A new album of John Dutton photos has been added in the Nostalgia section. More photos will be added over the course of time.
Special thanks to John for the use of his photos.
Van Isle Dragways 1967-1972
John Dutton photos
Official Track Photographer
On a visit with my friend Alan Enns he brought out his "Authentic" Van Isle Dragways T-Shirt he bought at the track in the 1970 - 1972 time frame. Probably not many of these around any more. Thank you to Alan for sharing his photos.
Dan
Wayne gave me this great photo of the “Bohemian” at an indoor car show down in the Victoria area in the 1967-1972 time frame.
We are very pleased to be able to feature John Dutton, who served time as the official
strip photographer at San Cobble Raceway/Van Isle Dragways from 1967-1972. John's vast archive of photographs recorded a wonderful era on Vancouver Island. We feel, that, if not for John’s efforts, this history could be all but forgotten. We strongly believe that John's contributions to Vancouver Island's drag racing history warranted recognition.
JOHN DUTTON
Quarter Milers Car Club
Victoria, British Columbia
1963 - 1967
Executive/Secretary, Vice-President, President
San Cobble Raceways/Strip Announcer, Photographer
Autorama Car Shows/Master Of Ceremonies, Photographer
QM Newsletter/Editor
Island Drag Racing Association/Club Representative
Quarter Miler Of The Year/1966
San Cobble Raceway/Van Isle Dragways
Mill Bay, British Columbia
1967 - 1972
Member/lsland Dragway Promoters
Official Strip Photographer
Secondary Public Address Announcer
Mission Raceways
Mission, British Columbia
1967 - 1972
Photographer/Reporter
Drag News
Los Angeles, California
Columnist/Canada Notes
Road and Motorsports Magazine
Vancouver, British Colurnbia
Photographer/Columnist
International Wheelspin News
Ontario
Photographer/Columnist
National Dragster
Los Angeles, California
Photographer/Reporter
June 1970. With fellow members of the Island Dragway Promoters. From left, Russ Hepworth, Gerry Clarke and Doug Ferguson. British Columbia Ferries, returning from Mission Raceway.
September 1971, location forgotten, Master of Ceremonies, Van Isle Dragway 1971 Season Yearend Banquet and Awards Presentations
Van Isle Dragway, 1968, With Cinematographer Barry Casson
September 1968, with Bert Sweeting (driver of Gary Shepherd-Bert Sweeting BB/Gas Dragster), British Columbia Ferries, returning from Mission Raceway
May 1969, announcer, Van Isle Dragway
May 1969, announcer, Van Isle Dragway
October 1969, photographer, Van Isle Dragway
August 1971, Van Isle Dragway (A little wasted after a long day of announcing, photographing and a few too many Kokanees!)
Registration for the 2018 Show N Shine is now open. Sign up early so you don't miss out.
At the Goodguys Rod and Custom show in Puyallup Wa. this year, my car was selected for the best homebuilt award, also known as the Homebuilt Heaven Award sponsored by Speedway Motors. What I didn't know at the time was this made this car eligible for the National Award in this category, to be selected by voters from the cars picked at each of the 25 Goodguys shows from across the U.S.
For those that don't know this car, it is truly a "homebuilt vehicle". From the construction of the frame to the design and fabrication of the lift off convertible top, including dozens of custom body modifications, all body work and paint, and countless 'on-off ' special hand made pieces , everything on this hot rod was done by the owner in his home garage (except the custom leather upholstery).
This is a quote from the Goodguys Gazette, " We love showing support for home builders and Ray Digby's '29 Model A sport coupe fooled us on that aspect. The craftsmanship was so top notch, from fabrication to final fit and finish, we'd assumed it was pro built! "
You can find out more about this car in the Canadian Hot Rods Feature.
If, after looking at the other cars and you really believe this car is deserving of this prestigeous award, you can go to https://www.good-guys.com/homebuilt17 to cast your ballot .
What I started with.
How it looks now.
The Heavy Chevy in 1975 on a logging Rd near Campbell River.. photo courtesy Cherylee Morgan Maki
We would like to say “Thank you” to Todd Rocke for sending us these old time drag photos dating back to the 1970’s in the Ucluelet area back in the day...
There were many other cars in Ucluelet back then that were sweet. A Mercury Cyclone with a 428 CJ, A Maverick Grabber with a 302. A 69 Mustang Mach I with 428 CJ. Numerous other hot rods as well. Forgotten many as it was almost 40 yrs ago for me. lol Tim Scott would know the others. We grew up together in Ukee.
Here is a pic of the 69 Road Runner. Originally a Henri car (so goes the story) Had a fiberglass lift off Six Pack hood. In this pic it was running a stout 340 with a 727 trans and 4:10 Dana rear. This car was owned by Steve Halvarson. Davids' brother.
This is Serge Noel with his brother Conrad. The 64 Corvette was a 427 -600HP 4 spd car with I believe 4:88 or lower gearing. Serge used to race it up between Courtney & Campbell River on the old paved logging road. It was a very fast car in its day. Serge took it to Mission to see how it ran on the lights...High 9's back then.
Proud to post this as friend Derek Attwell's beautiful Chevy C-10 made it into the January 2018 issue of Street Trucks magazine using a photo I took at the Qualicum Beach Show N Shine back in June ♥
This jacket goes back to the Campbell River car scene days in the 1970's... We would like to say Thank you to Bill Luoma for sending a photo to us of his jacket
