BILL PRICE 1997 Inductee

Western’s 2nd “Jalopy” race meet of the 1965 season saw one more new car join the ever-increasing number of entrants, the #44, a purple 1949 Meteor sponsored by “Speedy Auto Wash”. This latest newcomer was driven by Keith Johnson and owned by 2 brothers, Charlie and Bill Price. For the car’s 3^rd appearance, Keith stepped back as it’s driver and let Bill take the wheel, his Mother having to sign a waiver form in order for him to compete as he was underage. Finishing off that season, Charlie and Bill built a ’52 Ford for 1966 with Bill finishing 5^th in the VARA (“Victoria Auto Racing Association”) points standings. A new 1953 Ford for 1967 saw Bill win his 1^st Trophy Dash with a similar car being run the following year.

For the 1969 Stockcar season, Bill and Charlie bought Gary Kershaw’s previous year’s championship-winning 1955 Chevy which propelled them to a banner year with Bill winning the “Corby Cup” (most main event wins), the “Sponsor’s Trophy”, the season track record of 20.73 on August 23^rd, the “CFAX Popular Driver” award and to top it off, he tied Mel Marshall for the Stockcar Season Championship. In addition, Bill was chosen “Driver of the Week” on May 24^th. Moving up to the “Late Model Stock” class in 1970, Bill finished 3^rd in points and in ’71 was 6^th, plus they won “Best Appearing Super Stock”. For both the 1972 and 1974 seasons, Bill finished 3^rd in points.

In 1975 he was 7^th in points, also competing in the multi-track “IDC” (International Drivers Challenge) finishing 12^th overall. In 1976, Bill was the Super Stock Points Champion, also winning the “July Cup”, the Sponsors Trophy, the “Roy White Memorial” race and was again the CFAX Popular Driver. Racing only occasionally in 1977, Bill served on the “Vancouver Island Track Racing Association” (VITRA) executive as a “Director”. He then went on to hold 2 terms as Vice-President (’78 and ’79) and then 3 as President (1980, 1989 and 1990). He also served as President of the Victoria chapter of the “IMCA” (International Motor Contests Association) Modified racing organization and sat on the Board of Directors for “OTRA” (Old Time Racers Association). He also came back to driving, piloting OTRA cars in the mid-1980’s and campaigning an IMCA Modified later on.