Saturday, August 31, 2013

even more old Mission photos

From the Motorsport West feature of 1991 on the opening of the drag strip at Mission Raceway.



Thursday, August 29, 2013

Mission from the 60s and 70s

Some photos from Motorsport West, from the archives of the earlier publication Road and Motorsport in B.C., on the opening of the "new" Mission Raceway.





Sunday, August 25, 2013

always looking for a place to race, part 2

The building of the velodrome for bicycle racing at the 1954 British Empire Games got the motorcycle racers thinking, always a dangerous thing.

I've heard legends of the track being used for motorized racing but haven't found any evidence of it happening.


Saturday, August 24, 2013

always looking for a place to race

Back in 1954 Stanley Park was considered by the Sports Car Club of BC as a venue. It didn't seem to get very far.

And later, in the 1990s, talk was made concerning using the park for a grand prix race (The story can be found in Tom Johnston's book, Sports Car Road Racing in Western Canada.)

Neither came about.

But the Ladies' Auxillary of the SCCBC did hold a lunch there in 1958 at the Teahouse.

Anyway, happy 125th birthday to Stanley Park. 



Friday, August 23, 2013

and even more CAMRA reunion photos

Some programs that are part of the late George Robertson's collection that Bob Pike now has.

I made the comment that I'd love to have a scanner to get more of these copied properly. Maybe some other day (or week, or month).




Thursday, August 22, 2013

even more CAMRA reunion photos

Idaho's Stan Fuller speaking with builder Jim Tipke.

1966, 1967 and 1969 CAMRA champion, Norm Ellefson.

Norm speaking with Calgary racer Gary Miller.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

more CAMRA reunion photos


Don Shervey brought the Chinahauser modified.




Tuesday, August 20, 2013

CAMRA 50th anniversary reunion, 2013

Went down to Stateline Speedway, Post Falls, Idaho, just east of Spokane, for the Canadian American Modified Racing Association 50th anniversary reunion over the August 17-18, 2013 weekend. Lots of drivers, builders and vintage cars.

Dave Craver in the Jerry Day sprint car.



Thursday, August 15, 2013

more sad news, RIP Chuck Robinson

Just learned of this. Chuck Robinson, first BC Custom Car Association President. More information to follow. RIP.



Wednesday, August 7, 2013

1963 CAMRA, Salt Lake City

The series traveled far and wide.





Tuesday, August 6, 2013

early CAMRA at State Line Speedway

Not the track that exists today and that will be the place for the 50th anniversary of CAMRA. But close by.



Sunday, August 4, 2013

sad news, Gim Wong, RIP


WONG, Gim Foon

December 28, 1922 - July 29, 2013

Born in Vancouver's Chinatown, Gim passed away peacefully in Vancouver at the age of 90. Lovingly remembered by his wife of 53 years, Mui Jan, children Cyndi (Glen Muir), Donna (Guy Malthus), Jeffrey, Dina, and Lisa. He is survived by his sister Anne Loo, brothers Allan (Yvonne) and William of St. Catharines, Ont. and many nieces and nephews. Gim joined the RCAF in 1944 and initially trained as an air gunner and later became a flight engineer on Halifax bombers. He was one of the youngest commissioned Chinese Canadian pilot officers and was stationed at Jericho Air Station in Vancouver. In his pastime, he raced midget sprint cars with the Washington State Midget Racing Association and at Burnaby's Digney Speedway. Self employed, he ran Gim's Auto Body (Wreck-o- Mended). Gim was inducted into the Greater Vancouver Motorsport Pioneers Society Hall of Fame and served as President of ANAF Pacific Unit 280. In 2005, at the age of 82, Gim rode his motorcycle to Ottawa to address the Prime Minister about head tax redress in what became known as Gim Wong's Ride for Redress. Recently, he became the recipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal. His sense of humour, amusing stories, love of all things cute, passion, persistence, childlike view of the world, and his self-proclaimed scrappiness will be missed. He fought a valiant fight to the end. The family would like to extend their thanks to the nurses, doctors and support staff at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital (MSJ) for all their kindness. Gim will be greatly missed by all his many family and friends. Funeral service to be held on Friday August 9, 2013 at 12:00 pm at Willingdon Church, 4812 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby. Public Viewing on Thursday, August 8, 2013 6-8 pm Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 3789 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby. Condolences may be offered at www.forestlawn-burnaby.com In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tapestry Foundation (MSJ) 604-877-8335. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/vancouversun/obituary.aspx?n=gim-wong&pid=166199541&fhid=5849#fbLoggedOut


WONG, Gim Foon
December 28, 1922 - July 29, 2013
Born in Vancouver's Chinatown, Gim passed away peacefully in Vancouver at the age of 90. Lovingly remembered by his wife of 53 years, Mui Jan, children Cyndi (Glen Muir), Donna (Guy Malthus), Jeffrey, Dina, and Lisa. He is survived by his sister Anne Loo, brothers Allan (Yvonne) and William of St. Catharines, Ont. and many nieces and nephews. Gim joined the RCAF in 1944 and initially trained as an air gunner and later became a flight engineer on Halifax bombers. He was one of the youngest commissioned Chinese Canadian pilot officers and was stationed at Jericho Air Station in Vancouver. In his pastime, he raced midget sprint cars with the Washington State Midget Racing Association and at Burnaby's Digney Speedway. Self employed, he ran Gim's Auto Body (Wreck-o- Mended). Gim was inducted into the Greater Vancouver Motorsport Pioneers Society Hall of Fame and served as President of ANAF Pacific Unit 280. In 2005, at the age of 82, Gim rode his motorcycle to Ottawa to address the Prime Minister about head tax redress in what became known as Gim Wong's Ride for Redress. Recently, he became the recipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal. His sense of humour, amusing stories, love of all things cute, passion, persistence, childlike view of the world, and his self-proclaimed scrappiness will be missed. He fought a valiant fight to the end. The family would like to extend their thanks to the nurses, doctors and support staff at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital (MSJ) for all their kindness. Gim will be greatly missed by all his many family and friends. Funeral service to be held on Friday August 9, 2013 at 12:00 pm at Willingdon Church, 4812 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby. Public Viewing on Thursday, August 8, 2013 6-8 pm Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 3789 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby. Condolences may be offered at www.forestlawn-burnaby.com In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tapestry Foundation (MSJ) 604-877-8335. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/vancouversun/obituary.aspx?n=gim-wong&pid=166199541&fhid=5849#fbLoggedOut
WONG, Gim Foon