6/12/2019
Laird Raceway
Local Racing Legends Get Together After 50+ Years
During the evening of Wednesday June 12, 2019, Laird International Raceway promoter Donnie Varcoe hosted a meal for approximately 30 local stock car racing legends, and their wives. Most of the racers in attendance raced at the Heyden Speedway in the 1960’s & early 70’s. The event was held at the Varcoe residence.
Sault Ste. Marie Ontario has a long history of Stock Car Racing. According to the website canadianracer.com there was a track going back to the 1930’s located where the John Rhodes Centre is now. Back in the 1950’s or early 60’s there was apparently a dirt track located where the Soo Curling Club is now, on Anita Boulevard, it was known as the Algoma Speedway. Lock City Raceway is listed on the website as operating for a year in 1953, but the website doesn’t state where it was located. Can anyone fill us in on this track? Wright's Raceway was located at the end of Case road and was in operation in the mid 1950’s and early 60’s. Heyden Speedway opened in 1967 and was located where Beaumont Trailer Park is now and was active until 1971. Northern Raceway, also known at 5th Line Speedway operated from 1965 to 67 then apparently closed due to competition from Heyden Speedway. It reopened again in 1971 and ran through to 1985, then ran for another year in 1987. Racing in Sault Ontario was gone for a dozen years until Donnie Varcoe opened Laird International Raceway in 1999.
Guests in attendance included Wes Beckett, Hubie Brazeau, Ed Powley, Wes Seabrook, Dave Seabrook, Mike Uhlman, Larry Ebare, Bill Allan, Dennis Aho, Jim Chapman, Marvin Dunn, Tom Deevey, Harold Daynard, Rick Ellis, Jack Forbes, Gary McBride, Harry Moskell, Sonny MacIntosh, Fred Page, Patt Hubbard, John Villeneuve, Norm Nichols, Winston Wilson, Dennis O’Reilly, and Ernie Gulyas. Also invited but unable to attend were Jim Leacock, Ray Miron, Rick McDonald, Roger Slater, Jim McAuley, Bill Yourchuk, Gene Wiles, John Becanic, and Roddy Speers.
Rick Ellis, who helped Donnie Varcoe organize this get together on fairly short notice said, “We might have missed a few invitations and would like to apologize for that in advance.” Rick went on and said, “I’ve helped organize this out of respect for these drivers, and the sport in general.”
Once guests had arrived they had a few minutes to mill about, meet and greet each other, and see three old modified style cars that were on display, and look at some old track programs, newspaper articles, and scrapbooks.
After that, attendees sat down for an enjoyable buffet style meal. There was a lot of reminiscing going on. Stories were told about how the cars were built from scratch, with parts obtained from wrecking yards. There were stories of racing incidents, and fun travelling to other tracks in Michigan.
The meal was followed with a few words by Donnie. He thanked everyone for showing up. Donnie said, “This is a special moment. The Heyden Days were very special.” Donnie recognized that without the drivers putting in the efforts to their hobby 50+ years ago, Laird Raceway would not exist. Donnie also thanked Rick Ellis for helping to put together the event in a very short time period.
Donnie then made presentations to the drivers that included a free pass on a lanyard that allows these ex-racers to attend race events at Laird International Raceway at no cost. Also handed out were jackets with a “Heyden Speedway” patch, the driver’s name, and their car number that they drove at Heyden embroidered into the jacket.
After the presentations, a few of the drivers in attendance stood and told some short stories of their race days to others in attendance. There were stories about making a run down the highway in one of the race cars to get gas, garages burning down, getting pulled over by police for speeding, abandoning a car on a hoist in a garage, and more.
The evening concluded with a photo shoot, and more conversation. Everyone had a nice time, and many old friends had an opportunity to reacquaint themselves with each other after many years apart.
More photos from the event can be found in our photo gallery at http://lairdinternationalraceway.myracepass.com/gallery/?g=17011
Tom Stephenson
Submitted By: Tom Stephenson
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