Ken & Darlene Gilmour devastating fire!

- Ken Gilmour, long time Canadian racer and 2 crew members were proceeding to SIR on Saturday morning at approx 1100 hrs. They were notified by a passing motorist that smoke was escaping from the trailer- they pulled over on the freeway and opened the side door to obtain a fire extinguisher and could see flame at the rear of the trailer. They opened the rear door and due to the superheated gasses being supplied with fresh oxygen, the trailer became engulfed in flames. They were unable to close the door due to the intense heat. By the time Saskatoon Fire Dept. attended the trailer was fully involved and a total loss of Top Alcohol Dragster and contents resulted. The tow vehicle was saved.
Ken and Darlene Gilmour have suffered a devastating blow to their race dreams.
pictures at http://www.speedzonemagazine.com/zones/motorzone/05%20motorsport/05%20aug/gilmour%20trailer.htm

[ August 29, 2005, 09:08 AM: Message edited by: was R4K ]

 

Our most heartfelt sympathies Bob. We were at the track in Saskatoon when we heard the news. I can't imagine how devastating this would be if it happened to our team, it seems that we hear about these fires way too often lately.

 

Ken, Bob and crew,

Words can’t express how our team felt when we heard the news of the loss of your car and all your equipment. It’s hard to believe that minutes before we heard the news that we were joking about lane position for our up coming race and to hear minutes later what happened was devastating to us all. Being a new TAD Owner/Driver in Western Canada I understand the commitment, hours and costs of putting a calibre car on the track as you team has done. Your loss is also a loss to the remaining TAD cars in western Canada.

Greg and Elaine Sereda
TAD 699

 

Wow! I can't imagine how bad that feels. Does anyone have a pic of the car before the incident? I hope not but I have a sinking feeling that the car may have been one of my old cars and if it was the car I'm thinking it was.......it was a really nice Murf McKinney car.

Bill

 

Photo from speedzonemagazine.com

 

You are correct Bill- Ken went to Texas and purchased the car from you (do you still have the a/fd? he might be persuaded.) We are sifting through the ashes and finding some gold nuggets.- The chassis is done, needs a front half and not sure we would trust the cage and back half? rear-trans,can, clutch and basic long block and psi should survive- all lines, restraints, computer, injector,wheels, wings etc. are gone.

 

I was afraid of that. I can't imagine how he feels. I feel like I got punched in the stomach just thinking about it. That was SUCH a nice car. I don't have the A/F car any more but if he get serious about rebuilding, someone let me know. I can probably help quite a bit and would be more than willing.

BA