When one weighs the pros and cons, Ken Murray has been a weighty figure in the early history of the Estevan Motor Speedway.
Murray, who moved the weigh scales to their current location as part of his long history with the track, has been as much a fixture at the Estevan Motor Speedway as the scales.
“I'm happy with the recognition,” said Murray shortly after his induction by longtime Estevan driver Geoff Mann. “Being a founder of the speedway, the first six years I did track prep every year. There wasn't too much I wasn't involved with. Reg Stevens at the time was the track president. He pretty much asked, I did.”
Murray is forward looking enough to understand that it's not about the past, but about the future of the track and he's pleased to see what's happening 17 years later. Murray has always gone to racing with his dad and his son.
“I pitted for Dave Dayman when he was racing, I pitted in Minot and I pitted for him when we were at old Estevan speedway,” Murray said. “I used to sponsor Joren Boyce... I like racing and I always have liked racing.”
Murray and his dad went to Daytona for 15 consecutive years (1982-97). That spark for the love of racing has been passed on to future generations as well.
“I look around and I don't see familiar faces from when I was here,” he said. “It's great to see the amount of young people in it. Not just in the racing but the volunteers because that's what it takes to keep the show going.”
Murray has scaled back his commitment to the track but he's still seen there helping.
“I don't volunteer anymore,” he said. “I have't after the sixth year. I lost my job and had to go into business for myself and the first year my company did a lot better. But when the track phones and needed the scales moved to the infield, I did it. Because I installed them the first time, I knew how to do it.”
The safety track was built by Murray and his son. Every now and then, he says he'll get the call one night of needing to work on the infield of the track – at least one night a year.
There are a few things that stick out when comparing the track in previous years to the current day EMS.
“Back when we started, the enthusiasm was there and it was easier. We had a ton of volunteers,” Murray recalled. “People would show up. Welders, you name it. People would phone 'Do you need something done?' Now, volunteers are the ones that are keeping the level of enthusiasm up. And they're doing a great job. I really, truly mean it. I'm so happy to be sitting in the stands, watching one of the best shows on dirt.”
