Tucked high on a mountain in Coquitlam BC, a Vancouver suburb, was a modest yet challenging race circuit named Westwood. Built in 1959 with financing by members of the Sports Car Club of British Columbia, it was Canada's first purpose-built road course. Featuring an entertaining variety of turns and hilly sections Westwood attracted some of the finest drivers from the Pacific Northwest along with a number of international stars. Gilles Villeneuve, Keke Rosberg, Bobby Rahal, Alan Berg and Michael Andretti were among them, and even the great Sir Stirling Moss made an appearance. Our Nigel Matthews spoke with Moss at Pebble Beach and wrote that "he remembered his visit there in the late 50s very well and loved the track and its surroundings." Sadly, suburban housing crept closer until, in 1991, the track was sold to developers. Even as I write, some family is enjoying a barbecue on the very spot where Toronto's Eppie Weitzes spun, flew over the trees, and crashed his Comstock Special. Fortunately Eppie survived to race successfully in the CanAm series.

Fifty years ago you had to drive through a gravel pit to get there. The entry gate was flimsy, the loos were unmentionable, but the enthusiasm and the Racing were first class. And that's why I'm pleased to promote the Westwood50 Anniversary Celebration on the weekend of July 17 through 19. It won't happen at Westwood, of course, but at the SCCBC's riverside Mission Raceway, with the assistance of the Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia. Over the three days there will be vintage races, gala dinners and cocktail parties, commemorative ceremonies, parades, and static displays. The list of attendees includes well-known racing names along with others who helped make Westwood the best road course north of California. And yes, I'll be there, even though, as an eastern Porsche racer, I was only privileged to perform a few demonstration laps. If you live anywhere in Washington, Oregon, California, Alberta, or BC and you love yesterday's racing, think of this as your ultimate vacation destination.