Saturday morning sock hop

Johnny Watson, "Highway 60".

some clippings from Salem, OR

A bit far away but involving racers that came up to Canada during the same era. From 1951.

Motorcycle trials competition

An article on a trials team heading to Europe.

Gordie Hemrich interview

Back in July 1974 the Langley Advance did an interview with Gordie Hemrich.

Langley Speedway, Saturday, August 24, 1974

The super stock season championship is decided.

Plus some results for the Royal City Sports Car Club's Ioco Hill Climb.

 Saturday, August 24, 1974

Super stocks, modified stocks and claimers.

Fast times, super stocks:

Gordie Hemrich, 16.02

Al Mullett, 16.16

Jack Cross, 16.17

Larry Sproule, 16.19

Rollie Walker, 16.21

Modified stock fast time:

Bob Brodoway, 16.19

Claimer fast time:

Jim Godfrey, 18.51, NTR

Claimer dash:

1 – Harold Harks

Modified stock dash:

1 – Marty White

super stock dash:

unknown

Modified stock fast heat:

1 – Marty White

No other heat race information.

Claimer main:

1 – Mike Ens

2 – Jim Godfrey

3 – Harold Harks

Super stock B main:

1 – Jim Stratichuk

2 – Sieg Krickemeyer

3 – Ken Marwood

Super stock A main (35 laps) :

1 – Gordie Hemrich

2 – Larry Sproule

3 – Rollie Walker

4 – Cam Barnes

5 – Andie Fentie

6 – Jack Cross

Dennis Lester crashed lap one of the main. Second time out for 1974.

Al Mullett black flagged for rough driving lap ten. He lost all points for the race. Gordie Hemrich took the 1974 super stock points title as a result.

Langley Speedway, Saturday, August 17, 1974

Hemrich comes back with another feature win in the super stock class.

Saturday, August 17, 1974

Super stocks and claimers.

During pre-qualifying practice John Rothwell had his throttle stick. Crashed into turned one fence and wrecked the 1973 Chevelle of Tom Mairs and Tom Fog. Rothwell came back after a trip to the hospital.

Fast time, super stocks:

Al Mullett, 16.05

Claimer dash:

1 – Harold Harks

B super stock dash:

1 – Jerry Dillman, Kamloops

A super stock dash:

1 – Jack Cross

C super stock heat:

1 – Pierce Isaacs, Deep Cove

B super stock heat:

1 – Sieg Krickemeyer

A super stock heat:

1 – Larry Sproule

2 – Rollie Walker

3 – Al Mullett

No information on Claimer heats.

Claimer main:

1 – Harold Harks

2 – Dale Harder

3 – Brian Devers

B super stock main:

1 – Bob Walston, Bellingham

2 – Gary McCauley, Bellingham

3 – George Benson, Stanwood, WA

A super stock main (35 laps) :

1 – Gordie Hemrich

2 – Rollie Walker

3 – Andie Fentie

4 – unknown

 5 – unknown

6 – Al Mullett

Sunday funnies

"Novice Notes" from some old Hot Rods and Racing Cars. "Novice" always applies to me.

Saturday morning...ads

A couple from Frank Sinatra.

Langley Speedway, Saturday, August 10, 1974

Another $1000 up for grabs for the winner in the 100 lap super main. This time it's....

Saturday, August 10, 1974

Super stocks and claimers.

Carling's Super Stock Challenge.

46 cars timed in.

Fast times, super stocks:

Ron Eaton, 15.80

Chuck Little, 15.91

Gordie Hemrich, 15.97

Al Mullett, 15.97

Claimer dash:

1 – Jim Godfrey

B super stock dash:

1 – Bob Thomas

A super stock dash:

1 – Gordie Hemrich, $50

No heat race information.

Claimer consolation main:

1 – Brian Devers (borrowed car from Dave Anglais)

2 – Bill Ward

3 – Gill Lamontagne

Claimer main:

1 – Jim Godfrey

2 – Lorne Twiss

3 – Dale Harder

B super stock main (50 laps) :

1 – Tom Berrow

2 – Don Nichol

3 – Tom Mair

A super stock main (100 laps) :

1 – Al Mullett, $1000

2 – Gordie Hemrich, $500

3 – Sam Rose, Yakima

4 – Andie Fentie

5 – Cam Barnes, Surrey

6 – Chuck Little, Spokane

7 – Herman Scheurman, Bow, WA

8 – Morris Willit, Port Coquitlam

9 – Rollie Walker

10 – Jim MacMillan

Steve Hemholtz, Tacoma, blew an engine early. Chuck Little, Ron Eaton and Al Mullett spun. Seig Krickemeyer tapped turn one wall. Larry Sproule dropped a valve prior to the start.

Langley Speedway, Saturday, August 3, 1974

The heat of summer and Gordie Hemrich is hot. And fast. And winning.

 

Saturday, August 3, 1974

Super stocks and claimers.

Fast time, super stocks:

Gordie Hemrich, 15.95

Al Mullett, 16.25

Andie Fentie, 16.31

Rollie Walker, 16.33

Herman Scheurman, 16.38

Jim Stratichuk, 16.43

Fast time, claimers:

Jim Godfrey, 19.00

Claimer dash:

1 – Brian Devers

Super stock B dash:

1 – Bob Thomas, Delta

Super stock A dash:

1 – Rollie Walker

Heat race results missing:

Terry McGillvary, White Rock, finished third in his heat. It was his first appearance at Langley. A week before, at Skagit, he also finished third in a heat.

Claimer consolation main:

1 – Joe Pottie, Surrey

2 – Davie Spach, Surrey

3 – Bill Ward, Coquitlam

Claimer main:

1 – Jim Godfrey

2 – Brian Devers

3 – Dale Harder

B super stock main:

1 – George Benson, Stanwood, WA

2 – Cliff Hague

3 – Pierce Isaacs

A super stock main:

1 – Gordie Hemrich

2 – Jim Stratichuk

3 – Al Mullett

4 – Ken Marwood

5 – Rollie Walker

Also noted in the claimers: Bill Ward (43), Paul Perkins (6), Joe Pottie (59), Lorne Twiss (12)

Gary Beck, 1974

A story from the Columbian newspaper back in 1974 on Gary Beck.

where the modified stocks went one weekend in 1974

Seems like there was at least one race for the modified stocks at Grandview Bowl in 1974. Maybe more, needs investigation. Feature story on Bob Brodoway here.

Langley Speedway, Saturday, July 27, 1974

A bit skimpy on heat results and I wonder where the modified stocks headed to on these super stock/claimer only weekends.

Also some Mission Raceways info thrown in for good measure.

Saturday, July 27, 1974

Super stocks and claimers.

Fast times, super stocks:

Gordie Hemrich, 16.19

Al Mullet, 16.47

Andie Fentie, 16.55

Rollie Walker, 16.62

Jim Stratichuk, 16.66

Claimer dash:

1 – Jim Godfrey

Super stock B dash:

1 – George Benson

Super stock A dash:

1 – Cam Barnes

No information on heat races.

Claimer main:

1 – Harold Harks

2 – Dave Binning

3 – George Nate

Super stock B main:

1 – Mike Reitman, Bellingham, WA

2 – Gary McCauley, WA,

3 – George Benson, Stanwood, WA

Super stock A main (35 laps):

1 – Gordie Hemrich

2 – Al Mullet

3 – Jim Stratichuk

4 – Cliff Hague

5 – Herman Scheurman

Sunday funnies

A two pager on the Cunningham sports car from an old Hot Rods and Racing Cars comic book.

Saturday morning sock hop

This song is definitely about Fireball Roberts. Johnny Bond singing "Fireball".

Langley Speedway, Saturday, July 20, 1974

Tenth year of operation for Langley. In spite of other events drawing cars in other directions there was a good show.

Saturday, July 20, 1974

Langley Speedway 10^th Anniversary Special

$4000 purse.

8,000 in attendance.

32 cars timed in.

Fast times:

Ron Eaton, Tacoma, WA, 15.52

Rick O'Dell, Victoria, 15.63

Ross Surgenor, Victoria, 15.80

Gordie Hemrich, 15.80

Harold Hardesty, Medford, OR, 15.87

Larry Sproule, 15.92

Only seven failed to get into the 15 second range.

B dash:

1 – Harlie Gustafson

A dash:

1 – Gordie Hemrich

Super stock B main (50 laps):

1 – Sieg Krickemeyer

2 – Cliff Hague

3 – Harold Gustafson

Super stock A main (75 laps):

1 – Gordie Hemrich, $1000

2 – Ron Eaton

3 – Al Mullet

4 – Rick O'Dell

5 – Rollie Walker

6 – Ross Surgenor

Langley Speedway, Saturday, July 13, 1974

The story of the claimer heat where the leader pulled into the pits with two laps to go, with all but one other car following him in, is pretty bizarre. And funny.

Saturday, July 13, 1974

Super stocks, modified stocks, claimers.

Super stock fast time:

Al Mullet, 16.13

Claimers dash:

1 – Brian Devers

Modified stock dash:

1 – Bill Lawrence

Bob Brodoway spun into the turn one infield with one lap left. He hit Jack Cross' super stock. There was only minor damage.

B super stock dash:

1 – Sieg Krickemeyer

A super stock dash:

1 – Rollie Walker

Claimer B heat:

unknown results

Tom Hill, 16 years old, crashed into the front pit fence. Broke a telephone pole.

Claimer A heat:

1 – Brian Devers

2 – Butch McCormack

3 – David Binning

With two laps to go Lloyd DeJong passed rookie George Nate for the lead. He then pulled into the pits with seven other cars following him leaving only Brian Devers still on the track. The others realized what was going on and some came back out to finish the race.

Modified stock B heat:

1 – Dirk Jansema, Port Coquitlam

2 – Bob Mason, Delta

3 – John Rothwell, Burnaby

Modified stock A heat:

1 – Marty White

2 – Bill Lawrence

3 – Ken Kennedy (Union Bay, Vancouver Island)

Super stock B heat:

1 – Cliff Hague

2 – Earl Wutke, Surrey

3 – George Irwin, Surrey

Super stock A heat:

1 – Rollie Walker

2 – Gordie Hemrich

3 – Larry Sproule

Claimer main:

1 – Brian Devers

2 – Jim Godfrey

3 – Lorne Twist

Modified stock main:

1 – Marty White

2 – Bill Lawrence

3 – Bob (Ken?) Kennedy

Consi super main:

1 – Sieg Krickemeyer

Super stock B main:

1 – Bob Thomas, '65 Ford

2 – Mike Reitan, Bellingham, WA

3 – George Irwin

Super stock A main:

1 – Al Mullet, '65 Chevelle

2 – Gordie Hemrich

3 – Rollie Walker, '72 Chev

Langley Speedway, July 6, 1974

Another good night of racing at Langley, 1974.

Saturday, July 6, 1974

Super stocks, modified stocks, claimers.

54 cars timed in.

Fast times:

Super stocks:

Gordie Hemrich, 16.04

Ross Surgenor, 16.10

Rollie Walker, 16.13

Al Mullet, 16.13

Modified Stocks:

Marty White, 16.34

Claimers:

Ron Mitchell, 18.97

Claimer B dash:

1 – Earl Wutke, Surrey

Claimer A dash:

1 – Gordon Ward

Three other car in a “wild melee” lap two. Harold Harks and Brian Devers crashed and Jim Godfrey spun.

Modified stock dash

1 – Marty White

Super stock dash:

1 – Al Mullet

Claimer B heat:

1 – Ron Mitchell, Burnaby

2 – Don Moe, Anacortes, WA

3 – Mike Ens, Clearbrook

Claimer A heat:

1 – Brian Devers

2 – Harold Harks

3 – Jim Godfrey

Modified stock heats:

unknown

Super stock A heat:

1 – Gordie Hemrich

2 – Al Mullet

Super stock B heat:

unknown

Claimer main (24 cars started)

1 – Ron Mitchell

2 – Jim Godfrey

3 – Butch McCormack

Modified stock consi:

1 – Al Prendergast

Modified stock main (20 laps):

1 – Marty White

2 – Bill Lawrence

3 – Bob Brodoway

Super stock B main:

1 – Cliff Hague, Surrey

2 – Cam Barnes, Burnaby

3 – Harland Gustafson, White Rock

Super stock A main (35 laps)

1 – Gordie Hemrich

2 – Ross Surgenor

3 – Al Mullet

4 – Jim Stratichuk

5 – Rollie Walker

John Cuzner crashed into the fence on lap four. He was uninjured.

Langley Speedway, Sunday, June 30, 1974

The second day of two days of racing featured the "semi-modifieds" from Skagit Speedway. They did alright.

 

Sunday, June 30, 1974

Skagit Speedway semi-modifieds plus the claimers

22 modifieds showed up.

Fast time:

Doug James, Seattle, 14.60

Claimer dash:

1 – Lloyd DeJong

B dash:

1 – Jerry Manthey

A dash:

1 – Doug James

Claimer main:

1 – James Mairs, North Vancouver

2 – Lloyd DeJong

3 – Jim Godfrey

B modified main:

1 – Wes Coons

2 – Will Burroughs

3 – George Stephan

A modified main:

1 – Lloyd Armey, Sedro Wooley, WA

2 – Chuck Byrd, Surrey

3 – Don Bingham, Mount Vernon

Langley Speedway, Saturday, June 29, 1974

Two days of racing this weekend leading up to Canada Day. First big super stock race of the season for the Saturday night show.

Saturday, June 29, 1974

Carling's Super Stock Opener

Unlimited super stocks

$4,000 purse

Fast time:

Ron Eaton, Tacoma, 15.71

Gordie Hemrich, 15.82

B dash:

1 – Larry Sproule

A dash:

1 – Al Mullet

C super stock main:

1 – Jerry Dillman, Kamloops

2 – Tom Hamilton, Campbell River

3 – Ron Parnell, Anacortes, WA

B super stock main (50 laps):

1 – Jim Stratichuk, Burnaby

2 – Steve Helmholz, Tacoma, WA

3 – Larry Sproule

Early leaders Cliff Hague and Tom Berrow mixed it up in turn four and were out.

Super stock main (75 laps, 16 start):

1 – Chuck Little, Spokane, $1000

2 – Gordie Hemrich, $500

3 – Gary Honeyman, Spokane, '71 Chevelle

4 – Terry Forsyth, Victoria

5 – Ross Surgenor, Victoria

6 – Roy Haslam, Victoria

7 – Stan Conneley, Tacoma, WA

8 – Rollie Walker

9 – Andie Fentie

10 – Herman Scheurman

11 – Ron Eaton

Sunday funnies

Some "hot rod" talk definitions:

Saturday morning sock hop

Dave Dudley singing "Fireball Rolled a Seven" (possibly, but not likely, about Fireball Roberts).

Langley Speedway, Saturday, June 22, 1974

Big crowd, 6000 in attendance.

Saturday, June 22, 1974

Super stock, modified stock, claimers.

6,000 in attendance.

Super stock fast time:

Al Mullet, 16.05

Claimer dash:

1 – Harold Harks, Surrey

Modified stock dash:

1 – Keith Whitter

B super stock dash:

1 – Bob Nairne, Langley

A super stock dash:

1 – Jack Cross, Langley

Claimer B heat:

1 – David Binning, Langley

Claimer A heat:

1 – Lloyd Dejong, Port Kells

2 – Harold Harks

Lap four Len Braun and Roy Smith tangled. Harks and Smith went to rear on restart.

Modified stock heat:

1 – Bob Brodoway

2 – Al Prendergast

3 – Bob Smaill

Lap eight Ken Kennedy (Union Bay, Vancouver Island) rolled. He bounced onto the fence and rolled again. Ken okay. Car not.

Super stock C heat:

1 – Ed Weismiller, Bowen Island

Super stock B heat:

1 – Morris Willits

Super stock A heat:

1 – Herman Scheurman, Bow, WA

2 – Al Mullet

Claimer main:

1 – Harold Harks

2 – Lloyd DeJong

Modified stock main:

1 – Bob Brodoway

2 – Dave Potosky, Delta

3 – Bob Berke, Surrey

Twelve start. Five car accident on first lap involved Bill Lawrence, Bob Brodoway, Dirk Jansema, Lloyd Wagner and Al Prendergast. All managed to restart.

Super stock main (13 cars, 35 laps):

1 – Al Mullet

2 – Gordie Hemrich

3 – Rollie Walker's

First time out for Rollie Walker in 1974.

Jack Cross black flagged after he bumped into Larry Sproule. “It wasn't really his fault,” said Sproule, “I was having trouble getting through the corners since wh had just set up for the (Westwood) road course. Sproule was 200 lbs. Heavier to meet NASCAR rules had qualified at 16.71

Jim Stratichuk hit the 3^rd turn corner wall on second lap of qualifying. Severe front end damage.

Langley Speedway, Saturday, June 15, 1974

After racing on Sunday afternoons the speedway went to Saturday nights (although this race report says Sunday afternoon, everything else I have says Saturday).

Saturday, June 15, 1974

Super stock and claimers.

Super stock fast time:

Gordie Hemrich, 15.78

Claimer fast time:

Lloyd Dejong, Port Kells, 18.58

Claimer dash:

1 – Harold Harks, Surrey

Super stock dash:

1 – Al Mullet, Bellingham, WA

First heat Claimers:

1 – Ron Mitchell, Burnaby

2 – Jim Godfrey, Langley

3 – Roy Smith, Surrey

Fast heat Claimers:

1 – Lloyd Dejong

2 – Lyle Gordon, Surrey

3 – Brian Devers, New Westminster

Super stock C heat:

1 – Bob Nairne, Langley

2 – Wayne Fenzies, Surrey

3 – Paul Burton, Surrey

Super stock B heat:

1 – Jim Stratichuk

2 – Cam Barnes, Burnaby

3 – Al Tourond

Larry Sproule dropped oil for three laps after the dry sump on his '74 Dodge Charger split on lap 8.

Super stock A heat:

1 – Jerry Dillman, Kamloops

2 – Cliff Hague

3 – Al Mullet

First lap Cliff Hague and Herman Scheurman tangled. Hague returned to finish second.

Claimer main:

1 – Shane Brown, Vancouver

2 – Harold Harks

3 – Lloyd Dejong

Super stock B main:

1 – Reg Kennedy, Surrey

2 – Don Nickel, Langley

3 – Paul Burton

Dick Smith, Mount Vernon, WA, lost his engine on lap 14.

Reg Kennedy was in Rollie Walker's old '64 Chevelle. Reg had put in a new engine two hours before qualifying.

Super stock A main:

1 – Al Tourond

2 – Al Mullet

3 – Jim Stratichuk

Lap 15 Cam Barnes went into the back fence and was out of the race.

Lap 21 Gordie Hemrich blew and tire.

Close race for second between Mullet and Stratichuk.

Tourond qualified at 16.59

Langley Speedway, Sunday, June 9, 1974

Continuing with the 1974 Langley Speedway season. I am finding the information for this year (race reports, etc.) is better than the last few years. Takes a little longer to get the info from three sources (Columbian, Surrey Leader and Langley Advance) together in a coherent manner.

Sunday, June 9, 1974

Super stock, modified stock, claimers.

Super stock fast time:

Gordie Hemrich

Claimer dash:

1 – Rick Blondin

Modified stock dash:

1 – Keith Whitter

Super stock dash:

1 – Al Mullet

Slow claimer heat:

1 – Ron Mitchell, Burnaby

2 – Roy Smith, Surrey

3 – Lyle Gordon, Surrey

Fast claimer heat:

1 – Harold Harks, Surrey

2 – Brian Devers, New Westminster

3 – Rick Blondin

Modified stock slow heat:

1 – Dirk Jansema

2 – Blaine Meyers, Delta

3 – Bob Berke, Surrey

Modified stock fast heat:

1 – Bill Lawrence

2 – Marty White

3 – Bob Brodoway

Super stock C heat:

1 – Morris Willits, Surrey

2 – Bob Nairne, Langley

3 – Lynn Haggnut, Anacortes, WA

Super stock B heat:

1 – Cam Barnes, Burnaby

2 – Pierce Isaacs, North Vancouver

3 – Jim Stratichuk, Burnaby

Super stock A heat:

1 – Andie Fentie

2 – Terry Forsyth, Victoria

3 – Gordie Hemrich

Fentie took the checkered as the crash started. Forsyth spun but crossed the line. Hemrich got around the mess for third. Forsyth was hit by Cheadle and Mullet. Mullet was rear-ended by Tourond.

Claimer main:

1 – Rick Blondin, Langley

2 – Harold Harks, Surrey

3 – Brian Devers, New Westminster

Modified stock main:

1 – Bob Brodoway, Langley

2 – Bill Lawrence, Aldergrove

3 – Dirk Jansema, Port Coquitlam

Super stock main (35 laps):

1 – Gordie Hemrich

2 – Al Mullet

3 – Al Tourond

Lap 3 Elmer Nickel flipped in turns 3 and 4. He said he lost the brakes. He was subbing for co-owner and brother Don Nickel who was with his wife who was giving birth to their son. Elmer said he would leave the driving to Don.

Hemrich apparently experimented with a two-way radio during practice. Reg Royle (pit manager) found out the frequency and was giving criticism on Gordie's driving.

Langley Speedway, Sunday, June 2, 1974 (post 2000, or so I'm told)

The number say 2000. Some are probably dead links now, some totally useless. But I've done this 2000 times so that's something.

Continuing with the 1974 Langley Speedway season:

Sunday, June 2, 1974

Super stocks, modified stocks, claimers.

Fast times:

Gordie Hemrich, 15.87

Al Mullet, 16.03

Jack Cross, 16.11

Randy Cheadle, 16.19

Claimer dash:

1 – Brian Devers, New Westminster

Modified stock dash:

1 – Keith Whitter

Super stock dash:

1 – Randy Cheadle, Burlington, WA

Claimer A heat:

1 – Harold Harks, Surrey

2 – Brian Devers

3 – Cliff Parker

Claimer B heat:

1 – Mike Ens

2 – David Binning, Langley

3 – Gil Lamontangue, Coquitlam

Modified stock A heat:

1 – Marty White, Bradner

2 – John Pace, Surrey

3 – Bob Brodoway

Modified stock B heat:

1 – Bill Stewart, Delta

2 – Bob Berke, Surrey

3 – Blaine Meyers, Delta

Super stock A heat:

1 – Gordie Hemrich

2 – Tom Berrow

3 – Cliff Hague

Super stock B heat:

1 – Bob Thomas, Delta

2 – Jim Stratichuk, Burnaby

3 – George Irwin, Surrey

Claimer main (called at six laps due to rain and crashes)

1 – Homer Talbert, Anacortes, WA

2 – Brian Devers

3 – Mike Ens

Many crashes. The last involving Devers and Parker brought out the red flag.

Modified stock main

1 – Bob Brodoway, Langley

2 – Keith Whitter

3 – Bill Lawrence, Aldergrove

Super stock main

1 – Gordie Hemrich

2 – Cliff Hague

3 – Andie Fentie

4 – Larry Sproule, '74 Dodge Charger

5 – Tom Berrow

Opening lap Morris Willits spun with five cars involved.