By: Nicole Kleinsteuber

 Don O’Blenis, Bill O’Hara and Kevin McBride were inducted into the Brighton Speedway Wall of Fame on Saturday night. The O’Blenis family have been dedicated members of the Brighton Speedway family since 1991 when Don O’Blenis started his racing career in the street stock class.  “Don was given the Promoters Award in 1994 because he has always been a great ambassador of the Speedway, participating in parades and special events, and encouraging all to come to the races,” said Mark Rinaldi, track owner and promoter.  “In 1995 and 1996 Don won the most checkered flags and in the days when we did Pit Crew Challenges, his crew nailed it twice.” O’Blenis wheeled his No. 23 street stock to victory lane 10 times between 1991 and 1999 when he hung up his racing boots.  Another career highlight came in 2001 when O’Blenis filled in for Leo Whalen as a sub-driver and beat Rinaldi.  O’Blenis stated that the bumper of that car was full of dents by the time they crossed the start-finish line. “Don has won practically every award offered at Brighton Speedway, including the 2003 George Reid Memorial,  an award presented to individuals who provide constant positivity and assistance to all participants,” Rinaldi continued.  “The only awards he never attained were a championship and the Roll Over award, thank goodness.”  With his wife Donna by his side, he still proudly works in the pits supporting his son Canadian Modified driver No. 32 Doug O’Blenis and granddaughter Thunder Stock driver No. 16 Kaitlyn O’Blenis.

Bill O’Hara also passed his love of dirt track racing to the next generation. Rinaldi called it an honour to award a place on the Wall of Fame to a legend who was gone too soon. “Bill followed in the racing footsteps of his father Ross and brother Keith,” he said.   “His return to Brighton Speedway was always a dream for him and Billy the Kid enjoyed his time on the dirt.  His return brought his son Billy and his daughter Chrissy to join him at the track.  Racing was a family affair for the O’Hara’s, with his wife Sherri and his grandchildren cheering him on.”  O’Hara’s racing career spans an impressive four decades and two championships.  When O’Hara started racing at Brighton Speedway at 14 he earned the nickname ‘Billy The Kid.’  O’Hara also left his mark at Peterborough Speedway, where he achieved remarkable success, earning the title of track champion in the renegade truck division.  Fondly known as ‘Go Daddy O,’ returning to Brighton in his No. 6 Thunder Stock was a huge dream of O’Hara’s, Rinaldi said.  O’Hara is survived by his wife Sherri O’Hara, daughter Christine Thompson, son Billy O’Hara and Courtney along with his grandchildren; Billy O’Hara, Brittney O’Hara, Sarah Thompson and Scotty Thompson.

 Kevin McBride was honoured for his role as an ambassador, long-standing sponsor and Brighton Speedway promoter for over 25 years.  McBride started with Brighton Automotive as a body shop and paint expert In August 1991 and sponsored the Ladies Division until 1997 when the class amalgamated with the Street Stock Division in 1998.  From then on it was the Brighton Automotive Street Stock/Pro Stock and now Thunder Stock Division.  “Kevin was always walking the pits, getting to know the drivers and supporting their efforts, week in and week out,” Rinaldi recalled.  “He would travel with Lou Rinaldi to swap meets and would encourage him to raise the driver purse, upgrade the facility and work with him to paint the old fence with all the old paint he had in the shop.  It resulted in a rainbow-coloured fence for a few years.”  McBride’s memories include most of the legends that have driven on 1/3 mile oval.  “We are honoured to induct Kevin onto our Wall of Fame for his continued support and as an ambassador of Brighton Speedway,” Rinaldi stated.