Carl-Blomfeldt-2014

CARL BLOMFELDT Pioneer - Motorcycling - Nominated 2014 By Brian Pratt Nominated by Brian Pratt Speedway motorcycle racing, while having a long and storied international history, is not well known in North America let alone the Greater Vancouver area. While it has similarities to flat track racing it is a more specialized and highly competitive form of motorsport in Europe, the UK and Australia. Having said that it did make a brief attempt to get established in this area in the mid-1980s. Carl Blomfeldt was part of the mid- 1980s motorcycle scene that included the Greater Vancouver speedway races and tracks. From there he carried on to the United Kingdom and Europe and the Karl Blomfeldt (left) and Randy Green Grand Prix and club Speedway circuits. Carl went to flat track motorcycle championships under the FIM He became a tuner for riders who racing. It wasn't until getting U.S. rider (Fédération Internationale de became world champions. Randy Green that things came together. Motocyclisme) banner. It all began, however, not with Two organizers/builders – Led Szmek, Other riders Carl has been involved motorcycles but with drag racing. An Panther frame builder, and Yogi with include American Billy Hamill, English Ford Prefect was cobbled Sylvest, a Dane working with Air Australian Leigh Adams, Pole Tomasz together with friends Danny Bell and Canada at YVR – attempted to get Gollob and Swede Andreas Jonsson, all Dave Atkinson along with scout master Speedway started locally. Races were top level riders. Carl had a tuning Len Hiebert. The car was called “Bits held in Cloverdale, Aldergrove and business in the UK at one point that was and Pieces”. Haney in the mid-1980s. used by about 30 percent (70 riders) of Carl and Dan moved onto A race at Hannegan Speedway in the English Elite league. motorcycles after the drag racing. Bellingham got rained out so Carl and He continues to this day to tune for Mostly it was chopped and custom Randy headed back north to race riders in Europe. In 2014 he is in Poland bikes as part of Surrey's Jokers Speedway at Cloverdale. Randy won all helping another young rider excel. All motorcycle club. Fellow club member the heats he entered. Eventually it was of this starting modestly in the lower Brad Baerg got interested in stock car arranged for Randy to head to the UK mainland learning the motorsport craft racing and Carl bought a half interest in (Hackney) for a tryout with the that took him to international the car. With Brad driving a 1957 Speedway team (Kestrals). Even though recognition and prestige. Plymouth/Dodge (“depending on the Randy had dislocated a shoulder front end we could find” states Carl) practising at Aldergrove he got a they won the B super stock class in contract and he and Carl sold off their 1970. A move up to the A class had U.S./Canada equipment and headed to them short on power with some the U.K. Unfortunately Randy's quick innovations (for that stock car class) starts didn't hold him in the lead in like a dry sump oil system and competition so he came home. But Carl Frankland quick change rear end. stayed. The next super stock, a 1974 Dodge Over the years Carl has been Charger, was built and maintained by involved with several riders and teams Carl and Brad but driven by Greater in the Speedway world. Speedway is Vancouver Motorsport Pioneer Larry both a team and individual sport with Sproule to some success including the the tuner building the engine and getting NASCAR race at Westwood. The next power to the surface so the rider can car was a 1972 Dodge Scamp that had perform at his best. Carl's tuning Greater Vancouver Motorsport Pioneer abilities have lead to three riders Al Tourond behind the wheel. A third (including American Sam Ermolenko driver, Reg Kennedy, also was involved and Swede Tony Rickardsson) winning Carl in Drag Racing Days as the focus became the racing at Skagit six World Speedway championships. Speedway. There have also been a couple under 21 Burning out on the stock car grind titles along with several team 2014 - Greater Vancouver Motorsport Pioneers Society Greater Vancouver Motorsport Pioneers Society - 2014 .

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