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Early this past Saturday morning our fast paced racing lives came to a stand still when a good friend rolled his champion calibre race car in
the lights at Calgary's Race City Motorsports Park during qualifying for the NHRA Division 6 race. We were all stunned to hear the news as
accidents are few and far between at Race City and this was the second incident of the morning (Ken Mostowich, Calgary native Super Gas racer
blew the body off his '99 Don Davis Corvette roadster in the lights only minutes earlier).
The racer who rolled his Super Pro '71 Maverick on Saturday during qualifying was none other than Dave Leslie, a good friend and fellow
Super Pro competitor. Dave barrel- rolled his beautiful car 4-5 times at about the 1000 foot mark in the right lane when (what is still
unconfirmed but highly likely) the front heim joint let go on the left side ladder bar. In one of the most frightening accidents to occur at
Race City in a long time, we feared for Dave's life! The NHRA Safety Safari was rolling well before Dave came to a stop beyond the finish
line and did a tremendous job in conjunction with Race City officials to extricate him from the wreck. Dave is a little sore and while he only
suffered minor bruising he was able to see his lovely wife Linda and two kids for another day!
Although the car is a write-off, the rollcage did it's job and saved another racer! Dave is a truly gifted individual and a first class
racer. He attended yesterday's divisional final and remained at the track until long after the action was complete. With a great sense of
humor and the support of many racing friends, he was able to endure a long day at the Park. Throughout the day, many racing friends rallied
behind our popular, fallen hero (Dave is currently leading Super Pro points by a large margin and very popular amongst his peers) and raised
well over $1,600 in cash and product to support him in his rebuilding efforts. A fellow racer who has a second race car has graciously donated
it to Dave to allow him to continue his quest for a second NHRA Super Pro championship at Race City.
I would like to thank both Mike Rice, Division 6 Division Director, the NHRA Safety Safari, Lynn Church, Race City Race Director and all of the
Race City officials on a tremendous job to keep Dave from harm in what was a very nasty racing accident. The professionalism in which the
incident was handled is to be commended. As a fellow racer, I know the next time I tighten up my belts with that "extra" tug, I will feel
comfortable in knowing I will be in 'good hands' should the need arise!
Mike Ferstl S/ST 6091/Calgary Drag Racing Newsletter Editor
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