It is loud—almost deafening—and all the more so when a nearby car revs its engine. It’s dusty, too: that dusty feel an Islander knows well after months and months of little to no rain when the air gets saturated with it.

Amid the whirl of cars and gasoline fumes are the mechanics, drivers, and fans who are all saying farewell to a Westshore institution: the Westshore Speedway.

This 643-metre paved track was founded in 1954 and was Canada’s oldest speedway, hosting likely millions of fans—3,000 at a time—and thousands of cars during its 68-year run. Between April and September every year, the track hosted races for stock cars, late models, Old Time Racing Association cars, sprint cars, drag racers, and monster trucks. It even hosted NASCAR series events from 1970 to 1989. 

Through it all, there has been no other driver who has recorded as many circuits around its track than Jim Steen. Jim began racing in the 1940’s at the age of 16, and when the newly built Westshore Speedway opened in 1954, Jim was there to race its first season. Sitting in the pit lane on the final night of racing, 68 years later, and surrounded by his crew and his son Kerry, Jim is easygoing and chatty, though looking as frail as any 84 year old might be. 

However when he climbs into his blue and gold Street Stock car, he looks as comfortable and as determined as any other driver on the grid. When the green flag drops, he is instantly in the thick of it—tucking in behind cars in front, passing, being passed, tapping bumpers, and sailing across the line in the middle of the pack. After the race, I ask if he has plans to keep at it after tonight. 

“No!” he quickly replies. “I’m done after tonight, I’m retiring. I turn 85 next month.”

After all the races—all 68 years of them—Steen was given the honour of the final lap at the track. His engine revved, the fans roared, and then the Westshore Speedway was silent.