RAY POTTINGER

1998 INDUCTEE

* 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
Association (CAMRA) throughout the Pacific Northwest.

* 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).


PREV --- MAIN --- NEXT

Ray & crew with stock car in 1960

Preparing for a Powder Puff event

Ray driving his sprint car in 1961 at Western

Racing his sprint car atVictoria in 1961

1961 Turn one racing at Western Speedway

Ray's car sporting a cage in 1962

Ray leading a Modified race in 1962

Ray piloted this Super Modified roadster

Ray drove the Bob Vantreight roadster

With his restored 1956 car at an OTRA event in 1980

Winning an OTRA Main Event in 1981

Receiving his HOF Induction in 1998