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.