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HOWARD
DISHER
Tonight we
honour and individual who loved stock car racing and was successful in all
divisions in which he competed while racing in all of the era’s top
divisions at Merrittville Speedway, Humberstone Speedway and Ransomville
Speedway.
Howard competed against the likes Davey Moore and Bob St.Amand in modified
to Bruce Parkes and Harold Sonnenberg and Don Ledingham in “B”
Modifieds, and even competed in full bodied Fords in the late model
division against Don Shirton and Don McGinnis.
While Howard
considered Merrittville Speedway his home track during his
modified career from the late 60’s until 1979, probably his most memorable
victory lane was winning the 50 lap All Canadian in 1972 at
Humberstone Speedway driving his #11 “B” Modified coupe, with Don Shirton
of Wainfleet winning the late model feature in his #55 Dodge.
Howard Disher
put Wellandport on the map as a consistent competitor, whether it was in
his #11 Ford sponsored by Robert Rowe Motors of Dunnville or later when he
moved up to what used to be called an unlimited sportsman, later to simply
be called Modified.
The early to
late 1970’s was a transition era in modifieds. Veterans such as Ivan
Little, Lloyd Holt, Bob St.Amand, Harry Sittler, Don Turner and George
Treanor had to contend with new comers Harvey Hainer, Don McGinnis,
Brian Stevens, Howard Disher, Mike Granton and Mark Elsie; but one
newcomer was to make the 1970’s his own, Davey Moore of St.Anns, Ontario.
By the mid
1970’s the newcomers were definitely making their mark at both
Merrittville and Ransomville Speedways and by 1978 they dominated the
modified division.
While 1979
will go down as Davey Moore’s 5th straight modified points championship
and over 50 feature wins, it would be a career changing year for 37 year
old Howard Disher. Howard and his #11D “Pony Express” modified were
definite challengers to Davey Moore’s #6 at both Merrittville Speedway and
Ransomville Speedways early in the 1979 season.
However, on
May 29, 1979 while competing in a special Memorial Day 75 Lap feature at
Ransomville, Howard’s #11D tangled with another competitor and flipped
over 15 times, landing Howard in a Buffalo Hospital.
While we
aren’t here to dwell on Howard’s career ending accident, we mush
emphasize how promising a career Howard Disher had experienced up to that
fateful evening.
By the way,
Merv Treichler driving the D&H potato wagon won the event with newcomer
modified pilot Peter Bicknell #42 finishing second and Don Turner #39,
third. Everyone in the pits, however, were concerned about fellow
competitor Howard Disher.
After a long recuperation, Howard Disher hung up his helmet for good.
From that time
on, Howard and his wife Gale would travel from their Wellandport home
following both dirt track racing and asphalt racing, meeting greats such
as Bobby Allison, Richard Petty, Buddy Baker and even stopping by
the Dawsonville Pool Room, hometown of Bill Elliott.
However, the Disher’s love of dirt track racing brought them “full oval”
back to their roots - for decades, Howard and Gale have been superb
spiritual ambassadors of our sport with their Racing to Jesus Ministry
with Howard giving the invocation tonight.
Tonight
Howard, it is our turn to say Thanks for your devotion to our sport
and congratulations on being inducted in the the L.St.Amand
Enterprises Merrittville Speedway Alumni Wall of Fame.
Sincerely,
Rick Kavanagh
Chairman.,
Merrittville
Speedway Reunion Committee |
