I've been asked, sometimes in kind of a sideways way, what I think of Norm Roulx' return to the former Nor-Way Pines, now operating as the Legion Speedway. Let me just state now, for the record . . . I think it's great! Norm is a walking piece of living history, of Northern New England dirt-track racing in general, and at that facility in particular.
Remember this, Wayne Weeks was the "Way" in Nor-Way Pines. Guess who was the "Nor"? Hell, anybody that remembers the place before all the trees got cut down knows that they were all white pines, no Norway pines on the place. Norman is, after all, Wayne's nephew and the guy who got Mr. Weeks into the whole racing game in the first place.
The way I heard it, Wayne and Louella got home one evening to find an old Ford parked in their yard. The next day, they found out where it came from; Norman left it there. It was intended to be their race car, and with Hank Montandon at the wheel they learned their craft. They went from car owners to part owners of the just-beginning Bear Ridge Speedway, to co-owners of the Nor-Way Pines in (if I remember correctly) 1974.
I am pleased beyond words to see Norm back behind the mic at his old stomping grounds. He's got the knowledge, the background, and the drive to really make as much of a mark on the new place as he had on the old one. Shoot, the only guy around who's seen further back in this track's history . . . well, that would be me, I suppose, as Dad has moved past this mortal coil.
Norman and I have worked together on numerous occasions and at a couple different tracks. To me, anybody that is going to represent my home track - and the Legion Speedway will always be my home track- should have a good grasp of its history. He definitely fits the bill. The mic couldn't be in better hands. I can't wait to buy a ticket and hear what he has to say. See ya this summer, Norm.
