John Nelson was the founder of Shannonville race track, I’m sure most of us can appreciate what was done by him.
(Copied from the Toronto Star - page G6 - April 9)
John Nelson, 73, founded Shannonville race track
Giant in bike racing
Venue for many stars
John Nelson, a giant in Canadian motorcycle sport for the last five decades, died April 3 at age 73 from liver cancer.
Nelson owned a motorcycle shop in Toronto in the 1960s and '70s: Nelson Honda on Queen St. just east of Leslie, and later at the site of the current Cycle World East in Scarborough.
He was always a racer and a keen supporter of those who raced motorcycles themselves, from Mike Duff (now Michelle Duff) to Miguel Duhamel, current star of the U.S. superbike world.
In fact, his interest in racing was such that he retired to the Belleville area in 1975 to build Nelson International Raceway, later renamed Shannonville Motorsport Park, which has provided the venue for the start of many a Canadian star, from Duhamel in motorcycles to Jacques Villeneuve in cars.
Since Nelson built the place, Shannonville has been through three other owners. But until the last couple of years, he was always there in the capacity of track manager.
That meant doing everything from fixing the wiring to setting out fire extinguishers, cleaning up accidents and providing advice and encouragement to all.
Nelson was as accomplished at partying as he was at supporting the sport he loved, with a wicked sense of humour that kept friends and colleagues always on their toes. While we weren’t what you’d call close friends (albeit we’d known each other for close to 30 years), there was always a cold beer — or two or more — for me after a long day of officiating, and the supply always seemed miraculously inexhaustible if more workers or riders showed up to swap stories after a race.
Last spring he made a trip home to his native Ireland, from which he’d emigrated in 1954, to attend his mother’s 103rd birthday. He quipped to me later that "it’s a bloody good thing I didn’t wait for me inheritance, now, isn’t it?"and added that the Guinness people had called to thank the family for the spike in consumption that weekend.
I think he was kidding about the phone call, but you never know. Wherever he is now, you can guarantee he’s having a good time. Right up to the end, he was one of the most cheerful and positive individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.
He is survived by his wife Grace, daughter Jackie and her husband Norm, son Steve and five grandchildren. —Larry Tate