James Howard View A Story - Burlington, Ontario | Smith's Funeral Home
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This Book of Memories memorial website is designed to be a permanent tribute paying tribute to the life and memory of James Howard. It allows family and friends a place to re-visit, interact with each other, share and enhance this tribute for future generations. We are both pleased and proud to provide the Book of Memories to the families of our community.

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My childhood hero

First my condolences to Jimmy's family.

My first stock car race at the newly opened Flamboro Speedway back in 1964. I was taken there by my cousin Jim Smith who raced supers at Ancaster and the C.N.E. with Jim, as well as bridgeport. The black and yellow numbered 38 quickly became my hero. In later years I followed Jimmy to the Oswego Speedway in upstate N.Y. Jim or "Jesse James Howard" as he was called back in the day always raced as a fierce competitor, but always a gentleman! His inovation with the first ever rear engine four wheel drive super to win a race at the Oswego is still discussed in racing circles.

Jim was an innovator and with his help the likes of Gary Whitter (19) and Bob Mac Gillivary (28) had the chance to go racing.

I still have three 5" x7" photos of the three cars that I bought at Flamboro as a kid. I went on in the early 70's to run a street stock car. The number I chose, you got it #38. I worked the fire truck at Flamboro in 66 the second to last year the "Supers" ran in Canada. During a heat race Jimmy had retired the car in the infield with problems. Standing outside the #38 we felt he would be safer on the back of the fire truck with us. We asked him to jump up. Puffing on that famous cigar his reply was, thank's guys but I'm safer here, you guy's are crazy with what you do out there. I posted about 3 old photos that should bring some smiles and I hope the family enjoy's them.

In closing thanks Jimmy for the memories and influence you had on my childhood. I'm still a race fan today and you had a significant impact on the sport in it's early day's that still survive today.

Posted by Murray Smith
Wednesday July 22, 2015 at 9:25 pm
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