Jim Howard
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
15.Dec.1921 - 20.Jul.2015
Jimmy Howard was the guy that everyone in the Ontario Racing scene figured would make a rear-engine supermodified work. Jimmy Howard was a Chrysler fanatic and a mechanical genius. In the early '60's he was building cars for both Gary Witter and himself. When I say building - I really mean building - his fuel injection, his dry sump oil system, his quick change rear-ends and even the wheels on his cars where homemade! Jimmy's racing career had started in the early '50's and was in its twilight when he his rear-engine super made its debut at Oswego in 1968.
The car was painted yellow, numbered 38, had Chrysler power and could be considered a moderate success. Howard became the first driver to ever win a race at Oswego driving a rear engine machine. In fact on the night Jimmy had his car running its strongest he won BOTH his heat and semi. Unfortunately he had used his good fortune prior to the feature. Like so many before, Jimmy pretty much destroyed his machine up against the unforgiving inside hub rail at Oswego. Jimmy was named Oswego's Rookie of the Year in 1968. How many rookies have you ever heard of that wore bifocals?
Jimmy returned with the car but after 1968 gave up the driver's seat. He campaigned the car with Andy Brown steering as late as 1973, but with no real success. My understanding is that the car now sits buried in weeds, rotting in someone's yard. Apparently the current owner refuses to sell it and has made no effort to restore the car or even preserve what is left of it.
. . . written by Pete Turford
Jimmy Howard was a crowd favorite at the CNE stock car races. He drove with a fat stogie clenched in his teeth and his foot firmly on the gas pedal. He won back-to-back CNE stock car championships in 1957 and 1958. In his no. 38 yellow and black Dodges, he was always a regular at the Brantford, Ont., stock car track and frequently barnstormed around the province to other racetracks. He rarely left without a trophy or the winner's share of the prize money.
. . . from the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame
Having been involved with stock car racing here in Toronto since the late Ted Gilbert, who was my neighbour, snuck me into the pits of the CNE speedway in the trunk of the Fabri Garage #19 on opening day in 1952, it has been a life long love affair. I started my hands on involvement in 1959 and since I was running Dodge powered cars, had the run of Jimmy's scrap heap. Any part that he wasn't using was mine for the taking. In fact when we ran the Ottawa track in 1960 he loaned us the four barrel intake he fabricated for the Dodge 6 since we were limited to one carb. I followed his racing career as he won championships at not only the Toronto track, but I was also one of very few who was allowed into the shop as the rear engined car was being built. While I live in Thornhill, which is north of Toronto, for 20 years I had an overhead crane fabrication company in Stoney Creek and Jimmy would often come over to join me for lunch. It is indeed a very special feeling to find out that someone who was you’re hero as a kid, is a respected friend when one is my age.
. . . from Nate Salter
Jimmy passed away peacefully on July, 20, 2015, at Cama Woodlands Nursing Home, Burlington, in his 94th year. Predeceased by his wife Annette, parents Tony and Kathleen, and sister Margaret Lacey. Beloved father of Susan Scobie (Ron Morelli), Butch and Gary. Jimmy spent more than 20 years as a race car builder and popular driver in Canada and the United States. He spent his remaining years as a custom machinist and welder in his beloved “shop” on the beach strip. Inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Flamboro Hall of Fame in 2012. Member of the Macassa Bay Yacht Club. Jimmy was truly one of a kind and will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. A heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff and residents at Cama Woodlands. The family would also like to thank Dr. Grzeslo for the care he provided to Jimmy.
. . . from his obituary
The car was painted yellow, numbered 38, had Chrysler power and could be considered a moderate success. Howard became the first driver to ever win a race at Oswego driving a rear engine machine. In fact on the night Jimmy had his car running its strongest he won BOTH his heat and semi. Unfortunately he had used his good fortune prior to the feature. Like so many before, Jimmy pretty much destroyed his machine up against the unforgiving inside hub rail at Oswego. Jimmy was named Oswego's Rookie of the Year in 1968. How many rookies have you ever heard of that wore bifocals?
Jimmy returned with the car but after 1968 gave up the driver's seat. He campaigned the car with Andy Brown steering as late as 1973, but with no real success. My understanding is that the car now sits buried in weeds, rotting in someone's yard. Apparently the current owner refuses to sell it and has made no effort to restore the car or even preserve what is left of it.
. . . written by Pete Turford
Jimmy Howard was a crowd favorite at the CNE stock car races. He drove with a fat stogie clenched in his teeth and his foot firmly on the gas pedal. He won back-to-back CNE stock car championships in 1957 and 1958. In his no. 38 yellow and black Dodges, he was always a regular at the Brantford, Ont., stock car track and frequently barnstormed around the province to other racetracks. He rarely left without a trophy or the winner's share of the prize money.
. . . from the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame
Having been involved with stock car racing here in Toronto since the late Ted Gilbert, who was my neighbour, snuck me into the pits of the CNE speedway in the trunk of the Fabri Garage #19 on opening day in 1952, it has been a life long love affair. I started my hands on involvement in 1959 and since I was running Dodge powered cars, had the run of Jimmy's scrap heap. Any part that he wasn't using was mine for the taking. In fact when we ran the Ottawa track in 1960 he loaned us the four barrel intake he fabricated for the Dodge 6 since we were limited to one carb. I followed his racing career as he won championships at not only the Toronto track, but I was also one of very few who was allowed into the shop as the rear engined car was being built. While I live in Thornhill, which is north of Toronto, for 20 years I had an overhead crane fabrication company in Stoney Creek and Jimmy would often come over to join me for lunch. It is indeed a very special feeling to find out that someone who was you’re hero as a kid, is a respected friend when one is my age.
. . . from Nate Salter
Jimmy passed away peacefully on July, 20, 2015, at Cama Woodlands Nursing Home, Burlington, in his 94th year. Predeceased by his wife Annette, parents Tony and Kathleen, and sister Margaret Lacey. Beloved father of Susan Scobie (Ron Morelli), Butch and Gary. Jimmy spent more than 20 years as a race car builder and popular driver in Canada and the United States. He spent his remaining years as a custom machinist and welder in his beloved “shop” on the beach strip. Inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Flamboro Hall of Fame in 2012. Member of the Macassa Bay Yacht Club. Jimmy was truly one of a kind and will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. A heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff and residents at Cama Woodlands. The family would also like to thank Dr. Grzeslo for the care he provided to Jimmy.
. . . from his obituary
1954 Bridgport champ |
1959 CNE program cover |
year? |
1964, Jimmy Howard lending a hand to Gary Witter at Flamboro |
at Flamboro |
Flamboro around 1965 |
1967, Gary Witter made a big splash at Oswego with a Jim Howard built and maintained super grabbing 5 top 5's and rookie of the year honors |
1967 |
1968, Jim invaded Oswego with this machine. With it's independent rear suspension, this was one of the first good rear-engined cars From the archives of the Ronald D. Nielsen Family |
1968 |
1968 |
1969 |
- Jim Howard links
- Fantastic Video honoring Jim's career
- please links, stories or images so we can all remember Jim Howard
- stats
- Champion at Bridgeport 5 times - 1951, 54, 57, 58 and 1960
- CNE stock car championships in 1958 and 1959
- Most popular driver award at CNE for 10 consecutive years
- 1965 Flamboro and Delaware champion
- 1968 Oswego Supermod rookie of the year
- First driver to win races at Oswego with a rear engine car (heat and semi on June 28, 1968)
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