Grumpy's Gate

Cayuga, Ontario ( Feb 20 2012) Hello folks! My name is Rob Potter and I currently man the microphone in the timing tower at Cayuga Dragway of Toronto Motorsports Park. Another of my present duties includes acting as the historian for the track. Before this, I spent over twenty years as track photographer. I first stepped foot in the place in 1969 as a twelve year old wild-eyed kid, and I’m still enjoying it today.

Canadian drag racing history has always interested me, so this will be theme of the “YESTERYEAR” column here at Canadian Drag Racer Magazine. I plan to write about the cars, people and events from the past; and to dip into my archives of vintage photos along the way.

Locally, drag racing began in the mid-fifties when local car clubs banded together and put on races on old airstrips. Racers were “low-buck” and ingenuity was really in action. Race cars were as different as the people building them. Modern day drag racing has lost much of this as most classes feature basically the same car with different paint jobs. Big money rules and everyone is worried about offending someone.
I love the old stuff so much because of the variety of the machinery plus the real characters that populated the era. Most of the players had a nickname and many cars likewise. Brand identification was paramount and it was big news when any racer of note switched manufacturers. At one time, this country had a vibrant Top Fuel scene along with doorslammers and gassers that gave the boys and girls down south fits.

About ten years ago, Ken Packham passed away. Ken announced for Dragway Park Cayuga during the seventies and knew more about the sport than anyone I've known before or since.
I realized then that the history of this sport has to be remembered and saved for future generations. We lost so much knowledge when Kenny died and no one is getting any younger.

In 2004, Cayuga Dragway celebrated 50 continuous years as a drag strip and I was tasked to put together a room full of memorabilia for the event. I searched for any and all photos from 1954 to 1979 as well as other mementoes from that era. I've continued that search, so if anyone has anything from 1954 to 1979, please send me an email and I'll add it to “YESTERYEAR”.  I've had the chance to talk with and get to know some of the pioneers of the sport and I've started recording their stories. At first, I did it on audio tape, but now that I figured out how to make my Nikon record videos, I can put away the steam powered tape recorder. 

Our first trip back in time is entitled "Grumpy’s Gate" and we find ourselves on a Saturday; I believe it was June, 1975. My buddy, Tony, and I are in the pits at Dragway Park watching the action. Tony was with me the first time at the races in ‘69.  We were leaning up against the fence on the spectator side as time trials continued.  Twenty feet behind us, Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins was alone working on his Vega Pro Stock. Finished with whatever he was doing, Grumpy walks over and opens the gate that leads to the starting line, climbs in, and fires up his revolutionary race car. Next, sans helmet and seat belts, with cigar clenched in place, he drove through the gate towards the line. At the same moment, the “Bad Banana” Camaro was coming down the return road at what seemed like an excessive speed. Before anyone could be warned, the Camaro smacked the front left of the Vega and spun it around.  It was a HARD hit! In a flash, the rescue crew appeared and pulled Jenkins out of the bashed up Pro Stocker. He was bleeding from his forehead and the cigar was flattened. I don`t think the driver of the Camaro was hurt. We both stood there in shock. I had my camera, but had already shot all my film so I missed the money shot, but will always remember the scene. Who`s fault was it? Well the Camaro was moving pretty good, but then Jenkins used a gate that was rarely used and didn`t look before he leaped.

Perhaps both parties were equally at fault? Still located between the grandstands and the tower, this part of Cayuga will always be known as "Grumpy’s Gate".
Was anyone else there that day? How about other historical events you witnessed at a Canadian drag strip? Let me know folks!

Well that`s all for now. Please remember to leave April 15 2011 open as “Drag Strip Memories” is taking place at the Canadian War Plane Heritage in Mount Hope, Ontario with lots of neat old cars and memorabilia!! Bring along your stories and photo albums!

One more thing; if you're into Canadian drag racing, vintage and recent, please check out my forum; Canadian Drag Racing Message Board http://canadiandragracing.net/index.php

Rob Potter
Canadian Drag Racer Magazine

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