Gim Wong

 Early midget auto racer, Gim Wong, 1948 and 1950.

 

Gim Wong, circa 1959

 Gim Wong and crew, circa 1959, probably down at Aurora Speedway near Seattle.

another old history article

This one about Gordon Reelie and Gim Wong. From the July 2001 Geared For Racing magazine.

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

Gim Wong, midget car racer (amongst other things)

I believe Gim Wong said last Saturday at the Digney Reunion preview that he would be turning 86 on his next birthday. He talked a bit about Con Jones Park in East Vancouver and the midgets racing there, Mickey McDowell and others, and that was where his interest in midget racing came from.

I first met Gim a number of years ago. He is generous of spirit and information and carries with him a wonderful memory and a number of passions.

The photos show some of racing he has been involved with over the years. While he wasn't a champion he definitely was the type of racer that one has to respect: enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and able to make little or no money stretch out and allow him to race.

Long may he be around.