* Jack Taylor was responsible for bringing international sprint car racing to Canada regularly. Victoria became widely known as "Canada's Auto Racing Capital".

* As a "big car" owner in the early 30's, Jack campaigned a Ford sprinter in BCASA-sanctioned meets at the Willows and the Colwood Mile, two local horse tracks.

* The always capacity crowds didn't escape his attention, especially when he was approached to build a speedway on a large tract of land he owned near Langford Lake. With the Depression and the Island location of Victoria, the risks were enormous, but he was willing to gamble. The BCASA members volunteered and turned out in full force. The construction of Langford Spedway was begun in 1935. The grandstands were built by Jack with the help of Andre and George Cottyn.

* After opening in 1936, the 3/8th mile track proved to be successful beyond anyone's expectations, due largely to Jack's promotion. He was everywhere as his own promoter, publicist, announcer, car owner and track manager.

* To augment the meager local field of about a dozen sprint cars, he offered a generous guarantee of $25 to any sprinter from the U.S. They came flocking in from Seattle, Portland, California's Bay Area and even Los Angeles. The local field of cars swelled to around 25 cars, but he still continued to offer the appearance bounty to the U.S., thus maintaining the international flavour. Some of the legendary drivers to race at Langford Speedway were Jimmy Wilburn, Rajo Jack, Wally Schock, Einar "Swede" Lindskog, Johnny McDowell, Allen Heath, Chick Barbo, Tommy Legge, Adolph Dans, "Cactus" Jack Turner, Shorty Scovell and a host of other outstanding international stars.

* Lighting was installed in 1937, using 150 watt bulbs. The track also became the first paved track in Canada, thanks to a $1,500 donation by Frannie Morse.

* As sprint car racing was his mainstay, Jack turned down most other association's requests to appear. His weekly Saturday programmes were attracting near-capacity
crowds. In 1940, the season closed with a split midget /sprint race in October. Other types of cars occasionally appeared on the same programme with the sprints.

* Langford Speedway ceased operation for the duration of WWII after the 1941 season. It was used during the war by the military, then subsequently purchased in 1945 by Bruce Passmore.

* Jack Taylor was instrumental in providing the great early history of the rich heritage of Auto Racing in the Victoria area.

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