Frank’s interest in racing began in 1970 when he assisted his uncle Peter Van de Mortel who managed Western Speedway’s concession which included transporting supplies in Peter’s 1966 Chevy and making popcorn for the track’s many fans. Frank would go and watch races from the grandstand entrance way when he could and in a few year’s time he was hooked on the fast action, noise and smell of racecars.
When he was ready to slide behind the wheel of a racecar, he and his friend Tim Welch built a pair of Enduro cars, Frank’s being a 1961 Ford station wagon. In 1978, they put together a Demo car using a 1971 Plymouth Sebring which had been in a street accident, filling the driver’s side door with concrete which back then was a safety requirement as this class did not have roll cages. They ran the car for two years with Frank winning four trophy dashes and two main events and finishing third in the 1978 Demo Points Championship after some fierce racing with the likes of Rob Scott.
Frank then hooked up with longtime friend Kim Jennings who had bought Darcy Primrose’s 1966 Comet along with it’s Island Farms sponsorship and they ran it for one season. In hopes for better speed the following year, they swapped a 1971 Ford Torino body. They then purchased Joe Musfelt’s former Chevelle, completely rebuilding it and ran it for two seasons.
Taking some time off from racing, Frank then decided to return and in 1987 built a 1971 Chevelle for the new Bomber class, having Russ Lejeune install the rollcage and with assistance from Butch Behn who offered his Wilkinson Road shop to complete the build. It was a great year with Frank finishing up in the top ten plus winning Best Looking Bomber and Sportsman of the Year. With Frank wanting a faster car for the ’88 season, the crew pitched in and had Russ Lejeune build a quality Stockcar which gave them another successful season with Frank winning dashes and a main event and finishing fifth in points plus Best Looking Car, Most Improved Driver and first in their class in the annual Victoria Day Parade. Frank advanced to the IMCA class the following season with Bill Price’s former Ford Mustang which they ran for two seasons after which another Lejeune-built car brought Frank several dash wins plus a main event in competition at Evergreen Speedway.
In addition to driving, Frank served as VITRA President as well as assisting with club events. His autobody shop was a regular track supporter with team sponsorships and signage. After taking another break, Frank returned to Western in 2009 this time in a 1991 Ford Mustang drag car, later turning it’s driver’s seat over to his son Ryan. Currently still in the heat of competition, the father/son team have also competed at Mission Raceway, Port Alberni and Port McNeil and are on their third car.
