The importance of family was a common theme running through the proceedings at the 2017 Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame and Museum induction ceremony Saturday at Western Speedway.
The Hall officially grew by six on Saturday, with longtime sprint car drivers Scott Aumen and Darren Yates, Pro-4 and mini stock star Jim McKay and champion karter Johnny Sutton joining the drivers category, and key behind-the-scenes men Wally Lum and Ken Osman installed as builders. Each in their own way touched on the support of family B次元官网网址� often oneB次元官网网址檚 extended family B次元官网网址� that is critical in this sport.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a community on its own,B次元官网网址� reflected Osman, who observed much in his years overseeing the pace car and trophy presentation programs at the track. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檝e got families B次元官网网址� moms and dads and kids working together and learning.B次元官网网址�
McKay, who met hundreds of people over multiple decades driving and crewing in different classes of racing, pointed out how even competitors can be quick to offer help to keep a driver on the track. B次元官网网址淚 think for most people thatB次元官网网址檚 what racingB次元官网网址檚 all about, is the people you meet, even more than the competition,B次元官网网址� he added.
These days Aumen and his wife are helping their twin boys in their racing endeavours. He recalled how his dad didnB次元官网网址檛 give him technical advice B次元官网网址減er se,B次元官网网址� but before the many road trips, B次元官网网址渉e always made sure the truck had gas and the trailer was ready.B次元官网网址�
Yates, whose mom was front and centre in the crowd, said later that driving competitively is not something a person can do without a supportive spouse or partner.
And Sutton got a little choked up when talking about how his dad, Johnny Sr., was a driving force behind getting him started in racing, helping build the karts that would carry the son to multiple championships and being there for him all the way along.
Jennifer Smith, representing sponsor OB次元官网网址橠ell Slinger Service, started the ceremony off by presenting Hall president Neil Montgomery a cheque to help cover the cost of the event. Speaking of family, Montgomery, in 1996, was named to the Hall 12 years prior to son TrevorB次元官网网址檚 induction, and younger son Jeff continues to enjoy success on the track.
Western Speedway track announcer Cole Sorenson, whose knowledge of racing history belies his young age B次元官网网址� heB次元官网网址檚 just 17 B次元官网网址� reminded those in attendance that the season gets underway this Friday and Saturday (April 14 and 15). HeB次元官网网址檒l be reporting on track activities once again for the Gazette in upcoming issues through the summer.
For more about the Hall of Fame, visit victoriaautoracinghalloffameandmuseum.com or go to allfun.bc.ca/home for schedule and other information on Western Speedway.
