Robert Smith takes a look back at the first mobile starting gate and its early days in Canadian harness racing and a bit about the man behind it
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The mobile starting gate made its first appearance in Canada in 1947. The idea, which was first tried and proven in the U.S., immediately became a success in Canada as well.
The man associated and best remembered as the Canadian pioneer was a gentleman named Arthur ("Art") Whitesell. Art was a native of Norfolk County and a lifelong resident of Tillsonburg, Ont. Coming from a horse background and owning and operating a Chrysler dealership put Art in a perfect position to come out with this early version made right in his own shop.
Art's new gate made its first public appearance in 1947 at that year's 24th of May races at the old Sarnia track. The location may be in some dispute as some sources say that Grand Valley, Ont. was the first sighting but that fact is of little consequence. The new venture was said to have immediate acceptance by both horsemen as well as the fans. Soon other interested parties began to build and operate mobile starting gates across the land. Due to the costs involved and the scarcity of gate, many small race centres continued with the old system but all eventually converted. Once horsemen as well as fans became accustomed to the new way of starting, no one cared to use the old scoring system. It was gone forever.
Art was a serious student of the sport and was constantly suggesting and making improvements to his gates. Needless to say all were mounted on his favourite Chrysler vehicles. He was also said to be a pretty hard taskmaster on the track. Always affable and congenial off the track, he became a sometimes demanding figure on the track. He strived for fair and near perfect starts and often took drivers to task if they failed to follow his orders. I was once told a story that personifies this fact.
A field was lining up behind the gate, many were colts or inexperienced at being at ease behind the gate. One driver yelled out "Step on it Art! Get moving ..." Art immediately and purposely slowed the gate right down and yelled back, "You do your job and I'll do mine !"
It was often said that Art's business was running a thriving car dealership but his passion was obviously operating his starting gate. His travels took him wherever races were held, he surely knew the way to every small town in captivity. And remember in those days there were no GPDs on the dash. When London opened its doors to night racing in 1961, Art was chosen as the Raceway's starter.
We have come to associate the saying "running around in circles" with wasting time, accomplishing little or nothing and in general squandering our efforts. However for the legendary Whitesell, he spent some 33 years going around in circles all across Southwestern Ontario and indeed accomplished a great deal. As part of his public recognition he was installed in the London Western Fair Wall of Fame in 2002.
One who always took his duties seriously Art was faithful to the end. In 1980 after a short two-week "sick leave" after his final starting assignment Arthur passed to his eternal reward a year short of his 80th birthday. His contributions were many, his service was above and beyond.