The Citizen, 1995-05-31, Page 41HOTEL
Accommodation
LIVE
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ON WEEKENDS
5-fensairs .9-fot
Spot!
Licensed under LLBO
128 King St. 262-2314
r
Welcome to ligtensas
Best Dining Value"
FRESH HOMEMADE MEALS •
AT WORKING PEOPLE PRICES
MOLESWORTH
CONVENIENCE
GAS BAR
Open 7 Days
• groceries • gas
• ice cream cones
• video rentals • cigarettes
• fax & photocopy service
• carpet cleaner rental
R.R. #1 Listowel
Hwy. 86 West of Listowel 291-2007
11.1 MO
I MIMI MOM
' NIB 1111110
Home from the sea
Well, not quite the sea, but fishing boats are a regular sight along the shore
of Lake Huron as Gary M returns to port after a day of fishing near Grand
Bend,
Page 18
Penhale Carriage Works
welcomes visitors to facility
Power and smoke
Drag racing enthusiasts now have a top-quality track with history to draw
their attention on warm, summer weekends. The Grand Bend Motorplex,
located at the airport, offers microsprints, motorcycle races and junior
dragsters as well as the Thunder Series races.
By Janice Becker
Souped up, bored out, modified, first-class
and Grand Bend.
If you know what these five phrases have
in common, you are probably over 35 or a
fan of drag racing.
Through the latter half of the 1960s, Grand
Bend was home to the drag strip known as
Number One in Canada.
Those times can now be revisited as a
group of investors have purchased the
property just three km. east of the
community of Grand Bend on Hwy 81 and
developed Grand Bend Motorplex. Featured
events at the track will include test and tune
runs, gambler's races and microsprints (on a
neighbouring oval track) each Saturday and
drag races on Sunday.
The remnants of the 1960 track, which
remained visible at the site, underwent the
first steps in the re-conditioning process in
1995, with new pavement and concrete
launch pads this spring.
In the first year of the revitalization, the
track was the site for three races, each
drawing approximately 200 cars and more
than 3,500 spectators, says track manager
The launch
Grand Bend Motorplex has a brand
new 200' concrete launch pad for
the dragsters.
Kris Bedard.
Last summer's races were to help prove to
the community that the track was viable and
would benefit the entire area, he says.
With the investment of Doug Jennison,
Don Brooks, Andy Spriet and Allen Stubbs,
work continued through the winter.
The Motorplex facility has a 3,350 foot
drag strip which is 60 feet wide, a 200 foot
by 20 foot concrete launch pad, state of the
art timing equipment, topnotch staging lanes,
fencing, grandstands, concessions,
washrooms and hydro and water available
for the race teams which stay for the
weekend of events.
Though the first races were held on May
13 and 14, the season officially opened with
a complete NHRA Thunder Series event on
the holiday weekend of May 20 and 21.
The style of racing at Grand Bend, bracket
racing, tends to even out the competition
between cars of different power and ability
within a class.
The Super Pros run from 7.5 seconds to
11.99 in the 1/4 mile, Pros hit 11 to 13.99
seconds, street stock tops 14 and there are
also the junior dragsters for young drivers
and the open motorcycle class.
Racers in each class run three tests early in
the day to determine an average time for the
machine.
In the eliminations, when two Pros are
matched, one may have an average time set
at 10 seconds while his competitor has only
managed an 11.5 time.
The handicap and race equalizer begins
with the timing of the start on the timing
tree. The slower car will get a 1.5 second
head start before the lights come down for
the second dragster.
The winner is still determined by who
crosses the line first, but the car cannot have
gone faster than its average time.
As an NHRA Division 3 sanctioned track,
the races at Motorplex operate on the point
series, with the top 10 from each class
Continued from page 14
show when the fire hit. Now in the midst of
trying to produce their carriages, while
rebuilding and purchasing, Marilyn admits it
has tested them somewhat. "It's been a bit of
a nightmare."
The McGarrells, who moved to Goderich
from Toronto three years ago, bought the
carriage works because they had been
looking for a small business to own and
were attracted by its uniqueness. "We could
see the potential if it was marketed
properly," said Marilyn. "Even with the
setback caused by the fire we have already
qualifying to represent the track at
Indianapolis at the end of the year.
Microsprint racing began last summer and
a Micro Thunder Points Series was
developed over the winter.
Microsprints are a small hybrid machine,
powered by a 70 horse power motor, that
will top 70 miles per hour around the 1/8
mile oval.
Due to some difficulties in preparing the
track this spring, after a very successful and
entertaining display in 1994, management of
Motorplex decided to pave the high-bank
track, thus delaying the start of the season
until July 1.
Though the work at the complex, at
present, is concentrated on preparing the
racing surfaces, there are many plans in the
works for future development, including a
soccer field and ball diamond.
The investors pride themselves on creating
a family multi-use facilify .which.will offer
something for everyone.
Working in co-operation with the Village
of Grand Bend, Motorplex offers shuttle
buses which run non-stop to the community
throughout the day, taking spouses and
children to the beautiful beaches and shops.
"We want Motorplex to be a family-
oriented facility. One which gets the kids
involved in an activity," says Jennison.
"The Township of Stephen and Grand
Bend as well as the community and
volunteers have been very supportive of our
endeavor. It would not have been possible
without their help."
In an effort to benefit the community, a
beer tent will be operated each weekend,
with the money raised going to charities.
The race season has started so anyone
wishing inforritation on dragsters,
microsprints or other activities at Grand
Bend Motorplex may call 1-519-238-RACE.
seen promotion and growth in the number of
carriages we build."
Penhales is now operating out of a
building on Hwy 21, just south of Bayfield.
They welcome tourists at any time, though
large groups are best to book ahead. "We do
love to see company here," she says.
Right now, they are eagerly anticipating
this summer's introduction of the new
Victorian Livery Service. "We believe there
is potential for this type of vehicle. It's
romance, it's enjoyment, it's going to be a lot
of fun. We're really looking forward to it."
Mon. - Sat. 8 a.m. -1 a.m.
Sunday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
128 King St., Hensel)
262-9913
Grand Bend Motorplex blasts into drag racing