Joey Payeur
Bill Reimer’s passion for racing made the two-and-a-half hour trip from Vermilion Bay to the Emo Speedway every weekend this summer the smallest of inconveniences.
Sadly, the track where he experienced such joy turned out to be where he drew his last breath.
Reimer, 67, died at the wheel while racing in the feature event of the Midwest Modified division during the Emo Speedway’s season-ending Fan Appreciation Night on Saturday.
With no other cars around him at the time, Reimer’s car accelerated on the back straightaway and slammed into a hydro pole.
“I was the first one to get there,” said Borderland Racing Association director/promoter Anthony Leek.
“I called for the track ambulance before backing away as the paramedics took over.”
Reimer was removed from the vehicle and Emergency Medical Services personnel quickly tried to resuscitate him, but were unable to do so.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The OPP launched an immediate investigation into the incident, with a member of the Regional Coroner’s office also in attendance.
A post-mortem conducted Monday at Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora determined Reimer died of natural causes.
“It’s hard to recall it,” said Leek. “All our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
Leek said Reimer had raced at the Emo Speedway for the past three or four years, with this season seeing him make his most appearances ever.
“He was a super nice guy,” Leek added. “He was really approachable and really loved racing.”
Leek’s brother, Christopher, the Midwest Modified overall champion this season, had a neighbouring pit area to Reimer frequently throughout the summer.
“Bill was a cool guy and a good sport,” Christopher Leek noted. “He was down-to-earth and was always having fun.
“At least he went out doing something he loved.”
Leek also commented on the exceptionally warm conditions at the track on Saturday—and how it posed a risk to all the drivers.
“A lot of people don’t think of auto racing as being physically demanding,” he remarked. “But when it’s that hot out, it’s hard on a person.”
Reimer posted a solid seventh-place finish in the final Midwest Modified standings this season with 476 points, 167 behind front-runner Leek (643).
Included in Reimer’s achievements this year was a season-best result of fifth place in two feature races and a total of seven top-10 finishes.
“He always tried his best every week and he was getting better as the year went on,” Christopher Leek lauded.
Reimer is the second driver in Emo Speedway’s history to die during competition.
Keith McNally of Emo was seriously hurt in a crash in September, 1993 and later succumbed to his injuries.
Memorial services for Reimer will be held this Friday (Sept. 13) at 11 a.m. at the Agriplex Centre in Dryden (located on the fairgrounds).
In memoriam donations can be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
