- The very colourful “Digger” first donned racing togs in 1937 after purchasing a four-cylinder Chrysler Sprint Car from Phil Foster (Billy Foster’s uncle).
- This was an ideal beginners car — not too fast, but a good handling car that was nearly always still running when the checkered flag fell.
- In 1939, Digger bought a four-cylinder Chev sprint car from Langford Speedway promoter Jack Taylor. Ironically, Digger flipped this car while he was on a
- test run, but as it was one of the first equipped with a roll bar, he was unhurt. He placed well with this car until racing was cancelled during WW 2.
- Returning to action in 1946, Digger equalled the Langford Track Record of 18 seconds flat, then went on to turn in a near perfect record. Out of the seventeen main events, Digger won fourteen, came second twice and third once. He also had seven consecutive clean sweeps (Helmet Dash, Heat Race and Main Event).
- He relocated to Seattle in 1947 and ran a heavy schedule with the midget cars. This lasted until mid-season when a lucrative job offer in Victoria lured him North again. He ran the rest of the season in the Davis sprint car.
- He again returned to the States in 1948 and continued his racing exploits until his retirement in 1959. During the early period, he earned the nickname of “The International Complication”.
- Digger’s early racing exploits at Langford in the 30’s and 40’s probably had popular sportswriter of the day Pete Salloway wearing out a number of typewriter ribbons as he recorded these events.
- Digger was also known as a true sportsman, gentleman and a “class” individual. In later years, he was involved with the Golden Wheels Club in the Northwest and acted as Master of Ceremonies at many of their banquets. Digger Caldwell passed away in January, 1993, but his exploits and his memory lives on with his many friends in the Auto Racing Fraternity.
