Stew first became involved in custom cars and hot rods in 1952. His first car was a partially restored 1923 Ford T roadster.

In 1953, at the age of 18, he be-came a member of British Columbia Custom Car Association (BCCCA). You had to be 19 years old and have a driver's license to become a member. A special meeting was held to change the Constitution to allow Stew to join the Association.

After many, many hours and days of work Stew entered the T in the sec-ond car show held at the Kerrisdale Arena. He won his first trophy for Most Interesting Competition Unit. He con-tinued to enter car shows and drag race at the Abbotsford Airport. Stew is a member of the original 100 mph club.

In 1958, all drag racing at the Abbotsford Airport was cancelled.

Since it had been difficult to bal-ance family life, racing, BCCCA activities, and having no local place to race, Stew sold the T to buy a house and married his sweetheart, Sylvia.

In 1958, Stew managed Western Accessories’ new branch store on Kingsway.

STEWART BRADDICK - Inducted 2002

Pioneer - Hot Rod, Custom Car and Drag Racing

 

Stew with Ford T roadster (GVMPS collection)

 

 

Stew Braddick

By Cheryl Harder, 2002 - edited by Larry Braine, 2004

In 1959, the Braddicks started their own speed, custom and muffler shop, Payless Auto Accessories Ltd., which they continued to operate until 1980, when they sold the business.

By March 1960, several of the old time racers began to talk about getting a club track going. Stew knew of an air-strip in Mission which was being used by the Mission Aero Club. Stew met

with the owner, Ken Neal, and discus-sed the possibility of purchasing the land for use as a combined airstrip and drag racing facility.

On June 10, 1960, Stew, Ken Neal and Don McLaughlan stood before the Mission Council to discuss the new venture. Ultimately, the new Mission Raceway was completed and opened in 1965.

Stewart passed away in December of 2002. He is missed