In Memory Of Chuck Billington

A memorial service for Chuck Billington of the former Tracer Racing team was held Friday, March 3, 2006.

In Memory Of Chuck Billington

A memorial service for Chuck Billington of the former Tracer Racing team was held Friday, March 3, 2006 at the First Baptist Church.

Chuck and Tom were a major part of my life

I joined the Tracer Racing team in 1979. I was working for Foster Poultry farms at the time, and Tom discovered that I had at one time taught fiberglass layup at Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. He asked if I would like to join the team.

That began a longtime friendship with his best friend Chuck Billington. I will always remember Chuck for his inventiveness, and his willingness to help anybody on the track. I saw him weld virtually impossible pieces of metal together to repair race cars, at no charge to the racer. 

He was a good friend, and I will miss him dearly, I already do.

Ed Brown

December 2008

With great sadness I inform you that Chuck Billington, long time racer and half of the dominant Tracer Racing team from San Francisco Region was tragically killed in an airplane accident this afternoon near the town of Oakdale. As further details become available we will inform you of them.

-- R.J. Gordy, 02/08/06

Modesto Bee Story, 02/09/06

-- Bob Stegall, 02/09/06

It is with heavy heart that I write this. I have lost a long time friend................

I've known Chuck since the '60s in the days of "Bruce's Racing Recaps" when Chuck was a distributor for Bruce's.

He would come to the track with a truckload of recaps for sale; towing a Lotus 7 to race. Always a hard worker and fine competitor, Chuck could always find time for conversation and camaraderie with his racing buddies.

As time passed, he built up a reputation for fine work as Billington Welding and Fabrication. His association with Tom Foster in Tracer Racing is legendary in SCCA and beyond.

But, Chuck could always find time to "shoot the breeze" with old friends no matter how successful he had become.

That, to me, is the sign of a true gentleman.

Recently, I was leafing through a copy of "Popular Mechanics" and noticed an article about the Bonneville Salt Flats. Skimming that article, I came upon a familiar name. He had done it again.

Chuck Billington had built a car for the salt flats and, sure enough, had set a record for the class. I sent him an email congratulating him on, once again, coming a long way since the "Bruce's Tires Days".

Sorry the checkered flag fell so early,

--Stan and Pauline Laskin, SFR Driver & Steward, & Race Central

Email The Web Team to pass along your memories of Chuck. We'll pass them on to the family on your behalf. If you would like them posted here onChuck's page, let us know that too.