Phil Hendry began his auto racing days in 1951, joining the Vancouver Island Track Roadster Association (VITRA) and starting in 1952 he drove a Stockcar at Shearing Speedway.
In 1953 he took on the position of Assistant Pit Boss at Shearing working alongside Gary Abbott and Dave Miller, a post which he also occupied when Western Speedway opened in 1954 and continued with until 1956. Phil then took over the position of Starter which had been vacated by Ron Mayell.
Having a keen eye and first-hand knowledge gained from his own driving experience Phil soon earned the respect of the drivers he flagged, also developing a flamboyant flagging style which greatly added to the fan’s enjoyment of the weekly race meets.
Phil’s days behind the wheel didn’t disappear entirely as he entered the “Crash Elimination” races that were held at the track from time to time which he usually won, being the last car still running. He also oversaw the fireworks displays which the Speedway put on and in addition to his Starter’s duties also served on VITRA’s executive in the positions of Treasurer in 1962, Secretary in 1964, Vice-President in 1965 and 1971 and Director from 1966 to 1968.
Like many of his fellow racers who were employed in the automotive trade, Phil was a new car salesman, working at dealerships which included Dolphin Motors, McCallum Motors and David Motors.
In the latter part of the ’63 season, Phil stepped away from the Starter’s post but returned in 1965. He passed on many of his talented moves and expertise to the young starters who apprenticed under him, some of whom took over when he retired from the position in 1972.
In 1975 Phil was presented with a VITRA life membership, being only the third person along with Dave Cooper and Billy Foster to receive this honour.
Phil Hendry was inducted into the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1989.
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- 1953 at Shearing Speedway – #13 Stockcar with (l to r) Frank Kitto, Bill Sim and Phil Hendry (photographer unknown).
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- 1953 at Shearing – Phil in his #13 Stockcar (photographer unknown).
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- 1953 at Shearing – #13 Stockcar with (l to r) Phil, Bill Sim and an unknown crew member (photographer unknown).
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- 1955 at Western – Track officials lineup with (l to r) Frank Addison, Phil Hendry, Gary Abbott, Dave Miller, Ron Mayell, Gordy Barr, Bob Young and Bill Gawne (Dave Orrick or Bud Glover photo).
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- June 1st,1957 – Phil flags Nanaimo’s Hank Neilson as the first car to time in on Western’s new asphalt -surfaced track (Bud Glover photo).
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- 1957 – June Speedway program cover containing a reference to Phil’s flamboyant style of flagging!
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- “Labour Day” of 1957 – Phil awards Dave Cooper with the “Gold Cup” trophy (Bud Glover photo)..
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- 1963 – Phil washing his flags prior to the season’s first race (Ted Mackenzie photo)
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- 1967 – Phil presents winning driver Al Smith with the “Strawberry Cup” (Barrie Goodwin photo).
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- 1973 – Phil Hendry – Speedway promotional photo (Ted Mackenzie photo).
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- 1989 Inductee Phil Hendry – artist’s portrait
