1984
COMPUT[R TIMING - A fiRST IN CANADA!
I
BRIAN GOODCHlLD
t was a first in Marmora and considered by all at the time to be a first in Canada - Sled Dog Race timing recorded on computer. The brains behind the program was local math and computer teacher Brian Goodchild. Housed in the Molsons van, Goodchild monitored all race details over the radio, and was able to calculate and instantly give up to date information for mushers and spectators. He could report on race standing between checkpoints, calculate average speeds and layover times, and most of all, have final results tabulated and printed in time for the awards ceremony. In later years, student Kevin Nobes got involved in perfecting some details, and eventually he took over the job. For the last four years, with the assistance of Maria Barton, Kevin has produced full reports on all teams in five events.
TRAPHRS' KEVINNOBES
It was sofast and so accurate that the last man in the race needed only the nose of his lead dog to pass the finish line and it would be possible for him to reach out and pick ~p the complete race result as he passed by. Marmora has really started something. " John Brumfit 1984
WORKSHOP
A NEW ADDITION
The traditional link between traplines and sled dog teams resulted in a Trappers' Workshop, a display of films, skinning demonstrations, and fur. Set up at the Town Hall by the Centre Hastings Trappers Council of Ontario, and the Ministry of Natural Resources, the public was able to view the skilled work of trappers and taxidermists. The event returned every year for ten years, but was discontinued in 1995 in light of the changing public sentiments.
NEW YORK TAKES THE CUP As Bob Bright of Albany, New York, collected his prize money he commented that "It wasn't as cold as we would have liked but the trail was good." Seven teams slushed their way through the soggy driving snow, with five completing the 150 miles. Bob was an hour ahead of second place Don McEwen, and two hours ahead of fifth place local musher Ted Francis. Ted explained his dogs had just completed a Pennsylvania long distance race and simply walked the entire course, having made up their minds they were bored with long distance racing!
lst
2nd 3rd
MARMORA
Bob Bright Don Mctwen Tom Soper
lIIIJ
CUP
Albany, N.V. []dorado, Ont. Chelsey, Ont.
22h 18m DOs 23h 13m DOs 23h 29m DOs
1 lions award for Best looking Team: Valerie De(wp
TOTAl fHTRI[s:
24
Twenty-two competitors arrived III compete rD the Molson's 60 H le Classic, five of which were wompn, but 1984 marked the eginninq of tbe racinq career of doradn musber, Tim Mcfwen, who was nRly 13 years old ilt the. t!me. Tlm went on to win the Marmora (up 5 times by 1996.
PURSE: $6,000.00
Bob Bright .from Albany, N Y., with Doug Vilneff
ID TII(
YOUN6UT {OMPUnOR IN MID DISTAN(( nn:
1st 2nd 3rd
60 MIL(
CLASSIC
led Smmith Jonatbon Mctwen Robert Alien TOTAl tNTRI[S:
22
Mado(, Ont. []dorado, Ont. []dorado, Ont.
10h 31m DOs 10h 45m DOs 10h 58m DOs