The British Columbia Custom Car Association (BCCCA) was formed in Vancouver in January,1952, and is believed to be the first Rod and Custom Club in Canada. The Association had 250 charter members by the summer of 1952. It is certainly the longest running as it is still very active today.

BCCCA started drag racing at Abbotsford Airport, running events there from 1952 until 1957. After the racers were excluded from Abbotsford Airport by its reactivation in 1958, BCCCA began a search for a new facility. Members located a small single runway airport in the District of Mission. Negotiations were opened with

the owners and the local government to create a dual purpose facility, airfield and drag strip. Shortly after receiving approval, BCCCA bought out the airfield interests, and with much help from club members, as well as the BC Minister of Highways, constructed a pure racing facility, Mission Raceway, that operated from 1965 until 1978. The facility received NHRA sanctioning in 1966.

In 1978, the government of British Columbia and the District of Mission approached the club to relocate the track facility to allow construction of a fibre glass insulation manufacturing plant (now closed). In return for the club’s

cooperation they were to receive clear title to an attractive new site and sufficient funds to develop it. They did get the site but it took years of battling and ombudsman involvement, as well as political pressure from retired club members to get the funding to build a new facility. In the end a new Mission Raceway Park opened for business in 1992 and as of this writing is in active use.

In 1992, BCCCA took in the homeless Sports Car Club of British Columbia whose road racing facility Westwood was taken over by growth of the city. The two historic clubs worked together to construct a new road racing facility that incorporates parts of the drag track and return road and some new construction.

Other motorsport activities that have been hosted at Mission include motocross, sand drags and water drags.

 

Aerial View of Mission Raceway  (BCCA Photo)

MISSION RACEWAY

Mission