CHICO — Bill Deschamps of Lakeport was inducted into the Northern California Auto Racing Alumni Hall of Fame on Oct. 11 at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico before a large crowd of racers, family, friends and fans.
Track promoter John Padjen paid tribute to 33 former drivers, promoters, car owners, motor builders, track personnel and officials. Each honoree received an engraved plaque officially inducting them into the 2008 Hall of Fame.
Deschamps began his racing career in 1956 driving a hardtop at the Lakeport Speedway when it was still a dirt track. He was one of the founding fathers of the Northern California Racing Association and played a major role in getting the quarter-mile oval paved.
Deschamps” career saw him drive hardtops, jalopies and super modifieds for various owners throughout the years. He later owned and drove a sprint car on the NARC circuit, his No. 44 car claiming victories at more than 55 tracks on the West Coast, including Lakeport, Ukiah, Shasta, Roseville and Altamont. He also raced in Oregon, Washington and Canada, claiming the prestigious International Drivers Challenge in 1972. He also was the Golden West Classic Champion in 1974.
Deschamps” racing career isn”t over yet. Last year he drove the No. 44 Vintage Eastern Modified owned by Andy Scopazzi of Lakeport in several exhibition races and he also traveled to Roseville for the West Capital Alumni Association All-American Vintage Races. Deschamps plans on racing a Vintage Super Modified ? a Nelson Kinney car that he raced in the 1970s ? next year.
