Langley Speedway (British Columbia)

Langley Speedway was a 3/8-mile paved oval track used for stock car racing between 1965 and 1984. The track was located in Langley, British Columbia and hosted numerous classes of racing during its operational existence, including several visits from the NASCAR Winston West series in the 1970s. For the last few years prior to its closing due to its lease not being renewed, the track was known as Action Raceway.

History

Langley Speedway was founded by Craig Frazier in 1965, and was included in a 1969 purchase of land by the Vancouver-Fraser Park District, which later became a part of the Greater Vancouver Regional District, for use as a park. Frazier sold the land and signed a ten-year lease, operating the track until it was taken over by Gordon Hemrich in 1977. After the ten-year lease expired in 1979, renewals were year-to-year, and increasing pressure was brought by local governments with regards to number of events and other issues. Eventually, in 1984, after its operations were taken over by the Lower Mainland Oval Racing Association, the track was closed. Today, it is part of Campbell Valley Regional Park.

The Langley Speedway Historical Society (LSHS) [http://www.langleyspeedway.ca] has lobbied governments in the area to preserve the facility, holding clean-up events at and around the track. In 2006, the GVRD Parks Committee voted unanimously to support heritage listing of the speedway. The GVRD Board also voted unanimously to support the listing. In September 2006, the Council of the Township of Langley voted unanimously to include Langley Speedway on its Heritage Resource Listing. The LSHS is currently working with the GVRD staff and other interested groups in its efforts to preserve the site and promote it for various event uses, including car shows.

[http://www.langleyadvance.com/issues06/071206/news/071206nn2.html] [http://www.langleyadvance.com/issues07/015107/news/015107nn3.html] .

Racing

According to the Langley Speedway Historical Society, Langley Speedway is one of only three locations in British Columbia that has hosted NASCAR events over the years. [http://www.langleyspeedway.ca/index.php?id=history] Winston West races took place in 1971, 1972, 1978 and 1981; Hershel McGriff was a winner of 150-mile races in 1971 and 1972. NASCAR late-model Sportsman races also took place at the track, and the Canadian American Modified Racing Association also used the facility.

Notable Racers

*Hershel McGriff
*Roy Smith
*Ray Elder
*Bill Schmitt
*Earl Ross
*Larry LodgeEarl Ross is the only Canadian driver to ever win a NASCAR Grand National (Cup) event! [http://www.nascar.com/drivers/dps/eross00/cup/index.html]

In NASCAR Western series racing, Ray Elder is second on the all-time win list with 47 wins, followed by Hershel McGriff, who has 35. For championships, Ray Elder has six (1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974 and 1975), Bill Schmitt has four (1977, 1979, 1989 and 1990) and Roy Smith has four (1980, 1981, 1982 and 1988).

External links

* [http://langleyspeedway.ca Langley Speedway Historical Society website]
* [http://www.motorsportscentral.com/langley.asp Canadian Racer story on Langley Speedway]
* [http://www.google.ca/maps?q=langley,+bc&ll=49.018923,-122.647634&spn=0.004786,0.012802&t=h&hl=en Google Maps Satellite Image of Langley Speedway's Current Condition/Location]
* [http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/parks/CampbellValley.htm Campbell Valley Regional Park Website]