13 Nov CMHF member Ernie McLean passes

By Joan Roué / Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame

PETITCODIAC, NB (November 11, 2020) – It is with great sadness that the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame (MMHF) announces that Ernie McLean passed away on Wednesday, November 11 (2020). He was 84 at the time of his passing.

Inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame (CMHF) in 2000, McLean was the founder and long-time President of the MMHF and was known to many as the ‘godfather’ of Maritime motorsports.

He enjoyed an illustrious lifelong career in the sport he loved which spanned over six decades. His accomplishments were many and included building and – together with his wife Winona – operating River Glade Speedway from 1964 until 1994.

He was instrumental in forming the MASCAR Tour in the 1980s, and in 1984, he was named the Canadian Promoter of the Year.

In 2010, he and Winona were inducted together into the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame.

McLean is survived by his wife Winona, daughters Angie (Nicholson) and Teresa (Taylor-Hoxie), sons Gary and Billy, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame offers its condolences to the family and friends of Ernie McLean.

*Main image photo credit Ken MacIsaac Racing Photos.