Back in the early summer a topic was started here by Gwillyville Kid (Rick W.) called "Hot Rod Memories in Ontario" It sure brought back a ton of memories for me and it also did for a number of others as there were four pages of posts on this topic. Thanks Rick, it was one of the very best ever topics.
I am not going to start this all again, but I would like some help on one of the very early Ontario hot rod guys and that is George Herbert from London (Hyde Park). I am part of a group gathering ALL the information we can on George with the plan to nominate him to the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame. Something that should have been done years ago. If you or a family member was a drag racer in Ontario during the late 50's and 60's, you would have known about George Herbert. I am looking for copies of articles, stories, and pictures of George and his famous "Rickshaw" dragster. Anything you can share about George would be great. Please pass on my request to your friends who are not part of this forum or send me their contact info and I will be in touch with them.
I can be reached in Walkerton at (Home) 519-507-3286 or (Cell) 519-314-1403. My email is jwilloughby32@gmail.com
George Herbert was quite the hot rodder and drag racer of his day. I remember as a young lad passing his gas station in London and hearing the stories of him running the "Rickshaw" down Riverside Drive to visit buddies at the old greenhouses near Springbank Park....lol.
I know it's a lot of work John and good on ya for doing it. I was involved last winter with the Scott Wilson nomitation for the London Sports Hall of Fame. I had the good fortune to put together a 70 page binder for the commitee on Scotts behalf.
Over all there's so many hot rodders and racers that should be in the Hall of Fame. Guys like Doug Woodley and Donny Douglas (first open gas dragster champions and who went to the NHRA Nationals 3 times 1959 to 1961), Don MacArthur from the Satans Car Club out of the Falls area who was one of the best dragster drivers of the late 50's and early 60's and who toured all over the USA and we can't forget good old Charlie Haviland and his "Charlie Horse" altered. He set a new NHRA speed record in 1968 at his first showing at the Winternationals in Californa from little old Wilsonville Ontario....lol......I could also mention Alex Litt chief tuner and wrench behind the record setting "Time Machine" dragster of the 60's and who is still wrenching on his USAC race cars today.
Ontario has such a rich history......and John your one of those special guys with all your hot rod and drag racing history behind you.....you should be in there also.
It's always one of my great pleasures to sit back and hear you guys tell your stories of how it was.....thanks for that treat.
Thank you Mark for your kind words. Ontario does have a great number of deserving drag race guys. The 50's & 60's started it all.
You are our "go to guy" when it comes to hot rod history in Ontario. Your collection, knowledge and history are second to none.
I am not sure how many of the names you mentioned are still around or have access to this forum, but perhaps you could spread the word for me that I am looking for any info I can find about George Herbert. I appreciate what ever you can do Mark.
Thanks
John
PS -- I might have been one of those guys hanging around the greenhouse when George made one of his dragster visits -- Just saying!!!
I was always a stock or super stock guy and did not know George very well. I Certainly knew about him and his cars. It was amazing to watch that little 6 or 8 cylinder car go down the track (depending which engine he had in it) leading the way for the V8 cars he had to race in eliminator. I can remember bench racing sessions with him, George Gray (A/Gas) Keith Riddler (C/Dragster) Bill Kydd (A/ Altered) Scott Wilson (A/F dragster) and Bob Atkinson (A/Gas Dragster) Roger Miller and Glen Gregory (B/Altered) who won at the nationals and also Bob Hayward, who I think but stand to be corrected, built the original car that became the Rickshaw at various restaurants or someones shop. Doug Kennington who still lives in St. Thomas might be helpful with some information as could Irv Rouse and John McIntyre (wild child from Rankin Ford) I think Irv's son still runs in mod at Grand Bend.
I don't know if any of these guys can help you Will, but worth a try.
-- Edited by Dick Kirkpatrick on Monday 9th of December 2013 08:08:21 PM
Hey John.....I do have a great colour picture of the Rickshaw on the staring line at old Kolher Dragway against the Woodley/Douglas rail out of Brantford. Send me your email address and I'll fire it off to you brother.
Hey John.....I do have a great colour picture of the Rickshaw on the staring line at old Kolher Dragway against the Woodley/Douglas rail out of Brantford. Send me your email address and I'll fire it off to you brother.
Thank you to Dick and Ray for your name suggestions. These were the guys to watch during the 50's and 60's in the London area. I will be following up with these guys.
You are right Dick. Bob Hayward did build the original Rickshaw dragster and it was powered by a GMC 6 cylinder motor. George did put the hurt on a number of guys running V-8 motors during elimination runs.
