Kaija Kalevale

 From the March 27, 2008 New Westminster News Leader.

 

1953 story on Kaija Kalevala

 From the September 26, 1953 Vancouver Sun.

Kelly Williams, CASCAR

 A picture of Kelly Williams with Kaija Kalevala. And a story on Kelly from the August 6, 2001 Montreal Gazette.

Kaija Kalevala

 Kaija Kalevala story from the December 10, 2010 Vancouver Sun.

two more from the 1953 PNE parade

Two more from the 1953 PNE parade featuring Digney Speedway stock cars. Kaija is the blonde woman standing out front. The flagger is unknown. Maybe Groffe Murdoch. I should remember who the 13 car is. (Maybe Buddy Webb.)

1953 PNE parade photos

I'm not sure these came from Roy Long. I will say so until I remember otherwise.

Looks to be the 1953 PNE parade, the BC Stock Car Association having an entry in the festivities. Roy Long's number 5, Kaija Kalevala's 82 and the 22 of Mel Keen.

when in doubt, link

Old (relatively) story about Kaija Kalevala. I like the attachments at the bottom of the story. Even looks like a couple clippings from this blog made it.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/kaija-kalevala-a-finnish-hot-rod-granny.551916/

some more Digney Speedway shots and what they were used for

The ad came from the Columbian newspaper, May 8, 1953.

Oh yeah, Merry Christmas!!

the program for the Monday, October 11, 1953 Shearing Speedway race

Might as well drag this out a bit. Good info on the previous races and entries.

Final race for the season promoted

Scheduled for Monday, October 11, 1953 with special entries.

Kaija Kalevala and CKNW

A couple pages from the CKNW magazine, back around 1953. Kaija Kalevala was the "sweetheart of the speedway" back then.

racin' on the radio

Once in a while I'll catch the MRN (Motor Racing Network?) covering a NASCAR race live. That usually means I'm not at home (well, duh!) and in my car (well, double duh!).

Back around 1953 local Top Dog! station, CKNW, did some broadcasts from Digney Speedway. Sportscaster Jim Cox did a delayed show featuring interviews and race coverage. I've never heard any of them, even asked the late great deejay Jack Cullen once about anything being saved and he said not that he was aware of. But I keep hoping. (I've heard a race from Langford Speedway in Victoria that was broadcast back in the late 1940s. The race was "taped" onto an acetate disc live and then quickly run over to the radio station in Victoria for a delayed show that the racers could hear and then bench race all over again.)

Digney Speedway reunion and Kaija Kalevala's birthday

As advertised a few days ago the Digney Speedway reunion preview and information social was held. A handful of former drivers, including birthday girl Kaija Kalevala, were in attendance.

I will add more pictures from the event over the next few days but here is a photo of Kaija along with a poster from a previous birthday celebration.