Management for the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame (MMHF) is pleased to announce the 10 new inductees who will comprise the Class of 2017. Each is being recognized for significant accomplishments and/or contributions in Maritime motorsports.
From New Brunswick
Donnie Beers, (deceased) Stock Car Competitor started racing in 1965 at River Glade Speedway. With his popular #3 set a record that may still be in effect today, winning eight features for the season. He was well known for his fierce competitiveness and winning attitude. He could start at the back and soon take over the lead thrilling his legion of fans. In 1965 and 70 he finished the points in second at RGS. 1968 finished first at Shediac. Donnie received the Most Popular Driver trophy at McEwen’s Speedway three years in a row, 1966, ’67 & ’68.
James Cowie, Drag Racing Competitor. Hometown Miramichi started drag racing in 1972. James Cowie is one of the Maritimes most recognized drag racing names. He is active in IHRA and NHRA as well as local Eastern Canadian ET Bracket circuits. His resume includes winning the Super Comp title at the 1991 NHRA Winston All Star Race, Rockingham, North Carolina and the 1994 Quick Rod title during the IHRAs Northeast Nitrous Nationals at Epping, New Hampshire.
Cyril Hall, Stock Car Promotions, Track Announcer. He began his announcing career in 1982 at River Glade Speedway. He went on from there to be the announcer you needed at every conceivable Speedway in New Brunswick until 2015 when he retired from Petty International Speedway. He also announced at the re-opening of the newly rebuilt Riverside International Speedway in 2006. Cyril provided announcing and commentary for races shown on local cable channels, written newspaper articles and press releases of weekly racing results, worked car show booths and emceed numerous year-end award banquets.
Kevin Taylor, Tractor Pulling Competitor. He has been active in motorsports for 40 some years. He has competed locally and internationally in tractor pulling, snowmobile and stock car racing. He started at age 13 in Woodstock, NB pulling with a stock 26HP Cockshutt 40 farm tractor and won. He has become one of tractor pulling’s strongest competitors in the region. He moved up to his own built 10,000 pound Pro Stock Tractor, Bad Kitty One; it has a turbocharger 3208 Caterpillar V8 diesel engine. He has developed the tractor over the years by building Bad Kitty Two and Three. It would be very difficult to list all events and his placements.
From Nova Scotia
Cy Harvey, Stock Car Competitor from 1969 until present. Cy is from Enfield and has raced and won in Sportsman, MASCAR, Legend, Trucks, Open Wheel and Pro Stock. He has raced not only in the Maritimes but at tracks in the US, such as Charlotte Speedway, North Carolina; New Smyrna Speedway, Florida. He won the Canadian Championship at Berry Speedway in Ontario in 2002 & 2003.
William (Bill) Clarke, Drag Racing Competitor/Motor Sports Builder, home town Dartmouth NS, dedicated to the sport of Drag Racing for over 35 years. For the 2014 edition of the IHRA Summit Tournament of Champions, he was one of 117 drivers from 22 states and four Canadian provinces who represented their divisions as the best drivers from the 2014 IHRA Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Tour. 2015 he drove to victory in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Super Gas division taking top honors in that class during the NHRA’s marquee 46th Amalie Oil Gatornationals event, Gainesville, Florida. 2016 he was runner-up in the Super Rod Class at the IHRA Divisional Event at Bradenton, Florida. Bill has been a most generous financial supporter to local racers, organizations and local racing facilities.
Gary Pozzebon, Drag Racing Builder/Competitor, makes his home in Cape Breton. Gary is truly a valuable asset to drag racing in Atlantic Canada. Since the early 1990’s he has been president of the Cape Breton Drag Racing Association. With Gary’s knowledge of bureaucratic process and expertise in drag racing along with his leadership drive to organize a team of volunteers and a network of sponsors, their association was able to build the new Cape Breton Dragway. Its grand opening was held in August, 2016. As a racer he was well known all over Atlantic Canada for regularly competing in the Super Pro/Super Gas categories.
From Prince Edward Island
Kevin Power/James Merrill Cronin, Builders of Drag Racing and Stock Car Racing, Track Owners. Kevin started drag racing in the early 1970’s with a 1956 Ford sedan. Merrill’s greatest contribution was to the establishment of stock car racing on PEI. In 1981 Kevin, Merrill and Doug Young purchased the Oyster Bed Bridge drag track. After a couple of years they bought out Doug’s interest. In 1984 the drag building was burnt by arson, they decided not only to rebuild but to expand to include a ¼ mile dirt stock car track. With their earnings they made many upgrades including paving the track in1987. At this point Merrill sold out to Kevin. Kevin sold the stock car track in 2010. The RPM magazine featured his annual Pinks With a Twist race which raises money for cancer. Such names as Shirley Muldowney, Barry Paton and others have raced there. The track is the longest running drag track in Canada.
Wayne Gaudet, Builder Stockcar. Born in Charlottetown, started his racing history at an early age with motorcycle drag racing at venues all over the Maritimes with much success. Then he turned his attention to Motorcycle Road Racing with great success. Wayne’s stock car career began by doing every job necessary to get the Sherwood Do It Centre car ready for race day for Rodney MacDonald. His next move was to Oshawa, Ontario where he was crew chief for Randy MacDonald. Next he worked with a NASCAR Busch Grand National series team. Then on to the NASCAR Winston Cup team of Chad Little. He was hired by Roush Racing and became manager of the fabrication shop. Wayne was the first PEI resident to be part of a Winston Cup Championship team.
Carl Livingston, (deceased) Stock Car Competitor/Car Owner. He started racing on the dirt tracks on PEI in 1966. In 1985 he moved to the newly built track, Raceway Park in Oyster Bed Bridge, where he raced Street Stock and Modified. There he had multiple triple wins and finished 3rd in the season points in 1987. 1989/90 raced with the MASCAR Tour. When Carl retired from driver due to health reasons he became owner/sponsor for his son Kent from 1992-2007, winning the Modified Championship in 1996. He was co-owner of Livingston welding helping many racers over the years.
Thirty nominations were considered by the MMHF Induction Committee in making their selection; they would like to thank everyone who submitted a nomination.
The formal induction ceremony is set for November 18 at the Loyalist Country Inn in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. Tickets are $80.00 each and include dinner and the ceremony; they are available until Novemebr 16 online or at at the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame (506-756-2110). A block of rooms are being held for attendees of this event. They can be reserved by calling 902-436-3333 or 1-800-361-2668. Let them know you are with the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame for a rate of $101.00 for a standard room with two double beds or $110.00 for a deluxe room with two queen beds (both based on single/double occupancy, $10.00 each for extra persons). Rooms are being held until October 18 and based on availability.
The dress code is semi-formal for this occasion.
To learn more about the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame (MMHF) please visit the MMHF museum in Petitcodiac or online at www.mmhf.ca.