 2008, 09:56:18 PM
I would hazard a guess at about 68. I know when he retired.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 17, 2008, 12:59:04 PM
Barrie 1977 ?

(http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/3360/4star88taylor4wardle14suj1.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

 Beleskys Corvette 1980
(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/2509/27beleskybarrievikx3.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

 Brian McDonald  1979 ?
(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/7370/28brianmacdonaldbarrievjb5.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 17, 2008, 01:34:06 PM
 Jim Victil with his matching tow vehicle 1971
(http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/1363/jimviktil12team1971vipl9.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: blkflagagain on February 18, 2008, 12:48:01 PM
I have a question about Brian McDonald. I remember him from running Sunset in the early 80's, and was wondering is he of relation to Randy McDonald??? What got me wondering is that I read an article somewhere on this Brian McDonald and think hes also working on cars in the U.S now??? Does anyone know more on what he is in fact doing now???? And thanks for the Don Mallat pics guys another really cool lookin car about that time frame!!!
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: smokinjoe00 on February 18, 2008, 12:53:54 PM
i know a couple of years ago brian was working with Joe bessey on busch cars down there and helping them with their program>>>as far as i last heard he is still in the states working with someone, not sure who though..
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 18, 2008, 05:29:13 PM
(http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/3393/80berlinbggi4.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

(http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/6429/82cookdelvigx5.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

(http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/9031/82cookbarvidd8.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

(http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/5643/15vessairsauvigj6.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

  What do all these cars have in common ? They are the same car .

  Top picture - John Benson  at Berlin (Johnnys dad) Junior Hanley biult the car for John for the 1980 season winning six features . John sold it to start his sons ASA team for the 81 season . (that worked out pretty good)

   Second pic - Jack Cook driving the car for Ernie Dimonte 1981 season

  Third pic - Jack Cook driving for Dimonte in the 1982 season

  Bottom pic- Gary Vassair buys car from Dimonte and runs it in 1983

  Add to that the one CASCAR race that Junior drove it and won and you would be hard pressed to find a car that won so many races with so many drivers
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: bikerbob on February 19, 2008, 07:56:02 AM
keep the memories coming guys , this is frickin great! i also grew up at barrie watching my uncle joe and my dad race. later in the 70's my dad flagged for a year or two in the ross money era. we used to follow ernie dimonte around and when he cracked a new one, he'd give us the purple bag to "protect" our favorite hot wheels cars. i actually still have some of my hot wheels in one of the bags he gave me. pretty cool.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: sleepy11 on February 19, 2008, 07:22:17 PM
 I remember that Nova when Hunter and Hetherington drove it but i did not know it was the same car . I never saw Belesky drive the car but i did not go to Westgate in those years as it always just seemed to be a Demo - Derby in a circle back then .

  Speaking of Joe Belesky here is a pic of his famous hauler that some of you may remember. . Ramp trucks were the hot ticket back then and most serious racers had one .  Joes was converted from an old CO-OP  farm truck and was built like a tank .

(http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/821/joebelesky27hauler1976vor8.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

  I think enough time has passed i can tell this story on here . One night after the races at Barrie the Belesky race team loaded the car on the old ramp truck and headed home after a bit of celebrating at the track . Upon waking up in the morning and going out to the truck they noticed they were missing something  ...... the race car . First they thought the car had been stolen but after looking a little closer they noticed that it looked like the car may have fallen off the ramp truck on the way home . Going back over their route they were waved down by a farmer who asked them if they had lost something . After telling the farmer yes he led them to the race car that was laying deep in the farmers ditch . The car was winched out of the ditch and loaded back up and taken home with out any interference or questions from the local police .
 
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: mike32 on February 19, 2008, 07:45:08 PM
Cab over ramp trucks were the hot ticket, with Windsor's Jack Monaghan (sp) having one similar to the one shown and Ken Stewart (Linken  Engineering, Oakville) having a beauty to haul their #75 Fords (driven by Goodall, Scanell, Hudson, Hanley et all). The Ford Cab overs always looked good, and probably thanks to Ken Stewart's matching car and hauler helped make me a convert from drag racing to ovals.
 As far a cars falling off ramp trucks, I remember one night at Pinecrest where Stoney Creek's Ken Aspden's #81(?) Cougar fell off the truck exiting the track. No problem-ramps down-fired up the car and away they went. The cars were built like tanks back then too.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: smokinjoe7 on February 19, 2008, 08:34:00 PM
Ted Plowright indeed drove this car with the number 23 on the sides in 1976- Do you remember Ted starting pole and was kicking everyones butt including Earl Ross who brought up both his Coca-Cola cars, 1 car had a 350, and the other a 427, now I'm dating myself. Anyways Ted was leading by about a half a track when the caution flew and yes Earl Ross won the feature. Just a little more tidbit. My father Ron introduced Murray Baker to Guy Parker who owned this car with Ted Plowright, and as they say the rest is history. Who would of thought 31 years later that Murray's boy Dwayne would win the Championship. Also I do believe that the first 2 trips to Westgate, Murray Baker won both Features, but I think it was with his Chevy II with "My Buddy Baker" on the rear.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: bikerbob on February 19, 2008, 09:51:50 PM
not to many pictures of the ramp truck my uncle joe had. across the whole front of the truck was her name "BIG MOTHER" Too Cool!
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: bikerbob on February 26, 2008, 05:21:50 PM
hey guys, keep them pics coming.............please!
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: midpack on February 26, 2008, 08:10:08 PM
Barrie 1977 ?

(http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/3360/4star88taylor4wardle14suj1.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)


That is 1980. Not sure who the orange Camaro is, it looks like it might be the Harold Lawrence Camaro but I thought that was later or maybe it is Howden?

Anyway the other cars are Don Wardle in Eddie Regan's Camaro, Mike Shaughnessy in Sterling Poole's Grand Am, Barry Sweeney in Peter Schotanus' Mini-Charger and Bill Burney's Mustang.
The orange Camaro is the #88 of Dave Taylor from Westgate in the former Mike Shane car. Before he sold the car to Taylor, Shane was involved in a great three way battle for the Westgate points title with Dave Lynch and John Eacott. It came down to the final night with all three drivers having a shot at the championship and Eacott came away with the title. At least that's how I think it ended, I was pretty young at the time.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: blkflagagain on March 06, 2008, 01:20:51 PM
OK STATSMAN now you got me started!!!!LOL I got thinkin whats a Barrie Hall of Fame without a pic of the Hugger Firebird in it??? I also have a question for you about that car!!! Was it driven by Wardle after Shaughnessy drove it in 76?? Cause if Wardle won in 77 and 78 I'd hazard a guess to say that car has won the most features in Barries top division!!! Secondly that car was owned by Jr. Regan's dad Eddie correct??? Anyhow could you please post a pic of the car that won all those fatures in 76??? Also was it 14 of 16 features Shaughnessy won that year or 14 of 18?? I think its the first one if I remember right, the only other driver that one a feature that year was Herb Erb who captured the other 2.. And while were on Herb Erb was he ever a track champ STATSMAN???
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: racingjunkie on March 06, 2008, 06:01:37 PM
Not 100% sure but I think the Firebird that Shaughnessy dominated with ended up with Ron Mace behind the wheel and it might have also been the car that Mace went up into the catch fence down the front straightaway.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: racingjunkie on March 06, 2008, 06:06:17 PM
I think that hugger firebird was also owned by Ed Galbraith (not sure of spelling)   Ed Regan owned the 22 Camaro which Shaughnessy drove as 22 the first year, when he left the hugger firebird, then 14 the next year.  Wardle replaced him after and the car # changed to 4.  That's when Shaughnessy went to drive for Stirling Poole
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: nascar329 on March 06, 2008, 10:23:28 PM
Yep it was Ron Mace who went up the catch fence in a Firebird, 'wow what a ride he had, I was there too".
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: nascar329 on March 06, 2008, 10:25:45 PM
The car that Don Wardle drove in 1978 was owned by Stirling Poole.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: SpencerLewis on March 07, 2008, 01:15:10 AM
same paintjob?
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: blkflagagain on March 07, 2008, 02:30:13 AM
My guess as to the connection?? All worked at Parkway Auto in Barrie on Tiffin??? If its not that is it same crew chief or something?? Good question STATSMAN, I for one am at a loss!!!!LOL
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: blkflagagain on March 07, 2008, 03:03:19 AM
WOW great shots of the Hugger Firebird. Thanks for the quick reply and informative tidbits as well STATSMAN!!! Didnt realize that Wardle drove the car before Mighty Mike!!!LOL And your right in those early 77 pics that car looks so clean, looks like a totally different car from the year Fulton drove it!!!!LOL
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: Jackman2007 on March 16, 2008, 11:13:20 PM
Thanks for posting all these old pics ! Its great going through the years of racing . It would be cool to have a complete memorabilia section here on CRO .
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: Thayne on March 17, 2008, 01:17:22 AM
a drive down memory lane if you will....lol
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: WadePeterson on March 17, 2008, 05:43:20 AM
this thread is great!  love all the old pics, was wondering if anybody might have any of the blue camaro or the Francis Ryan Firebird that Beleskey drove in his final full season and @ ASA entries, in 1983 I believe Joe won the last CASCAR Late Model Championship @ Barrie! and if anybody has any pics of some of the Mace brothers cars the craftmenship is undeniable even for back in the day, most of these people we're talking about put everything they had into racing, would be nice to take notice for a change!!  As for the car leaving Big Mother story I'll hafta ask my dad about that seeing as he was prolly driving the hauler. I find it interesting that you can go to the race track today and still easly find family members or the people themselves still supporting Barrie Speedway!
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: blkflagagain on March 21, 2008, 10:27:10 PM
WOW!!!! More great shots of the Hugger Firebird ROD!!!! And your right she was looking very pristine in blue!!! What year was that accident??? I nearly cried when I saw those pics of that beautiful looking car!!!LOL I'm guessin if Blight was the starter it would of been 79???? Anyways, I just went through a bunch of old albums here and found a few dandy pics!!!! Most are from 73 I'm guessin, I found one of the Hugger Camaro in victory lane at Sunset and some really old color pics of the TQ midgets at Barrie and also a few of Earl Ross in the Carling Red Cap 52. Also found pics of Tom Milligan, Don Hawn ( in Wes good's C.B world #40), Jim Vitkil, John Eacott, Gord Graves, Don Nelson, and a few I didnt know as well!!!! Some are color some are black and white, but those ones are nice large shots!!!! Also found one of me inside the car of Bill Pfrimmer #82 who took over the Stu Hunter ride after his passing!! Found one old one of Jr. Hanley in victory lane at Sunset as well as a #01 car that I'm not sure of but think might be Art Robinson??? Also Mini Stock pics of Garnet Peacock and a #11 mini that I also dont remember the driver!! Any ideas on who that might be??? I'll bring them with me to the Barrie season opener so you can have a look at them and you can decide for yourself what ones would be good to post here!!! Thanks again for the memories ROD!!!!
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: hanley72 on March 22, 2008, 12:45:30 AM
Hey Blcflagagain, I would love to see that Jr. Hanley pic from Sunset if you don't mind. BIG Hanley fan here. Are you able to scan it at all. Or at least post it on here for all to see.
THANKS!!!
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: blkflagagain on March 22, 2008, 02:17:16 AM
Well as I say HANLEY 72 I personally have no scanner myself!!!! I'm going to put all of these photos in another album and give it to STATSMAN to scan for us all here at CRO if he wouldnt mind doing that??? And thank you very much for giving me the link to the CHECKER FLAG website when I asked for the pics of Don Mallat's corvette!!! That was a great site and good to see those pics and I'm glad people like you havent forgotten Checker Flag and its history, as now thats all we have to go on whenever that speedway is mentioned. But I'm sure STATSMAN will do this, and I'll even give him the albums for a couple weeks or however long it takes, and I'll be sure to mention that youd like a copy of that Hanley pic!! To be honest its a really nice large black and white pic but not the greatest shot of the car itself, its more of a shot of Jr. inside the car but he had a helmet on as well!!!! But dont expect to see anything for another month or so as that's when the season opens up here and I dont think I'll be seeing STATSMAN before then, unless we could meet at the Barrie mall show or something??? Hey Rod will Keith have the LOOK COMPANY Dodge in the show this year?? Will you be there yourself?? If so just send me a private message here and maybe we can meet at a selected time and place up there and I'll give you these photos that I did recover from my collection!!! Let me know what you think.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: zero on August 10, 2008, 06:29:24 PM
The # 88 of Mr. Garry Mead. Just a pleasure to watch and a true gentleman. He sure brought the fans in. First class driver.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: godsunclevic on August 10, 2008, 06:31:13 PM
What ever happened to Gary Mead and the Thor car?  He was a great help to us the first time we raced at that flat Barrie oval back when they cancelled the weekly Cascar class.
Title: Re: BSW Hall of Fame???????
Post by: zero on August 10, 2008, 07:40:14 PM
He is the crew chief for the #44 LLM car at Barrie.