ESTEVAN - The Estevan Motor Speedway paid tribute to a legend in the local motorsports scene prior to Friday night’s program.
Darcey Barnstable, who died in July at the age of 58 following a battle with cancer, found success in motocross, modified and late model racing. The tribute to Barnstable occurred during the late model weekend doubleheader at the track.
Darcey’s father Jim wrote a tribute to his son that was read by Trevor Gowen, who is one of the speedway’s announcers. Jim Barnstable was a big part of the local racing community for many years, and Darcey and his brother Glenn continued that family tradition.
When a motocross track was located at Bienfait, Darcey Barnstable thrived. Racing in Bienfait and elsewhere, he won races, trophies and prize money against drivers from across Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Dakotas, and would race four straight days at one point.
He and his family built a 125cc Yamaha in their shop, and the bio noted it proved to be the fastest in the country.
Then he decided he wanted to race something with four wheels instead of two. He went racing in a red car with the No. 99 on it, travelling to different tracks and winning more races. He competed in stock, modified and late model races, picking up many victories. And he had help from his crew members, too.
He won the track championship in Fargo, N.D., in 1999 in the late model class.
Barnstable lent his talents to the Estevan Motor Speedway by volunteering and helping with the welding to construct the grandstands.
"All you race fans, some of the posts holding your seats up were welded by Darcey Barnstable.".
Barnstable was also dedicated to his family.
After Gowen finished reading the speech, the late models who competed were joined by Barnstable’s nephew JJ, who races in the stock car class, and the track preparation crew for a ceremonial lap. And there was a “missing man” formation lap for Barnstable before the start of Friday’s late model feature.
JJ Barnstable has switched his car number from 1 to 99 in recent weeks in honour of his uncle.
