George Wayne Atkinson

Wayne began as a driver at Western Speedway in the “Jalopy” class in 1965 driving a white #13 1950 Chevy sedan. He returned in 1967 with a #61 '49 Ford in the “Stockcar” class and again in 1968 with another Stockcar, this time a #88 1953 Ford. He moved up to the “Super Stock” division in 1969 with a #21 '56 Ford which he also drove the following year with the #19. He built a #19 1965 Ford Fairlane for the 1971 Super Stock season, following which he stepped away from racing but came back in 1978 with a #16 '68 Mustang which he ran in the Stockcar class “Island Series”, competing at Nanaimo's “Grandview Bowl” and Black Creek's “Saratoga Speedway” in addition to Western Speedway.

Following his retirement from racing, Wayne retained his automotive interest and became a very active member of the “Torque Masters Car Club”. Godspeed Wayne!

I have the following photos of Wayne's racing days:

1965: Wayne at the wheel of his #13 1950 Chev “Jalopy” (Barrie Goodwin photo).

1967: Driver photo of Wayne (Barrie Goodwin photo).

1968: Wayne in his #88 '53 Ford “Stockcar” finds his way blocked by a sideways fellow competitor (Barrie Goodwin photo).

1969: Western Speedway program “Super Stock” lineup which includes Wayne's #21 car.

1969: Wayne in the #21 '56 Ford Super Stock with Larry Walker in the #88 '57 Dodge alongside.

1971: Wayne (at lower left) and crew with their #19 1965 Ford Fairlane Super Stock (Barrie Goodwin photo).

1978: Wayne's #16 1968 Mustang Stockcar (at far right) in Western's 1st turn during a heat race with fellow competitors (left to right) #54 Al Miller, #23 Jim Smith, #68 Dale Taylor, #56 Gordy Stone and #11 Pete Yarmoluk (alongside Wayne) (Barrie Goodwin photo).

He leaves behind his loving wife, Daphne and step son Dale, sister Leslie, nephew Bobby (Jo) and many loving family members.