FROM THE ARCHIVES BY MARY WATSON

RACING ON WASAGA’S SANDY BEACH

The Wasaga Archives was recently loaned some marvelous black and white photos of a motorcycle race that took place in Wasaga in 1948. I was curious as to who the riders were, as well as the identity of motorcycle clubs also pictured. The Editor of the “Wheels” section of the Toronto Star gave me a contact from the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Museum. I was subsequently given a copy of an article about that race, published in “The Enthusiast, A Magazine for Motorcyclists”, as well as general information about the riders and clubs. The following is a summary of the story.

Map of Race Course

The 100-Mile Maple Leaf Championship Beach Race was held on June 12, 1948, with the track located on the beachfront running east of the Main End (Pedestrian Mall) towards the mouth of the river. It was considered the “Daytona of Canada”. This race was sanctioned by the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) with many Americans both participating and attending. Although the Canadian Motorcycle Association (CMA) was formed in 1945, I’m told there was quite a bit of controversy between the two groups. Many Canadian riders and clubs belonged to the AMA before the CMA was formed, and at one time the AMA had advised the CMA that no CMA member could ride in an AMA event, even if the event was held in Canada.

End of Race Course looking East The course was 2 ½ miles long for 40 laps and the article notes that about 12,000 fans watched the race. Those are considerable numbers and it must have been a big boost for Wasaga’s fledgling tourism industry in 1948. The crowds were “protected” by snow fencing installed along the south side of the course. The track was very narrow and I can just picture folks frantically jumping back if a rider spilled. In fact one rider did just that, narrowly missing spectators. Don’t worry, poor George Prouse did manage to get back onto his bike and complete the race.

George Prouse making a turn George Prouse taking a spill The winner of the race was Julian Wooleyhan, from Buffalo N.Y, who rode a Harley-Davidson, completing the course in one hour, 47 minutes and 45 seconds. Second place went to Norval Goodman of New York State; 3rd was Tony Elia of Toronto; 4th was Doug Smylie of Toronto; 5th was Jack Wettlaufer of Stratford; 6th was Paul Goldsmith of Detroit; 7

th was Albert Elia of

Toronto; and 8th was James Woodhouse. It is worth noting that Albert Elia finished the race with a

broken brake cable.

Winners L-R: J Wooleyhan, N Goodman, T Ellia, D Smylie, A Elia Now you motorcycle racing enthusiasts, after noting the winning time, are going to say: “Wait, it took almost two hours to complete a 100-mile race?” I can only assume that there were spills or mishaps which caused stoppages or slowed the race down. George Prouse’s spill is a prime example. Don McHugh of Toronto, also on a Harley, won the morning speed trials with a time of 97.28 mph over a mile course. Second place in the speed trials was Paul Goldsmith, who clocked 95.20 mph. Those were quite the speeds for 1948! It is worth noting that Mr. McHugh was a famous rider in his own right and some readers may remember him as “Captain Don McHugh” riding the “Wall of Death” at the CNE in the late 1950’s. He was inducted posthumously into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2009.

Don McHugh on his Harley The Normandie Lodge and the Dyconia Hotel often opened early in the season just to accommodate both clubs and racers, as beachfront motorcycle races were very popular in the 1930’s-40’s. Ella Edwards recalls being picked up at school by Norm Haldun, owner of the Normandie, to help fill salt and pepper shakers for the anticipated guests. Ella also remembers that the racers would arrive on their bikes, while their wives/girlfriends would come up in cars. She says the cars were just as beautiful as the bikes!

Power City MC Club in front of Normandie Lodge Two motorcycle clubs also participated in the day’s events. The Power City Motorcycle Club of Niagara Falls N.Y stayed at the Normandie Lodge, and the Humber Valley Club came to Wasaga from Toronto. Both the Power City and Humber Valley Clubs paraded down the beachfront prior to the race, and one picture shows the Humber Valley Club riding by with the Chamber of Commerce office which was located on the beachfront near 13

th Street in the background. It was

typical of that era that the clubs followed a strict dress code when appearing at events. Their uniforms are particularly interesting. Contests were often held for the best dressed male and female rider, as well as the best dressed club.

Humber Valley MC Club parading down beachfront Note Chamber of Commerce office in background near the foot of 13

th Street.

In looking at the pictures, I absolutely marvel at the standards of the day. The snow fence barriers, the style of the motorcycle helmets, the lack of body protection on the racers, even the thin gloves they wore. The only thing that hasn’t really changed is our beautiful sand beach! Many thanks to Vada Seeds, Director of both the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Museum and the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame, for her help with this story, to Betty-Lou (Ashleigh) Low of Stayner for the loan of the pictures, and of course, to Ella Edwards for her personal recollections.

Mary Watson is Archivist for the Wasaga Beach Archives. If you would like to contact Mary with any historical information, pictures or questions, you can e-mail her at archive@wasagabeach.com. First printed in the “Wasaga Sun” on 23Feb2011