Gary Vessair

garyvessair

Inducted 2009 – Competitor – Snowmobile Racing

 

Gary Vessair started his snowmobile racing career in 1973, and by 1985 had proved he was a natural in the sport, winning multiple Ontario Snowmobile Racing Federation titles, along with success in the Eastern Pro Series and events such as the Kawartha Cup and Eagle River, Wisconsin.

 

With brother Bruce, and racecar driver Jacque Villeneuve, brother of Gilles, the Vessair Racing team was formed in 1986. With the financial support of Motomaster, a Canadian Tire brand, Gary won his first Sno Pro Oval Racing Title (SPORT) event. For the 1987-88 season, Gary captured the Ontario and Quebec Formula 1 title, and the next season he won four SPORT events in a row as well as the OSFR’s Formula 1 title.

 

After 10 years of trying, Vessair won the coveted World Championship event at Eagle River, and capped the season off with four more SPORT victories, and his third championship in the series.

 

The 1993-94 season was not a great one for Vessair, and he decided to retire from racing but stayed involved in the sport on an organization level until 1997.