His racing career began in 1964, joining Norm Edger racing a jalopy at Nanaimo’s Grandview Bowl for a 4 year period. In 1968, he joined forces with Fred Bull in Port Alberni where they won the Mid Island Auto Racing Ass’n. (MIARA) Championship. He built a Claimer car in 1973 for Bill Powell. They won every Main Event that season and were the MIARA Claimer Champions. He also was on the MIARA Executive for 1973 and 1974. In mid 1974 he built a Stock Car for Bill Drummond and they managed to finish 3rd in the seasons point standings.
In 1975 he attended Southard’s Racing School in California. He built a new car for Bill Smith in 1977. In 1978 he built a car for Orton Ker, and they captured the Western Speedway Stock Car Championship. From 1979 to 1991 he used his building talents by constructing 10 cars, including 2 dragsters plus various performance chassis components. He partnered with Bill Zdebiak in 1991 and 1992 on an IMCA Modified which was driven by Gary Smith. He became total owner in 1993 and Gary took all three Island Championships: Western; Cassidy; and the Island Series. Part way through 1994, he rented a NASCAR N.W. Tour Car from Ron Eaton with Gary driving in three races. He purchased and rebuilt it for 1995 where they had a great season finishing the season 3rd in the NASCAR N.W. Championship Points. Lance Wade drove the car for 4 events in 1996 with a win in Yakima.
1997 saw the car sold back to Ron Eaton with part of the terms of sale being that he would crew for Ron. In 1998, he crewed for a number of racers before being invited on a trip to Japan to crew on Wade Motorsports Winston West car in NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 500 at Twin Ring Motegi: a trip he considers a highlight of his career. Since then he has continued to be a crew member for Ron Eaton, as well as helping other racers both on the track and at his shop. He is a very talented individual and has assisted many racers with his expertise.
We’re now proud to add Bill Vater as an Inductee into the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame.
