IN MEMORIUM
We honor those we have lost - the Pioneers, Legends, and Contributors who have built the foundation of our sport
RALPH CUSACK
11/30/20
KENNY LUND
More sad news to pass along this week as we’ve learned of the recent passing of Maine Racing legend and Hall of Famer Kenny Lund following a long illness. He was a 4-time champion at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway (2 “C-class” championships and 2 Limited Sportsman) as well as a 2-time champion at Wiscasset Speedway. His pair of Wiscasset championships were the first two Hobby Division titles in the track’s history in 1969 and 1970. He actually won the Hobby division’s first 10 races ever held at Wiscasset. He was a fixture in the track’s victory lane; his success made even more impressive in knowing in the early days there were often as many as 50+ competitors on a given day trying to make a 32 car feature. He was also instrumental in helping launch the careers of others in the class including his friend and fellow Hall of Famer Teddy Palino. Kenny Lund went into the Wiscasset Speedway Hall of Fame in July of 2020, as well as the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2013.
11/25/20
JIMMY BURNS
We’re saddened to hear the news of the recent passing of Maine racing legend and Hall of Famer Jimmy Burns. “Gentleman Jim” as he was known around the racing world was an upbeat and infectious personality admired and respected by many. The Winslow native began his racing career in 1969, winning races at every track he ran on. He won titles at both Unity Raceway and Oxford Plain in the early 80’s. He also competed for a while in the former Nascar Busch North Series. While he never won a championship at Wiscasset, he was a perennial contender and finished in the top 3 in points 4 times from 1973 to 1993. Jimmy Burns was inducted into the Maine Racing Hall of Fame class of 2014. His last competitive laps in a race car came earlier this season when on August 15th, after a 22-year hiatus, he raced and won a senior modified feature at Wiscasset Speedway. His smile at the end of the race showed once again his love of the sport of racing. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends. RIP Gentleman Jim
11/1/20
CLIFF WESCOTT
Maine Vintage Race Car Association remembers Cliff Wescott. Born September 11, 1942, Cliff began driving in 1967. Wescott initially raced Beech Ridge and Arundel Speedway. Cliff also competed during the earliest days of Wiscasset. Throughout his career, the Westbrook driver scored a handful of wins, and was consistently a top 10-point runner in Beech Ridge’s “C” class. Cliff could work engines large and
small. His prowess with small motors allowed a side business which funded much of his racing, careful to keep family and racing finances separate. Dolly, Cliff’s wife of 57 years was his biggest fan and supporter. He would later join her in the scoring booth at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in the years after his driving career. Cliff was decorated in his post driving days. First, as a member of the MSSCRA board of directors, Pit Steward, and scoring official. Cliff received the 1982 Memorial Blazer Award and was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 for his contributions to Beech Ridge. Cliff passed
peacefully at the age of 77 on May 21st.
10/22/20
LOUIE SANTERRE
10/20/20
RED GIROUX
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Maine Vintage Race Car Association recognizes the passing of Maine racing legend Red Giroux. Red was a pioneer of the sport, racing in the early days of Unity Raceway from 1952 – 1964. He was honored with a Special Contributor” award at the 2013 Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame ceremony.
The video (below) is an exerpt from thbe 2017 Sumner McKane documentary “Speedway Maine”. Red’s infectious personality and story telling were one of the highlights of the film that showcased Maine’s 100 years of racing history
Our condolances go out to his family and countless friends & fellow competitors.
