By Terry Guest, CWR Journalist
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| Photo by Canada West Racing |
Previous Canada 200 winner, Dave Hemrich, plans on making yet another run at winning this prestigious race in the upcoming 2011 season. Dave lives in Ladner, B.C., is married to Lily, has two kids, Amber 6 and Jordan 4, and has worked for the Vancouver School Board for the past six years. Dave has lived most of his life around race cars. His dad, the legendary Gordie Hemrich, was a seven time Langley Speedway track champion and raced many times in the NASCAR Northwest Tour. In 2000, Dave debuted at Agassiz Speedway with a Street Stock he built. After one year of racing in the Street Stock class, he moved up to the ever popular Sportsman class which he has been racing ever since.
The great achievements have built up for Hemrich over the years. Dave has won five consecutive track championships at Agassiz Speedway in the Sportsman class, breaking many track records in those five years. Dave has won awards for crowd-pleaser, best appearing car and crew, hard charger as well as the most main event wins in a season. Dave’s favourite achievement was winning the Canada 200 after having a very up and down season going through five engines. Thanks to Jim Richmond of Richmond Engines, Dave had a new engine built in one week so he could make the race. Ten laps into the first session of hot laps his brand new transmission broke. Dave and his pit crew worked feverishly throughout the night to get the car ready for the main where he started tenth. Unsure how his car would handle, he slowly made his way to the front. Lap 25 saw Dave take the lead and never looked back.
Dave has also gained great memories over the years; “My favorite memories are spending time with family and friends and developing new friendships within the racing community. Also, I appreciate all the fans that watch us race. I especially enjoy talking to the ones who used to watch my dad race, as well as the fans who compliment me when I have a good run”.
The upcoming 2011 season will see Hemrich debut his new car built by Harding Motorsports Supply powered by a Richmond Engine. Dave will race his Sportsman in the newly formed ASA BC Late Model Tour. He will also race a few local races at Agassiz Speedway as well as competing in ARCA West Ok Tire Sportsman and WCSS races.
Dave would like to take this opportunity to thank his pit crew and his sponsors for all of their support over the years. Be sure to watch for Dave in the upcoming season as he plans to race his new Sportsman into victory lane once again!