- It is a real honour to be able to highlight the Auto Racing accomplishments of this gentleman. Far too often the people behind the scenes do not receive the recognition they truly deserve. As a successful businessman, he has supported numerous racing drivers and teams and has been a big part of their many wins and championships. It always seems that the drivers get all the glory and the recognition, but without the support and sponsorships, their records may not have been so noteworthy.
- He started his involvement in the sport of Auto Racing in 1968. He began as a mechanic and pit crew member with Harvey Brown at the Oyster River Speedway north of Courtenay, B. C. They ran a 1956 Chev stock car in the local events.
- In 1973 he was the crew chief for Harvey Brown on the Connie Mangles Special when they competed in the first International Driver’s Challenge races for Super Stock cars.
- 1976 saw him join forces with George Stuart and Phil Bickle where they formed the Island Racemasters Team. He then worked with Harvey Chipper and Dave Smith (Chipper-Smith Racing) to field a car for George Stuart to drive on the NASCAR Winston West circuit. They became the first Canadians to win a Winston West event.
- He then ran an open competition Camaro Late Model Stock Car that was driven by both Rick O’Dell and Roy Smith. They competed at major racing events such as Westwood, B. C. and Riverside , California .
- In 1980 he became a car owner and hired drivers Gary Kershaw and Roy Smith to race his car. The teams won many Winston West races and Winston West Championships, as well as numerous wins in open competition races.
- In 1982 he was the sponsor and crew chief for Roy Smith driving the “Pride of Victoria” car in the Daytona 500 race, where they finished in 10 th place. Without his support, Roy would probably have not been able to compete at Daytona.
- In the early 1990’s, he sponsored and was crew chief for Lance Wade. They began with Late Model Sportsman cars and then went to Winston West. In 1993 Lance finished third in the Coors Lite 500 Winston West race at Monroe , Washington . He also earned the pole position and finished fourth at a race in Tri-Cities, Washington . In 1994, he sponsored Lance for the inaugural Brickyard 400 NASCAR race at Indianapolis . He also aided with sponsorships for Gary Smith in various events in the 1990’s.
- We are very pleased to welcome John “J.R.” Edgett into the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame.
