Prelude
While looking for geological information for an Earthcache I was pouring over some old maps of Norfolk County and Haldimand County. I noticed something peculiar, a spot on the map near Nanticoke labeled "Motor Racing Track" (See picture). After double checking that Cayuga Speedway was no where near this location I started an investigation into this track.
Airfield
This was the location of the Birtish Commonwealth Air Training Plan's Number One Bombing and Gunnery School. Opened on August 19th, 1940, the area was originally used as an emergency landing strip by American Airlines in 1934. The school has as many as 99 aircraft and almost 1900 trainees and staff at it's peak. Notable events included a visit by Prince George in 1941, and in 1942 two trainees John Williams and R. Picard, were given medals for stopping a fire on a train with gasoline cars near Jarvis. The last class graduated on February 2nd, 1945 and by 1947 the majority of the airfield was dismantled. A plaque dedicated to the 39 men who lost their lives while serving at the base was placed in front of the plant in 1993. The picture below shows the airfield circa 1955 after the majority of buildings have been demolished.
From Runway to Racecars!
After sitting vacant for a few years the land was leased to the British Empire Motor Club in 1956 and it's first race was held on June 16th. The first professional sports car race in Canada was held there in 1959. On May 9th, 1959 the newly formed CRDA (Canadian Racing Drivers Association) held the CRDA 500. Famous racecar driver Roger Penske and Canadian Motorsport Hall of Famer Peter Ryan both raced at the track several times, even winning the 6 hour O'Keefe Sundown Grand Prix together!
In 1961 the British Empire Motor Club's Mosport race track opened up in Bowmanville, Ontario leaving the track with only a few local races until 1963. In 1963 the London Automobile Sport Club moved in and operated the track until 1970 featuring many events including the Gulf Canada Series, CKOC Challenge Cup, the Ontario Grand Prix for Motorcycles and races for the Canadian Road Racing Championship.
In 1970 the course was closed for good after the land was sold to Texaco Canada.
Harewood Acres Today
After being sold to Texaco Canada the land was turned into the plant you see today. Texaco Canada has since been sold to Imperial Oil and turned into an Esso Plant. Nothing remains of the old track although you can still see the firing range used by the Flight School. In case you're wondering the name Harewood Acres comes from it's former owner, Russell Hare.
The Cache
Find out the following information about Harewood Acres (a simple Google search will do):
A = The Circuit Configuration in 1956 was 3.A miles long
B = Harry Blanchard won the Sports Car vs. Stock Car on Septebmer 2B, 1959
C = What was the admission for the first sports car race held on June 16th, 1956? $C.00
D = What year was the final season at Harewood? 19D0
E = Bill Brack won the Gulf Canada Series in his Lotus GTX on August 1E, 1969
F = The Gulf Canada Series was won by Eppie Weitzes on May 1F, 1970
G = Eppie Weitzes also won the Gulf Canada Series the year before in a Lola T1G2-Chevrolet
H = Amount of prize money offer at the CRDA 500? $H,000
I = How many times did Roger Penske win a National or International Race at Harewood Acres? I
J =On May 28th, 1960 Roger Penske won the Carling 3J0 here
Final Coordinates:
N 42 AB.CDE W 80 FG.HIJ
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.
Congrats to Star Runner on the FTF!