Posted by Wayne G. Barber
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Harold Hanaford (right) places the Milk Bowl trophy with Nick Sweet (left) during opening ceremonies for the 2016 event. (Alan Ward photo)>>
Barre, VT – Harold
“Hard Luck” Hanaford, one of the early stars of Thunder Road and a legend of New
England auto racing, passed away on Saturday, March 17 after a lengthy illness.
Hanaford was 89 years old.
The Plymouth, NH native remains best
known as the inaugural winner of the Vermont Milk Bowl in 1962. He added a
second Milk Bowl championship in 1964 behind the wheel of his famous purple #30
Ford flathead coupe. It was the same year that he captured the first of
back-to-back “King of the Road" titles.
In addition, Hanaford was the 1963
Vermont Governor’s Cup winner. He also captured victories at the former
Northeastern Speedway in Waterford, VT, his hometown Plymouth Fairgrounds, and other
tracks throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. He was inducted into the New
England Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2009.
Hanaford remained a constant presence
at Thunder Road after his retirement. As the oldest living Milk Bowl winner, he
took part in opening ceremonies for many years, placing the ceremonial milk can
trophy in the infield along with the event’s most recent winner.
He is survived by his wife Florence
Hanaford and his son Brian Hanaford among others. Funeral arrangements are
unknown at this time.
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