- At age 16, he joined the Vancouver Island Track Racing Ass’n. He worked on a super modified, then ended up owning a 1932 Ford Stock Car driven by Wally Lum. He then became part owner of a 1955 Chev Super Stock driven by Roy Haslam. In 1969 he got involved with driver Gary Kershaw and shared car ownership with Harvey Chipper and Dave Smith. They ran four cars between 1969 and 1971—a ‘55 Chev, then ’64, ’65 and ’69 Chevelles. The team competed throughout the Northwest, winning many main events and several championships. They were point champions at Victoria in 1968 and 1969. On their second trip to Riverside, California in 1971, they captured the Permatex 200 race and also won the Northwest I.D.C. Championship.
- Although he left active racing to look after his business and family responsibilities, he still provided sponsorships and tow money to keep in touch. In the early ‘80s he began visiting Skagit Speedway with his family to watch the sprint cars. For several years, he sponsored their event called “A Few Dollars More”. In 1986, he and his younger son joined the Langley Midget Ass’n. and began racing a ¼ midget in various Northwest locations. They won championships in 1988 and 1990, then moved up to ½ midgets from 1990 to 1993. Their first season saw four championships and many close finishes. They also ran mini sprints in the Northwest and got three championships in 1993.
- The next progression was to sprint cars in 1994. His son received the Rookie of the Year Awards at Skagit in 1994 and in San Jose, Cal. in 1995, where they also set the all time track record and won a feature in 1996. He was now teamed up with Henderson Motorsports in California, a very highly competitive organization.
- In 1996 the team driver was Ronnie Day, who achieved three wins and eight podium finishes. The next season saw Roger Crockett in the drivers seat. He accomplished two wins and six podium finishes. In 1998 they won the 360 Nationals at Skagit. 1999 saw the Henderson team have Steve Kent as their pilot. This exceptional driver and crew totalled 40 wins with 57 podium finishes from 1999 to 2006. Highlights of their major wins were: 1999, 2000 & 2001 – 360 Nationals, Skagit Speedway; 2001 Super Dirt Cup, Skagit; 2000, 2001 & 2002 Evergreen State Challenge Champion, Elma, Wa..; 2000, 2001, 2002 & 2006 Northern Sprint Tour Speedweek Champion; 2003 Trophy Cup Champion, Hanford, Ca.; 3-time Calistoga Speedway Champion; 3-time Gary Patterson Classic winner; Calistoga; and 2-time Walt T. Ross Memorial winner, Calistoga.
- We’re now proud to welcome Richard Graham, HOF sponsor and WILROC Championship sponsor, into the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame.
