Wev’e Lost Clem LaChance

[dinoKeymaster]

by BOBBY S. » Thu Dec 13, 2012 9:27 am

BAD NEWS again… sorry, we lost Clem LaChance THE MAD FRENCHMAN, my friends at Extreme Design got the call from Jeff Rouel, Clem was in Canada, Jeff mentioned Clem will be buried at the cemetery in Carmel, NY. Will pass any info on it as I get it. If any other ODF’s hear any info post it please.

One of Dovers more colorfull characters…”The Mad Frenchmen” passed away today in Canada. He frequented his home country ,having freinds and relationships there. I first met Clem when he was running his bright blue ’48 Studebaker 6 cyl. Gas Coupe. “The Mad Frenchman” was lettered on the door, and Clem & I would have fun with me doing the french accent when he pulled up to stage. A true innovator and craftsman, building his own trick set-ups when speed equip. wasn’t available for his 6 cylindar creations. Never stopped running….right up til last year with his Maverick ….now black but we all remember the ‘Ford Grabber’ blue original version at Dover. A happy guy that enjoyed his racing…..We Miss you already My freind.

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[dinoKeymaster]

Here he is puttin em airbourne at our 4th Annual Nostalgia Drags….Believe he was 84.

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[hvy70ssParticipant]

Sad to hear that…always pleasant to talk with @ the track.Ran with him in NETO a few years back. At one Dover race, he gave me the whole Maverick history back to the blue car. Great Dover memories…him and Pat Heneberry going at it with those high windin’ 6 cylinders!! RIP Clem.

Bobby Smith

[babycakesParticipant]

WOW! Another real ‘shocker’! Boy,a ‘true’ sportsman’ to say the least!!! I can’t remember,it’s either 3 or 4 times he won his class at the N.H.R.A Nationals (?) He used to display his ‘Walleys’ at the Dover Reunions,at Marcus Dairy.A true ‘gentleman’,’super-sharp’ making a 300 Ford 6 cyl. run in the 10’s with a full body Maverick! I keep shaking my head at how many Dover ‘legends’ we’ve lost in the past few years; it’s very hard to accept.My condolences go out to his family,and may Clem R.I.P.

[dinoKeymaster]

Same car run from ’65-’70

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[dinoKeymaster]

Heres the Maverick in Blue…Clem ran webers on his own trick intake. Car last run at 10.5-6

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[mikey]

He was a great guy, and a super racer. He is already missed. R.I.P., Clem. ……..Mikey 😥

[dinoKeymaster]

Heres a Classic….Two Sixes battle it out for the Money in Street Elim. After beating All the V-8 Gassers and Modified production ‘Big Boys” ….Pat Hennebury And Clem ….Clem kinda ‘shining’ there huh?

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[masracingtd1167Participant]

Very sad new’s One of the nicest people I ever met !

[dinoKeymaster]

Just heard from Fred Rice …former Partner with Clem with the Maverick…Just shocked at the News….was last with Clem when he was inducted into DragTimes Hall of Fame in Hendersonville,N.C. … and then they all went Racing at Roxboro Dragway. Clem cranking out 125 mph 1/8 mile blasts.

[bobby-s]

quote dinotheweirdo:

Just heard from Fred Rice …former Partner with Clem with the Maverick…Just shocked at the News….was just with Clem when he was inducted into DragTimes Hall of Fame in Hendersonville,N.C. this November… and then they all went Racing at Roxboro Dragway. Clem cranking out 125 mph 1/8 mile blasts.

Henderson NC was 2011 last year, looking at the T shirt. Rich Head was part of the awesome event for Clem.
…………Bobby …just quoting Fred…maybe I got It wrong….[edit-dino]

[wizeguy1320]

Such a shame,….. I remember I was a little kid, maybe 10-11 years old,….and Clem winning an event at Lebanon,….By himself as he usually was, nobody there to cheer and congratulate him….me and my uncle Al Drove over to him loading the Maverick on his trailer and we gave him a big BIG round of applause,….one of those track moments i will never forget ! RIP Clem,…

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[smokncobrajet]

Clem,always the unassuming gentleman,always gracious.We were shocked when we got the call.
Rudy & June

[patinaParticipant]

Au revoir, mon ami Qu’il repose en paix Clem. I remember Clem’s Studebaker at Dover in the early years and spoke with him in the staging lanes at the Nostalgia drags. Always a gentleman and good competitor.

Pat

[dinoKeymaster]

Some responses on Dover Facebook page:

Me, my “Acapulco Gold” Camaro, & Clem spent many Sundays together @ Dover, Will miss ya brother !
Jonathan Gagnon -So sorry to hear that. RIP Clem.
Neil Zimbaldi – wow,…im in shock RIP CLEM !
Bill Krug -That is sad to hear, He was a great guy and a very good racer.
Karen Mastrianni-Gay -RIP Clem..you will.be missed
Gary Smrtic -Sorry to hear that. Great picture! None of us get out of here alive. Godspeed, Clem…
Chris Kraft- He was the best. sooo funny.

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