| Lois Pollard-Grant Racing came at an early age for Lois as she watched her father Earl, and brother Larry race at Western Speedway in Victoria, BC Canada When her brother moved to North Carolina to pursue a NASCAR racing career, Lois talked her dad out of retirement to give auto racing a try with his youngest daughter. So at age 21, she ran her very first race in a borrowed ministock owned my Dan McAmmond – and finished second. Lois has had a mostly successful, and history making career behind the wheel of a variety of cars, and has collected more than 50 trophies for her efforts. Lois and her dad were the first father/daughter race team to race at Western Speedway when they campaigned in the ministock division. In her first year of racing, she was named rookie of the year and also became the first woman in the Speedway’s then 36-year history to win a main event, which she accomplished as a claimer driver. The following year she finished second in ministock championship point standings and would repeat the honors in 1998. Other awards Lois has received are driver of the week, best appearing car & crew awards and many appreciation awards over the years. In 1992, Lois drove to a third place finish in Thundercar championship point standings and also set a new track record in qualifying the same year. After taking a few years off from driving, in order to start raising a family, Lois returned to competition in 2006 competing in the International ministocks. Driving a Toyota Corolla, she finished 6th in championship standings. In 2007, Lois finished 2nd in championship driver point standings with one feature win and set fastest qualifying time. She captured three trophy dash wins and consistently finished in the top four at most races. Lois comes from a racing family and is carrying on a family tradition. Her dad was an accomplished racer winning championships in their hometown of Victoria, BC and tracks in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Her brother Larry, was the first Canadian to win a NASCAR Busch Grand National race. He also worked with legendary figures like Richard Childress, and for Richard Petty whom he was crew chief for. Lois has served as Secretary for Vancouver Island Track Racing Association (VITRA) and for the International ministocks. She looked after the clubs promotions and point standings. She arranged mall shows, press releases, and organized fund raising events, where proceeds went to local charities. The Pollard family has entered many decorated local parades – receiving many first place trophies for best decorated vehicle. Lois and her father spoke at area high schools about racing and mechanics. In recent years, Lois and demo car driver, Smokin’ Joe Liberatore have been hosting field trips for elementary school kids. Here they speak to students on driving, and the safety aspects of racing – focusing on “keeping speed where it belongs.” Lois and her car were invited to attend the annual Beaveree Event in May, 2007 - celebrating “Happy 100th Birthday Scouting”. Over 250 kids, along with their families were on hand to take part in a fun filled day of adventure and activities. Lois married fellow racing enthusiast, George Grant, whom she met in the pits at the speedway, when the couple pitted next to each other. George has been equally active in auto racing, and has raced in both stock cars and modified divisions. Lois has done freelance writing for publications in both Canada and the US. Her biggest efforts are two – 20 page supplements on the 45 and 50-year history of Western Speedway – for a Victoria publication, the Goldstream News Gazette. The supplement has since become an annual edition. RECENT NEWS / UPDATE Sooke’s Lois Pollard-Grant wrapped up her 2007-racing season in fine style. At a recent awards ceremony, the mother of two and who’s husband George, is crew chief on her 1986 Toyota Corolla, capped a second place finish in driver’s championship point standings. Lois also claimed two ties in other awards – for the prestigious “Sportsman on the Year” and for the most Improved Driver. The Sportsman award is voted on by the club’s membership, while the Improved Driver is voted on by the drivers only. You can read more about Lois on her web site. |
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