by Lois Pollard-Grant

It has been more than 25 years since three auto racing enthusiasts, Ross Rockett, Norm Wilcox and Dave Ireland, came up with the brain wave to restore and race vintage cars.

Many of the cars, rusty relics of a time gone by, were found abandoned in fields, bushes and junk yards - a '32 Chev Coupe and a '32 Ford Coupe, discovered by Rockett in the Victoria area, had been raced in the 1950's and 1960's.

The car that Dave Cooper drove to four championships was found in a garbage dump.

By 1978 enough cars had been gathered up to hold an exhibition race at Western Speedway.

The first showing of five refurbished early model stockcars proved so successful that is was decided to form a club to provide fans with a program of fun and nostalgic racing.

Hence, the Old Time Racers Association (OTRA) was born.

Rockett headed up OTRA for the next 16 years. In 1994 Ken Alexander took over the reigns as President, followed by George Jensen in 1995 and 1996, and Bob Exton 1997 - 1999. Dan Morneau has been president since 2000.

"Positive changes in recent years," Morneau said, "can be seen in the overall appearance of the cars. There is also strong club support - and club pride, with membership now numbering more than 150."

Many of the cars are in better condition now than when they were raced in the 1950's. Although not all of these machines are original, they must conform to stringent club rules.

The 1928 - 1940 Canadian or American coupes must be stock appearing - no fiberglass is allowed. Only six cylinder or flat head V8's, 310 cu. in. maximum is allowed.

"Car count is up to around 30," Morneau said, with 25 cars at each show.

"Car count is also up," he continued, "because groups of club members have rallied together to purchase cars to be held until some local wanted to purchase."

"Too many cars," Morneau explained, "have been sold to the U.S., dollar value, and out of the 12 cars sold down south, none have made it back to Canada to race".

Corporate sponsors, Big Rock Traditional Pure Beer, Rich Bennett Trucking, P&R Western Star and Pro Fab Log Trailers, are important to OTRA, as are the individual driver's sponsors.

To reciprocate, OTRA holds sponsor promotions that include car shows, mall shows and parades. The club is currently producing a yearbook for the sponsors and drivers.

The Old Time Racers are a family orientated group and when they are not racing, they find the time to hold charity drives, and to include other fun things such as golf and washer tournaments, barbecues and camping.

OTRA, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, does not have a driver's point system. Instead, they choose to run for trophies - and everyone receives equal prize money.

Lining up for any given event on a race night, fans will see a classy, fast and competitive, field of cars that range from a '29 Rio to a '30 Hudson - a '29 Model A - a '33 Chev sedan - and more.

OTRA's 2003 calendar has 13 events - eight at Western Speedway, three at Saratoga Speedway and two on the B.C mainland.

Their first outing at Western Speedway is May 3.

2002 OTRA YEAR END AWARDS
Member of the Year - Dan Morneau
Mechanic of the Year - Bob Exton
Hard Luck - Rich Bennett
Driver of the Year - Bob Martin
Rookie Driver - Dan Curtis
Extra Mile Award - Jim Rankin
Sportsman Driver - Bob Gilles
# Onefinger Award - Bob Exton