Even before Graham Fraser, Sr.’s involvement with the British Columbia Custom Car Association (BCCCA), was his attempt to help the British Columbia Midget Auto Racing Association (BCMARA) pick up where they’d left off after World War Two stopped racing on the west coast.

In 1946 the BCMARA, with Fraser’s help, ran at places like Cloverdale, Chilliwack, North Vancouver and Kamloops. One of his mechanics at his gas station at 4^th and Pine in Vancouver, Walt Armstrong, had been racing midgets at East Vancouver’s Con Jones Park in 1940 and 1941. Fraser became a part of the Con Jones midget scene just as the war ended racing activities.

Fraser even bought land at Lougheed and Gilmore with the thought of building a midget track. But he was beaten to the mark by Andy Digney and

GRAHAM FRASER Sr. - Inducted 2001

Pioneer - Hot Rod, Custom Car and Drag Racing

By Brian Pratt, 2004

Graham Fraser Sr.  (Larry Braine collection)

 

Digney Speedway in 1948. One can only wonder how racing would have been different if Fraser had built his track rather than Digney.

Graham Fraser, Sr. also promoted hydroplane races which seemed to be more popular with both the public and the press.

Graham Sr.’s son, Graham Jr., also worked at the station and owned a

customized ’36 Ford coupe. When Graham Jr. and his young car enthusiast friends talked about starting a car club Graham Sr. offered his support.

Graham Sr. had many influential business contacts and had meaningful meetings with the Vancouver Police Dept. which were a benefit to the formation of the BCCCA in January, 1952.

Graham Sr. and Jr. were charter members of the BCCCA and helped organize the first Pacific International Motorama at the Kerrisdale Arena in 1953.

Graham was acquainted with Highways Minister Phil Gaglardi and influenced him in supporting the BCCCA effort to build a dragstrip. This led to the paving of the first Mission Raceway.

Graham Fraser Sr.