Message posted by 48 early late on 30 January 2006 at 11:59pm - IP Logged
Me again!
'Saying' you support the efforts to get Langley Speedway re-opened is a step in the right direction.....but actually diving right in and getting all greasy past your elbows is a HUGE step.....come on everyone, lets keep positive and DO something positive.
I can see the grease on my hands already!!
LETS GO RACING!!!
Message posted by race crazy on 31 January 2006 at 1:50am - IP Logged
Latimer Road.....Harvey Road......Boundary Bay and this is just to name a few of the places I went to after Langley Speedway closed for the final time.
I had the need for speed and no longer had a safe racing environment to curb my appetite. I am just thankful that no one ever got hurt because of my stupidity. And yes....it was really stupid of me and all the people I would race against. Look at what makes the headlines now. Street racing kills......so lets get it off the street and back into a safe and controlled environment. Have some fun, save some lives and generate some cash.
Don't try telling me that car events don't make and generate money, just look at Langley Cruise In....... are you going to tell me that Langley City doesn't make money from this event? Yah right! Or will you try to tell me that they foot the bill for the whole shebang? Not a hope! Will you also tell me that the merchants in Langley don't make extra money that weekend? Only if they are closed!
Here was a typical race day...... Stop in Langley to get gas for the racecar and tow vehicle, pop in to the local fast food joint to have lunch. Stop and purchase tires (if needed) from the tire shop in Langley and miscellaneous spare parts (always needed) from the local part store. Continue on to the racetrack, spend the afternoon and evening fullfilling my need for speed. Then after the races ended for the night, we would all head back into Langley to have a late dinner at the local all night restaurant and rehash the days events.
While doing all of this on a weekend, I am positive my wallet got lighter.....but, thats ok, because 2 weeks later, we would willingly do it all over again, and I would leave half my wallet in Langley, once again.
So tell me, why can't local activities be beneficial to local businesses and lives? They can be......so lets make it happen!
Message posted by Murray Jones on 01 February 2006 at 12:35am - IP Logged
If the politicians are paying attention to all this, I suggest they hit the "back" button and look at the second to last photo from Teri Temperton, the one that shows the crowd. That's a small crowd compared to the folks that would come to see races BACK at this site. That would pay a government wage or two. It would certainly return this historic site back to what it was meant to be. Heaven forbid it should be popular with the public and spur a new segment of the economy. Why is it that such a select few people seem to know what is best for this site and for the community as a whole, regarding this issue. I will always be very pro-race. There are a lot of others like me. Maybe we need to be MUCH louder than our cars. You can put mufflers on cars, but not on people.
Message posted by Brian Pratt on 01 February 2006 at 3:36am - IP Logged
Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s some of those special shows, like CAMRA or the Belmont 2500 for super stocks, could get 8 to 10,000 at the track. Just look at the covers of some of programs posted for the track (Action/Langley). Full house (and a half).
Message posted by Ty Morrisson on 02 February 2006 at 3:49am - IP Logged
I hear this guy who thinks he is going to open the place is now trying to raise the Titanic also. C'mon, anyone think the GVRD would ever allow this? The neighbours in the area may not be the same, but they sure as hell dont want a bunch of traffic, noise and smell in the area. Why would they? And comparing it to a "Cruise-in"? Gimme a break! What noise does a cruise-in make? What million dollar plus infrastructure is needed, thats not already there, paid by someone else? Langley Speedway would need millions to get ressurected, and would only be funded by someone who thought they could recoup that amt. It comes back to HOW MANY RACES would be allowed. Remember, no infrastructure is in place. Millions would NOT be spent. by anyone, to run 8-10 races per year. So stop saying that would work. It wont. And forget concerts. THAT will never happen there, not in Campbell Valley Regional Park. Marty Whites kid should come back to this planet...and soon. Signed a retired (and realistic) racers son.
Message posted by Hollywood on 02 February 2006 at 5:26am - IP Logged
I'm soory that you may think this a waste of time. If it is so it is. Please tell us more about the retired racers son. Are you speaking for your father? I take some of what you say as the truth. but many things have been built with private fund and even helping the parks out. If you are the racer I thinks son and you can relate to the generious contrubution by your fathers boss. Keith Davidson not a retired racers son.
Message posted by Barb Hayes on 02 February 2006 at 8:16am - IP Logged
Ty is pessimistic, but I'm afraid he's right. That area in and around Campbell Valley Park WILL stay parkland I'm afraid . Auto races, as reflected by the Molson Indy's departure, do not co-exist peacefully with the bird watching, bicycling, nature walking crowd. And that is what you'll find in the area of the old Langley Speedway site. Yes, still 20+years after the track closed, those types still inhabit the general area. The "cruise-ins", which I have been sporadically involved in over the years, are a different animal. They are welcomed by the city merchants, because they come, spend money, and go. And they dont make much noise, and the crowds generated dont HAVE to congregrate in nature parks. Neighbours are not bothered weekly from April to September, as the meets are moved around. There is a BIG difference. I am afraid its a pipe dream to think the track at that location will EVER reopen. Ty should not get so personal with those supporting the tracks reopening, but his comments are tough to argue with. Would it not be better to put effort into starting a new track somewhere else? Sardis? Tsawassen?
Message posted by Murray Jones on 02 February 2006 at 7:20pm - IP Logged
I've been known to bang my head against the wall a time or two and come away dissapointed, but I certainly don't see any threat in the attempt to make something happen. If nothing else comes from all this talk, at least know, everyone, that the tracks we do have in BC need to be supported, Agassiz especially. The folks that work every winter and all season to run that track deserve a lot of credit. Any talk of opening a track in Sardis is not fair to Agassiz, which is only a half hour drive from there. The point I see here is that we need a track much closer to, if not in, the GVRD's realm of influence and certainly, the closer to the border, the better. By the way, many hands make light work and with the support of the business community, it would not take much, or long to get things running at Langley Speedway's old site. Mind over matter. Of course if one's mind is closed, it doesn't matter! Open your mind! LOL!
Message posted by A Real Racers Son on 02 February 2006 at 8:36pm - IP Logged
is it just me or all these "realistic" people the same they have the same writing they capitalize and they have the exact same threats plus they always sign on very early in the morning so think of what kind of person gets up at those hours and trys to crush peoples dreams of reopening a very important piece fo their life
im sure most of us are more motivated than ever to show these people wrong!!
Message posted by 48 early late on 02 February 2006 at 10:25pm - IP Logged
Well...I really hate to burst your bubble on the comment that Cruise ins don't make much noise.
Have you been to one? Start to finish?
You get all kinds of people trying to be 'Hero's' doing burn outs and driving like idiots, drinking on public streets, screaming, fighting.....but, I guess all that can get overlooked, because its only one weekend a year, is put on by the city, and in a so-called totally 'safe and controlled environment' (said with tongue in cheek).
I have been to them......and on more than one occassion while trying to cross a 'safe' road to view the cars I have been almost run-over by some of the "Hero's" that were displaying their cars, had a near miss with a flying beer bottle that was intended for someone else, not to mention all the other "hero's" that are playing with other people's lives on the outskirts of the show because they couldn't or wouldn't put their cars in.
But...I guess maybe I am the only person that has attended the cruise in and had a bad experience. Hmmmm......does anyone have any bubblewrap that I can put around myself so I am protected when I attend the next "safe and quiet" cruise in???
Maybe the track will create some noise.....for about 6 hours every other weekend, and maybe it will draw crowds into the peaceful campbell valley park.......but, the cars are safely equipped, the drivers are safely equipped and they DO provide revenue EVERY OTHER WEEKEND to merchants in Langley, not just on one weekend of the year.
Message posted by Ty Morrisson on 02 February 2006 at 11:06pm - IP Logged
This is precisely what the residents dont want in the area near Langley Speedway. Racers unfortunately tend to be short a few screws (some of them), and it wrecks any good PR that could be made. I am wrong? Well, you may not call demolition derby guys racers, but take a guess why there is no more demo derbies at the PNE? Many were acting like complete jerks, fighting, arguing, and in general making a lousy presence for the fair organizers. what is there now? Motocross racing, which is okay, but nowhere near as popular (evidenced by the smaller crowds) as the derbies. So yah, thats what happens when the racers dont act responsibly. Dont try to tell me this aint why the demo derbies are gone....it is EXACTLY why they are gone. (Ask Murray Chambers, Angelo Demitri, etc). And to the clown wondering why I post at odd hours? Are you so backward to think everyone works 9-5PM. This is 2006, and people work a variety of hours. I happen to work in the paramedic field, and have "spare" time at all sorts of the time of day. Try disputing some of the facts that I (and some others) have made regarding why the Langley site wont reopen, instead of such trivial matters such as when posters are posting. Nobody has said why the GVRD would ever allow the track to reopen, at least nothing concrete. Its just fantasy....and no, 8-10 races /year is NOT going to cut it. As has been said, anyone investing any amt. to reopen would want a guarantee of a certain set # of races, and that few would not be enough. Better yet, why dont you go and make an informal poll to the current neighbours. You will probably be discouraged after the 4th door you knock on! Stop the dreaming, TM PS 48 early late whether he realizes it or not, tongue in cheek or not, has given ammo to the naysayers. And to anyone who remembers, the clowns that ran the track as Action (1980-1984) were inept compared to Craig Frazier and Gordon Hemrich. No open wheel races, shoddy organization, and of course, those insanely low number of races they were allowed were doomed to nothingness. There is much chance of Langley reopening as Jack Layton demanding a return of capital punishment!! (to all you in Surrey, he's totally against that kind of harsh treatment)!
Message posted by ?????? on 02 February 2006 at 11:42pm - IP Logged
Well that about sums it up > the lower mainland has become the land of false creek nobodies. Lets just build a Starbucks and call it a day!
Message posted by Murray Jones on 02 February 2006 at 11:55pm - IP Logged
I will be the first to admit it is a fantasy to get this track reopened, but if it ever came to a point where we needed just that little bit more support, would you "realists" be there to help? That's all the dreamers want, is to know we can count on you if the chips are down. Otherwise, certainly the most realistic thing about this situation is laying on a peice of land in the park, silent every Saturday night of the year.
Message posted by anonymous on 03 February 2006 at 1:33am - IP Logged
I have resisted commenting on here, as I must admit it has been humorous at times, but it seems to have gone too far. Does anyone think members of the GVRD, Langley city council, Langley residents , etc. dont read these posts? You have individuals like Ty and Ross burrows saying why it wont work, then others saying it will, sometimes with the most simplistic of reasons. Then the bad stuff starts, such as how unruly racers can be. Do we really need this? This is simply ammunition for the NO side. I must say that people like Ty should not be dismissed. My wife works with the PNE in administration, and what Ty details about the demolition derby guys is 100% accurate. This is not opinion, I'm afraid.There is a reason they are not at the PNE any longer. While I dont condone his somewhat "know it all" attitude, the points made about the GVRD simply relinguishing control of the park are hard to dispute as well. They would not let go of this very easily. Money (in the form of major environmental protection) would have to be spent by anyone building a racetrack at the old site. Just who has this money? Please dont count me in the NO camp. I would love to see it happen. But all this back and forth could (and can) be used by those against this from ever happening. It would be a shame if any of this stuff came up and hurt the chances of a revitalization of Langley Speedway. Oh, and the part about Action being the downward spiral? I'm afraid that's true. I recall race monies not being paid, questionable business practices, and a general unprofessionalism from the "final" owners of the track on that site. I think even the concession guy (who had been there from the start) couldnt stand the Action owners. Indeed a sad end to a once-great track.
Message posted by race crazy on 03 February 2006 at 1:49am - IP Logged
Re; Ty Morrisson
As for all your negativeness...it was a good enough place for your father. Yes, I was around then, but you weren't even a gleam in his eye. The track and Preston's were there for your father, but now that he is old and retired from racing it isn't good enough? Funny how that goes?!
Message posted by 48 early late on 03 February 2006 at 2:01am - IP Logged
I think I have been misunderstood. I am by no means being negative about racing. What I said was that the cruise ins are more unruly and unsafe than the race tracks. For the most part, the people/cars that attend the cruise ins aren't racers/racecars. Unless you count the drag cars that get trailered in. I am referring to the "Hero's" of the world who feel that muscle cars need to be shown off by flexing their muscle, rather than just having people see them at the show.
They aren't the sort that would attend at the tracks, in a safe and controlled environment.
If you were to actually read my last post, you would see that in clear type.
Ty....I have a question for you. You are in the paramedic field? Are you actually a paramedic? If your answer is yes.....did you by any chance attend the accident on Latimer road? When a bunch of kids were gathered around and were mowed down by someone 'flexing' the muscle????
Personally, I would much rather see people in a safe environment, having fun. Than hearing my phone ring in the middle of the night because of of my loved ones were killed or seriously injured by a street racer. How about you?
Message posted by Ross Burrows on 03 February 2006 at 2:59am - IP Logged
I will be in the Langley area later in February/early March. Does anyone wanna meet at the track, and walk around the area and reminisce? It could be cool to get 10 or so people who have posted on this forum (would Ty show up?) to meet at the track, walk a few laps, and talk about the next move to get this started. Who is in? I am. Lets see who is just talk, and who is action (no pun intended).
Message posted by Brian Pratt on 03 February 2006 at 3:53am - IP Logged
I'd be willing to walk around the track again.
Went there last weekend, first time in 30 years. It wasn't as depressing as I thought it would be.
I guess we're assuming Ty's dad is Ron Morrisson. Is that correct? Ron won the EL title a couple years in a row for the BCTRA. (You want politics, start looking at the BCTRA-LARA-ELRA tug of wars over Langley. Peace and serenity have never been the buzz words when it comes to racing.)
I work stupid hours as well.
Message posted by rob paulson on 03 February 2006 at 4:09am - IP Logged
just a thought---
i think this whole forum is getting away from the point of this discussion board ( discuss langley memories ) and turned it into a pissing match of opinions, can it open? will it open? and all reasons it cant.
hold on-let me look up to the top--
Discuss your memories of Langley Speedway. <<<<< yep, there it is again-
COMING SOON-----A NEW BOARD-------
Message posted by rob paulson on 03 February 2006 at 4:10am - IP Logged
and by the way--the only reason why im up at this early hour is---MY CAT YACKED SOMETHING UP AND I CANT SLEEP !!!!!!! LOL
Message posted by Murray Jones on 03 February 2006 at 7:13pm - IP Logged
I would like to get together with like minded individuals to look at the track and chat. For those of you that are persistently negative, I'd rather you didn't come. I get all I can stand from you on this forum. BTW, is it wrong to discuss this track in the way we have, or do you believe all discussion needs to be restricted to our memories of Langley Speedway, only? Personally, I think it is quite alright to wish for new experiences, and history for this track and to talk about it here. If the admin clears the forum and starts fresh, that will be taken as a sign and I will say no more.
Message posted by Brian Pratt on 03 February 2006 at 8:39pm - IP Logged
In the spirit of talking memories I came across these top tens from the first Langley Speedway season in 1965. If anyone has more, not necessarily final, just points listings with names and numbers, I'd love to see them. Scan and send to bpratt@paralynx.com
1965 "A" modified
Wayne Wilbey, no. 29, 238
Ralph Monhay, no. 33, 217
Len Jones, no. 50, 161
Cal Arnold, no. 78, 158
Mel Keen, no. 22, 143
Ken Wilcox, no. 19, 138.5
Berry Chamberlain, no. 10, 128.5
Don Bennett, no. 90, 101
Bruce Bensmiller, no. 66, 74.5
John McPhearson, no. 7A, 36
Jerry Birdsey, no. 10A, 36
1965 "B" modified
Denis Goldstraw, no. 40, 184
Ken Klatt, no. 88, 175
Garry Destobel, no. 17, 105
Frank Carr, no. 24, 72
Ken Hamilton, no. 36A, 68.5
Don Terry and Stan Waterston, no. 49, 60
Glen Parsons, no. 60, 55.5
Roger Cox, no. 30, 42
Jerry Birdsey, no. 10A, 39
Wayne Pringle, no. 3, 35
1965 Stocks
Reinhard Unruh, no. 7, 174
Bob Warman and Bob Pearson, no. 34, 109
Frank McCabe, no. 95, 102.5
Bill Terry, no. 9, 84.5
Bill Inwood, no. 1, 72
Doug Thompson, no. 100, 65.5
Walt McKitka, no. 2, 65
George Wyse, no. 57, 55.5
Len Cook, no. 4, 52.5
Vince Landry, no. 61, 47
1965 Jalopies
Carmen Parton, no. 00, 130.5
George Cook, no. 12, 63
Rick Lester, no. 14, 50.5
Brian Thompson, no. 44, 47.5
Tom Murray, no. 2, 47
Allen Schmitke, no. 17, 42.5
Merv Katcsma, no. 99, 41.5
Neil Van Horn, no. 13, 40.5
Lloyd Bellamy, no. 4, 33
Barry Morgan, no. 41, 30
No doubt some names are misspelled. Hope these names bring back some memories for some. I know they do for me.
Carmen Parton. Had a "W" in front of the "00". On the side of his car was painted "Watch W00 Go Through". In the second grade the head teacher for Glenwood Elementary was a Mr. Wu. That just blew my little mind back then.
Frank Carr. Father to Jimmy Carr I believe. Jimmy raced sprint cars at Skagit Speedway. And is/was crew chief to Danny Lasoski in the World of Outlaws tour. They won a couple (three?) Knoxville Nationals together.
Message posted by leadfoot eh on 03 February 2006 at 8:53pm - IP Logged
The old langley track is were my love of racing all started.Back when i was young the memories of all the saturday nights fast cars bright lights i couldnt get enough.One of the sharpest memories i have is when Harvie Hoganboom drove wright threw the wall oh good times.It would be great if the old track could roar again but we always have Agassiz very nice track and not to far of a drive.If any of you are going to go just say when.If you ask me the best car and driver was Scott Morgan #44 just cuz we were family friends and i got to hang around the car all the time and help on little things.But just my opinion.Oh ya cant forget them burn-out contest, now them were burn-outs.One thing i am thank full for is that they never pulled up the old racing surface so when you crest the grassy hill and see that track you almost get a teary eye.
p.s. any of my cousins or uncle reading this how are ya and see you at the races
Message posted by Web master on 03 February 2006 at 9:03pm - IP Logged
Quote: Originally posted by Guest on 03 February 2006
I would like to get together with like minded individuals to look at the track and chat. For those of you that are persistently negative, I'd rather you didn't come. I get all I can stand from you on this forum. BTW, is it wrong to discuss this track in the way we have, or do you believe all discussion needs to be restricted to our memories of Langley Speedway, only? Personally, I think it is quite alright to wish for new experiences, and history for this track and to talk about it here. If the admin clears the forum and starts fresh, that will be taken as a sign and I will say no more.
Go ahead and discuss the efforts to re-open Langley as well as the history. I'd prefer to keep the conversation positive though. I think the nay-sayers have had their say and there's not much point in beating a dead horse. We get it - some of you don't think there's any chance in it re-opening.
I think I was the first one to ask Bud to bring the site readers up to speed on his work because a lot of people were hearing rumours.
I really like the idea of a group of the supporters getting together and walking the track. If you guys do it, take some photos and I'll post them on the site.
Message posted by Steve Lengert 56 on 03 February 2006 at 9:19pm - IP Logged
I remember the night Harvey drove over the turn 3 wall.I had told Harvey i was buying his car but had second thoughts after seeing it fly.That was quite a show for the fans and i did buy the car.That story made it a long way south.Harvey and myself made a trip to Fuge Race Cars to look at a new car and they asked Harvey if he wanted wings put on.
Topic: Langley Speedway
