Before it was a housing development and golf course, Westwood Plateau was a 1,400 acre-odd parcel of land that included a racetrack.
All photos by Bruce Stewart in 1970.
Two of the streets in the development – Deer’s Leap Place and Carousel Court – were named for the track’s most challenging sections.
According to a write-up on the City of Coquitlam’s website, the course was named for Earle C. Westwood, then minister of recreation and conservation, who was instrumental in acquiring the land which included the 1.8 mile racetrack.
“The track was designed by the Sports Car Club of BC, and followed the natural features of the land. The famous Deer’s Leap came about because of the steep gradient of the land, which could not be easily flattened,” says the website.
Bruce Stewart tells me that Fred Herzog (shown chatting with a racer above in 1970) used to race at Westwood. “He had a variety of bikes, but preferred the English ones,” says Bruce. “He even wiped out once or twice around the hairpin!”
My favourite photo is the guy with the cigar who is helping to fuel up the motorcycle (above). It reminds me of that scene from Zoolander of the gas fight. If you don’t remember it—or were born after 1985—you can watch it here
Bruce took the photo (above) from the overhead walkway that went across the track in 1970. You can see the old Port Mann bridge in the background.
Fun fact: a 1988 episode of MacGyver called “Collision Course” was mostly filmed at Westwood. In the show it was called the “Westwood Springs Racecourse.”
The first race was held in the summer of 1959 and the last race was October 8, 1990.
There is a Facebook page called Remembering Westwood Mountain High Racing
Related:
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11 comments on “The Westwood Racing Circuit (1959-1990)”
I really enjoyed reading this and seeing all the old photos! I’m old enough to remember all that too. Just wondering if you also have stories and pictures of the old Westwood Stock Car Race Track? An old friend of ours used to race there in the 60’s and 70’s. Thanks!
Hi Kris, glad you enjoyed the post! I don’t have any stories, in fact the first time I heard of this racetrack was when Bruce sent me one of his gorgeous photos and it inspired me to read up on it. Bruce may have photos though, I’ll let him answer.
Hi, Kris! So sorry, I missed that . . . I do have a few shots out at the old Mission Drags (when the geriatric Double A fuel dragsters would hit a heart-stopping 205 in the quarter mile – now topping 270, so I am told). This was back around the mid-60s. Always fun to watch them ‘pop’ the ‘chute! Cheers/bruce
Thank you Eve and Bruce for replying to my post. Who knows, maybe someone else out there might have a picture or two of the old Stock Car Race Track. If I recall correctly it was basically located where the track field is now just by Lafarge Lake. Nice you mentioning the Mission Race Track! Another friend of mine raced there in the 70’s into the 80’s.
Thanks so much for all your incredible and interesting stories and photos! I really enjoy them all. Lots of local memories!
During 1959-196I, I visited Westwood with Bob McLean, later top Canadian driver, who died in a 24-hour race in Florida. I remember the MGs, the Austin Healeys, the Triumphs and other sports cars. The Chev Corvette was there, too. ‘Detroit pig iron’ was our put-down comment! No sign of motorcycles in my days. Kim Morgan
Very nice story. As a kid my dad took me there a few times and I went as an adult a number of times. Never got involved beyond being a spectator. These days, as part of the Greater Vancouver Motorsport Pioneers Society, I help honour many of those racers who started at Westwood. On September 28, 2024, at Shannon Hall, Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., we will recognize Westwood racers like Tracey Pearson, Cam Mackenzie, Bryan Evans and photographer Murray Chambers.
Thanks Brian, I’m so pleased to hear that the legacy continues!
Love the Triumphs.
great little write -up yes gone are many of the many racetracks that once were scattered across the lower mainland .
Westwood was a challenging course, for even the most professional drivers .
We use to frequent the Langley Race track in South Langley in the summer time to watch the 1/4 mile races there . It was great family fun . That track is still there in really good condition its now part of the GVRD Campbell Valley park .
Smells like a particular type of nostalgia, and it’s a temptation to contemplate it to the point of wallowing. I’ll pass for now, but thanks so much for posting this and stirring up all manner of thoughts from the past.
Gone but not forgotten