The Gentlemen who "Started Their Engines".....

With September here, it usually meant "Stock Car Championships" at the fairgrounds and later of course at Riverview Raceways.   I can't help but add a few more items from the old CLE racing days. 

 

The first ad here stated that you could buy a season ticket(a 24 race schedule) and be guaranteed 20 races for a measly sum of $20.  What a bargain even in the 1950's here in Fort William and Port Arthur.  Click on ALL the following photos to enlarge them!!!

 

 Here are The Gentlemen who "Started Their Engines" in 1953

In this last page, Merv Dove and Nick Zavaglia's photos are interchanged with their names!

...Then they took the key and opened the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition Race Track gates.....



.....And let in all these people from Fort William, Port Arthur and surrounding areas......

....To watch all these great guys tool around a 1/2 mile dirt track to the glee of thousands...

 SUCH AS...

Glen Kettering, Fred Danis and Tony Massaro

Ross "Pappy" Fowler

Barry Kettering of course going by the CLE Coliseum Building.



Tony Massaro and Louis Tocheri....

left - Lorne Morin and Don Deacon
right - Malcolm Galbraith and unknown.

Don Deacon into the fence right in front of the track gate and the Coliseum Bldg.

Marvin McInnis

Louis Tocheri in the fence...

...and Louis collecting a Checkered Flag

Merv Dove's Maple Leaf Service #31

Pensive Merv.....

Merv Dove's pit crew including my old friend and Merv's brother Reg Dove on the left, with Pete Knights and Al Brimell.

Jimmy Manduca upside down.

Pete Steirlin's famous dust bowl photo.

"The Flyin' Finn", Martin Autio upside down.

The coupe's and sedan's were starting to get cut down here in the late 1950's and seem to look more like HOT RODS.  Hey, that's Sears intercity in the far background including more of the fairgrounds where the fans park their cars, as well as Memorial Avenue on the left...this view faces north/north-west!

 Oh Yes!!....and there were trophies at the end of each racing season.....now do you think that $20. was too much for a season ticket.....I think NOT!!

Left to right are Tony Massaro, Barry Kettering, Merv Dove and Albert Massaro.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES....BOYS!!!