Langley Speedway, July 11, 1965

(Tony Dow?, Ken Klatt collection)

Continuing with the 1965 Langley Speedway season.

The big event for the July 11, 1965 Sunday afternoon race was the 50-lap Ken Koester Memorial trophy. Ken had raced at Digney, Haney and False Creek Speedways, amongst other places and had been an early member of the B.C. Track Racing Association (BCTRA). He lost his life in a traffic accident early in 1962 and a memorial race had been organized.

The winner of the Ken Koester Memorial trophy was Cal Arnold of Surrey, BC. Twenty cars started the race, only five finished. Among those who didn't finish were Don Bennett (cooling system), Mel Keen (lost a wheel), Wayne Wilbey, and Glenn Parsons (#60, rad hose).

The C modified (stock) main was won by Reinhard Unruh (#17). Others who fell out were #2 Walt Kitga (McKitka?), #9s Bill Terry, #8s Tony Dow and #16 'Lightning' Lloyd James.

No information on B modified or early-late main winners.

Dash winners were:
early-late -- Carmen Parton
C modified -- Unruh
B modified -- Ken Klatt
A modified -- Mel Keen

Information from the Sun, the Province and the Surrey Leader.

A bit of additional info on driver Don Bennett was provided by the Surrey newspaper:

"...Don Bennett of ------ 98th Avenue appeared with his 'green' Mongoose Special.

"His green bomb defies all track superstitions as green is supposed to be an unlucky colour, as is the presence of a woman in the pit area.

"Mel Keen, another top track performer, will have to watch out for Don Bennett or else he'll have to ratify his cool and calculated approach and take a few chances as does Don.

"The Mongoose Special moves in and out of the pack with the apparent ease of a Praying Mantis. A slow gait but on the corners it darts with a burst of speed that shows the driving excellence of its handler, Don Bennett."

Below is the early look of the Moongoose Special. Green and fast. From the Don Bennett collection.