This was the second race this year to have visiting riders from Ontario, ( see June 8 , for the last race ) and a fine summer evening without the bugs that were buzzing us at the June race. My wife and kids were with me for the first time at a race, so I missed getting details of the heats. Chris Hesmer looked to be the fastest on the track during the heats, but he was having problems with his new contact lenses, and a spark plug that wouldn't stay in. His uncle (and Gary Hesmer's father) , Jim Hesmer hit a bike on the track in division two, and was taken to hospital for a two night stay. The final was an incredibly close race won by Guy Fafard . All four riders crossed the finish within inches of each other. Second was Chris, followed by Gary Hesmer , and Nicolas Fafard .
We were told that a speedway rider from Quebec died on the night of the Canadian National , (July 27) at the half mile track at Three Rivers. He was out on the track (on a flat track bike ) by himself during practice when the accident occurred. We were all given black armbands to wear during the race, and we had a minute of silence for him at the start.
It took me a couple of heats to get my clutch working right after fixing the damage I did to it in the National. My first heat it did nothing but slip. The start of my second heat it kicked me off with a wheelie at the start. (the first time I've ever done that!) In my third heat, I was in second place on the third lap when the back end came around a little too far. The handlebars had been to full lock for about half of the corner, and I had already used up all the track between me and the pond on the infield. Luckily, the guy behind me knocked me down or I would have been swimming! My last two heats I managed a second and a third place.