Friday, June 14, 2019 ~ LANGFORD
~ Mary Brooke, West Shore Voice News
About 50 people — mostly of a vintage age — gathered on Friday afternoon in Langford to celebrate the release of a book about a long-ago race car driver who once sped on the track at what is now Western Speedway in Langford.
Billy Foster – The Victoria Flash was instigated by Langford resident Gordon Alberg — a friend of Fosters from long ago, and written by Bob Kehoe of Portland, Oregon. It took three years to assemble, write and publish, says Alberg.
Langford was chosen as the location for the book release. The late Billy Foster became the first Canadian to race in the Indianapolis 500. However in 1967 he died when his car hit a wall while testing at the Riverside Raceway in California.
“Billy Foster was one of the finest race car drivers to come out of Canada,” says Langford City Councillor Matt Sahlstrom who for many years owned and operated Western Speedway.
Foster not only raced in Indy Cars but also in the USAC Stock Car Division. Well respected, Foster had made many friends in racing, with his dearest being Mario Andretti who reportedly stated he would never make another friend in racing like the friend he had in Billy Foster.
The 375-page book was displayed, autographed by various members of the racing community, and sold at $35 each at today’s event held at the Four Points Sheraton in Langford.
Refreshments at today’s event included coffee and sandwiches. Books were on display. People could mingle.
The oldest former racer in the room was 97-year-old Dave Cooper — still sharp as a whip — who remembers the old Langford track. He was among those who wrote messages and autographs for book purchasers today.
The book release included display of two of Billy Foster’s race cars, set up out front of the Sheraton on this sunny warm summer day. One of the yellow cars is used at the Mt. Tolmie Hill Climbs, and the other is the Indy Car Billy raced at the Indy 500.
Both vehicles have been restored by Alberg, himself a former owner of many race cars and United Engineering.
The softcover book that was printed in the USA and in some quantity shipped to Langford for today’s event will be sold at this weekend’s Strawberry Cup races June 14 & 15 at Western Speedway. At this weekend’s race a couple of sprint cars will be sponsored by Alpine Group, says Langford Mayor Stew Young.
“Billy Foster is an important part of Langford’s car racing history and it’s great that the public now will have an opportunity to read about one of Canada’s racing legends,” says Stew Young.
Billy Foster died young. Among the remarks at the podium today was that a full commitment to car racing places everything else second. Foster was survived by his wife and two children. The famous Victoria-raised musical producer David Foster is a cousin.
The book is also available for sale on Amazon. ISSN: 978-1-79705244-1
