MISSION, B.C. – The 36th running of the B.C. Historic Motor Races (BCHMR), the Tom Johnston Memorial Weekend, took place August 16-17 at the Mission Raceway Park Motorsports Circuit.
Vintage and historic racers from B.C., Alberta and Washington State came together for the two-day event, organized by the Vintage Racing Club of B.C. (VRCBC) and hosted by the Sports Car Club of British Columbia.
This year’s edition honoured the late Tom Johnston, a racer, builder and author who had a lasting impact on Canadian motorsport and was a fixture at BCHMR events. Johnston passed away earlier in 2025.
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The weekend featured four groups: Group A (fast cars, 1979 and older), Group B (faster cars, 1979 and older), Group C (vintage cars from 1980-2000), and the Open Wheel/Sports Racer class.
Group A saw five races. Calgary’s Jim Robinson claimed the opening win in his 1967 Lotus 7, before Coquitlam’s Wynn Hollingshead swept the remaining four in his 1971 Datsun 240Z.
Group B also ran five races. Malcolm McQueen of Maple Ridge won the first two in his 1972 Datsun 510. Sunday’s first two were taken by Woodinville, Wash., driver Anthony Nadalin in a 1965 FFR Challenge. Lethbridge’s David Robinson closed out the group with a victory in his 1967 Lotus 7.
Group C honours went to Maple Ridge’s Brad Zimmerman, who won the first two races in his 1995 Nissan 240SX. Pitt Meadows driver Jason Wesson took races three and four in his 1990 Acura Integra, while Vancouver’s Ryan O’Connor claimed the finale in his 1985 Chevrolet Camaro.
The combined Jim Latham Memorial for Groups A, B and C was won by Jim Robinson, with Maple Ridge’s Byron Meston second and event chairperson Gayle Baird third in her 1991 Honda Civic.
The Open Wheel/Sports Racer group had five contests, with Pitt Meadows driver Ray Stec winning four in his 1996 Van Diemen RF96. Langley’s Robert Fraser kept him from sweeping the weekend by winning race two in his 1991 Citation Formula Ford. Stec also won the Abbotsford Trophy feature, followed by Fraser and Cultus Lake’s Brett Payne in a Van Diemen RF80.
Other highlights included Langley’s Doug Seal in his 1967 Lotus 41 and Kelowna’s Leigh Manyk in his 1963 Lotus 23B.
The B.C. Legend series joined the BCHMR for the first time, putting on a popular show with their 1930s-style Ford and Chevrolet-bodied racers.
A round of the West Coast Sprite-Midget Challenge was also held, complete with a Le Mans-style start. Victoria’s Bill Okell won in his 1968 MG Midget, followed by Normandy Park’s Brian Volkert in a 1960 Austin-Healey Sprite and Bainbridge Island’s Martin Maggio in a 1963 MG Midget.
The Spec Miata race, presented under the Drivers Edge banner, went to Chris Field ahead of Peter DeVido and Brian Harvey.
Several SOVREN racers from Washington State also made the trip, competing for double points and the SOVREN Canada Cup. That trophy went to Maggio, who was also recognized for his enthusiasm for vintage racing.
Other awards included:
- Pete Lovely Memorial Award (best-prepared car): Robert Fraser, 1991 Citation Formula Ford
- SCCBC Spirited Driving Award: Brian Harvey, 1991 Mazda Miata
- Battered Cup (hard luck award): Stephen Newby, Lake Tapps, Wash., 1959 Austin-Healey Sprite
- Abbotsford Formula Vee Trophy: Tony Baldassarre, 1994 Tsunami FV
- Westwood Formula Ford Trophy: Brett Payne, 1980 Van Diemen FF
- Chairman’s Award: Martin Maggio, 1963 MG Midget, presented by chairperson Gayle Baird
Baird also raced her 1991 Honda Civic and 1964 Formula Vee during the weekend. With strong grids, international participation and busy paddocks, organizers hailed the 2025 BCHMR as another success. The 37th edition is scheduled for next summer. For details on the 2026 B.C. Historic Motor Races, visit vrcbc.ca or bchmr.ca.
