Grant King

 From the February 21, 1999 Victoria Times Colonist.

 

Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame, part two

 More from the February 27, 2014 Victoria Times Colonist.

Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame, part one

 A special section from the February 27, 2014 Victoria Times Colonist.

1992 Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame

 From the March 22, 1992 Victoria Times-Colonist.

sad news, Al Smith

Sad to learn about the passing of Victoria's Al Smith. A champion who was well known through the Pacific northwest.

a column by Victoria's Jack Smith

This is interesting. In 1953 Victoria's Jack Smith (posthumously inducted into the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame and the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame) wrote a weekly automotive column for the Victoria Daily Times. This is the first one.

Saturday video

A video biography of Reg Midgley:

Saturday video

A video biography of Roy Haslam:

the 2005 Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame ceremony

With all this Island stuff I should add a few hall of fame stories from 2005. From Inside Track (US) and Racing Wheels.

Saturday video

A video biography of Dave Cooper:

Saturday video

A biography of Victoria racer Gary Kershaw.

Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame

Some more pictures of the displays at the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame Museum at Western Speedway, north of Victoria.

Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame Museum

Located behind the grandstands at Western Speedway north of Victoria. First time I've been inside the facility as it stands now. Nice use of the space.

Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame Museum

A story on one of this year's inductees to the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame, Walter Ilott.

http://www.nanaimodailynews.com/news/need-for-speed-auto-racers-join-hall-of-fame-1.1778663

you say it's your birthday

Don't have many birthdays on record so when one comes up I should recognize it.

This time Ed Kostenuk, whom I've noted in previous posts.

Ed Kostenuk (born on October 12, 1925 in Victoria, British Columbia - died on September 2, 1997) is a former USAC IndyCar racecar driver.
He made six starts from 1962 to 1964 with a best finish of eleventh place. He failed to qualify for the 1962 Indianapolis 500.

Some photos "borrowed" from the web.

Ed Kostenuk's champ car at Milwaukee.

Ed Kostenuk in the cockpit with Vi Scovell. Golden Wheels collection.

 His Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame entry can be read here.

victoria auto racing hall of fame 2008

Couldn't make the festivities. Haven't seen the Times-Colonist for any coverage they might have given it and missed all the potential t.v. sports shows from the Island that might have mentioned it.

But there still is the internet. The hall's website has the three new entries' pages up already. They are:

http://www.victoriaautoracinghalloffame.com/frasercarmichael/frasercarmichael.html

http://www.victoriaautoracinghalloffame.com/tevormontgomery/tevormontgomery.html

http://www.victoriaautoracinghalloffame.com/andyyoung/andyyoung.html

Their website is a great place to go to learn about some racing history.

The photo I believe is of Dave Cooper, one of the first to be inducted into the hall. It was taken at Silver Lake Speedway in Everett, WA, 1951. If I have the correct info Dave finished 7th in the main.

Art Scovell won the race.

The photo comes from the Scovell collection that was being maintained by Jack Snyder. Don Radbruch made copies for me. Thanks to all.

photo from the 70s

I was looking at a poll taken on a music blog. Seems the most popular era, for that group, was the 1970s followed by the 1960s. So I guess I should cater to those eras as well. So for this post a photo of Tom Hamilton.

Tom was best known for racing a Ford Shelby GT350R on tracks like Westwood and the road circuit at Western Speedway in Victoria. But he also ran stock cars. I believe he had won the B main here.

(Yep, checked my notes: B main at Langley Speedway, Carling O'Keefe Opener, June 19, 1976.)

Tom comes from Campbell River, BC, and was inducted into the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame last year.

The Hall keeps quiet on who will be inducted until it is announced the day of the ceremony. Not sure if my schedule will allow me to be there. I've only missed a couple in the last 15 years. But I have my contacts and will pass on the info as I find out myself.

Anyway, here's the photo along with a link to the Tom's hall info:
http://www.victoriaautoracinghalloffame.com/tommyhamilton/tommyhamilton.html

Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame

Time is flying here. The Saturday following the Daytona 500 will be the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. That's Saturday Feb. 23rd. Here's the news release:

The Auto Racing Fraternity and friends will be gathering on Saturday, February 23rd for the annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies and racer’s reunion. This year marks the 24th Anniversary for the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame which was the first of its kind established in Canada solely dedicated to the Sport of Auto Racing.

This year’s function will be held at the Langford Legion Hall on Station Road in Victoria. Doors will open at 1:00 PM with the formal ceremonies commencing at 3:00 PM sharp. Admission at the door is still only $12.00 which includes a light luncheon and a free souvenir programme at the conclusion of the ceremonies. Popular refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon.

Although the names of this year’s Inductees are not released in advance, they will be honoured and join the 63 previously inducted persons in the Hall.

In addition, there will be Pioneer Award recipients introduced who will be added to the 51 previous selections in the Hall.

The motor racing heritage on Vancouver Island dates back to the 1920’s. It is rich in historical significance and the Hall of Fame Committee is extremely proud to be able to highlight the noteworthy personalities of the past on Vancouver Island and showcase the various significant accomplishments that have occurred.

Everyone is invited to attend this year’s event. As always, it allows members of the Auto Racing Fraternity, their fans, friends and anyone interested in learning about the sport to come together to remember past occurrences, renew old acquaintances, meet new ones, look at the memorabilia on display and generally enjoy the afternoon.

Check: http://www.victoriaautoracinghalloffame.com/news.html for more information.

Sad to also read of the passing of Victoria mechanic Walter Wakelyn at age 87. His memories went back to the Langford Speedway days. Here's a photo from the late 1940s that includes Walt identified as the middle crewman for the Digger Caldwell sprint car. Also the obituary posted at the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame website.