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The MacPherson family has been involved in the sport
of stock car racing at Merrittville Speedway almost since its inception.
In 1955 Ed MacPherson fielded a 1933 Ford coupe #21 for George Winger.
Young Sandy would crew with his father on the car, while brother Bob would
become the official starter.
In 1958 the Jalopy division, a pure stock version of
the stock car division was formed and the J-21 was built and Sandy
MacPherson made his debut as a driver. Brother Bob continuing as starter
now had a track side view of his young brother’s career. After a few
seasons of competing in the jalopy division, Sandy built a blue coupe and
the 21 jr. was born, along with his cartoon character “Alleyoup” painted
on the car. Sandy would compete at not only Merrittville, but also the
Ransomville Speedway and Humberstone track.
When Speedway Park opened in 1962, Sandy competed
there. The 21 jr. was a familiar sight at his home track Merrittville
Speedway. In 1962 Sandy would win the John Spencer Memorial and in 1964
would become Ransomville’s points champion.
In 1966 Sandy was competing one Sunday night at
Humberstone Speedway, when he was involved in a horrific crash. Sandy
survived the crash, but the 21 jr. was written off. With no race car,
Sandy, along with close friend Norphy Rosetto became starters at
Ransomville Speedway.
Ed MacPherson Construction always furnished
construction equipment for Merrittville’s projects and this was evident in
1972 when new track owner Stan Friesen hired Ed MacPherson Construction to
re-configure Merrittville’s surface from a ¼ mile oval to a 3/8 mile
D-shaped circuit, with its infamous turn four. (So here’s the guy to
blame, if you dislike turn four, like most of us, his name is Sandy
MacPherson.) In 1972, Sandy also took on starter duties, with Tom
Overholt, following in the foot steps of his brother Bob.
Sandy, Bob, and Jack MacPherson were very close and
along with his son Dave kept the racing bug alive. In 1997 the
Merrittville Speedway Reunion Committee introduced the Kelley-Winger
Sportsmanship Award and Sandy and Dave MacPherson became the sponsors.
For the last three seasons, Sandy and Dave MacPherson have rekindled the
21 jr., as grand kids Dillon and Teagon are pursuing a go-karting career
on Tuesday nights at Merrittville. By the way, Sandy’s last victory at
Merrittville came a couple of years ago in his red 21 jr. dump truck.
Unfortunately this spring Sandy’s racing buddy, brother Bob, passed away
suddenly and he is surely missed tonight, since both he and Ted Boucock
would start the vintage cars, the traditional way, on the track.
Tonight Sandy, we are pleased to induct you to the
Merrittville Speedway Alumni Wall of Fame, joining your brother Bob, as
the first brothers to be inducted on to it.By the way,when are you
bringing the bulldozer back,to fix turn four.? Congratulations.
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