DAYTON MACKENZIE - Inducted 2002

Pioneer - Motorcycling

Dayton Mackenzie leads, Hannigan Speedway, 1960s  (Jim Greenwood collection)

by Brian Pratt, 2004

Dayton MacKenzie started racing at Digney Speedway in 1952 with a 1937 Ford. His name shows up in the middle of the point standings for the track through 1955. Larry McBride tells a story of Dayton wanting to learn how to get around the track better, so he told Larry he was going to follow him. Larry says that after a couple turns Dayton had disappeared from the rearview mirror. Dayton was in the fence.

At Digney Speedway Dayton met Bill Granath who was pit boss. Bill was riding a 1951 650cc Triumph Thunderbird which Dayton bought. The cams were changed to go drag racing at Abbotsford Airport.

Dayton MacKenzie, 2003

Dayton found it was too expensive to maintain cars and motorcycles, so he decided the cars had to go. He bought a 350 Velocette motorcycle on which he won the Canadian Championships (scrambles) from the years 1954 through 1956.

In 1957, Dayton shared a 500cc AJS with Terry Rea. Dayton was sponsored by Trev Deeley Motorcycles from 1957 to 1972. He raced through-out western North America, including the Sacramento Mile and Ascot Speedway in Gardena, California. Dayton still rides a 350cc Suzuki and an ATV today.