Ross Rockett

2011 INDUCTEE

      His Auto Racing involvement began in 1958. He then crewed on a 1934 Ford Coupe, then they moved on to a “B” Modified in 1964 as well as he assisted Jim Malloy out of Denver, Colorado with his Super Modified for three years. He crewed on stock cars in 1966 and 1967, then worked on a Super Modified which competed on the CAMRA circuit for the next few years.
      He worked as a track official at Western Speedway serving as Ass’t. Pit Boss, then Pit Boss then Cornerman. He was also VITRA club executive member, promoter, car owner and unofficial Western Speedway, club historian and was awarded the V.I.T.R.A. Promoter of the Year award on two occasions.
       In 1977, he was a founder of the Old Time Racers Assn. (OTRA), a club that has consistently competed here and in the Northwest since it’s inception. He held the club leadership post until 1994 and was also the owner of three cars that competed in the series. They were a 1932 Chrysler Coupe, a 1933 Dodge Coupe and a 1929 DeSoto Coupe. The club is the longest existing class on Vancouter Island still today. He was awarded a lifetime membership and he also submitted racing reports to a weekly publication out of Vancouver, Wa. called Racing Wheels.
       In 1984, the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame was formed (the first of it’s kind in Canada). The initial formation meeting was held at his residence and to date has seen 74 persons Inducted as well as 62 Pioneer Awards given out. He is still a Director’ is instrumental in producing the yearly souvenir programme as well as controlling the website and the Hall of Fame Museum adjacent to Western Speedway. Visitors enjoy the memorabilia on display.
       In 1999, he also joined the Victoria Sports Hall of Fame as a Director so that the sport of Auto Racing would be initiated. In 2000, he was the co-founder of the WILROC Sprint Car and Super Modified Race series. The club became very popular and competitive in the Northwest. After six successful years of involvement, they retired in 2006. The club is still in existence.
       His primary automotive interests still lie with being on the Board of Directors of the two Halls of Fame, being a true Auto Racing historian of Vancouver Island Auto Racing dating back to before the 1920’s. He is also a member of the Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Iowa and also enjoys having collector cars. To this date, he is still very involved with the Auto Racing community at Western Speedway. He volunteers as the media contact as well as keeping records of all the newspaper clippings, sending the race results to 37 media contacts after each event and maintaining the historical records of everything that occurred at each show.
       After 27 years of this Hall of Fame, it is very gratifying that the Committee has inducted Ross Rockett into his facility. He is very appreciative of this pleasurable experience.

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