Kingston Speedway reunion

KINGSTON, ON - In an era when it seemed like every small town across the country had a stock car track Kingston, Ontario (CANADA) was no different. The area north of the city - specifically McAdoo's Lane - dotted by a series of gravel pits and automotive graveyards was home to a quarter-mile dirt oval known as Kingston Speedway.

Operating under the direction of a variety of owners, the track was a Friday night gathering ground from 1951 to 1976. Fans watched drivers from as far away as Watertown and Massena, New York. Brockville, Cornwall, Ottawa and Belleville battle racers like Woody Van Order, Tony Blake and Walter Pennock from their own backyards and become names on the front page of the local sports section.

As times and technology changed, so did the definition of the hometown racetrack. By the early 70's, owners and drivers started looking to professional racecar builders in Canada and the U.S. to supply their equipment - instead of building stock cars in their home garage with a collection of parts they'd either found at the local auto wreckers or made themselves.

With Doug Carlyle crowned as the headline modified division's track champion, Kingston Speedway closed forever in September of 1976. Former track competitor Rob Clark - along with Chris Hegarty and his brothers Tim and Brian - sons of former track official Pat Hegarty will bring the track back to life at the first ever Kingston Speedway Reunion, part of the ACCCC Odessa Fairgrounds Car and Flea Market Saturday and Sunday, June 16th and 17th 2007.

Rob and Chris are hoping to have a full field of vintage racecars and an array of track memorabilia on display throughout the weekend. Push, pull or drag your Kingston Speedway racecar to the Odessa Fairgrounds. Dust off your old photo album and spend some time bench racing with former Kingston Speedway racers, crew members, officials and fans.

Rob Clark and Chris Hegarty say they were amazed to learn how many of the track's former racecars and drivers are still around.

Clark's web-site http://www.carkatz.com/ receives messages of support daily, as well as Kingston Speedway photographs from racefans who've dug deep into their personal collections. Don't miss your chance to re-live history at the first ever Kingston Speedway Reunion, Saturday and Sunday June 16th and 17th 2007 as part of the ACCCC Odessa Fairgrounds Car and Flea Market in Odessa, Ontario (CANADA).

For additional information, see http://www.carkatz.com/, e-mail robclark@i-zoom.net or 'GOOGLE' Kingston Speedway Reunion.

Photo attachment: Z28 Norm Davey 1974 Track Champion // Photo by: Vi Perry

Source: Clarke Motorsports Communications Collection

Prepared by: Jim Clarke // Clarke Motorsports Communications