RAY POTTINGER
1998 INDUCTEE
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* Ray was always a very popular Nanaimo driver -- always a top competitor throughouthis racing career. * In 1954, he drove his 1934 Ford Coupe Stock Car to a 6th place final spot in the Western Speedway points championship. * The following year (1955), he was the fourth place finisher in points for the season. * Again in 1956 Ray ended the season in 4th points at Western, where he also won the Gold Cup Race. During this year, he competed in Nanaimo, Skagit and Digney. * In 1957, Ray again hit the top ten with a sixth place finishing position. * Ray was again 6th in 1958. This was also the year that Nanaimo's Grandview Bowl Racetrack opened (May 16th). * He continued his top ten consistency by posting a 9th place finish for 1959. * In 1960, Ray moved up to drive a Desoto-powered Super Modified Race Car. * Ray earned the Season Points Championship in the Modified Division for 1961. * From 1962 to 1965, Ray drove Super Modified race cars throughout the Pacific Northwest as well as on a local basis. * In 1966, Ray drove the #44 Super Modified. As well as his driving duties, Ray became President of the Mid-Island Auto Racing Association (MIARA) and took on the promotional activities at the racetrack. His family assisted Ray with wife Vi selling tickets and son Lance selling programmes. * 1968 saw Ray pilot a superb #23 Super Modified
for Prince George car owner Barry White. They campaigned successfully
on the Canadian American Modified Racing * From 1973 to his driving retirement, Ray drove Bob Vantreight's Super Modified car. * The actual #4 Stock Car that Ray raced in the 1950's had been restored, ran a number of years with the Old Time Racers Association (OTRA), and is now on permanent display at the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame facility (donated by Basil Wells). |
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