Trackside
12-19-2006, 09:02 PM
I was informed today of the passing of a former Region racer and member of the executive of CASC-OR. Martin (Marty) Chenhall
Marty was a much loved member of the sport. He competed for many years in region as well as at the semi pro level. What he was probably best known for though was his inspiration and hard work on bringing the Players' / GM series to Canada.
I remember well Marty telling me at the 86 National AGM in Vancouver about how the series was going to actually take place that year, the AGM was held at the end of April and the first race was scheduled for the Victoria Day weekend at Mosport. His only concern at that time was that he had 65 names of people who wanted cars and he had only placed an initial build order of 40 figuring that would be tonnes for the first year. Ooops. Well he made it happen some how and I can tell you we had I think around 60 or 70 cars that first weekend.
Marty had a very layed back way about him and was never really worried about detail things. He was a pleasure to be around and taught me an awful lot about life at a big corporation. He was always there to help out the sport if he could. He served as President of the region after I had served on the board. I wish I had stuck around for his meetings, because I bet they were a lot of fun.
Marty loved racing and the people in it. I remember going to dinner at his house with my wife right before a Firehawk 24 hour race at Mosport. Marty told me he was driving again that year and he was going to be teamed with an American. So I had been in the US a lot then and I asked who it might be, as maybe I know the driver. So he says it was going to be Peter Cetera. I am thinking I know that name. Then it hits me, it is Peter Cetera the musician who used toplay with the band Chicago. When I ask Marty if that is who it is he says yeah. Did I know him. I said yeah I have all the bands music from Chicago 1 to 18.
So he says if I am going to be up for the event to drop by the trailer and spend some time. Well as it turned out I missed Peter but met his wife and passed along my best wishes to the team. A few weeks later Marty and Peter were again competing together in Halifax I think and what should arrive in the mail but a picture of Marty and Peter and the team signed by Peter to me. Marty didn't forget and I will never forget him either.
R.I.P. Marty
You will be missed
Marty was a much loved member of the sport. He competed for many years in region as well as at the semi pro level. What he was probably best known for though was his inspiration and hard work on bringing the Players' / GM series to Canada.
I remember well Marty telling me at the 86 National AGM in Vancouver about how the series was going to actually take place that year, the AGM was held at the end of April and the first race was scheduled for the Victoria Day weekend at Mosport. His only concern at that time was that he had 65 names of people who wanted cars and he had only placed an initial build order of 40 figuring that would be tonnes for the first year. Ooops. Well he made it happen some how and I can tell you we had I think around 60 or 70 cars that first weekend.
Marty had a very layed back way about him and was never really worried about detail things. He was a pleasure to be around and taught me an awful lot about life at a big corporation. He was always there to help out the sport if he could. He served as President of the region after I had served on the board. I wish I had stuck around for his meetings, because I bet they were a lot of fun.
Marty loved racing and the people in it. I remember going to dinner at his house with my wife right before a Firehawk 24 hour race at Mosport. Marty told me he was driving again that year and he was going to be teamed with an American. So I had been in the US a lot then and I asked who it might be, as maybe I know the driver. So he says it was going to be Peter Cetera. I am thinking I know that name. Then it hits me, it is Peter Cetera the musician who used toplay with the band Chicago. When I ask Marty if that is who it is he says yeah. Did I know him. I said yeah I have all the bands music from Chicago 1 to 18.
So he says if I am going to be up for the event to drop by the trailer and spend some time. Well as it turned out I missed Peter but met his wife and passed along my best wishes to the team. A few weeks later Marty and Peter were again competing together in Halifax I think and what should arrive in the mail but a picture of Marty and Peter and the team signed by Peter to me. Marty didn't forget and I will never forget him either.
R.I.P. Marty
You will be missed