John Nelson

By John Hopkins
with files from Colin Fraser

BELLEVILLE, ON -- Canadian motorsports icon John Nelson passed away last Sunday at Belleville General Hospital after a battle with cancer.

Nelson distinguished himself as a motorcycle racer and entrant, and was the designer, co-builder and eventual complete owner/operator of Nelson International Raceway, now known as Shannonville Motorsport Park.

Born in Ireland, Nelson was the founder of Toronto motorcycle dealership Nelson Honda, which later became Ontario Honda. He was a successful club racer, and also built and sponsored rides for 1960s and seventies racing stars such as Yvon Duhamel and Mike Duff.

The first motorcycle racing event at Nelson International Raceway was held on snowy Thanksgiving weekend in 1976. In the winter of 1978/79 Nelson sold the Shannonville facility to Jack Boxstrom, but Nelson stayed on as manager, and he continued on at the track through a succession of management changes.

He helped with the design and construction of the expanded 15-turn Shannonville layout for the 1987 racing season and he continued working at the track until last fall.

A memorial service is tentatively scheduled for Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at the John Bush Funeral Home in Belleville.

Inside Motorcycles extends its condolences to the family and friends of John Nelson.