Crash at Port Alberni !!

[Rory McNeil]

I heard late last night that 70 year old Super Shifter racer Bill Friend from Vancouver Island suffered a nasty crash is his very cool burgandy 1965 Mercury Comet, at the Port Alberni drag races. Aparently something is the rear suspension broke, and the car rolled over multiple times, requiring the emergency team to cut the roof off the car to get Bill out.I heard that he is in hospital with fairly serious injuries. Bills Comet was in the family since new, and despite being a high 10 second naturally aspirated small block Ford with 5.14 gears, he always drove the car to Mission, ferry, freeway and all! Bill, get well soon!

[admin]

Wow - best wishes to Bill and a speedy recovery!

[Tom P]

I didn't get many details on his situation today but word is Bill is OK. I hope that is the case. Way too good a man to lose.

[Terry Hoogstins]

I just got off the phone with Wayne Davis and he said that they flew Bill home to Victoria where he had minor surgery on his hand and he is home resting.

[Posi67]

Yup, Aparrantly he's going to be okay, but I imagine the car is a mess. I understand he still want's to race, so anybody that can help out, should jump in. We (as in BC SSH) should send a card or something, just so he knows we are thinking about him. I doub't he'd want flowers though !!

[Tom P]

Fantastic news. I have a nice pair of 65 Comet front fenders he can have and whatever other parts i can dig up.

[Posi67]

Good stuff Tom. I'll talk to Grant, and see what the "plan" is for a re-build (if any) Grant will be over for the Mega Weekend, so maybe he can take some pieces back with him.

[Deadly1]

Bill's fund was over $6000 already. Big thanks to the fans, sponsors and racers who helped out. The Victoria Club donated heavy as well as some of our Super Shifter members and participants. The Alberni drag club has indicated that if the 50/50 draw from Saturday afternoon ($2300) is not claimed by the end of the week it will be given to Bill as well. They may have found two donor cars for the rebuild and you can be sure with Grant Klohn looking after his buddy Bill the new car will be even better than the old one. While Bill was still in the car before the firemen cut the roof off to get him out he wanted to know whether he finished the run and if anyone knew what his sixty was? You gotta love that! Bill sent a message that he WILL be back racing! Wayne

[bodycount racing]

JUST A RACER FROM GRANDE PRAIRIE.READ ABOUT BILLS CRASH AND HOPE TO SE HIM GO OUT AND RUN AGAIN SOUNDS LIKE A VERY COOL GUY.HATE TO HEAR ANYTHING BAD HAPPENING TO ANY RACER ANYWEAR SO GOOD LUCK BILL.DARCY FROM THE N.P.B.R.A

[fastfords]

heyguys.grant here...yes bills doing well.we havnt found a donar car yet but ther is lots of leads.we need one soon as we have a major project ahead of us.THANK YOU to everone who donated,or just gave bill your thoughts and best wishes.if any of you saw the emotions of us and the people who were literally lined up to donate to bills rebuild fund, you could tell what kind of man he is!!!. WOW! please contact me for parts,pieces,donations,65 calientes,leads etc.thanx..grant 250 727 3107.see you all at the races.