Hall of Fame
by Lois Pollard-Grant

Barry Rankin, George Stuart and Jack Taylor, were recently inducted into the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame, bringing the total number of inductees to 49, since the Hall's inception in 1984.

Pioneer Awards were also presented to Tony Burrows, Frank Dyer and the Quarter Milers club.

Barrie Rankin's involvement in auto racing began at Western Speedway in 1964 as a crew member on the car of Fred Best.

In 1966, he went to work at Western Speedway for track manager, Reg Midgley, assisting with tasks associated with management and administration.

He was track recorder for two years and compiled statistics for all the classes of cars as well as doing concession work and media reports.

In 1971 he became assistant track manager, and for ten years was on the Western Auto Racing Promoters Association.

Rankin acted as track manager and announcer at Western Speedway from 1981 to 1983 and was also the moderator in a weekly radio program "Behind the Checkered Flag".

After taking time off from racing, he returned to Western in 1985 when he was again involved with advertising, writing profiles, promotion and serving as race announcer for track manager, Butch Behn.

Rankin retired from his Western Speedway duties in the mid '90's but continues to work with the Victoria Shamrock Lacrosse Club.

George Stuart was prominent during the 1970's when he competed at various tracks throughout the Pacific Northwest and was always a top contender.

He originally learned his trade, gaining experience as one of the top drivers at Oyster River Raceway, north of Courtenay, B.C.

Stuart made his NASCAR debut in 1973, at the age of 32, and the ensuing years saw him setting track records, and winning races in the Carling Series, International Drivers Challenge (IDC) and NASCAR Winston West. Stuart placed near the top in drivers point standings on several occasions.

In 1977, he became the first Canadian to win a NASCAR Winston West Race.

Jack Taylor was responsible for bringing International Sprint Car racing to Canada in the 1930's.

He was also responsible for the construction of Langford Speedway which was completed in 1936. The 3/8 mile track proved exceedingly successful due to Jack's promotions and in 1937, the track became the first paved track in Canada.

Jack was instrumental in providing the early history of the heritage of auto racing in the Victoria area.