RICHARD GRAHAM 2007 INDUCTEE

Richard Graham first got involved in auto racing when, at the age of sixteen, he joined the Vancouver Island Track Racing Association (VITRA). He first crewed on a Modified Sportsman and then ended up owning a 1932 Ford Stockcar that was driven by Wally Lum.

In 1968 Rich was part owner of a 1955 Chev Super Stock which Roy Haslam drove and the following season shared ownership with Harvey Chipper and Dave Smith in the ’55 Chev Super Stock that Gary Kershaw wheeled. This relationship continued until 1971 and included ’64, ’65 and ’69 year Chevelles. The team competed throughout the Pacific Northwest, winning many races and several championships including Western Speedway’s in 1969. At their second appearance at Riverside California’s “Permatex 200” in 1971, Gary Kershaw brought their car home first. They followed this win up that year with an overall victory in the second annual “International Driver’s Challenge” (IDC) series for Super Stocks.

Although he then stepped away from active involvement to look after his business and family responsibilities, Rich still provided racing with sponsorships and tow money to keep in touch. In the early 1980’s he and his family began travelling to Alger Washington’s Skagit Speedway to watch the Sprintcars and for several years he sponsored their “A Few Dollars More” event. In 1986 he and his younger son joined the Langley Midget Racing Association and began running a quarter midget at various Northwest tracks where they won championships in both 1988 and 1990.

They then moved up to half midgets from 1990 until 1993, their first season seeing four championships and many close finishes. In addition in ’93 they ran Mini Sprints and captured three championships. Their next progression was to full-size Sprintcars in 1994 where Richard’s son received Rookie of the Year awards at Skagit in 1994 and then in San Jose California in 1995 where they also set the all-time track record and won a feature in 1996.

Rich now became associated with “Henderson Motorsports” of California which was a 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 driver’s seat who accomplished two wins and six podium finishes and in 1998 won the 360 Nationals at Skagit. In 1999 the Henderson team had Steve Kent as their pilot and this exceptional driver totalled forty wins with fifty-seven podium finishes from 1999 to 2006. Highlights of their major wins were: 1999, 2000 & 2001 360 Nationals winner at Skagit Speedway; 2001 Super Dirt Cup winner at Skagit; 2000, 2001 & 2002 Evergreen State Challenge Champion in Elma, Washington; 2000, 2001, 2002 & 2006 Northern Sprint Tour Speedweek Champion; 2003 Trophy Cup Champion at Hanford, California.; two time Calistoga Speedway Champion; three time Gary Patterson Classic winner and two time Walt T. Ross Memorial race winner also at Calistoga.

Rich was a sponsor of the “Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame” and also of the “WILROC” Sprintcar series.