Biography
Oakville, Ont., stock car driver, Don
Biederman, was known primarily for his aggressive manner on short-track
speedways. But he drove the big speedways as well and was the first
Canadian to campaign full-time on the NASCAR Grand National circuit (now
Winston Cup). He finished 39th in points in 1967, a campaign won by
Richard Petty but including such names as Bobby Allison, David Pearson
and Cale Yarborough. Don was more than a driver - he built the car that
Dave Marcis drove in his first Daytona 500 in 1965 - and he's credited
with paving the way for compatriots like Earl Ross and Roy Smith ``to go
south.'' Frequently described as an original who had the fire to win
every time he got behind the wheel of a stock car, his presence at any
speedway was enough to generate excitement. Described as crusty,
cantankerous, opinionated and outspoken, he was one of the greatest
short-track racers of his time. Famous for his activities in and around
Southern Ontario at tracks such as Cayuga, Pinecrest, Flamboro,
Peterborough and Delaware, where he won numerous races and
championships, Don also raced across the border at Lancaster, Holland
and Perry in New York state as well as in the Maritimes at speedways
such as Riverside in Nova Scotia and River Glade in New Brunswick. This
is where he would go head-to-head with arch-rival (and Hall of Fame
member) Junior Hanley. In fact, he was instrumental in convincing Hanley
to relocate to Oakville so they could race against each other more
often. A man who built race cars and drove them for a living, Don would
often start out on Wednesday night at Kalamazoo Speedway, race at Mount
Clements Speedway on Thursday (both located in Michigan), cross back
into Canada for a meet Friday night at Delaware Speedway near London,
race Saturday night at Pinecrest Speedway in Toronto and then head right
out for a big-money raced somewhere on Sundaqy afternoon. His greatest
achievement was winning the 1977 Oxford 250 in Oxford, Me., where he
beat many of the established Winston Cup stars of the day. Don was not
averse to putting up the dukes if he thought someone was cheating him
out of money and was at war on a number of occasions with promoters and
speedway operators. But there was another side to Don that was not
evident at the speedway: away from the track he quietly helped some of
his fellow competitors such as Howie Scannel and Norm Lelliott, with
parts and advice. He also quiety donated time and equipment to
restoration projects. He liked nothing more than to see famous old stock
cars and superrmodifieds restored to their former glory. But let's not
forget that first and foremost, Don Biederman was a character. When his
shop was broken into in 1984, Don bought advertising space in two of the
Toronto newspapers and published this message. "I hope you crash and
burn with those parts.'' Don Biederman was greatly admired for his
passion and dedication. When he died in 1999, the outpouring of grief
was overwhelming and impressive, considering that many of the people
mourning his passing - fellow competitors, promoters, officials,
journalists and fans - had just about all been the recipient of Don's
outspokenness at one time or another.